“Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

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I told a story last week at Immersion that made people gasp. It spoke to the notorious stinginess of those who follow Jesus. I couldn’t tell if the gasps were “agreement gasps” (“Oh no you dih’int!”) or “horrified gasps” (In Sunday School, I once saw a little boy pick his nose and munch on his nasal treasure like it was a crisp, autumnal apple or a fistful of Cheetos. That was a horrified gasp moment). But they were gasps nonetheless.

I told the story of how when I used to work in the service industry, waiting tables, no one ever wanted to work Sunday morning brunch. I could never figure it out. Even the hardiest partier could drag themselves out of bed by 10am and paste on a “server smile”. Right?

“What gives?” I thought.

“It’s the Christians,” was the reply from my co-workers. “The Christians always come in on Sunday mornings for brunch after their church service and they don’t tip. At all. Christians are the worst tippers ever.”

When I heard that, it was like a kick in the gut.

Why?

  1. Mostly because it was true. We don’t tip very well. As a matter of fact, we’re pretty cheap. What makes this worse is that we paint “cheap” with a religious sounding veneer and call it “being a good steward.” Nothing like hiding behind the Bible to camouflage your stinginess.
  2. Because God is so generous. We are most like God when we are being generous; generous in all things, but especially with our dough!

Las Thursday I laid down the “Fat Tip Challenge.” The FTC asks you to lay down more than your normal tip next time you go out to eat. Usually put 10% down? Try 30%. Are you a 20% tipper? Bump it up to 50%. If you’re feeling really crazy, try a 80, 90, or 100% tip next time you dine out! Make up for all those lousy tips from other Christians throughout the years.

God says, “I own the cattle on a thousand hills.” As children of this great and generous God – the God who owns everything – can’t we afford to part with a few more of those tightly-pinched pennies? God can afford your generosity. So go on, be generous!

Are you a server with a tip (or non-tip) horror story? Let us hear you. C’mon … Let it out .

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Contributor: Justin Wise

A religious deviant who enjoys coffee, collared shirts, spending time with his wife and son, learning about quantum physics and creatively exploring the riches of the Spirit of Christ. Culture + Faith + Technology. Contact the author
  • So here's the thing. I usually do tip - on average abou 15%, more if the service was exceptional. But I struggle with this. Here's why.

    I think a tip should be for extraordinary service. There are lots of folks out there doing a great job, working hard for minimum wage (like my own sister) at a job where tips are not required, or even allowed.

    Then there are jobs - like in a Denny's or some such restaurant - where you're lucky if you get a smile, a nod, or a cup of coffee on time, and you're expected to tip. Or when people clean your rooms in hotels or wherever.

    I hate the whole "required tip" thing. It makes me nervous because I often don't know if a tip is expected or not, and I feel awkward. Usually the service is standard, but not over the top, and so I don't even want to tip.

    I say people should get paid for the job they do, and tipping should be reserved for exceptional service.

    I'll probably get shot for saying so, and I will still tip anyway, but it bugs me.

    There. I said it.

    Darlene

    (PS - I am ashamed, though, that we Christians are the worst tippers. That is sad. I will take your challenge next time 'round)
  • @Darlene: I hear you, girl. People gotsta earn their keep! But imagine this:

    The food runner just dropped the entire order of a 10-person table - your table. That'll be 30 extra minutes to get their food re-cooked.

    Your daughter is puking at home and you don't have enough money to get a babysitter. She's 11, so you put a bucket by the couch and tell her to call you if it gets really bad.

    Your manager just yelled at you. The bartender won't make the drinks for your table fast enough. And you know that unless you get $100 in tips tonight, your rent will have to wait another month.

    Now, there's no way you or I could possibly know that as her customers. But after serving in the industry, there is no way to completely know what causes a server to deliver bad service. When I go out to eat, it's my chance to bless them even when they don't deserve it!
  • Kyle
    It's an interesting argument Darlene. My brother makes the same point at family functions. (Servers should do a good job like everyone else, and be paid hourly. It shouldn't be added to my bill) There are restaurants that pay their staff hourly, and do not require tips; there's a whole industry called fast casual that does this: Pei Wei, Chipotle, Qdoba, Moe's, Panera, Atlanta Bread Co, McCallister's Deli, etc... However, these restaurants are not full service (you order at the counter and get your own refills). I know some states require servers to be paid minimum wage, but I don't know of any full service restaurants here in the states that are set up in the manner you describe. (though there are some like this in Europe)
  • I usually by default tip 20% just because of the stereotype. I do struggle with the stereotype though because I personally, when going out for lunch with fellow Christ followers, have never seen anyone give a lousy tip. I don't want to argue with their experience though.

    I can see Darlene's point, but the only time I give less than that is when I get horrible service. Keep in mind that the money they make are largely from tips, not their hourly pay rate which is pretty abysmal. If you want to do something extra with exceptional service either tip more or ask to see their manager. Managers are not used to having people want to talk to them because an employee gave exceptional service. It puts a smile on their face and looks good for that employee.
  • @Shane: Brother, you must dine with some people who "get it." I've left restaurants with my jaw firmly planted on the ground when seeing how poorly Christians - Christians you and I both know - tip their servers.

    I've also been on the receiving end of these poor tips. By people wearing matching Bible camp shirts. Who also leave me a tract. And write, "bless you" on the receipt.
  • Yeah I pretty much do. That is why I said I didn't want to argue with the servers' experience.
  • Luke
    Just for argument's sake, I have to ask: Could it be that there's a reverse cause/effect relationship going on in this example as well?

    If a server gets up on Sunday morning with that stereotype in place, it tells me that he/she would be in a bad mood before ever getting to work. This isn't to excuse the church crowd from tipping, but the quote from the server at the restaurant seems indicative of a poor attitude that simply promotes the behavior it loathes, not vice versa.

    I'm like anyone else - if I'm treated like a chore, I'm going to respond like I've been treated as such.
  • @Lucious: I can see your point. It's like, "don't come to work with a crappy attitude and blame it on people of faith." That's bunk.

    But let's say the servers are, for the most part, justified in their position? What do we do with that? How do we respond? How do we "think differently" as followers of Jesus?
  • When i first started serving over a year ago I thought it would be interesting serving the 'after church' crowd. I was wrong. First week of serving I had a lady from a church group walk out and not pay.

    If I have to work Sunday morning I am still going to give you great service. It's just that I know the odds of me having to put up with some really nasty stuff is greater.

    I have had church people outright stiff me, yell at me, tell me I shouldn't work on Sunday, and steal from me. Very sad witness.
  • Johanna Lundberg
    I struggle with this stereotype of Christians being such bad tippers. Not because I don't believe it but because it is so very true. I work at a restaurant downtown DM and several times during the year different Christian conventions come through for a few days at a time. Almost every time this opinion of Christians is reinforced. Consistently they will leave me with a 10% tip...not to mention a nice little tract to cover the rest....The worst part for me as a Christian is the fact that my fellow believers are doing a huge disservice to their message. I have really seen the damage this does to a non-believer's view of the faith in general! Not that their opinion of God should be based on a tip...but I know sometimes it is....I always tip 20% (standard rate) and extra if they have been attentive, It's a lot of work for less than $4 and hour....Everyone has bad days at work right?!....the difference is when a server has a bad night you can tell. But why make their night worse by tipping less than you would have otherwise tipped? Us Christians should be gracious...Give some feedback on the receipt in a loving manner, but don't cut their pay....
    Johanna
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