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why don't fat people tip?

I know this sounds rude, but why?

I am a server at Denny's and have been for about 8 months now, and I have seriously started to notice a direct correlation between body weight and genorosity....

I'm not saying that "all overweight people don't tip", because that is not the case. I have had thinner people not tip and I have had many chubby people be pretty 'sweet' to me... but when it comes to the obese, umm well not so much. I don't try to treat any one better then another, and I dont discriminate... but honestly I have noticed that very overweight people come off as rude, and rather selfish... even with good service and food.

is it just me? has anyone else noticed this too? (not just in the service industry but in general) I don't want to be stereotypical, but are the 'bigger' intimidated by the 'smaller' and feel the need to think we dont deserve a little credit for waiting on them hand and foot?

please someone explain this to me...

Well the thing about Denny's is you make it up in volume. It's pretty well known among food servers that if you're willing to put up with the crap, you can make pretty decent money.

Also fat people don't tip because they spend all their money on food, AM I RIGHT

Carmen, why do you always post something very sensitive and tantamount to debate, don't get the responses you were hoping for, self deprecate yourself then take your ball and go home?

Original Post by p0nda:

Original Post by carmenxox:

 

the problem is not because I work at Dennys... a lot of the time I go home with over $120 in tips a night... some girls going home with over $200

 

I find this to be the most telling thing of all. If you are doing such a good job, why aren't you pulling down $200 a night? I have only known one person to work in the service industry in the US (people don't tip where I'm from unless exceptional service is provided) and he worked at Applebees. He was pulling down between $200-300 a night, and that was back in 1999, because he was an exceptional server.

From what you've stated here, I think you need to look at you own behaviour and see if that is what you are doing wrong to not get the gratuities you think you deserve.

 nah $200 are those who work LATE night on WEEKENDS... they get all the drunk people, who throw 50 buck on the table for a $30 order

most of us make about $60-100 a night on average... and about $130 on busy weekend breakfast mornings

it usually depends on our sales.. so if we sell about $700, then thats about $70 in tips if people tip 10%.. make sense?

Applebees is a more expensive, classier restaurant.. I am sure I would make more if I worked some place just as nice.. but I dont, Denny's is a step up from fast food.. I don't expect massive tips... 10-15% is just a guideline

Original Post by spirochete:

Well the thing about Denny's is you make it up in volume. It's pretty well known among food servers that if you're willing to put up with the crap, you can make pretty decent money.

 

Also fat people don't tip because they spend all their money on food, AM I RIGHT

 haha, i like this one

Original Post by spirochete:

Also fat people don't tip because they spend all their money on food, AM I RIGHT

 OMG I am actually going to disagree w/ you on this!  When I was fat I didn't order lots of food when I was out and I always tipped very well.

I got fat at home when no one was there (if they didn't see me it meant I didn't eat it....)

Original Post by healthybmi:

Carmen, why do you always post something very sensitive and tantamount to debate, don't get the responses you were hoping for, self deprecate yourself then take your ball and go home?

 

 always?

what other sensitive debatable posts have i made? i am rather confused.. the last time i checked the only post i made that caused a fuss was the one about upping calories, and it annoyed some people... if i bother you that much, then dont read my posts. simple.

I just wanted to know if anyone else has noticed this too... I guess not that many people have the same experiences as me?

Original Post by carmenxox:

 always?

what other sensitive debatable posts have i made? i am rather confused.. the last time i checked the only post i made that caused a fuss was the one about upping calories, and it annoyed some people... if i bother you that much, then dont read my posts. simple.

I just wanted to know if anyone else has noticed this too... I guess not that many people have the same experiences as me?

 Carmen, it's your Fight or Flight mechanism.  Just one question ^and your defenses go skyrocketing. 

Totally off topic, my bad for asking the question.

None of us can evaluate whether you deserve more tips, carmen.

We'd have to be a customer at one of your tables in order to see how friendly, helpful and efficient you are or aren't to people of all sizes.

I can only speak for myself, but you won't find me at Denny's.  Ever.

According to jury consultants:

We can predict that an open and generous woman will probably carry a big handbag that has room for lots of things. Her accessories will fit loose on the body - no chokers, for instance or scarves tied tight around the neck. Her earrings might jingle, instead of fitting close to her face.

As you look over the jury pool, the open and nurturing people will be sitting in open postures, i.e., with their hands on the chair arm instead of folded across their stomach. They'll be engaged with other people, instead of keeping to themselves; they'll look relaxed, not worried. They tend to be more on the heavy side than the light side - not fat - but full bodied. A nurturing woman will more likely have large breasts, for instance. These people will have some weight to them and take up space. Their faces will be big and eyes wide apart. Their whole demeanor will look 'open.'

I haven't read the entire thread but I just want to say obesity is also inversely correlated with income (the less money you have the more likely you are to be overweight - in general in the US).  I also would venture to guess that people with less money also tip less as often.  So, perhaps this is where the relationship is.

Ok then, although I don't think you're helping you cause any by making generalisations, but it's your life. I get treated like crap in some restaurants because of my accent  - "Australians" don't tip apparently, so we're not worth wasting good service on - although I tip very well because I used to work as a bar tender. I think you should not assume that 'fat people' don't tip, treat everyone with courtesy and respect, provide good service and be happy with the tips you get.

