🧾 Let’s Talk About Tipping — From a Guest’s Point of View 💬

I don’t usually post things like this, but I think it’s time to say something that might not be popular: Sometimes, I leave a poor tip — and I don’t feel bad about it. Let me explain.

Tipping isn’t just automatic for me. I understand it’s how many servers make their living, and when the service is good (or even average), I tip well — usually 20% or more. I want to support people in the service industry. I’ve been there. I get it.

But if my experience is ignored, if I’m met with rudeness, or if it feels like we’re an inconvenience instead of a valued guest — it affects how I tip. If my drink sits empty while servers chat in the corner, if our food comes out wrong and no one checks in, or if there’s a dismissive attitude from start to finish, it changes how I view the experience. And that’s exactly what I’m tipping on — the experience.

I don’t expect perfection. I know restaurants get slammed. I don’t dock tips for slow food or a kitchen mistake. But when there’s clearly no effort to make things right — no ownership, no apology, no eye contact — I start questioning whether a strong tip is deserved.

📉 Poor tips aren’t always a sign of bad guests — they’re often a sign of poor training. Every low tip is feedback in disguise. Fix the real problem. 💡 Let 5 Loaves Marketing & Consulting help turn your team into top-tier service pros. Contact us today — your revenue (and your staff) will thank you. 🍽️📈

It’s not about punishing someone. It’s about feedback. Tipping is the one way I can signal, “This wasn’t okay.” If I’m tipping poorly, it means something was off enough that I walked out feeling disappointed — not over a long wait, but over how we were treated.

I know this may not sit right with everyone, but I hope it offers some perspective. Just like servers rely on tips, guests rely on the experience. When both sides show up with respect and effort, everyone wins.

— A Guest Who Still Believes in Good Service 🙏