[JediJones]

Being a server in a restaurant is one of the jobs that requires the least skill possible. It’s silly that just because you happen to directly interact with that person that there is a “tradition” of tipping them. They don’t even prepare the food, and that is somewhere where the skills of the worker matters more. Tipping a waitress is like tipping the checkout girl at the grocery store. It’s not a job that one person can do much better than any other. It’s not even a necessary job. You can do self-checkout just as easily as you could take a number and pick up your own food at the counter of a restaurant when you’re called.

[downtownconservative]

Self checkout in a fine dining establishment? You don’t get out much do you?

[downtownconservative]

“Being a server in a restaurant is one of the jobs that requires the least skill possible.”

I must disagree. If you haven’t tried it, you shouldn’t be quite so cavalier about disrespecting the job servers do. It’s a serious multi-tasking effort most newcomers to the position miserably fail at. Think about having 4 or 5 tables of 4 or more with various drinks, appetizers, meals with multiple requests for various special requirements, more drinks, and then various desserts. And, all items served at the precisely correct time for that table, whilst juggling the kitchen lag and the random vagaries of more than twenty different customers’ requests.

It’s why ex-servers always are the best tippers.

[Myrddin]

It does matter. I expect the server to verify that all of the food I have ordered has been prepared completely and correctly. The server is the buffer between the kitchen and customer. The quality control step. The person who can get your order tailored to your requirements. If that level of service isn't happening, I can just stay home and cook it myself. I've worked the full range of dishwasher, cook, fountain and waiter at Farrell's when I was in high school. The restaurant could seat 300 people and was often wall to wall.

[NorthstarMom]

You’ve never worked as a server, have you? They aren’t just standing around chatting while waiting for your food when they go into the kitchen. It can be challenging and not everyone has the organizational skills or temperament to do it. You have to really enjoy working to make people happy.

In fact, everyone in a restaurant busts their tail on busy nights-from the cooks down to the dishwasher.

The servers share their tips with other staff as well-you work as a team and a cash reward for a job well done is a great incentive.

[cherry]

there is skill in being a server.....you have to keep your dishes straight, be courteous even with the middle aged bald men who think they’re Casanovas and be charitable even to the most whiny and demanding people.