Comments/questions on tipping

[Booknut]

Hi

I've been reading a lot of threads and noticed a bit of a pattern with people seeming to have a go at others re tipping. I live in the UK and although we do tip, we certainly don't tip the way Americans do.

I do understand that in America servers are on lower wages to compensate for the fact that they get tips but what I don't understand is why people are making negative comments about a small tip. If the service is not good, why should we leave a good tip?

Last year we went out to a restaurant called Tony Roma's and the service was appalling. I only left a $4 tip because it was simpler than asking for change, otherwise I would have left nothing. We were ignored for 40 minutes, had the wrong foods brought out and actually sat there watching our waitress talking to some friends, it was disgusting.

We're off to Florida again in September and would really like to know what the obligation is in regard to tipping. I generally tip 10-15% here in the UK for good service but from what i've read this doesn't seem acceptable in the U.S. And I would NEVER tip if the service was very bad regardless of how bad their wage is. Just like I would never expect to get a bonus or big pay rise at my job if the job I did was poor.

Would love to hear your comments (especially re tipping and bad service) - go ahead, Flame Away!!!

 

[Kath2003]

See I don't tip in the UK unless the service is EXCEPTIONAL. I work in a shop for £5.42 an hour and consistantly provide excellent service to every single customer - it is what they expect and I wouldn't give them any less. Waiters and waitresses are paid AT LEAST the minimum wage (£5.05 an hour) so they are on a comparable pay scheme to me. I expect the same standard of service from them as a basic standard as the service I give my customers in the shop I work in. If they go beyond this, then yes I will tip.

Only once in the US have I left a tip below 15% (literally just a buck - it was that bad). BUT, this has been because the standard of service has been AT LEAST the same standard of service I give in my job back home. Because, however, wait staff are not paid a minimum wage, I do not mind tipping them. Back home, I resent giving people who are earning what I am any extra money for simply doing what is expected of them.

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

It is different out there some of the servers are really on very poor wages and the tip is why they do it, now that should mean you get excellent service, most of the time I would say its slightly better than the UK, but if the service is bad I would reduce the tip down a bit, that means they will either get the message or leave that job as they are not good at it, by the same token consider the tip as standard service so if it is very very good tip a bit more.

The next topic is Disney pricing in resultants because that is already higher, then any percentage is also higher, Now they leave cards saying 18%, its up to you personally what you feel the server has done.

I have seen balloons for kids, new plates, Soda replaced before the glass is empty everything and tipped well, If they ignore you tip lower.

Also remember buffets I would tip a lower amount as you do most yourself but a couple of dollars for good drinks service.

On DCL they give you suggested amounts and that is what you should do for satisfactory service, one thing I would say if you are unhappy say something to give them a chance to sort it out rather than surprise with a low tip, they might assume you are just British and forgot. Let them know.

 

[Uncleromulus]

What folks tip for bad service is really up to them--lots of thoughts on that. I'll generally leave a little something. But I must say that I can not recall such horrendous service anywhere that I've left nothing. Maybe once, but I can't even recall the place or circumstance.
For for good service (and I hope that's what you get while at WDW!!) I almost always tip 20%. Gone beyond that once in a great while if service was exceptional.

 

[Booknut]

Oh gosh, buffets, I completely forgot about those, what is the tip meant to be for those?!

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

\ And I would NEVER tip if the service was very bad regardless of how bad their wage is. Just like I would never expect to get a bonus or big pay rise at my job if the job I did was poor.

Would love to hear your comments (especially re tipping and bad service) - go ahead, Flame Away!!!

I don't see tipping as equivalent to a "bonus" or pay raise. Rather it's their pay -- their bread and butter. For example, in America servers are expected to pay income tax on the taxes that the U.S. government "assumes" that they're getting.

That isn't to say that I don't tip less than 15% if the service is truly awful, or if the server does something offensive (although to be honest I can't remember the latter happening), but if someone is having a "bad" day, or they have other tables that are being very demanding so they don't fill your water glass as often as you'd like, or whatever, then I still think they deserve a decent tip. After all, if I'm having an off day at work I still get my full paycheck.

The other thing I take into account is how much work we have been relative to what we order. We often order water instead of drinks, split meals (it's just DS and I) or order a cheap kid's meal. I know that bringing DS a cup of water and a chicken tender meal is as much work as bringing an adult a steak and a bottle of wine. So, I tend to tip pretty generously (25-35% if I think what we've ordered is really cheap).

