Wait staff are not paid the same hourly rates as, for instance, retail or fast food workers, and minimum wage is not applied. They make considerably less as tips are part of their income. Additionally, after they changed the tips tax laws some years ago, a percentage of the restaurant’s income is used to calculate what the government has decided you earned in tips. This will be on your W-2 and you will pay taxes on it.
Banquet halls or catered events etc are not the same and while you can earn a tip from whoever hired the venue it is not normally part of your pay.
So don’t be a jerk, and tip a server in a restaurant based on the level of service you received, taking into account that many things are not controlled by your server, including whether the food is any good or not.
I think it’s “interesting” (not speaking of you in particular) that many people wouldn’t dream of not tipping a bartender have no problem stiffing the waitress at the neighborhood restaurant.
AMEN!!! AMEN!!! AMEN!!
Excellently stated! especialyy for some of the cheap bastards commenting on this thread! Who are obviously ignorant as well!