On a side note, is Applebee's really considered a "better" restaurant than Denny's? I've always thought of them as on par. I've only been to Applebee's once and Denny's a handful of time so maybe my assessment is off.

*final aside: Facetiousness. The internets do not support.

gotta love some good ponda in the afternoon....makes your day....

It sounds to me that the title of this thread should be "Why don't fat people tip me?". The problem here seems to be you, not whomever it is you believe is screwing you over. Just my opinion.  

Carmen I've been working in a restaurant for about 5 years now as a waitress and I completely understand that when someone walks in the door servers can usually tell whether or not they are going to get a good tip.

But a GOOD waitress will not prejudge their tables according to their appearance.

While I have never worked anywhere close to a "dennys" I have worked in a sports bar, italian grill, mexican restaurant, and even Arbys. And yes, there are those tables that reinforce stereotypes, but knowing what it is like to have food issues- as yourself- you should be able to sway away from said stereotypes.

I just want to say that these are the things that you keep to yourself, because out loud they just sound plain ignorant.

AND I would also like to mention that you said you have no respect for those who dont respect their own bodies. Before you take that step and say that overweight-obese people dont respect their bodies, remember that there are people saying the SAME thing about those suffering from eating disorders. Don't judge people Carmen, especially when it comes to weight.

I'm terribly overweight, and I generally tip 25%, unless the wait staff is rude.  Then I tip 15%.  If I knew I were getting you as a waitress, I would probably ask to be moved.  I wouldn't want to mess up your streak.

Original Post by alle0299:

I haven't read the entire thread but I just want to say obesity is also inversely correlated with income (the less money you have the more likely you are to be overweight - in general in the US).  I also would venture to guess that people with less money also tip less as often.  So, perhaps this is where the relationship is.

 this is a theory I was hoping to hear... not people bashing me, I was never intending to look for pity or anything... I get tipped like 98% of the time, so my service skills are not in question. Insult me all you want.

this comment makes sense, it is true that cheap food, is well, cheap. and for those who cannot afford to buy healthier alternatives are yes probably more inclined to be overweight.

thank you for posting this, it was helpful. I will try to avoid hurtful assumptions in the future, and do my best to be as undiscrimitory as I can.

perhaps it is more income that determines the tip, but like I said, I work at Denny's, I do not expect much... even a dollars worth in dimes and nickles is better then nothing. I can't prove myself too well on the internet, and I know I am just making myself come off as sounding very ignorant and the more I read this post the more it becomes clear...

so I guess I will keep my observations to my other server friends and we can all have a nice giggle over it... and yes its not just overweight people, I watched one guy look one of our best/experienced waitress in the eye and actually said "i don't believe in tipping", to which she replied "why? was the service or food bad?" he said "no, everything was great".. so then she said "well i guess you have never worked in the service industry before"... he then came back and talked to the manager saying that she was rude because he couldnt AFFORD a tip (fyi he never told her that)...but no one sided with him for the fact that if you dont tip, fine dont tip... just dont make a big deal about it. His order was only $20, a toonie on the table would of been fine, and surely in his budget... but whatever.

Maybe I was "bashing you," but I find it interesting that you want to bash your "fat" customers with no reciprocity.  It doesn't quite work like that.  If you dish it out, you are going to have to learn to take it too.

Hmm speaking from personal experience, I spent several years waiting tables and never had an issue with "obese" people. I also did not work in a place anywhere near Denny's but regardless I'm pretty sure you do not even realize the vibe you are putting out there to people.

Not tooting my own horn, but when I was a server I made more tips then any of the other girls I worked with. What worked for me, was even though some stereotypes do run through your mind when you see people come in, NEVER judge a table, EVER. I am picturing you at work, and you see some over weight people sit in your section, You probably sigh and go "OH GREAT, guess I'm not getting a tip!" then you mosey on over and throw on a fake/phoney smile and probably come off as such. Your piss poor attitude completeing coming through, whether you throw on your phoney smile or not! From what I have seen here in your attitude based upon your comments, I'm willing to bet that I am right. COming from someone who made 200-300 a night, a piece of advice is NEVER prejudge your customers, you never know what is going to happen. Go out of your way to make them feel comfortable and be kind and genuine, not FAKE.

Also, maybe it is just me, but I took Spiro's comment about fat people spending all of their money on food.. as SARCASM, maybe I'm wrong.... and there you go saying you "like that one lol" just shows exactly how you think and proves most of the posters including myself right about you.

Also, I COMPLETELY agree with Kankan,

AND I would also like to mention that you said you have no respect for those who dont respect their own bodies. Before you take that step and say that overweight-obese people dont respect their bodies, remember that there are people saying the SAME thing about those suffering from eating disorders. Don't judge people Carmen, especially when it comes to weight.

Did you honestly think that  we would agree with this rubbish you have posted? You have some growing up to do my dear, get all of these preconceived notions from your head in the end you will lose out in many things because of this attitude. You are possibly missing out on some great people and friendships you could have in your life but are not because they don't fit your "mold" idea of what people should be like according to you.