Experiment

[NcDeuce]

I work as a waiter/host at a local restaurant and we are allowed to wear lapel pins on our shirt. I have been wearing the yellow 'Support the troops' pin since I started working there about 9 weeks ago. I have averaged approximately $9.10 an hour. (we are paid $2.13 an hour + whatever tips we make)

I bought a couple new pins the other day. I will begin wearing the black POW/MIA lapel pin along with a 'Never Forget 9/11' pin that shows the famous image of firefighters raising the U.S. flag. I am curious as to how (if at all) these pins affect customers' tipouts.

I have another pin, the Bush-Cheney 2004 lapel pin but I think I'll hold off on that experiment, ;)

BTW, I think I'm an above-average server. I don't screw up, drinks are always filled, checks put down promptly, to-go boxes, etc. I don't think the pins have a huge impact but I think it has some...

[James]

I tip based on service and attitude.

[Jack Mehoff]

I tip based on service and attitude.

and extra if the waitress is hottttt

[Ratamacue]

I have to agree with James. There may be some people that will be unintentionally drawn to giving you a better tip, but that depends on them even noticing the pins which they may or may not.

[James]

I tip based on service and attitude.

and extra if the waitress is hottttt

I will not dispute that.

[Jack Mehoff]

and extra extra if the waitress provides 'special' service

[James]

and extra extra if the waitress provides 'special' service

That "tip" is not monetary in nature... ;)

[StarvingStudent47]

It all depends on the town. In hippie-heavy towns, you'd probably get less tips. In areas near military bases, you'd certainly get more. I suspect for most of the country it wouldn't make a substantial difference.

Make sure your employer is okay with the "Bush/Cheney" pin before you wear it at work. Most people I've worked for are happy with non-divisive patriotic stuff (like the flag and "remember 9/11") but frown on stuff like endorsing a particular political candidate, even if the employer themself agrees with me. You just don't want to do anything that might cause animosity with an otherwise-contented paying customer.

[Midtown]

and extra extra if the waitress provides 'special' service

That "tip" is not monetary in nature... ;)

That reminds me of a strip club experiance....

[farmgirl]

Your pins would make no difference to me in regards to a tip. I might comment on them when you came to the table, and how you reacted might possibly have an impact. I value good and friendly service, and in my opinion, that's what counts. :)

[Roger Rabbit]

If you were wearing a hippy badge or some ****e like that then i probably wouldn't tip you. If you were wearing a "support our troops" badge i probably would tip you if i wasn't a student and therefore had money with which i could use for tips. But i don't think a restaurant is a place for any political signs to be shown at all.

[cut]

where's the "I have no fu*king clue option"?

[NcDeuce]

It all depends on the town. In hippie-heavy towns, you'd probably get less tips. In areas near military bases, you'd certainly get more. I suspect for most of the country it wouldn't make a substantial difference.

Make sure your employer is okay with the "Bush/Cheney" pin before you wear it at work. Most people I've worked for are happy with non-divisive patriotic stuff (like the flag and "remember 9/11") but frown on stuff like endorsing a particular political candidate, even if the employer themself agrees with me. You just don't want to do anything that might cause animosity with an otherwise-contented paying customer.

Yeah, I'm not wearing the Bush-Cheney in '04 pin to work. Maybe when I go vote or something. :lol:

One woman a few weeks ago stopped me and tried rubbing the yellow 'Support the troops' pin because she thought it was mustard!

[usa320]

I wear an American flag pin at work.

Oh and as for tips, i tip based on service and efficiency, plus extra if the waitress is hot, and even more if she provides an "extra service", that being a non-monetary tip.

[California Joe]

Are you wearing the required amount of "flare"?










I wrote flare. Did so. ;)

[Falco]

I have to agree with James. There may be some people that will be unintentionally drawn to giving you a better tip, but that depends on them even noticing the pins which they may or may not.

I agree, I think that it depends on who it tipping. If he's, say a US soldier, he might give you more. But if he doesn't give a damn, well there is your answer.

[buckeyedoc]

I tip based on performance and attitude, or the lack thereof. If the server (being PC now) is good, I'll tip about 25%. I used to be a server and know how sucky the job can be. If the server sucks, the tip will be less than the standard 15%. On one occasion, I didn't tip the server at all. She was a worthless piece of crap.

[Salty Dog]

Are you wearing the required amount of "flash"?

flash.....or flare? in office space they called it flare.

[Salty Dog]

I tip based on performance and attitude, or the lack thereof. If the server (being PC now) is good, I'll tip about 25%. I used to be a server and know how sucky the job can be. If the server sucks, the tip will be less than the standard 15%. On one occasion, I didn't tip the server at all. She was a worthless piece of crap.

if the waitress totally sucks and gives you an attitude, that means the meal is free. dine and ditch.

[Nawlins]

I tip based on service and attitude.

and extra if the waitress is hottttt

I will not dispute that.

I won't either. I've gotten upwards of 35% from single men.

(But then I average about 20%, so maybe I'm just that good. ;))