Gratuity on DDP

[OneTreeHillAddict]

I worked at Hard Rock Cafe in my early 20's for a couple of years for $2.13 an hour! I live in a tourist trap as well so sometimes even though the best service was given you'd still get $2 off a $60 check and sometimes stiffed because they'll never see you again. That's just life....the next table leaves 30% and makes up for it. I can say this, had I ever once asked a table how they planned to tip me I would have been fired on the spot! That is extremely rude! I've worked in places where we had "gratutity not included" stamped on the checks as well as inserts for the bill books but never would I ask for a tip (even if it was allowed!) People KNOW the tip is not included now. It's explained in the dining documents and is mentioned when you make ADR's. We tip very well under normal circumstances but if anyone demands or asks us for a tip they wont get a dime! Any server with half a brain is not going to stand over someone's shoulder while they're filling out their tip line! They might have the option to give you this piece of paper but again there's a time and way for that to be presented. I've read a lot of negative stuff on these boards about people doing this in a very rude way! Big mistake. As far as we go....good service (used plate removal and drink refills when needed) will get you 20% or more. Bad service or tip extortion will get the NOTHING!

 

[mickey2000]

OK, well first things first...I do tip and usually tip pretty well. I have been a waitress before and I do know what it is like having to work for your tips. I know first hand that tips are not a promise...but a bonus. That being said...I personally think it is CRAZY to tip based on a precentage. I have used this before on the disboards...here is my example...
The waitress at cracker barrell bust her butt and keeps our glasses full, brings everything out quickly, talks and plays with my kids and just over all does a GREAT job. If I tip by using 18% of the total bill my waitress is going to recieve a smaller tip then the waitress at say California Grill who left our glasses empty, was slow, rude, and could have cared less we were there and would have preferred our kids werent there at all...BUT becasue the total bill was higher she should get a higher tip...i just dont get it!!!
But that being said I have never had bad service at California Grill...i have never been there...just pulled a place out of the air.

Now about the waitstaff asking for tips...I think it is rude to flat out ask for tips...and would prob take away from what I would leave...but, I dont think I would be offended if they reminded me that the tip was no longer included on the DDP.
regardless of who's bright idea it was to remove the tip from the DDP I think it was a poor move for the waitstaff as well as the guests. I assume the CM's have suffered somewhat of a paycut as many ppl do not will not tip what they use to get. Guest are paying a whole dollar or so less then before...lol...I would gladly pay the extra $1 and let Disney pay that tip.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I can say this, had I ever once asked a table how they planned to tip me I would have been fired on the spot! <snip> We tip very well under normal circumstances but if anyone demands or asks us for a tip they wont get a dime!

Okay, there's a difference between asking HOW the diner is going to tip (still awkward, assumes the diner is going to tip) and asking FOR the tip. My understanding is, the Disney restaurant registers won't allow the CM to ring out the sale until/unless tip information is provided. Most people will use a credit card or their room key, meaning they will enter the tip amount on the line provided on the check. Some diners will be using cash - so if there is nothing on that line when the CM takes the check to ring out the sale, they probably NEED to ask - again, not FOR the tip but HOW.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

"Okay, there's a difference between asking HOW the diner is going to tip (still awkward, assumes the diner is going to tip) and asking FOR the tip. My understanding is, the Disney restaurant registers won't allow the CM to ring out the sale until/unless tip information is provided. Most people will use a credit card or their room key, meaning they will enter the tip amount on the line provided on the check. Some diners will be using cash - so if there is nothing on that line when the CM takes the check to ring out the sale, they probably NEED to ask - again, not FOR the tip but HOW."


What an awkward position to put the CM in.... I do think it is a bit rude to have to ask how the tip is being paid or if you are going to tip. I have to admit if I were asked, I may tip less than I would normally tip because I do not like being put on the spot like that. I always pay with a cc so when the slip comes back, I add the tip then....I would think there would be no need to ask me as it is there for me to fill out or not??? It is a voluntary tip...

 

[bicker]

I think the need to ask stems from the fact that in the United State the gratuity is discretionary, not optional. Disney has employed other measures, in the past, to subtly remind patrons of this distinction. Clearly, the more folks treat the gratuity as optional instead of discretionary, whether in response to these measures or otherwise, we can expect that these measures will continue and be intensified.

 

[dogodisney]

My mother works at Artist Point and ironically we were just talking sbou this at Disney the charged tips aren't converted in cash. Any charged tips are put into the employees next paycheck. That was one of the reason's the wait staff hated the tip being included into the DDP. They were hoping that more people would just pay cash for their tips.

That is a good thing to know.

