No tip, no problem

Photo: Contributed

One-third of British Columbians have no problem not tipping at restaurants when they believe they've received poor service.

A new poll from Insights West finds they are happy to reward servers for good service, however.

The online survey found 32 per cent consider it acceptable to not leave a tip if the service is below average and the server was clearly not busy. But older patrons were more stingy, with 41 per cent saying they wouldn't tip.

But, if the worker is busy or the restaurant understaffed, patrons are more forgiving. Only seven per cent wouldn't leave a tip under those circumstances.

For average service, 53 per cent said they'll tip up to 14 per cent. For good service at a busy restaurant, 51 per cent would leave a 19 per cent tip.

Exceptional service in a busy restaurant would earn a 20-25 per cent tip from 39 per cent of respondents.

For food delivery, 51 per cent say they tip, while seven per cent do not.

For pick up, 70 per cent of people do not tip.

Forty-four per cent said they never tip at coffee shops.

Only 15 per cent of respondents believe servers deserve a tip in all circumstances, but 69 per cent concede that if servers' salaries were better, there would be no need to tip.

Seventy-one per cent feel servers can't get by on their salaries alone, but 66 per cent say they simply expect a tip, but don’t work hard to earn it.