 

[jbbt]

Servers in the US are held accountable for 8% of the food and drink bill - supplied to the IRS by their employer. It is up to the individual server to report more than that. However, I'm not sure how it is handled in the case of of the mandatory 18% that gets added on for the dining plan. Often, in the US, 18% automatically gets added on to groups of a certain size (often 6 or more, sometimes 8 or more). Sometimes people don't know this, don't read their bill carefully, didn't notice it on the menu and then wind up tipping on top of that. So if a family of 6 had a bill of $100.00 and the restaurant automatically added 18% for a total of $118. Then the family adds 15% tip. The server gets $17.70 more for a grand tip total of $35.70. or 35.7% tip....so be careful!!

 

[LuluLovesDisney]

Personally, this is how I tip:

I first figure 20 percent or 3 dollars per person, whichever is greater, as my "base figure" / what they "should" get, and add or deduct depending on the service.

This is usually how the dialogue at our table goes: "Well, he/she should get 20 dollars, but because of x and x, I'll just leave 16." or "Well, he/she should get 20 dollars, but because of y and y, I'll leave 25." I wouldn't tip below 15 % unless there was a true problem with the service, and then I would speak to the manager. In a situation where there is outstanding, magical moment service, I might tip 30 %.

If people do not tip well, more places will institute automatic gratuaties. I like making that decision.

I don't think anyone in the DIS has said to tip 20 % for bad service. It seems that some people tip below 15 percent, even for good service. Some people don't tip at all. This bothers some people who believe that tipping is a part of proper behavior.

I participate in these discussions only to state my practices, for those who would like information. Most people have their minds made up about how much they like to tip. Some couples even differ in how much they think they should leave, so I don't expect everyone to agree. I tip what I feel is right and what makes me feel satisfied with my decision.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Servers in the US are held accountable for 8% of the food and drink bill - supplied to the IRS by their employer. It is up to the individual server to report more than that. However, I'm not sure how it is handled in the case of of the mandatory 18% that gets added on for the dining plan. Often, in the US, 18% automatically gets added on to groups of a certain size (often 6 or more, sometimes 8 or more). Sometimes people don't know this, don't read their bill carefully, didn't notice it on the menu and then wind up tipping on top of that. So if a family of 6 had a bill of $100.00 and the restaurant automatically added 18% for a total of $118. Then the family adds 15% tip. The server gets $17.70 more for a grand tip total of $35.70. or 35.7% tip....so be careful!!

My understanding is that if a tip is left on a credit card, charged to their room or included in the bill (e.g. documented in some way) that amount is taxed fully -- the 8% is applied to bills where there's not documented tip (usually because it's given in cash). I could be wrong, however if this is true then I'd assume that they're taxed on the whole 18%.

 

[bicker]

Servers are taxed on their entire income, not just 8% of the food and drink bill.

Rather it's their pay

That's the key point: In the UK, for instance, gratuities are indeed a bonus. In the US, menu prices are deliberately lower because patrons are obligated to cover most of the cost of service through the gratuity.

 

[jbbt]

Servers are taxed on their entire income, not just 8% of the food and drink bill.

That's the key point: In the UK, for instance, gratuities are indeed a bonus. In the US, menu prices are deliberately lower because patrons are obligated to cover most of the cost of service through the gratuity.

Yes they are taxed on their hourly wage and tip. The 8% I was referring to was from IRS Publication 17 (2005):

How were your allocated tips figured? The tips allocated to you are your share of an amount figured by subtracting the reported tips of all employees from 8% (or an approved lower rate) of food and drink sales (other than carryout sales and sales with a service charge of 10% or more). Your share of that amount was figured using either a method provided by an employer-employee agreement or a method provided by IRS regulations based on employees' sales or hours worked. For information about the exact allocation method used, ask your employer.

