BeDeviant.com | THINK DIFFERENTLY - Latest Comments in “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

Josh — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:13:31 -0000

I deliver pizza for a living. Not my number one choice, but after doing it as a second job far a bit, i realized i could do it more and have time to go to school.
anyways
Without fail.. If i pull up to a house and see any indication that they are Christians (crosses, scripture plaques, bumper stickers on the car) i know that my chance of getting a tip just went from 80% to 20%. Sure, other people stiff me, but not in the predictable quantities that outward Christians do. I have actually gotten Bible pamphlets instead of tips. I will say that most outward Christians are general pleasant to deal with, but that niceness didn't pay for my gas to get here or my bills at home.
I've read responses to this problem before and it usually has the same defense.
"Christians are just watched closer"
Not true. Like I said, I usually have about an 80% chance of getting a tip. Unless it is at a retirement home, which you never get tipped, but i understand and would never expect one anyways, or at a hotel, in which case, almost always result in a tip. But on a Christians doorstep, i am likely to get nothing, or maybe a few cents.
Can anyone tell me honestly why this is?

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

bluesguy — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:18:59 -0000

First of all great blog (my first visit because of this post). Second of all I get it. I have many friends who have worked in the food industry where tips are part of the 'pay package'. Usually that means the server is being paid below minimum wage because they are going to make it up in tips. Also the IRS has tax rules where they estimate how much a server should be getting in tips and taxes them based on that estimate.

For almost 20 years I have tipped at least 15% unless the services was absolutely the bottom 1% of my going out experiences. For instance, in a practically empty restaurant and having to just about drag the server over to get my water glass refilled.

When I go out to a local blues club, my 'tab' is rarely over $30 (for my wife & myself because we just don't drink alcohol) for the night. I am now trying to tip about $30. I figure I was there all night and the server kept my soda or juice glass full they should get a good tip.

But the biggest reason I tip well is I am blessed with having a great career & salary. By any reasonable standard I am rich (not Bill Gates rich), especially when compared to what most people in the USA make and especially what the average standard of living the world over is. God blessed me with all of this 'stuff' I want to spread it around.

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

andywang — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:06:09 -0000

I owned a print shop and we had a rule about anyone ordering a business card with a fish symbol or scripture on it. That little symbol stood for "cash in advance." Of all the people that failed to return to pick up their cards and pay for them, those with the fish symbol or scripture were the vast majority. Says something, doesn't it? Those "Public Christians" somehow didn't have to follow the rules of decency that make society work. Made me embarrassed to be a Christian, and I NEVER put the fish symbol on anything as a result.

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

Ray — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:24:35 -0000

Wow. How eagar people are for me to "give" them my money when it goes into their pockets. It sounds like a demand. And who said that 20% is standard? Who set up that rule? When I go out to eat, I try and tip 20% for good service. If the service is exceptional I'll try and tip more. If the service is poor, I'll hold back and save it for when I get exceptional service. And I say "try" because my income is pretty low too. I have faith that God will provide, not my customers.

Good service in a restaurant includes the whole experience. That's why the tips are spread out amongst several employees. It means a reasonable wait to be seated. It means a clean table. It means clean tableware and dishes. It means good attentiveness from the wait staff. It means good food served at the proper temperature and the correct doneness and at a reasonable price. Give me all those things and I will tip well. Everybody is expected to do their part. and if someone slacks off it is up to the others to help them out or encourage them to get up to speed. If you would prefer that someone who can't afford to tip well each and everytime just stay home, (as someone stated) then expect to lose your job due to lack of business. A small tip is better than no tip.

I find it an obfuscation that we are expected to give 10% to God and 20% to a waiter/waitress. And what about the Christian attitude of the wait staff? Are we not to serve and be satisfied for what we get? Treat each customer as if they were Jesus himself and you'll be surprised at how your tips will improve. "Love your neighbor as yourself".