In March when we went to a TS and got the reciept, we would give them the room card and put a zero in the tip line and put in there CASH. When the servers brought the bill back for me to sign they never said anything. When we left I made sure my server got the black folder with the cash in it. I never left it on the table due to being a x-server for years other people would take my tip and I would be *******. All servers thanked me very much and I never felt awkward and neither did they.

That is a good point.
I haven't been to Disney since '06 and I can't remember if they have bus people or not. I didn't pay attention to it.
I am always leary of leaving a tip on the table when the tables are being bussed by someone other than the wait staff.

Besides another patron could walk off with the tip.

 

[Disney8704]

Tipping IS opitional. Until there is a law that is passed stating you MUST tip at ALL restraunts regardless of service, and if you dont leave a tip your breaking the law, it remains opitional. You have every right to not leave a tip as much as leaving one. What servers and restraunts need to get through their thick heads of theirs, is that not everyone is gonna tip. Do you think my parents left any tips when I was younger, no. DH and I just started about 2 - 3 yrs ago to start leaving tips. Before that, we only left a tip if the service was VERY excellent. And the only reason why we now start leaving tips is because DH asked one of the waiters at olive garden during dinner one time how much he made. And DH was blown away. He thought they got paid at least miniumum wage. Of course I told DH they didnt, they only made like $3 an hr, and of course he didnt believe me until he asked himself. But before all that, he refused to leave any type of tip. Did we get treated horribly when we went in the next time after not leaving any tip - nope. We got treated the same way as everyone else. My parents to this day, still dont leave any tips. Whenever we go out to eat with them, we always have to be the one to leave the tip for both checks. My parents dont believe that we should have the be the ones responsbile paying their wages. Which I can agree to a point. We customers, shouldnt have to be the reason why waiters can buy food, put gas in their car or pay rent. Who knows (just a thought, probably will never happen), maybe if everyone went on a strike to not pay any kind of tips, maybe the government will wake up and start paying waiters at least minimum wage.

I think the need to ask stems from the fact that in the United State the gratuity is discretionary, not optional. Disney has employed other measures, in the past, to subtly remind patrons of this distinction. Clearly, the more folks treat the gratuity as optional instead of discretionary, whether in response to these measures or otherwise, we can expect that these measures will continue and be intensified.

 

[bicker]

There is a legal concept known as unjust enrichment. While it is very unlikely to be enforced, the fact is is that in our society it is well established that the cost of service in restaurants is paid for via the gratuity. That's sound foundation for the assertion that tipping is NOT "optional", regardless of whether there is enforcement to that effect.

Beyond the legal considerations are moral ones, and indeed it is those moral considerations that are the foundation for the unjust enrichment principle I referred to earlier. Many consider getting something that the vast majority voluntarily pay for and neglecting or refusing to also pay to be disreputable.

Lots of folks claim that they'd like to see a change in the system, but none of them are willing to do the work necessary to change our society as they claim they want it to change. The reality is that restaurateurs cannot unilaterally increase their prices 15%-20% and expect to maintain a healthy business. This can only change via government regulation, and again, no one really feels strongly enough about making that change to work the issue. Therefore, our society's expectations on patrons to provide a gratuity for service remains inviolate.

 

[Disney8704]

Sure they would. If people see a raise in the cost for a meal but know they dont have to leave a tip no longer because the waiters are getting a decent wage it wouldnt hurt the business at all. I mean it wouldnt make any difference then what they were paying before. If they bought a meal and paid tax and tip it would cost the same as if they were just to raise the price by 15-20%. Personally I would rather have the extra 15-20% added on the meals then having to worry about how much to leave for a tip. Think of it as a hidden charge in the meal cost.

There is a legal concept known as unjust enrichment. While it is very unlikely to be enforced, the fact is is that in our society it is well established that the cost of service in restaurants is paid for via the gratuity. That's sound foundation for the assertion that tipping is NOT "optional", regardless of whether there is enforcement to that effect.

Beyond the legal considerations are moral ones, and indeed it is those moral considerations that are the foundation for the unjust enrichment principle I referred to earlier. Many consider getting something that the vast majority voluntarily pay for and neglecting or refusing to also pay to be disreputable.

Lots of folks claim that they'd like to see a change in the system, but none of them are willing to do the work necessary to change our society as they claim they want it to change. The reality is that restaurateurs cannot unilaterally increase their prices 15%-20% and expect to maintain a healthy business. This can only change via government regulation, and again, no one really feels strongly enough about making that change to work the issue. Therefore, our society's expectations on patrons to provide a gratuity for service remains inviolate.