 

[QueenGoblin]

Two of my best friends did waitressing through college, and all I have to say is thank goodness I never had to do that job! They were paid below minimum wage (which is typical) but routinely got shortchanged when it came to tips. They said there was no predicting who would be miserly either. They could provide excellent service to a table, go back and forth all night with drinks, special requests, etc. and still get almost nothing in tips.
So yes, remember as a diner you are paying a portion of your server's salary through tips, it is not a bonus (unless you are really generous.) 15-20% is the norm. That being said, you should be able to send a message to your server through your tip. If the service truly was poor, taking into account the kind of establishment you are in, how busy it is (how thin your server is being stretched by management), then tipping below 15% MIGHT encourage your server to improve their ways (or look for another occupation.) But if your server does a good job or goes above and beyond, then certainly 20% or more is not uncalled for and will probably be very appreciated.
Also, I never realized tipping was different in the UK! Good to know!

 

[bicker]

Yes they are taxed on their hourly wage and tip. The 8% I was referring to was from IRS Publication 17 (2005)

Yup: I just didn't want anyone to think that servers are only paying taxes on the 8% -- that's just a minimum.

 

[Snow_White]

This is how we do it: If service is average to slightly below average, we leave 15%. If service is great, we leave 20%. If service is really poor, we typically leave 10%. To be honest, I feel quite bad leaving any less than 10% unless the server is downright offensive and mean (I think this has only happened once in the past decade--we ended up leaving nothing and talking to the manager about it). Most of the time when we get lesser service, it's usually because the server is in a rush because he or she has too many tables, having a bad day, etc. I can't help but have a little sympathy for them, especially if they are older and might have a family to support (I'm a softie--in cases like these we usually just leave at least 15% regardless of the service). We never ever ever undertip because of a matter that is out of the server's control (i.e. bad food).

 

[BlindTyldak]

We leave 15% on average service, 20% on excellent service. Only once have I ever had such appaling service that I have left a very tiny tip (a TGiFridays) my husband's glass had newspaper floating in it, and the server refused to replace it, then refused to get a manager, I actually went out to the kitchen to find them, then the server was mad we ratted them out and didn't bring our food for 45 minutes . . . we ended up getting the meal for free with the manager's appologies but I left the server a quarter with a note that it was for calling for a ride home in case they lost their job ).

Don't forget that if you dine on the meal plan gratuities are included, but of course we always add extra anyway.

 

[mom2my3kids]

I serve at my local IHOP, I make 2.13 a hour plus tips. My paycheck is around 5.00 every two weeks bring home. They take what I claim in tips and take the taxes out of my check that IHOP pays me. I work my tail off, I give excellent service to my customers. I take their order, deliver drinks, bring food, keep refilled. Pre bus your tables and cash you out. All with a smile. Serving tables is hard work, but it helps me be able to work 3 days a week and stay home with my kids the other 4 days. I can pretty much pick and choose the days I want to work and get off when I need to for my childrens activities and vacations. When my youngest is in school I am going to finish my degree and go to work full time, but right now this is the best I can do with three children at home.

 

[QueenGoblin]

to IHOP servers. There is a tough job!

 

[kldmom2000]

When I was in college, I tried the waitressing thing for about a month. Waitstaff generally get paid below minimum wage-there is a "minimum waitstaff" wage that is the norm-at that time, it was approx $2.30 per hour in Rhode Island. You then had to claim any tips you made weekly on your timecard..... I generally tip 18%-20% now that I know that provided the meal and service was good/great

 

[Booknut]

I serve at my local IHOP, I make 2.13 a hour plus tips. My paycheck is around 5.00 every two weeks bring home. They take what I claim in tips and take the taxes out of my check that IHOP pays me. I work my tail off, I give excellent service to my customers. I take their order, deliver drinks, bring food, keep refilled. Pre bus your tables and cash you out. All with a smile. Serving tables is hard work, but it helps me be able to work 3 days a week and stay home with my kids the other 4 days. I can pretty much pick and choose the days I want to work and get off when I need to for my childrens activities and vacations. When my youngest is in school I am going to finish my degree and go to work full time, but right now this is the best I can do with three children at home.

As someone who doesn't live in America, the idea that someone could work that hard (and let's face it, serving at tables is hard work) for $2.13 an hour in a country that is supposed to be a first world nation is baffling and outrageous! I just don't understand the system at all...

I had no idea the wages were that bad...

I will have to re-adjust my tipping brain for America - you're a very confusing place!!! And I promise to tip huge amounts at the IHOP's (I love those pancakes!)

 

[bicker]

I had no idea the wages were that bad...

Keep in mind that most good servers make more (not much more, but still more) using this system than they would make if they received a regular wage without tipping.