Restaurant Servers Not Thrilled When You Stack Your Plates

Author Morty

October 23rd, 2023 11:39 AM

stacked up dirty dishes.

When you’re dining in at a restaurant and your entire table is done, you definitely want to get that table space cleared up as soon as possible. What do you do? You start stacking plates as you finish them. But when your server comes to take the plates away, you get this weird eye roll or reaction.

Great, They Stacked Their Plates!

You look at your server who has a disgusted face that they’re trying so hard to hide. Wondering why? You thought you were doing them a favor. Helping them out, so they don’t have to do it themselves. But you know what, they would rather do it themselves. Stacking your own plates could be considered bad dining etiquette.

Servers and table bussers usually follow a specific order or system when they clear your table. When you stack your own plates, it interrupts their system they follow. I talked to many former servers in the office, who said that they usually had a routine when they clean a table.

This obviously isn’t a universal system that everyone follows at all all restaurants. But servers definitely come up with their own system to make their jobs easier and more efficient. This is because different variables come into play. Like what’s being served on the menu, what the able ordered or even the tableware that they use to serve you.

The Break Down Of Why It’s Bad Dining Etiquette

Your server has a routine. And obviously you stacking your own plates will throw off that routine. An example Food Republic says is servers usually have to remove the napkins or unfinished food from the plates before taking them to the washer.

Also, if you stack your own plates, the people in the back may think your server isn’t doing their job properly. This isn’t so much in regular small-chain restaurants. But, more in expensive and higher-end restaurants..

We know you’re thinking you’re doing them a favor, but the next time you dine out maybe leave your finished plates as is. It may look like its more work for your server, but just use your best judgement when it comes to pre-bussing a table.

We have more on this in today’s edition of a Few Things You Should Know!

Morty is the Executive Producer of “The Mike And Carla Morning Show” on 96.3 KKLZ. He's been a part of the show and station for 5 years. Aside from producing the morning show, he has served as production director for over 20 years. Those commercials you hear between the music, he produced a lot of them for Las Vegas! He loves music, playing guitar, all things Vegas Golden Knights, the Steelers, and his English Bulldog, Squish! He will talk forever with you on any of these things! Morty writes about peculiar news stories and Las Vegas happenings.

Tipflation And When It's Ok NOT To Tip -- Even In Las Vegas

Tipping has gotten out of control – even in Las Vegas, which is considered a tipping city.

If you feel like you’re being asked to tip just about everywhere you go these days, you are not alone. In addition to those traditional establishments and businesses — restaurants, barber shops, Uber and Lyft — customers are being prompted to tip everywhere, from convenience store counters to self-checkout kiosks at airports. And it’s gotten out of hand.

Las Vegas is the land of tipping. Servers, bartenders dealers, valet, bell desk, concierge – it’s non-stop!

Tipflation:

Etiquette experts Like Thomas Farley — who is known as Mister Manners — are calling it “tipflation.” Farley says that people are really feeling imposed upon. We’re through very inflationary times. Everything is very expensive. And on top of that, you’re being asked every time you turn around, ‘How much would you like to tip?’

It feels pushy, it feels needy and honestly – why aren’t businesses paying people more? And in personally speaking to fast food, and mall food kiosk workers – they don’t see that tip money that people add on – only the cash! Not right business owners – not right!

When to tip:

I don’t think many of us have a problem tipping servers for great service. We’re glad to leave a good tip when someone brings our food and drinks, we don’t have to cook or clean, and that person made it a great time. Tipping room attendants is also a good thing to do. They are, after all, cleaning up what we just do not need to see. But stop turning the tablet when I just literally got my own water out of the case!

Everyone loves a tip, but not everyone can afford to do it the way we are now being prompted to. There are many business, and scenarios where Mister Manners, and those who work in them, say they don’t expect tips, and it’s not necessary.

So put your wallet away, and take notice of these five people and scenarios that don’t require a tip.

Professionals
As a blanket rule, you don’t need to tip anyone who earns a salary or performs a trade. That means you don’t have to tip doctors, lawyers, teachers, plumbers or cable techs. Not only would it not be expected, it would be highly unorthodox and very awkward. Plus, in certain situations, it could be seen as attempting to get some sort of favor or that it might be some sort of a bribe.

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Counter Service
As a rule, anyone working at a counter is earning a wage, while those delivering food, either to your table or to your home, rely on tips as a major part of their income. Tipping people who work behind a counter, such as a barista or a cashier, is not a requirement as far as etiquette experts are concerned — even if that tablet suggests otherwise. But when they turn that device around, it’s this glaring thing, and people feel shamed into tipping, That’s not to say a tip for a counter worker is out of the question, and isn’t a nice gesture. If you frequent the place regularly, and they have your order memorized, then go for it!

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Open Bar Events
If you go to an event with an open bar, the bar staff may or may not put out a tip jar. But s a rule of thumb, the host of that event has likely already taken care of the tip. It would be included in what they’ve had to pay for the venue or bartending service. This means you’re not obligated to tip, too. It is, of course, appreciated and may help get you better service throughout the night. Now, if they give you a heavier pour., a buck or two isn’t much to ask.

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Double Tipping
You don’t have to tip twice for the same service. Like the your nail girl, who you tipped, but had to pay at the counter, and were prompted to tip again. Sorry, but that’s just the business trying to get more money out of you! The situation is a little trickier in cities that have implemented minimum wage requirements for tipped workers, such as restaurant servers. Some restaurants in these cities will apply a 20% service charge to your bill before giving you with the option to tip. In those situations, it’s ok to discreetly ask your server where the fee is going. If it goes to the servers, bussers and so forth, you don’t have to tip again. If the money goes to the house, you’ll want to leave a tip for the server who took care of you. From an etiquette standpoint, we still tip the servers who are bringing us our food, but you don’t have to do 20% on top of 20%!

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Poor Service
You’re never obligated to tip someone for poor service or if you’ve had a rude interaction with them. In the case of a one-on-one service, such as a haircut, this is pretty cut and dried. In fact, if they ruined your hair, they don’t deserve a tip, and you probably need a refund. In the case of a restaurant, it gets a little trickier. Use a sliding scale for restaurant tipping, with 20% as the standard, and more if a server goes above and beyond. Even with bad service, you shouldn’t go lower than 10%, because often the server is not at fault. If the food took too long to come out, that’s a kitchen issue. If it wasn’t made properly, that’s a kitchen issue. A bad interaction with a server, you may not tip much, but be sure to bring it up with management. That way they’ll know you weren’t just a jerk.

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