 

[bicker]

Sure they would. If people see a raise in the cost for a meal but know they dont have to leave a tip no longer because the waiters are getting a decent wage it wouldnt hurt the business at all.

I'm sorry but we'll just have to agree to disagree about that. There is a vast amount of experience in the industry showing that restaurants that adopt "no tipping" service models get punished by their clientèle.

 

[libinatorsmom]

To me the bottom line is... I will tip you (pay you) well if you give me GREAT service.... if you dont then I wont... SIMPLE to me... I dont do a certian % regradless... I tip soley based on service... its a service industry... they are there to serve you - if they dont well heck with them... its there JOB!!!! if I didnt prefrom my job I would get fired - hence not get paid... EASY as pie to figure out... plus servers do get a base wage just for "showing up" I wonder how service would be if it were solely base on tips... hmmm that is an interesting thought... I have had good service, bad service, and everything in between... and I will admit I have left without tipping due to POOR service and left very small tips for poor service... I have left HUGE tips based on GREAT service I mean like 100% or more - seriously... if you do me good i will do you good... We will tip cash at WDW next week - we are on the Dulx DDP - and if anyone asks me for the tip I will not give it to them - that is just rude and not called for... if they ask HOW I will say cash.... and thats all they need to know...

 

[libinatorsmom]

BTW : I believe tipping is optional!!!

 

[BellaNoche]

Tipping IS opitional. Until there is a law that is passed stating you MUST tip at ALL restraunts regardless of service, and if you dont leave a tip your breaking the law, it remains opitional. You have every right to not leave a tip as much as leaving one. What servers and restraunts need to get through their thick heads of theirs, is that not everyone is gonna tip. Do you think my parents left any tips when I was younger, no. DH and I just started about 2 - 3 yrs ago to start leaving tips. Before that, we only left a tip if the service was VERY excellent. And the only reason why we now start leaving tips is because DH asked one of the waiters at olive garden during dinner one time how much he made. And DH was blown away. He thought they got paid at least miniumum wage. Of course I told DH they didnt, they only made like $3 an hr, and of course he didnt believe me until he asked himself. But before all that, he refused to leave any type of tip. Did we get treated horribly when we went in the next time after not leaving any tip - nope. We got treated the same way as everyone else. My parents to this day, still dont leave any tips. Whenever we go out to eat with them, we always have to be the one to leave the tip for both checks. My parents dont believe that we should have the be the ones responsbile paying their wages. Which I can agree to a point. We customers, shouldnt have to be the reason why waiters can buy food, put gas in their car or pay rent. Who knows (just a thought, probably will never happen), maybe if everyone went on a strike to not pay any kind of tips, maybe the government will wake up and start paying waiters at least minimum wage.

I have to STRONGLY disagree with this opinion! The government should NOT be making the decisions on how much restaurant owners pay their wait staff. That is the right of the business owner to decide! If there are owners who pay lousy, they will not have much luck getting good staff, or keeping them! KEEP THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR! It is also the restaurant owners decision whether or not to add an automatic gratuity. If we do not like it or think it is fair, we do not have to eat there. Likewise, if an owner does not pay well, a waiter does not have to take that job. Keeping the Gov't out of private business will ensure competition and keep things on a more even keel IMO. LONG LIVE FREE ENTERPRISE!!!

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Okay, there's a difference between asking HOW the diner is going to tip (still awkward, assumes the diner is going to tip) and asking FOR the tip. My understanding is, the Disney restaurant registers won't allow the CM to ring out the sale until/unless tip information is provided. Most people will use a credit card or their room key, meaning they will enter the tip amount on the line provided on the check. Some diners will be using cash - so if there is nothing on that line when the CM takes the check to ring out the sale, they probably NEED to ask - again, not FOR the tip but HOW.

Right...there's a proper way to present it. I read in one post how a server stood over a womans shoulder and waited for her!? And in another someone asked. "Will you be tipping in cash or credit!?" Who says we have to tip at all? It would have been worded better as, "To make your dining experience easier we allow our Disney resort guests to charge gratuities to their room if you'd prefer. If you'd like to do this it can be filled in on your receipt. It's been a pleasure serving you and I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay!" Sounds like they all might need an all staff server meeting to be trained the proper way to present this awkward suggestive receipt Disney has going on. They could also simply ask, "Would you like to charge a (not your) tip to your room? If so we can do that here for you. It's been a pleasure...." By wording it with YOUR it's assuming again. A does not assume. It's all about how they word it. If someone is rude to you at a restaurant they don't deserve the 15-20% grats! Good service warrants the best tip. They need to keep that in mind. I can't believe WDW would do such a thing....I'm sure many of them are embarrassed by it!

