August 1st, 2010 
admin Question by Katie M: How do servers feel about Vegetarians ordering the cheap appetizers and house salads?
My husband and I are vegetarians and our bills at restaurants are always really cheap because we rarely get a main dish. I sometimes feel like the servers hate us, especially at fancier places, because they think they are going to get a lousy tip. Just wondering.
Oh and FYI we tip atleast 25% if the server is nice.
Best answer:
Answer by iThink
They get paid no matter what you order. I fail to see how this question is contributing anything to this website.
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
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Let me preface this by saying I have nothing against vegetarians at all. My only peeve when I was a server was waiting for them to figure out something they could eat, then the special requests. I got yelled at several times by the Chef saying “No patty?? Why the #*% do they want a patty melt with no patty?? That’s not a patty melt!!!” I just shrugged and said “I think they’re vegetarians.” I gave them the same service as anyone though.
It shouldn’t matter what you order…… The waitstaff is getting paid to serve you no matter how expensive the meal.
25% is a very nice tip!
I don’t think many servers mind. Would it be great if you ordered the big entree with the bigger price, sure, than my tip just went up because the total bill is up!!! In the end though, getting you, want you want is the servers job. The fact the you leave a very gracious tip is wonderful. And really just ordering an appetizer and a salad shouldn’t take that long to serve and consume, so you are in and out, and the server has the table available for the next guests that just may order the pricey dinner entree. Would be nice, as well, that they leave 25% like yourselves. LOL Did you ever ask if there is a vegetarian entree??
I’ve been a server for 20 years (?) and yes, I do kinda grit my teeth (in my head) when someone orders cheap stuff, splits stuff…but in this economy, I have to say, I am grateful for your business.
And it’s nice that you tip 25%.