How much to tip?

[Miffy2003]

I tip 15% for good service, more for outstanding service

I do tip the maids at DVC Susie, I tend to leave $1 per person occupying the room but I have no idea if that is the right thing to do or not LOL

 

[Laurafoster]

Thats what i tend to tip! $1 per person for the maids.

 

[Soprano]

I observed a lot of people tip last time I was there. Mostly at the buffet restaurants, I should add, it was the American's who seemed to tip the least. $2 or so.

The times I ate at the Ponderosa, I expect a coffee and toast within a few minutes of arriving at my table. Certainly when I get back to the table with my food. I really need that coffee in the morning and expect two refills. I get this I am happy and they get their tip. If the coffee is late, I tip £1.

A lot depends on where you actually are eating. Buffet restaurants can't really expect to have heavy tips as the quality of the food is fine, but not outstanding.

 

[SimonV]

You should definitely not tip much for poor service, that is a well-established rule of thumb. Yes, servers ARE taxed on the basis they receive 15% in tips, but some get more than 15% if they do a good job, and it is definitely still an incentive for good service. Sadly, many Brits still do not tip AT ALL, which leaves those of us who are aware of this custom with a bad reputation, but the bottom line is just to stick with the 15-20% amount, depending on what you are comfortable with and how well you have been served. Really bad service should also be brought to the attention of the manager, as they would definitely rather know if something isn't right as it affects future custom.

 

[Cochise]

What annoys me is when you give them a $100 bill for a $60 meal and they ask if you want change. Well hello, yes that would be nice.

We were caught out with this once. I went totally spare when i twigged. If i got bad service they get 7.5% but never anymore than 15% for good, sometimes i added extra coins (dimes etc) to this. So for example the lass in Bennigans when told the chicken sandwich was full of grissle and she replied with "Yeah I dont like it too when that happens" and walked off - Guess what she got?

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We were caught out with this once. I went totally spare when i twigged. If i got bad service they get 7.5% but never anymore than 15% for good, sometimes i added extra coins (dimes etc) to this. So for example the lass in Bennigans when told the chicken sandwich was full of grissle and she replied with "Yeah I dont like it too when that happens" and walked off - Guess what she got?

Very little I would hope - I actually do not tip at all if the service is bad.

 

[Goofyish]

Just out of interest - how is the 15% calculated for tax perposes?

Is it based on the average takings for the whole restaurant, or the tables that the server is covering or is it based on 15% of the server's basic wage?

 

[#1MMFan]

Yeah, I can't agree on the "don't go to america if you aren't going to tip 15% minimum". I work hard for my money, and if you don't I'm not supplementing your income. If you end up 'losing money' that is YOUR punishment for not serving well or being polite. Where exactly do you see MUG stamped on me. I am a more than generous tipper if the service is good, but will not be taken for a ride. I don't think my cousins would be either, and they are American.

Oh and, for those who leave 1 cent for bad service... why not write on the server's receipt that you do not leave a tip for poor service. Plain english... spell it out. I really don't see why you should leave something when you are annoyed, and to be honest who wants to get embroiled in a conversation with a manager over something trivial as poor, (but not obnoxious) service when you are on holiday to enjoy yourself and relax.. too much like work to me!!! By all means leave it on a comments card instead. haha.

 

[gavvy]

Don't usually get involved with this subject as everyone as people from different backgrounds and cultures have differing opinions but I just can't believe this statement. has it just been posted to wind people up?
I have been going to Orlando for over 12 years now and 99/100 get v good service and tip appropriately but on the odd occasion I get poor service eg. Golden Corral this Oct, the server either had a very bad case of flu or was on drugs, she was a mess and so was her service, basically had to do everything ourselves. Why should I tip her? staff that give bad service should not be tipped 1 cent They are in the wrong job, they should not be in the service industry.

You tip because you are paying for a service- even if its bad you tip, if you get good or great service tip more- if its bad let them know !

If your in a buffett then the server gets paid more and a $ a person is acceptable

In the 1 year i worked as a server the only time i dident get a tip was from british familys who basically and understandably dident know how the service industry works in america, i got paid less than £1 an hour to wait tables, and was taxed on your tip even if i dident get it, if you have bad service let somone know! but i strongly belive that in america you cant get away with not tipping at all

Its just my opinion

 

[ujpest_doza]

You tip because you are paying for a service- even if its bad you tip, if you get good or great service tip more- if its bad let them know !

No way , if the service is rubbish or the food is rubbish the restaurant is lucky if it gets paid never mind the server getting a tip!

I usually tip for good service by making the bill up eg if its $25.75 i make it up to $30.00.

But if you are paying for a service you expect it be good, if its not you don't pay period.

 

[gavvy]

No way , if the service is rubbish or the food is rubbish the restaurant is lucky if it gets paid never mind the server getting a tip!