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

Julie Cajigas — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:55:56 -0000

Ok, I just have to weigh in here. A 20% tip is for excellent service. A 15% tip is for average service and tips of 10% and below are reserved for servers who are actually mean or rude. No one "deserves" a 20% tip - they are not entitled to it.

This is coming from someone who MORE OFTEN than not tips more than 20% and someone who was a server for a good while during college. 20% is certainly not the minimum "required" as some of you have suggested. I always start a meal willing to leave 20%, but I can't say I always end that way.

Why do I tip at least 15% almost 98% of the time? Because I understand that servers depend on the tips as wages. It is not a "bonus." They are making $3/hour, not $8 in most cases. On the other hand, if a server is openly mean or rude, or unapologetic about major failings in service, I reserve the right to withhold a tip.

I've withheld a tip, I think, twice. Once the server took over 50 minutes to deliver our meal, and she brought my husband the wrong food. Then, she blamed it on him saying he ordered the wrong thing! (when he clearly did not). She even went back to her pad, and then realized she had ordered it incorrectly but did not apologize. Then, she came back with the right dish, but it was completely frozen inside (meat). When alerted to the situation, she said - "So, do you want something else?" Gee - no kidding? She was completely ungracious and unapologetic. So, I did not leave a tip - or maybe we left a dollar or something.

The second time, I went to a seafood restaurant and ordered a calorie conscious meal along with a salad, no dressing, asked for unbuttered veggies and a plain baked potato along with my grilled fish. I also ate one of the cheese rolls that they offered there as I knew the calorie count and had budgeted to have one. I waited until the end of the meal to have mine, which I had set aside while the family ate the others. At the end of the meal I asked if she had nutrition information for the deserts, or perhaps a lower calorie dessert. She came back and said no, and I said oh, ok then I won't have dessert and she said "Well, you know those rolls are laden with fat and calories and you've been sitting here eating those - I mean, how many have you had?" "I've had one," I replied. It was an awfully awkward few minutes.

I didn't tip her. I almost wrote a tip down - "get into another line of work."

So, I reserve the right not to tip when service is deplorable and downright rude. It makes me irritated when people tip servers who display such awful behavior. They should not be servers, and I'm not going to encourage them with my money.

That said - if the service is decent, even if something bad happens or the food is slow - as long as the server shows some modicum of decency, you should plan on giving at least 15%. That's what I say anyway.

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

Bryon — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:57:14 -0000

This post echoes exactly what I've known about the Christian community (unfortunately) for several years.

I've never been a waiter at a restaurant, but I do volunteer at our church cafe. We get paid with a free meal (which makes it worth it), but we also have a tip basket sitting up on the counter, and if there's anything in there at the end of the night (that's a big IF) we split it up. We are open every Sunday night after evening service, and we serve a wide demographic of people - all the way from teenagers with their own money to young families with 5 kids to 70-something year old retired couples. We do about 50 orders in the course of the evening, and serve probably 75 or more people in the course of an hour and a half. How much is in the tip basket at the end of the night? We're doing good if we have enough to make change for a dollar.

Contrast this with when we're open during Upward Basketball season. We are open for about 6 hours on Saturdays while parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, etc. come to watch kids play basketball in a friendly and nurturing environment free from yelling coaches and fights with the referees. We have people from church come in and buy food as well, but most of our orders come from the non-Christian attendees. Almost every single person not from our church that comes in and orders an actual meal drops something in the tip basket (if they simply order a candy bar or a drink they don't usually). It's not uncommon for us to have $20-$40 to split between the 3 of us at the end of the day, plus the free food - not bad for volunteer work!

I am blessed with a best friend and a fiance who have the same convictions as I do about leaving a gratuitous gratuity anywhere we go. Whenever we go out to eat, we typically hang out there for an hour or more, and many times we ask the waiter/waitress if we can pray for him/her. ESPECIALLY if we ask that, we make sure to leave a nice tip. We regularly tip 30-40%, and many times much more, depending on the size of the bill. I tipped $2 the other night even though all I had was water while my friends had meals. I don't say this to tell people how awesome I am, because I certainly am not. I just want to encourage people to not be stingy. I am a commuting college student that has to work 28 hours a week to keep my head above water, so I'm no rich man. It doesn't take much to show someone that you love them and God loves them.

