My thoughts on tipping...

[LisaInNc]

I have been on the dis for years and never knw about that points....guess I haven't been in trouble.

I find is disturbing that adults can discuss an issue without tipping without becoming so volitile that the thread has to be closed.

Lisa

 

[tnkr_bell]

I have worked as a hostess before and made the same hourly wage as the servers ($2.13) and the servers had to tip out so that the bus and host staff received a percentage of their tips based on hours worked.

Quite frankly, and forgive my harshness, but if you have not worked in the restaurant industry, please just give your 15-20% and stop complaining or find a way to reform restaurant industry practices so that servers and staff can make a decent wage without relying on the charity of patrons.

Actually, I have worked in the restaurant industry and I have waited tables. I've had groups of people come in and eat and sit around and chit chat for 2 hours plus and leave $5, and I've had people come in and eat their meals and leave and tip great.

I guess what it all boils down to is there will be good tippers and bad tippers, and servers will have good nights and bad night. I'll continue to tip what I feel is appropriate and others can continue with what they feel is appropriate.

 

[MrsNick]

I'll continue to tip what I feel is appropriate and others can continue with what they feel is appropriate.

Agree

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

Tipping is way out of control. My garbage man wants a tip at Christmas they start at 25.50 around here so no way are you geting a tip from me in this economy just be thankful you have a good paying job. Waitresses should be paid at least min. wage IMO. It's so ridiculous that they are not.

 

[Leshaface]

From reading both these threads, I never knew that waiters/waitresses, made so little!

I have a couple friends that work/worked in the restaurant industry and they were making minimum wage, which at the time a few years ago was 7.00/hour, not including tips they would make...my husband was a waiter also, and starting was making more than minimum wage...

Is it only in certain areas of the country where they start out at a few bucks an hour??

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Agree

ditto here.....

 

[A Mickeyfan]

From reading both these threads, I never knew that waiters/waitresses, made so little!

I have a couple friends that work/worked in the restaurant industry and they were making minimum wage, which at the time a few years ago was 7.00/hour, not including tips they would make...my husband was a waiter also, and starting was making more than minimum wage...

Is it only in certain areas of the country where they start out at a few bucks an hour??

I have seen it here in Fl & in NY.. so maybe an East Coast thing.. and remember too.. that minimum wages are different in different States too.. I know for the longest time Fl was much less than other States.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

State Minimum Wage Rates sorry for the way it looks, that is the only way I can get it on here.. here is the direct link:

http://www.laborlawcenter.com/t-State-Minimum-Wage-Rates.aspx?gclid=CPqdj9zStqICFQS2sgodYSzX5Q

State
Minimum Wage

2008
2009
2010
Alabama
$6.55
$7.25
$7.25
Alaska
$7.15
$7.25
$7.75
Arizona
$6.90
$7.25
$7.25
Arkansas
$6.25
$7.25
$7.25
California
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00
Colorado
$7.02
$7.28
$7.24
Connecticut
$7.65
$8.00
$8.25
Delaware
$7.15
$7.25
$7.25
District of Columbia
$7.55
$8.25
$8.25
Florida
$6.79
$7.25
$7.25
Georgia
$6.55
$7.25
$7.25
Hawaii
$7.25
$7.25
$7.25
Idaho
$6.55
$7.25
$7.25
Illinois
$7.75
$8.00
$8.25 5
Indiana
$6.55
$7.25
$7.25
Iowa
$7.25
$7.25
$7.25
Kansas 4
$6.55
$2.65
$7.25
Kentucky
$6.55
$7.25
$7.25
Louisiana
$6.55
$7.25
$7.25
Maine
$7.25
$7.25
$7.50 6
Maryland
$6.55
$7.25
$7.25
Massachusetts
$8.00
$8.00
$8.00
Michigan
$7.40
$7.40
$7.40
Minnesota 1
$6.15
$6.15
$6.15
Mississippi
$6.55
$7.25
$7.25
Missouri
$6.65
$7.25
$7.25
Montana
$6.55
$7.25
$7.25
Nebraska
$6.55
$7.25
$7.25
Nevada 2
$6.85
$7.55
$8.25
New Hampshire
$7.25
$7.25
$7.25
New Jersey
$7.15
$7.25
$7.25
New Mexico
$6.50
$7.50
$7.50
New York
$7.15
$7.25
$7.25
North Carolina
$6.55
$7.25
$7.25
North Dakota
$6.55
$7.25
$7.25
Ohio
$7.00
$7.30
$7.30
Oklahoma
$6.55
$7.25
$7.25
Oregon
$7.95
$8.40
$8.40
Pennsylvania 3
$7.15
$7.25
$7.25
Puerto Rico
$6.55
$6.55
$6.55
Rhode Island
$7.40
$7.40
$7.40
South Carolina
$6.55
$7.25
$7.25
South Dakota
$6.55
$7.25
$7.25
Tennessee
$5.58
$7.25
$7.25
Texas
$6.55
$7.25
$7.25
Utah
$6.55
$7.25
$7.25
Vermont
$7.68
$8.06
$8.06
Virginia
$6.55
$7.25
$7.25
Washington
$8.07
$8.55
$8.55
West Virginia
$7.25
$7.25
$7.25
Wisconsin
$6.50
$7.25
$7.25
Wyoming
$6.55
$7.25
$7.25

 

[Leshaface]

State Minimum Wage Rates sorry for the way it looks, that is the only way I can get it on here.. here is the direct link:

http://www.laborlawcenter.com/t-State-Minimum-Wage-Rates.aspx?gclid=CPqdj9zStqICFQS2sgodYSzX5Q


[/LIST]

Thanks for that!

