indexed

Actually, see Act Two. Curve's backwards.

In my experience, age of clientele vs. respect shows a positive correlation.

Though my friends and I are perfectly nice and polite and clean, as we are teenagers we still get bad service at restaurants - though maybe because we can't afford big tips!

Now you need to do a graph on waitresses, guys and beer.

Curve's backwards
Not backwards, but maybe a bit of a Gaussian distribution. I definitely think there is a sweet spot where yo u feel taken care of, but not hovered over.

Now I see introversion in wait staff as the shy but sweet type who know when not to interrupt. These get big tips from me.

The type who "ignore us" are extroverts spending too much time gabbing with co-workers.

To get good service:

-Be decisive, but reasonable (e.g. if you want extra cheese and no mayo, say so, but don't ask the Chili's staff to scour the kitchen trying to cobble together a Wolfgang Puck creation out of the salsa and frozen burger patties).

-Don't do things that make the wait staff anticipate that you're going to tip horribly (e.g. order water to drink but ask for a plate-full of lemons and extra sugar packets. If you are truly a connoisseur of fresh lemonade, at least offer to pay the $1.79 you would for a soft-drink).

-Don't be Mr./Ms. Big Shot (snapping your fingers at the 15 year old who just happened to be running another table's food to them because that's who you happened to see the split second you slurped up the last of your iced tea with 8 sweet-n-lows will NOT endear you to your staff)

---OR---

1. Tip well.
2. Go back.

Some servers want to chat while they take care of you, others only want to make sure your needs are met. If you want a friend to talk to, bring one. Don't plan on your waitress on doing the entertaining. What is aloof to you may be the waitress juggling six different tables in addition to back-of-the-house duties and helping other servers.

(Sorry, I had a table comment last night that they hadn't "seen much of me" through their meal. No, but their drinks were always full, I made sure their food was the way they wanted it, and I had the check ready when they asked for it. I had six other tables to wait on, and didn't have the time to stay and chat.)

The same applies to bartenders. That's why I always tip big the first few rounds, especially if the place is busy. They are always looking for you when you come back up to the bar.

Suzie Bee - teenagers are notorious for not tipping at all, that's probably why you may not always get good service. It's a shame, really, because I know not all teenagers are like that. Unless I've waited on someone before and know otherwise, I start waiting a table with the attitude that they will tip me according to my service, and don't worry about it.

Servers don't necessarily want BIG tips, we just want a proportional tip. On a $20 tab, for instance, I have to pay out about fifty cents. It might not seem like much, but if I don't get tipped, I must pay it out of my pocket and it puts me in the hole. On a given weekend night, I end up owing about 10-14 bucks to tipshare, which goes to the bartender and busboy. Some other restaurants also tip out the hostesses, which would bump the total tipshare up even more. Tipshare isn't bad at all...unless several tables do not tip enough or at all. Then we potentially end up losing money. If you feel that you do tip well, find out the name of your favorite server at a restaurant and always request their section. Once they know you aren't going to stiff them, service will almost definitely improve. Sadly, that's not the way it should be; you should receive good service no matter what the anticipated tip.

Hey, I finally get to see a deleted comment before the deletion. I wonder how that got by 'word verification'?

Have hear scowling waitresses get more tips, because customers want to make her feel better.

Missed my calling.

Hadn't heard about scowlers, but I have heard that a couple of bruises or bandages, especially on the face, make people think the server might be a victim of domestic abuse.

Sadly, it's probably true all too often.

Best song ever about the all-too-common invisible waitress, by Fountains of Wayne

"Halley's Waitress"

Halley's waitress
never comes around
She's hiding in the kitchen
She's nowhere to be found
I just want some coffee
Is that too much to ask?
Halley's waitress
is not up to the task

And when she finally appears
It's like she's been away for years

It's been so long
So long
Darling don't you know
We miss you when you're gone
So long
So long
Darling don't you know
We miss you when you're gone
Ahhh

Halley's waitress
Has vanished once again
She's talking to her agent
She's calling all her friends
Forget about the coffee
I'll just take a check
Halley's waitress
You know you'll get yours yet

It's been so long
So long
Darling don't you know
We miss you when you're gone
So long
So long
Darling don't you know
We miss you when you're gone
Ahhh

@ Kristen: I do understand that teenagers can be *ahem* difficult customers who don't tip at all, but I still feel slightly disgruntled when waiters/waitresses assume every teenager must be like that when we're obviously just chatting quietly and waiting for our meal. I do notice a big difference when I'm out with my parents.

@ suzie bee
Yeah, I know, I agree that servers shouldn't assume. They should give good service regardless. But, being a server, I know that it just doesn't happen like that. :(

I get more upset and embarassed of friends when they leave a stingy tip. I hate the "young people don't tip" stereotype with a passion. There was a guy the other day that came with me and some friends to eat. We went to Chili's because my girlfriend and one other person in the group works there and we would get 50% off, but we told everyone to plan on NOT getting a discount (because we knew some of them in particular were stingy). So, this guy orders a drink and a meal (total of about 12.50 + tax + tip), then when the check comes, he tells everyone he only has FIVE DOLLARS! This totally pissed me off. He relied on everyone else to pick up the difference (over 10 bucks) and to top it off, didn't offer to repay anyone or even apologize. I'll never go to eat with him again. On a side note, to avoid that stereotype, I frequent Chili's (because a bunch of the people know me there), and I make sure I ALWAYS give at least a 15% tip. If I get good service, I'll tip 20%, and if I get great service, I give upwards of 25 or 30%. BTW, if you do get a discount or something on a meal, always tip based on the PRE-DISCOUNT PRICE!

If you can't afford to tip 15%, you can't afford the meal.

No one wants to be neglected, but who likes an overbearing waitress who asks too many personal questions?

The average tip should be 15%.
They will remember you next time, if you are cheap don't go back!!