Waitstaff Reveal The Rudest Ways People Leave Tips

Additional Coverage:

11 Common Tipping Habits Waitstaff Say Are the Rudest (financebuzz.com)

Tipping Etiquette: 11 Habits to Avoid for a Smoother Dining Experience

Planning to enjoy more restaurant meals in 2026? As you budget for delicious dishes, remember that a significant portion of your server’s income comes from tips. With hourly wages often as low as $2.13, gratuities are essential for their livelihood.

Servers work hard to ensure you have a pleasant dining experience, and they certainly notice how and what you tip. To help you show appreciation and avoid common faux pas, here are 11 rude tipping habits to steer clear of:

1. Tipping on the Pre-Tax Amount

While some once believed in tipping only on the pre-tax total, this practice is largely outdated. Tipping on the post-tax amount is not only simpler (no extra calculations needed!), but it also provides a few extra dollars to your server, making a small but meaningful difference.

2. Skipping the Tip on Coffee

Even if your coffee costs only a few dollars, crafting a quality beverage often requires skill and effort from your server. A dollar or two shows appreciation for their work and your caffeine fix.

3. Not Adjusting for Difficult Table Behavior

Kids acting up or a relative repeatedly sending back their dish can make a server’s day more challenging. While they’ve likely seen it all, acknowledging the extra effort with a tip exceeding 20% demonstrates empathy and respect.

4. Assuming No Tip is Needed at a Buffet

Even at a buffet, staff members work behind the scenes to keep food hot, trays replenished, and tables bussed. Skipping a tip means you’re overlooking these essential contributions. A 10-15% tip is still greatly appreciated, even if it’s not the full 20%.

5. Tipping Nothing for Less-Than-Perfect Service

Servers, like everyone, can have an off day. If service isn’t exceptional, a $0 tip is rarely appropriate. Consider 15% as a minimum to help them reach a living wage, and then increase for excellent service.

6. Overlooking Bartenders

Bartenders do more than just pour drinks; they mix complex cocktails, manage multiple orders, and keep patrons happy. Their tips are well-deserved. Aim for $1-$2 per drink as a general guideline.

7. Tipping with Only Coins

While coins technically add up, leaving a handful of quarters can be an unnecessary hassle for a busy server. Opt for cash or a credit card tip for convenience.

8. Tipping on a Discounted Total

Coupons and discounts make dining out more affordable, but your server still performs the same amount of work. Tip on the original, full-price amount to properly compensate them for their efforts.

9. Stiffing a Tip for Issues Beyond the Server’s Control

Frustrations like a sold-out entree or a restaurant’s use of QR codes are not your server’s fault. Direct these complaints to management, not to the tip line.

10. Forgetting a Tip on Takeout

Even for takeout orders, employees are working to ensure your food is prepared correctly, checked, and delivered to you hot. A small tip is distributed among the staff involved in the process and adds up over a busy shift.

11. Believing a Bad Tip Teaches a Lesson

It’s not your role to “teach a lesson” with a docked tip. Minor irritations, such as a perceived attitude or how a plate was set down, don’t warrant penalizing someone’s income. Remember, servers are human too.

Bottom Line

As you enjoy meals out, keeping these tipping habits in mind can contribute to a more positive experience for both you and your server. For those opting to cook at home, remember to maximize savings through store rewards programs, cash-back credit cards, and coupons, freeing up your budget for those occasional restaurant treats.