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This is what bugs me

Discussion in 'Evangelism, Missions & Witnessing' started by onestand, Mar 29, 2004.

  1. onestand

    onestand New Member

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    I realize not every christian does this, but at the resturant I work at, we have a BIG group of christians who come in to eat in the middle of the night. They are very loud, disturb other customers, make serving them hard and then leave hardly any tip but loads of tracts on the tables.

    Please, if you have the leading to leave a tract on the table to share Jesus with the server, at least leave a descent tip as well, otherwise the tract will mean nothing. Think about how you would feel if you worked hard all day, then had to serve a big table, lots of orders and two dollars tip but two tracts laying there...would you be inclined to read them?? Trust me, they ARE pitched without second thought and a few cuss words to go with it...No, not me, I'm not a server but I do work with them and feel badly for them.
     
  2. Plain Old Bill

    Plain Old Bill New Member

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    Most people I know who leave Gospel Tracts are sure to leave a good tip 15-20% so the tract will get read. You are right.
     
  3. USN2Pulpit

    USN2Pulpit New Member

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    The trouble is that even though you as an individual leave a decent tip, others at the table are not. It should be agreed upon before you go that you are going to treat your server well -- agreed upon by all.

    I would be embarrassed if my server were to think of me as a cheapskate while I was at the time leaving the gospel message. The two don't go together.
     
  4. onestand

    onestand New Member

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    Good point and I agree. Better yet, words of encouragement or something to cheer the server up especially if your a regular customer because I see that working even better than a tract, that's not to say no one reads them, I just think friendly conversation eventually can lead into sharing Jesus.
     
  5. Plain Old Bill

    Plain Old Bill New Member

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    USN2PULPIT,
    amen, and amen, you could'nt be more right.
    onestand your answer is also very good.
    We must remember there is more to witnessing than leaving a Gospel tract.
    Being nice and pleasant to your server is always a good idea for several reasons.One thae last person they served was a real pill and a poor tipper.Thier day was starting out bad before they showed up for work and had to put on thier happy face.You could be the one who staightens out thier day and makes doing their job worth while.Then when you leave the nice TIP and a Gospel Tract it might get read or not.They might remember you as nice and someone they could talk to when they need it. In any case you have opened the door and planted a seed.
     
  6. Frogman

    Frogman <img src="http://www.churches.net/churches/fubc/Fr

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    I have three children and often can't afford to tip (I don't leave tracts either though). Should I just stay at home and eat my meals?

    I wish I could tip more, more often. But, after I leave the restaurant, I still have to feed the kids the rest of the week [​IMG]

    I know this ain't the fault of the waiter/waitress and I do feel bad that my tips aren't the socially accepted...I guess I should just stay at home shouldn't I?

    This ain't gonna be appreciated by anyone, but what is the goal here? Shouldn't it be 'seek ye first the kingdom of God'? Or is that just me? Maybe my own financial straits influence my thinking on this?? Please help, I don't want to be considered a cheap-skate. I guess I will just stay home...a social outcast :(

    Bro. Dallas
     
  7. USN2Pulpit

    USN2Pulpit New Member

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    Frogman, I know what it's like to haul three kids around...not only is the meal out expensive (especially in the context of a "sit-down" restaurant), but getting the kids organized and meals ordered can be a hassle.

    I do have a suggestion though (although a little tongue-in-cheek). It's cheaper to get a babysitter, some corndogs for the kids, and take your wife out to a nice meal. You've got to do that every once in awhile, right?
     
  8. Shiloh

    Shiloh New Member

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    (I have three children and often can't afford to tip (I don't leave tracts either though). Should I just stay at home and eat my meals?)
    You said it! If you can't afford to tip you can't afford to eat out. My wife and I have eight children. While they were young we just didn't eat out. Now they are mostly all gone with their own families and we eat out occasionally....and always tip well.
     
  9. onestand

    onestand New Member

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    Frogman, I was actually refering to loud, obnoxious christians who are rude, leave lots of tracts and hardly any tip.

    In your situation though try to keep in mind you may not be able to afford to tip, but the person serving you is relying on tips for their pay, that's basically the majority of their money and they also have kids to feed. If you plan to go out I'd plan to make sure I have enough cash to also lay the tip down, it's the only time you get to sit and let someone else wait on you and make your eating experience enjoyable, bless them in return.
     