Think about this: the average meal at some place like Friendly's, O'Charley's, etc. including a drink is going to be about $10-$15. Let's say $15 for this example. 20% of $15 is $3. That's a normal tip - nothing to write home about, but not enough to complain about either. Add a couple bucks, and you've got a $5 tip. That's 33%. I think that would get someone's attention. I really feel like Christians should seek to bless the socks off of people we encounter in everyday life. What a cheap way to show God's love! Add $2-$5 to your tip and someone's really going to notice that! You might not be able to change the stereotype about Christians being bad tippers, but you can definitely remove yourself from that stereotype!

I know people that leave gospel tracts with their tips (my dad is one of them), and I don't necessarily think that's a bad idea. However, I do think that if you're going to leave a tract, you had better leave a darn good tip that's WAY higher than 20%. And don't try to hide the money inside the tract, because that makes them feel like they got ripped off.

There's a slogan that we used at a weekend retreat a couple years ago: "Show God's Love in a Practical Way." I think that definitely applies to tipping.

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

bulldog — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:30:11 -0000

I have been a server for 25 years and you worked briefly in one restaurant. How dare you call me under educated, green, and basically a dreg of society. Yes there are chain restaurants that make the mistake of hiring undesirables but do not lump all servers in your self-righteous, sanctimonious diatribe. The majority of servers are people who have education and yes, even degrees. We are single mothers or people who have chosen this field because a) we enjoy it, and b) it actually, sometimes, pays more than degreed professions. Your attitude is one of the reasons servers hate "the Sunday Christians." They hold the same self-righteous, holier than thou attitude your post exhibited. How Christian of you!

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:53:58 -0000

I work at one of the most upscale restaurants in my city. I have also *noticed* that tables that pray before their meals, regardless of the day or time, tip terribly. While I find believing in magic to be silly, I appreciate your efforts to give your gullible brethren a little more class. Not tipping well breeds a great deal of resentment in servers, especially the young, "worldly" ones you so desperately need to convert before they hit college and start reading about that evil science.

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 09:52:35 -0000

I work at one of the most upscale restaurants in my city. I have also that tables that pray before their meals, regardless of the day or time, tip terribly. While I find believing in magic to be silly, I appreciate your efforts to give your gullible brethren a little more class. Not tipping well breeds a great deal of resentment in servers, especially the young, "worldly" ones you so desperately need to convert before they hit college and start reading about that evil science.

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

Rasco — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 10:55:57 -0000

This epidemic seems to be not only industry wide, but also faith wide in a broader sense. I am reading the book UNChristian by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, and they are talking to unbelievers about Christians. And in short, unbelievers see believers as hypocritical, self-absorbed (as a whole) and not truly portraying what Jesus really is. Even before reading this and that book, I could see how that is true. And after reading both, it just solidifies the facts. Kinda hard to believe that the people 'trying the hardest' to portray Christ are doing the worst job at doing it.

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

JustinWise — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 00:13:30 -0000

This one hit me big time. It's just so horribly ... predictable. I can't say that I'm surprised either.

Why the disconnect, do you think? Great comment.

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

FormerServer, FormerChristian — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:01:54 -0000

I dislike the tipping system just as much as anybody else, but I can't offer a practical alternative. Would you rather pay an additional 25% to receive service from someone who doesn't care how well they perform? I worked very hard for my tips with absolutely fantastic service; not with flirting or superficial small talk (unless that's what kind of service the table wanted). I learned how to be the type of server my table wanted (chatty, quiet, omnipresent); I had a 6 month run as the highest tipped server in my restaurant.

I graduated from a well known Christian College, and I never figured out how to be a great server for a Christian table. I tried quoting verses alongside them and pretending not to be familiar with their favorite verse. I think that Christians might just naturally be the lousiest tipping population. Has anyone ever been offered something of great imagined value from any other demographic as payment?

