Knowing more about tipping

Most of us have had to wear the apron, balance the tray on one hand and take down orders, only to cash in a few coins in tips.

Waiters do not have it easy, but sometimes the customers do not either, which is where the “how much tip should we leave” debate comes into play.

The accepted norm is ten percent of the bill, according to the Restaurant Association of South Africa, although it adds that customers have the right to tip the waiter as they see fit.

“Because of this, many restaurants have been getting away with paying their waiters little and sometimes nothing, with tips being their main or sole earnings, and even covering uniforms and breakages in some cases,” said the Association.

The restaurant industry is one of the mainstays of the Dolphin Coast economy, with about 57 restaurants and about 450 waiters working full time in the Ballito area.

Former president of the Ballito restaurant association Brett Michielin said that according to law, waiters should be paid nothing less then R2894 per month and the tips that they get from customers is for their benefit and has nothing to do with the restaurant owner.

“I don’t know if there is a restaurant that does not pay a basic salary to its waiters. If there is one it is illegal,” said Michielin.

Waiters are trained before they are given tables to wait, but the length of training varies from restaurant to restaurant.

Mugg and Bean manager Petros Hlatshwayo said their waiters are trained for two weeks, depending on how fast the waiter learns.

“They are trained on how to treat customers, handle complaints and use all the equipment needed in the restaurant,” said Hlatshwayo.

After speaking with different waiters in Ballito, we found that many customers do not pay a tip, or only a very small one.

This, said one waiter, is like a “spear into the heart”.

Nicholas Ndlovu who has been a waiter since 1981, said that although they get a basic salary, they make most of their income out of tips.

“As much as we need the tips, we need to understand our customers because some do not know that they should tip ten percent,” said Ndlovu.

Ndlovu is a father of four children and his only income is what he makes as a waiter.

“We work very hard to please our customers only to be short tipped and this means to us that our service was not good enough,” said Philile Gumede.

On the other hand it turns out that some customers do not know that they must give them 10 percent and for them not tipping does not mean that the service was bad.

Customer Nomalungelo Ntuli said she gives the waiter whatever she has at that time.

“I did not know that they expected a certain amount in tips from us. I usually check in my wallet and give him or her the money that I find,” said Ntuli.

Another customer, Atisha Ambapersad from Tongaat, said she gives a 10 % tip if the service was normal but if it was good she tips an extra R50.

Kelisha Pillay, who once worked as a waitress herself, said she once came across a waitress who dema

nded a 10% tip from her.

“I was so angry with her because I know that as much as they expect a certain amount for a tip, we as customers are not compelled to tip them,” said Pillay. So, how do you become the perfect waiter with the biggest tips? Easy, you need impeccable manners, a big smile and great communication skills.

” A waiter must know and be able to explain the menu to the customers, up sell on the menu and be able to handle the frustration of customers whenever there is a problem in the kitchen,” said Hlatshwayo.

The golden rule for any waiter is that the customer is king and they will tip you based on how royal you make them feel, so get the crown out and polish the jewels.