 

[themudd4]

A tip (or gratuity) is an unrequired payment to certain service sector workers beyond the advertised price. The amount of a tip is typically computed as a percent of the cost of the transaction before the addition of any taxes.[1] These payments and their size are a matter of social custom. Tipping varies among cultures and by service industry. Though by definition a tip is never legally required, and its amount is at the discretion of the person being served, in some circumstances failing to give an adequate tip when one is expected would be considered very miserly, a violation of etiquette, or unethical. In some other cultures or situations, giving a tip is not expected and offering one may be considered as condescending or demeaning. In some circumstances (such as tipping government workers), tipping is illegal and considered a bribe. However, in the service industry within the United States, tipping is usually expected because it is common etiquette and it comprises a substantial part of the employee's income.Circumstances of tipping
In countries where tipping is the rule (for example United States), complicated social rules and etiquette have developed over the exact percentage to tip, and what should and should not be included in this calculation. In other cultures where tipping exists it is more flexible and no specific assumptions of the tip amount exist. In the United States, it is acceptable to tip anywhere from 15% to 20% if the service is good to superior, and less or even zero for mediocre service. In Canada, a 15% tip is customary for good service.[8].

Just thought I would share that with everyone...

 

[bicker]

Wikipedia doesn't reflect the reality I expressed earlier. Dictionaries and encyclopedias don't always provide clear, precise answers to specific inquries. For example, by the logic some of your are peddling, a restaurant providing you good service is "optional", yet you still expect it.

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

To me the bottom line is... I will tip you (pay you) well if you give me GREAT service.... if you dont then I wont... SIMPLE to me... I dont do a certian % regradless... I tip soley based on service... its a service industry... they are there to serve you - if they dont well heck with them... its there JOB!!!! if I didnt prefrom my job I would get fired - hence not get paid... EASY as pie to figure out... plus servers do get a base wage just for "showing up" I wonder how service would be if it were solely base on tips... hmmm that is an interesting thought... I have had good service, bad service, and everything in between... and I will admit I have left without tipping due to POOR service and left very small tips for poor service... I have left HUGE tips based on GREAT service I mean like 100% or more - seriously... if you do me good i will do you good... We will tip cash at WDW next week - we are on the Dulx DDP - and if anyone asks me for the tip I will not give it to them - that is just rude and not called for... if they ask HOW I will say cash.... and thats all they need to know...

I agree with youn 100%!!!!

 

[themudd4]

Wikipedia doesn't reflect the reality I expressed earlier. Dictionaries and encyclopedias don't always provide clear, precise answers to specific inquries. For example, by the logic some of your are peddling, a restaurant providing you good service is "optional", yet you still expect it.

ok, here is thing...I think that the quotes from wikipedia answered several questions that have been brought up...example how much is standard...that it is optional although assumed...and that regardless it is up to the consumer. But in the logic you just gave your right...if a restaurant chooses not to provide the good service I expect...that is there option...then it is mine to return or not. Needless to say many a restaurant have closed down for poor service...so I guess they selected the wrong option! I do not see the link from that to tipping but to each there own...

 

[bicker]

ok, here is thing...I think that the quotes from wikipedia answered several questions that have been brought up...example how much is standard...

I suppose. However, it doesn't resolve the confusion that we see in reality, where many patrons really do feel that they can expect to go into a restaurant and walk out without leaving a gratuity. That's a Class 1 failure of the system to properly communicate the reality.

 

[stephanie23]

To me the bottom line is... I will tip you (pay you) well if you give me GREAT service.... if you dont then I wont... SIMPLE to me... I dont do a certian % regradless... I tip soley based on service... its a service industry... they are there to serve you - if they dont well heck with them... its there JOB!!!! if I didnt prefrom my job I would get fired - hence not get paid... EASY as pie to figure out... plus servers do get a base wage just for "showing up" I wonder how service would be if it were solely base on tips... hmmm that is an interesting thought... I have had good service, bad service, and everything in between... and I will admit I have left without tipping due to POOR service and left very small tips for poor service... I have left HUGE tips based on GREAT service I mean like 100% or more - seriously... if you do me good i will do you good... We will tip cash at WDW next week - we are on the Dulx DDP - and if anyone asks me for the tip I will not give it to them - that is just rude and not called for... if they ask HOW I will say cash.... and thats all they need to know...

I TOTALLY agree with you. I was a waitress for 4 years so I know both ends. The saying "treat people how you want to be treated" is what I refer to. If you treat me great, your tip will be great, if you treat me poor, your tip will be poor. Its just how it works for me. IMHO