My three favorites:
Couple leaves $1 bill with tract ($25 bill)
Bible verse on check rounded up from $19.XX to an even $20
Two families (table of 9) who met after church tipped $0.37 on a $65 tab

Oh, and from my experience as a bartender, I can confirm that the gay population is consistently the best tipping. They won't try to solicit or convert you, either. Well, I suppose they might, but never instead of a good tip.

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

Dave — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:35:39 -0000

For Hair Stylist - it depends upon the service. A hair cut for a guy - maybe $5. But a full highlight/haircut/style for a woman with long hair - closer to around $20.

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

Dave Sandell — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:14:42 -0000

20% is standard. I expect to add it to my bill and I consider it when I'm ordering. It's part of the budget. However, I wasn't raised to believe that so every time I sign that 20% it stings a little. But it's a good sting. The sting of giving more than you want to, when you could get away with giving less.

I liked what Kyle said about tipping bad service out of grace. Just knocked my "10% for abysmal service" argument on its side. So... that's gonna sting too. But I'm resolving to never tip less than 10%.

Now, can someone offer insight on how much to tip delivery guys, hair stylists and other non-restaurant situations?

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

Paul — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 12:07:55 -0000

I just watched "Reservoir Dogs" which has a debate quite like this in the beginning of the movie. One man doesn't "believe in tipping" and therefore doesn't tip the waiter. All the other men at the table look at him like he's crazy, but he holds his ground that he only tips when he gets exceptional service. Here's a link to the video, but be warned that there's explicit language: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBFUDbOldMs

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

Tim — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:51:43 -0000

I have not worked in the restaurant business "officially" but working at my uncles restraint waiting tables during summers and Sunday brunches with all the Sunday morning christians who go to church and say there amens and give offering but then come to the restaurant and run my through the ringer and treat me like the scum of the earth while I am pleasant and polite to earn my low tip. I do not really get a check only tips since it is my uncles restaurant.

I think that if we are going to talk the talk we need to walk the walk. If you where a church camp shirt or a christian shirt ruin the stereotype and give the server a good tip it will make them a little less bias to us.

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

Becker — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:17:30 -0000

Here's my deal. I actually worked for a restaurant for a good part of last year, learned the trade, cooks, bussing, bartending, everything, just to do something new and meet some people. In my mind the majority of lifetime servers are under-educated, underpaid, and pretty green when it comes to the world. They want what's good for them NOW and they want to get their fix so they can buy drugs, alcohol, pay child support, etc. The majority of my people just needed a whole lotta love and hope, and not necessarily bad tips.

Therefore, I learned how far a tip will go by working with the people who really needed it.

I also learned that the best tips come when you're not working for it. I schmoozed my tables, small-talked, and cracked jokes and often received 30-40% tips by generally enhancing the life and bringing joy to the table.

Gay men tip the best. By far. Then it's the single women. A little flirting goes a long ways during girls nights + martinis.

People who visit from out of town who lived in towns under $500 didn't know how to tip. Those tables were bad. Cranky people were sometimes good, sometimes not.

And finally -- about Christian tippers. If you cannot afford to go out to eat and pay for the standard tip, then you shouldn't be there. Standard tip is 20% regardless of the quality of service or food, BUT you have EVERY right to complain to the manager.

A simple way to tip enough. Say the bill is 15.50, tip 20% then round up to the next dollar. 20% ~= $3.00 plus $.50. Good enough tip and it makes someone's day.

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

jeremyfritz — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:09:15 -0000

As a college student, I usually tip 15%, which I find to more than the standard within my age group. If the service is great, It'll be up to 30%. Also though, i like to write a little note on the receipt. I just say thank you, and I appreciate your service here and I end with a little smiley face. I don't mention God or leave a tract, I just try to brighten their day a little bit. It makes me sad that Christians are the worst tippers, but I absolutely believe it.. I've been a part of that culture before and it's also people's attitudes that say after church on Sunday they just emptied their pockets into the offering so they're maybe even subconsciously stingier than usual. I don't know though, I certainly dont want to justify it by any means.