I usually tip for good service by making the bill up eg if its $25.75 i make it up to $30.00.

But if you are paying for a service you expect it be good, if its not you don't pay period.

As a server I had no control over the food- that was the kitchen, If the servers rubbish then let him know!, or his manager. If the food is rubbish send it back, its not the servers fault, - unless it was obvious it should not have been sent to your table like that. Its possible to have a bad meal and still have a great server, its not always his fault if the kitchen has let him down. One thing i quickly learnt was if i wanted to earn money I had to work for it, most servers will go out of the way to accomidate you and will probably be just as upset as you if there is something wrong with your meal.

 

[wayneg]

You tip because you are paying for a service- even if its bad you tip, if you get good or great service tip more- if its bad let them know !

If your in a buffett then the server gets paid more and a $ a person is acceptable

In the 1 year i worked as a server the only time i dident get a tip was from british familys who basically and understandably dident know how the service industry works in america, i got paid less than £1 an hour to wait tables, and was taxed on your tip even if i dident get it, if you have bad service let somone know! but i strongly belive that in america you cant get away with not tipping at all

Its just my opinion

I said I wouldn't get drawn into this subject but you've got me.
I think you will be on your own with this one (unlesss there are any other servers out there)
I am in retail myself, I own florist shops. If a customer is not 100% happy with my product or service I give full money back, not keep delivery charge because they were delivered OK or only half of flowers were poor so half money back. I give 100% back and make damn sure the quality and service is spot on next time if they are good enough to come back.
Not happy with what you earn, 2 options, take it up with employers or find another job, never ever take it out on the paying customer, upset them you have no business.

 

[wasabi girl]

Hi
Sorry to poke my nose in the UK board...but just to let you know. Americans hate the tipping thing too. We are sick and tired of tipping everyone for everything. I've got no idea how restaurant employyes making substandard wages ever got started...but that is they way it is done.
Also we live in the land of the gigantic portions for cheap prices...I'm sure most people wouldn't like restaurant prices to go up to cover the increased cost (including all of the taxes) to pay normal wages...so although we are used to tipping, it is one of those things that seem sort of wrong but how to fix the whole system? Thanks for listening.

 

[AlanUK]

Hi Wasabi girl,

Thanks for coming over and posting

It's interesting to hear that some of the Americans find the tipping culture to be just as strange as we Brits do.

 

[#1MMFan]

I agree, how refreshing to hear Wasabi girl's remarks. My US relatives don't talk about the tipping thing much, but I imagine they feel similarly. I know that when they came over here, they tried to tip way too much in a restaurant in Glasgow and we had to point out that they don't expect the same size of tip over here.

 

[gilld]

I agree, how refreshing to hear Wasabi girl's remarks. My US relatives don't talk about the tipping thing much, but I imagine they feel similarly. I know that when they came over here, they tried to tip way too much in a restaurant in Glasgow and we had to point out that they don't expect the same size of tip over here.

We usually tip around 15% here, to exactly the same people we tip in the USA ie waiters, taxi drivers, hair/beauty salon, bellhops etc. The only time we wouldn't top here is in a bar, but then we'll sometimes buy the barman a drink.

 

[#1MMFan]

We usually tip around 15% here, to exactly the same people we tip in the USA ie waiters, taxi drivers, hair/beauty salon, bellhops etc. The only time we wouldn't top here is in a bar, but then we'll sometimes buy the barman a drink.

What I'm saying is waiters in ordinary restaurants don't seem to expect a £15 tip for a £100 meal, judging by reactions I've had. I do however tip more than generously. Last time I was in London, the cab driver nearly fell over himself with thanks for a meagre tip. Maybe we just tip more north of the border? Ohhh, just being controversial! heheheh, don't flame me!

 

[wayneg]

I'm from Yorkshire, Whats a tip?

 

[gilld]

What I'm saying is waiters in ordinary restaurants don't seem to expect a £15 tip for a £100 meal, judging by reactions I've had. I do however tip more than generously. Last time I was in London, the cab driver nearly fell over himself with thanks for a meagre tip. Maybe we just tip more north of the border? Ohhh, just being controversial! heheheh, don't flame me!

I'm afraid I disagree - I think they do expect a decent tip, though they probably wouldn't ask outright, they'd make it known. But since we always tip reasonably well, it doesn't affect us. We would tip considerably less for really poor service, though tht hasn't happened often - maybe we've just been lucky

 

[AlanUK]

Don't get me wrong I still tip in this country too Probably not as much though, up to about 10% would probably be normal depending on the level service received.

Also in this country I don't feel I have to tip everyone for everything they do for me. In the US I sometimes feel quite concious of peoples assistance, sometimes it can be almost forced upon you and then you are expected to tip someone for a service you didn't really need in the first place.