  10. Bro Tony

    Bro Tony New Member

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    We went out to eat the other day with some of the members of our church. We had already made the decision before we left to leave tracts and a decent tip. The thing that made this trip different is that one of the ladies told the waitress (after she took our order) that we would be praying over the food and was there anything that we could pray for her about? She really appreciated it and shared a need. This seemed like a good way to show genuine concern for those who work hard to serve others. God bless.

    Bro Tony
     
  11. onestand

    onestand New Member

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    Bro Tony...what a great testimony!! I'm sure that left a lasting impression on the server and she'll never forget it.
     
  12. Frogman

    Frogman <img src="http://www.churches.net/churches/fubc/Fr

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    Thanks for the suggestions guys, USN2Pulpit, shiloh and onestand. We don't go out often, and this is not always because of not being able to afford a tip; but I do recognize the need to tip well.

    I use to work at a university dairy farm and the dairy manager tended bar in the evenings and weekend; besides my having to always cover him at work, he generally made 3-400 dollars on Friday and Saturday nights just in tips. He used this to quickly pay off credit card bills (long before I ever heard of Dave Ramsey).

    Well, I will take yall's advice and begin to 'plan' my meals better.

    20%?? I use to work to bring the internet and natural gas and water and telephone utilities and cable tv to people's homes and all I ever got was almost run over and cussed at alot [​IMG] :D

    Bro. Dallas [​IMG]
     
  13. following-Him

    following-Him Active Member

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    As one who is hoping to visit the U.S. in September could you please expand on the policy of tipping over there? Over here we usually do 10%, it depends on the system run by the restaurant. Some waiters/ waitresses are not allowed to accept tips personally, other places have a service charge.

    We also would only tip if we had had good service. There have been occassions when we haven't. I don't like to think that tipping is expected. Maybe it is just what we do over here.

    Thank you

    Sheila
     
  14. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

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    When I was there last Sheila tipping was surely expected and standard was 15%. Many waiters and waitresses earn less than minimum wage and count on tips to make up the difference.

    Still, tipping is only for decent service, imho.
     
  15. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    The thing that bugs me most is when Christians are not mature enough to discuss something they might disagree on in a mature manner. But instead they are like chickens that kill each other when one is bleeding just a little.
     
  16. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    I hate to say this, but anywhere I go with a group, we tend to be wild and crazy.

    But we leave a good tip. Or we clean it ourself.
     
  17. Frogman

    Frogman <img src="http://www.churches.net/churches/fubc/Fr

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    Sounds like wolves in sheep's clothing :eek: :( :rolleyes:
     
  18. baptisttg

    baptisttg New Member

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    If anyone is interested, my tract, TAKE THE TIP is going to print next week. I would be more than happy to send you a couple of copies if you leave me your snail mail address (send it to [email protected]). I will send you the tracts as well as pricing for more. I decided to write the tract when I realized that when Jesus spoke to the lost, He spoke in terms they understood. That is, He spoke of fish to fishermen and planting to people that worked the land, just to name a couple. So, it seemed that speaking of TIPS to those that wait tables was the way to go. Afterall, we Baptist love to eat. And, even though GOD'S SIMPLE PLAN OF SALVATION is a wonderful tract, I think it good to try others as well.
     
  19. onestand

    onestand New Member

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    In the case of tipping bad service, try to understand why the service might be slow or just plain bad. It could be the server is fairly new to the job and is frusterated in trying to remember everything they need to do. I used to be a server, and it was difficult remembering how many tables i had, and refilling drinks and all. Perhaps the attitude isn't exactly gracious, then the server needs to rethink why they have chosen that job and get with the program.

    Depending of course upon the sum the of check for our meal, we normally tip up to 5-6 bucks although I normally lay down 5 bucks for a salad and coffee when i'm alone, that's for a check of 20 dollars or more, if the service wasn't that great we will tip maybe 3-4 bucks. Keep in mind the resturant maybe very busy, when that is the case it's very hard to make sure everyone is happy especially when the kitchen might be behind in cooking the checks.
     
  20. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    Sidenote: Unless they're working under the table, they must be paid at least the minimum wage. However, it should be noted that most food server positions purposefully pay their workers at or close to minimum, on the presumption that they will be receiving tips. We, as diners, know this. Hence, we should always expect to leave a tip in accordance with the social custom. 10% for adequate service, or 15% for good service, and 5% or less for poor service (a low tip says more than no tip, btw). The problem is we often excpect good (not just adequate) service for nothing. That's because we're cheapskates. ;)

    Having once been a food service worker, and having a mother who was once a food service worker, I always make sure I tip adequately at the very least. The servers remember that the next time I dine with them.
     
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