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

justme — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:44:51 -0000

can I just chime in for a minute? I am a Christian who worked as a server for many years before becoming a Christian. (I left work in part because of my new relationship with God)...anyway many high end restaurants require to claim a 17%tip before clocking out. (it is an IRS issue and they are trying to avoid the likelyhood of an audit) so there were several times I had to claim tips that I didn't actualy make just to get my (meager) paycheck. Just a little inside info to consider.
Peace to you all.

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

Courtney — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:13:52 -0000

Just have to ditto a lot of these previous comments. I waited tables through college in the Des Moines area. It was almost 100% true that the worst tips were on a check with a Bible verse or fish symbol. If you saw the family pray before eating it was nearly a guarantee the tip would be lousy no matter the service. And I was a darn good server for my $3/hr + tips - %tip share for hosts/bartenders. We all need to be better witnesses.

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

Dave — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:26:17 -0000

The bitterness of the following comments might take this whole discussion over the edge:

Generally speaking, Christians are not just horrible tippers, but horrible customers.

My wife works in the cosmetology industry. She is an amazing hair stylist and is very reasonably priced (considering where she works and the quality of her work). Many of you reading this here know me and my wife, so you know that just over a year ago we left the where we attended. At the time roughly 50% of Sarah's customers attended this church.

Once we left to start a new church, she lost nearly all of her customers who attended the church we left. Gone. After months of loyal service, gone. Never to be heard from again.

Was it because they were bitter we left? Was it a convenience issue (i.e. it's too much work to set up an appointment on the phone vs. seeing you on Sunday mornings)? I don't know.

I do know that her business took a huge hit and so did we. So thank you, Christians, for being so unloyal and stingy and nearly putting our family in financial ruin.

Awesome.

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

Jonathan — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:48:44 -0000

I've never worked in the restaurant industry, but several of my friends have, and they find that Christians are quite often the most complaining and rudest bunch, and yes, tip very little. Good call...These people are often living on tips and need this money to get by.

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

Kyle — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 01:25:11 -0000

It's an interesting argument Darlene. My brother makes the same point at family functions. (Servers should do a good job like everyone else, and be paid hourly. It shouldn't be added to my bill) There are restaurants that pay their staff hourly, and do not require tips; there's a whole industry called fast casual that does this: Pei Wei, Chipotle, Qdoba, Moe's, Panera, Atlanta Bread Co, McCallister's Deli, etc... However, these restaurants are not full service (you order at the counter and get your own refills). I know some states require servers to be paid minimum wage, but I don't know of any full service restaurants here in the states that are set up in the manner you describe. (though there are some like this in Europe)

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

Kyle — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 01:17:03 -0000

oh. worst tip? 2.xx on 57.xx (apparently they couldn't go past $60)

lowest was $1.24 on $28.76 (they paid once, tipped 6 on 23, ordered $8 of dessert, and signed the new credit slip with the same number as before.)

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

Kyle — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 01:03:10 -0000

Uh, I'm not in your town.. but I saw this on my reader. I wait tables in Nashville TN, and have in Ohio, KY and Missouri as well. Servers' wage in these states is as low as 2.13/hr. (half of minimum) S/S and taxes on what tips I claim (and as a believer, I claim all tips) come out of that hourly amount. In working full time, my checks are $0.00, and have been since May 2008. I work for Tips only. Out of those tips, I tip out the food runners and bartenders a set percentage of sales.

God calls ups to be kind, patient, forgiving and generous. Frugality is not a fruit of the Spirit.

If your service is abysmal, tell the manager. I've called the "how are we doing" # from my table to complain about service at other places. Email corporate. (you can do this from your phone now) But still tip. It's a chance for you to actually offer real grace to someone. You say you're kind and generous; prove it.

Kyle
Server
P.F. Chang's,
Nashville, TN