The Verbal Tip

An actual credit card receipt from Friday night

It’s not uncommon knowledge that servers work for tips. We even have our own government standardized income category, which happens to be less than minimum wage. But some people either don’t understand the realities of Ontario labour regulations or they just don’t care.

Servers rely on tips as part of their income – this is a fact; and we expect at least 15 per cent. Before you start ranting about those greedy waitresses, it’s important to note that most restaurants take up to 3 per cent of a server’s net sales as part of their tip-out to the cooks, hostesses and management, regardless of whether the server made any tips that night. Therefore, it’s only natural to get upset when we receive a less than appropriate tip.

Sometimes customers try our patience with something called ‘the verbal tip.’ Some diners think it’s okay to compliment their server on a job well done in lieu of a cash tip. While we appreciate your kind words about our wonderful service, verbal tips don’t pay our bills.

As frustrating as verbal tips can be, especially when they seem to take over an entire shift, there is a way to get through the pain: Remind yourself that you – the server – didn’t do anything wrong. Instead, blame it on the customer’s ignorance. It’s not your fault they didn’t bother reading up on standard tipping practices.

However you see it, money is an important part of life; without it, we wouldn’t be able to eat, clothe ourselves or put a roof over our heads. So, what’s the moral of this story? Always tip your server…in cash. 

Welcome to Serving for the Future

As a Public Relations student, it’s important that I learn the art of communication; blogging seems like a good place to start.

Serving for the Future is my way of communicating the ups, downs and roundabouts of working as a waitress. While some people love serving, others can’t stand it. The thing that separates the lovers from the haters is the answer to the question: why are you a server?

Those who love serving, often choose to pursue it as a career. Why not? There’s a lot of money to be made in a short time; and if you’re a people-person, you can get to know some fascinating people.

Those who hate it are, more often than not, just trying to pay their bills while attempting to launch careers in other industries. For these people, it can be incredibly frustrating to find yourself working the same, menial serving job, month after month – sometimes, year after year – while searching for that breakthrough moment that will launch a fulfilling and lasting career.

While I happen to fall under the latter category, I do enjoy some aspects of being a waitress: I’ve made good money throughout the years, maintained great friendships, and sampled amazing foods.

Over the next eight weeks, I will take you on a journey through my 12 years as a server, covering such topics as: Staying positive in the negative, handling unruly customers, dealing with ‘verbal’ tips, feeling trapped in your job, and the benefits of being a server.

I recommend serving this blog with a glass of merlot. Enjoy!