 

[scribega]

I think what is not getting mentioned is the SERVICE aspect in the service industry. If a waiter knew they were going to get $5 for the hour you were going to be sitting at the table, they might give marginal service. But if they worked hard and was a good waiter for that hour they might earn more because I would tip them more.

Also, finding good waiters is not easy, lowering the amount they might earn will make it more difficult, which would effect business as a whole. Which means restaurants would pay higher hourly wages to bring in good servers and they would pass that cost on to the customers with higher food prices.

I will be happy to tip $6 on my $30 bill. It is better than tipping $5 on my $40 bill.

 

[okeydokey]

Until restaurants start paying their servers an actual decent wage, this is the system we have. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean it is not the reality. Remember if they did have to pay servers 10 or 12 an hour your 18 meal would cost you more because the restaurant owner would certainly pass that cost on to you.

 

[chimo2u]

Quite frankly, and forgive my harshness, but if you have not worked in the restaurant industry, please just give your 15-20% and stop complaining or find a way to reform restaurant industry practices so that servers and staff can make a decent wage without relying on the charity of patrons.

Tip/Gratuity is a GIFT = Up to the discretion of the giver and NOT dictated by anyone else!

I'll continue to tip what I feel is appropriate and others can continue with what they feel is appropriate.

ITA!

 

[mfd25wife]

Around here, many servers make $2.10-$3.00/hr. Most don't share tips, but a few do. Most of the other positions make minimum or slightly higher.

 

[CC12005]

Most states do not require minimum wage. The last I heard it was only California, Washington and Oregon that requires minimum wage to servers. Which brings a different quandry to the discussion. Why is tipping the same percentage standard in all states even when minimum wage is standard? The cost of living is higher in California, but most of Washington & Oregon are reasonable.

 

[PrincessBelle09]

Tip/Gratuity is a GIFT = Up to the discretion of the giver and NOT dictated by anyone else!

If one does not want or cannot afford to tip what is a socially agreed upon amount, then one should not eat at an establishment where it is expected.

 

[ugadog99]

Tip/Gratuity is a GIFT = Up to the discretion of the giver and NOT dictated by anyone else!



ITA!

Yes! I totally agree! This is what I do, and frankly, it suits me so I don't care who else it suits or doesn't.

And as far as what is "socially" agreed on, I am not one to care what someone thinks is "socially" correct. If it isn't illegal, I will do as I please.

 

[C.Ann]

I would rather pay more for a meal than to have a certain percentage of tipping forced on me..

To me tipping is a personal decision - and the amount of the tip that is warranted can vary widely based on a number of things.. I have tipped very well in the past - I have tipped so-so in the past - and I have not tipped at all on a very few occasions..

And yes - I am one of those people who think tipping has gotten totally out of hand.. Tipping everyone from the garbage man to the girl at the Dunkin Donuts counter who hands me a cup of coffee (and is making at least - if not more - than the minimum wage) is nothing more than "money grabbing"..

On the other hand, I might tip someone in a profession where tipping rarely - if ever - occurs simply because I have received excellent service - or someone put in more effort than was necessary.. But that is for me to decide - not for others to force on me - by proclaiming they deserve "x" amount as a tip - regardless of what kind of service I have received..

 

[JB2K]

I've said it before and say it again...

If it's a "traditional" dining establishment with "traditional" wait service (restaurant, diner, etc.), they always get the tip.

If it's carry-out pizza or Chinese carry-out with a "tips jar" on the counter, they get nothing.

As it's been said, waiters/waitresses only get paid a couple of dollars per hour - tip money is supposed to supplement that to (as a minimum) bring them in line with minimum wage.

The folks behind the counter at the carry-out places are making (at least) minimum wage, so no tips for them.

As for countries outside of North America, it's always best to research how things are done, so you don't look foolish (for example, in Japan, the gratuity is always built-into the menu price and to give the wait staff anything "extra" is perceived as an insult).

Now, of course, if the service is bad, all of the above is off the table.

 

[torinsmom]

I'm a single mom who is also a teacher, so I am not one with a lot of extra money. However, unless I have bad service at a sit down restaurant, I tip at least 15% and most of the time 20%. I hope I never have to be a waitress, because you run and run and deal with lots of rude customers and then you are at their mercy for your paycheck. I know not everyone is rude, but I have seen some people be so rude it embarrassed me. I was just teaching my son today how to calculate the 20% tip.

I don't tip everyone. I tip my hairdresser a few bucks, and on the few occasions I have used a cab, I have tipped the driver. I also tip the pizza delivery person if I order pizza.

If I can't afford to tip, I just don't go to the sit down restaurants.

Marsha

 

[PrincessBelle09]

I hope I never have to be a waitress, because you run and run and deal with lots of rude customers and then you are at their mercy for your paycheck.