I've been working in restaurants for a couple of years now, so it's safe to say that I've witnessed a lot. From food mishaps to broken plates full of food, to the daily “I ate all of my food but it was awful and I want to speak to your manager" guest, you truly never know what to expect.

I've slowly worked my way from host to food runner, to take-out server until ultimately reaching the position that I'd worked so hard to attain-- server. In my eyes, being a server would be the money-making position that would help me pay my way through school, and while it is and I am extremely fortunate to work at a high-income restaurant, there are certain days and instances that can really get you down on your job. Those instances being, for lack of a better term: "tip stiffers."

I feel like to many restaurant-goers, they fail to realize just how much their server does for them to provide a quality experience in the hour or so that they occupy their several-table section. Now, I certainly don't speak for all restaurant guests (I'm very grateful to have high-tipping tables regularly), but after multiple occasions where I drop off a table's check, process their payment and return the checkbook, eventually coming back to realize that not a single penny was left to reward you for your service, I feel like it's time to speak out.

So, on behalf of all servers all over the world, here are 15 reasons to tip your server at least 15%:

1. Your server doesn't get a paycheck.

Yes, you read that right. We have to claim nearly every penny that we make so that the government can tax us and most of the time, we end up owing money during tax season.

2. In fact, your server gets paid (in most cases) less than $4.00/hour.

No, it's definitely not your problem that we get paid less than half of the average minimum wage, but it's the way of the industry. Please be mindful of this.

3. Two words: Tip-Out

The hosts, the bartenders, the food runners-- they all assist us in providing you with a quality experience every time you visit our restaurant. So, as a way of saying thanks, we are required to tip them out a percentage of our earnings to reflect their hard work. If you don't tip your server, they're likely paying out of their own pockets for the service that they provided you.

4. They give you their all, so why not give them yours?

I've had really poor service in restaurants before, don't get me wrong, but for the percentage of servers who approach your table with several plates in their hands, sweat beading on their foreheads and a large smile on their face to mask their stress as they greet you for the evening, they deserve your all as much as they give you theirs.

5. They're the kings and queens of balancing several tasks at once, so thank them for it.

Behind the face of a server is a mind moving at 100 miles per hour and behind the kitchen door is side work that they may or may not be falling behind on. They have several tables to attend to, each with varying needs but all requiring the same thing: a quality experience and equal attention. If your server appears frazzled, it's OK. If you're patient with them, they'll feel like they have the leeway to let loose and give you their all, despite what might be weighing them down.

6. By not tipping, you're preventing your server from getting paid for the job they're doing.

It's as simple as that. If you don't tip your server, you're basically telling them that they don't deserve to be paid for the time and energy that they poured into you as their guest. It's like a receptionist showing up for work one day and their boss telling them that they won't be getting paid for the day because they don't deserve it-- it isn't fair.

7. Tips are how servers make a living.

It's funny how a restaurant operates. You could work the exact same shift two weeks in a row and have the same amount of tables each shift, but if half of those tables leave you less than 15%, you could walk away with $30 in your hand one week and $100 another.

8. Tipping your server will give you a better experience.

I know this sounds a little bit backward, but hear me out. If a server walked into their shift one day knowing that each of their tables would tip them fairly, your experience would improve tenfold. Now, this isn't to say that servers don't give you their all because they don't know if you'll tip them properly, but their stress level would certainly decrease, allowing them to give you the experience that you showed up for.

9. Your server isn't responsible for how things are cooked, so don't fail to tip them even when your food is cooked incorrectly.

If your server rang your entire order into the computer correctly after reading it back to you at the table and your meal comes out slightly under or overcooked, it isn't their fault. Something likely happened in the kitchen that was beyond their control. I understand, it's super frustrating to have to send something back to be remade or fixed, but it isn't the server's fault and they'll do anything in their power to rectify the situation.

10. The government expects you to tip your server.

See points #1 and #2.

11. It's common courtesy.

Tipping between 15 and 20% on your check tells your server that you appreciate their service. Anything less than this margin tells them that they could have done better, even if in their eyes, they did what they could. Even if your service was downright horrible, you should still leave a couple of dollars for their time.

12. They have good days and bad days, but they put those things aside to help you.

I'll admit, there are days where I go to work with the mindset of “do your job, do it well, and go home." Like everyone, servers have their fair share of struggles in their personal lives that they put aside to assist you while they're serving you. If they make a couple of mistakes that don't severely affect your experience in the restaurant, don't make them take a pay cut for the day.

13. Many restaurants won't compensate the server if they make under the state's minimum wage.

If the server makes only $20 after a 4-hour shift because it was a slow day in the restaurant, better luck tomorrow!

14. They do more than just bring you your food.

From the minute the server enters the restaurant for their shift, they don't stop moving. Between greeting tables, bringing bread, taking orders, cleaning up after a child who spilled their dinner all over the floor, running their food (and other tables' food), completing their side work and making sure that you and all of their other tables are still happy-- it's a lot of pressure to perform at their best. Be considerate of all that is on their plate while finishing yours (ha ha).

15. It's expected of you.

If you go out for breakfast, lunch or dinner, you're expected to leave a gratuity. Tips over 15 or 20% are extremely generous, but you shouldn't consciously leave a restaurant without at least 15% of your total check left for your server. If you can't afford to tip, don't go out to eat!