KARMA SPEAKS

PLEASE TIP ACCORDINGLY

BY DENISE “KARMA” CLIFFORD

So here’s a topic I’d love me to touch base on, tipping. Specifically in the food industry as that’s where I have personal ties to. I began working in the food industry at the age of 14 washing dishes in a local bar/restaurant in my hometown. I have since told as many kids that if you can work in a restaurant, you will always have a way to make money. People will always want to eat. But that’s not what this month’s article is about. I want to talk about individuals who choose to either eat out, or have someone prepare a meal for them to “pop in real quick” to pick it up. And to inform you that the people who are interacting with you to bring you that experience are getting paid on a tipped minimum wage. Here in NY that wage is right around $8 per hour, and so the tips that they are still paying taxes on, is mostly what they are utilizing as a paycheck.

Maybe the folks who don’t tip, didn’t realiz this, or maybe they feel it’s too expensive to eat out and to tip. Here is my take on this, and I feel very strongly towards this. If you want to have someone else interact with you, get precisely what and how you want a meal, treat you with kindness and a friendly banter and go out of their way to ensure this, while also maintaining numerous other families food and Dino d experience, then make sure your equating a tip into your budget. Local restaurants are not fast food joints who are now getting the minimum wage rate, but if you cannot afford to tip feel free to go through a drive through and not have to tip. Or I’m my opinion if you cannot afford to tip accordingly, stay home and cook for yourself. It’s that simple. Also, ordering takeout at a restaurant and tipping $0 is one of the rudest acts a person can do.

Let me break this down for you. Pretty much when your calling it’s peak eating times so the establishment is already busy with customers who have decided to come in and experience a dinner out.

The puu hi one call takes away from the in person interaction of the customer in front of the person at that time. The time on the phone making sure you get exactly what they need.

The act of packing all of it into the togo containers, because most of the time the staff in the kitchen doesn’t realize it’s a to-go order, as we are not a takeout restaurant. All of the time and energy taking away from in person diners, and then to be tipped $0 dollars for the work we did so the convenience of you just popping in to get your families meal, is an embarrassment to your upbringing.

I understand getting bad service from time to time which can decrease the tips amount, but let’s face it, on a whole with limited amount of working staff these days, I recommend if your going out to eat or even calling in a take out, do yourself a favor and tip. And tip accordingly. We remember those who don’t tip or leave that dime as a rude reminder that you personally have no clue what it means to work in the food industry or have ever worked for tips.

We remember you for next time, so we can make sure you are not getting our undivided attention, or getting your drinks asap. We Remember that your the type of person that will run a server back and forth to fulfill your extra blue cheese, and a side of ice needs for no tip. And won’t be so quick to come see if everything is ok. Tip your server, tip your bartender and tip that person who went out of their way to get your meal for you. I think everyone should work in the food industry at least once in their lives. I can always distinguish from the ones who have and those who have not. It’s an immediate courtesy that comes across. And speaking of courtesy, let’s talk about kids in restaurants whose parents leave them unattended. Wait, I’ll save this one for another article.

So in conclusion the message here is, If you can’t afford to tip, then you cannot afford to eat out. Period. Servers are not your servants.

“Or, in my opinion, if you cannot afford to tip accordingly, stay home and cook for yourself. It’s that simple.”