Poll, Tip % or set amount

[jberry5]

We tip by %'s, generally no less than about 10% up to 25% (usually my tip is around 18-20% though, and rarely is it under 15%). I tend to tip higher %'s at places where the cost of the meal is less. I have also noticed, since our 2 boys have come along, my tipping % overall has drastically decreased. I asked my sister (waitress) about families with small children, and she said we are stereotyped as tipping lower. The reason I had asked her was since our 2 boys came along, I've noticed the service we receive has really declined significantly.

I will adjust my tip for time we were at the restaurant, however, this can go either way. If we were there for a long time, due to our doing, I will tip higher, but if due to the service, I will tip less. I'll also bump up my tip, if DS's are messy, causing extra work to be done. I do not adjust my tipping though for number of tables or how busy the restaurant is. I tip based on the service I receive, regardless of whether I am the only person in the place, or there are hundreds.

For myself it generally boils down to the following:

*Promptly takes drink orders
*Checks on us shortly after meal has arrived, allowing us to taste/inspect, not when we are nearly finished
*Makes certain drinks are refilled in a timely manner

*And with the boys now, I absolutely, positively, do not want to hear how cute they are after poor service

 

[jpolak]

I always start at 20% and deduct accordingly for poor service.

 

[mrsdrkwaver]

As a general rule I tip 20% of the total bill (and this is almost all of the time), rounding up to the nearest dollar. If service is outstanding I have been known to tip 25%. If service is somewhat poor however, I drop the tip to 10%, and if the service is very poor or nonexistant, I don't tip at all.

Also, as a general rule, I will not eat at a restaurant where the tip is automatically added to the bill. (I have been know to simply walk out of the place before ordering, if I find a notice to that effect on the menu.)

Karnak

This is how my husband and I tip. we start with 20 percent but go lower for bad service or non for horrible service. go hire for great serrvice I do not like the tip already placed on the bill but i have only run into this with large groups.

 

[karajeboo]

Yes I agree they do provide some what of service, but if I dont feel that the person doesnt earn that 15%, Im not gonna leave 15%. Why leave them a good tip or any tip if they dont deserve it? Like I said, its only happened 1 time and our waitress was HORRIBLE. The worst we EVER had. And she DEF. did NOT deserve a tip. DH threw a penny on the table and that was that. And said that leaving a penny is a huge insult and a wake up call at the same time. You can agree or not agree with me. IMHO, I really dont care if you dont agree with me. You wanna leave a 15% tip for horrible service - more power to ya!

What many people don't understand is that sometimes "horrible" service has nothing to do with the server. Did other servers call in sick and your server was run ragged trying to cover for someone else? Did the management not schedule accordingly? Is the kitchen staff not operating at 100% and the food is coming out slow? There are so many things that go on behind the scenes that we don't know about, and often times beyond the servers control. As long as I get courteous service, I will tip 20%. The ONLY time I go below 20% is for rude or careless service, and that is rare. I have had bad service, but the server is attentive and apologetic and I realize that she/he is doing the best they can.

Also, for people who think the servers should just be paid more and get rid of tipping? Where you might now pay $12.99 for a meal at Applebees? Expect to pay about 50% more for food if the restaurants are going to start paying more to the servers. So that Grand Slam at Denny's is going to go from $4.99 to $7.50 or so. Just something to think about.

 

[Disney8704]

Let's see the waitress came and got our drink orders, brought us our drinks, took our order and after that we never saw her again until she brought us our check. We wanted desert, she didnt even come around and asked us if we wanted desert. She just automatically came by gave us our check and left. Someone else brought us our food, and someone else came by and picked up the check and credit card and we had to grab a waitress for drink refills and the only reason why we were able to grab her attention was because she walked right passed us and we had already been waiting for 5 minutes trying to find someone. So yeah, service was HORRIBLE. So all in all we had 4 people waiting on us. Oh and to top it all off, she got my order all wrong but managed to get DH right.

Yes cost of prices would raise, heck they already are, but if you dont have to factor in tipping, you may pay either just as much as you would have to begun with or maybe a little bit more.

What many people don't understand is that sometimes "horrible" service has nothing to do with the server. Did other servers call in sick and your server was run ragged trying to cover for someone else? Did the management not schedule accordingly? Is the kitchen staff not operating at 100% and the food is coming out slow? There are so many things that go on behind the scenes that we don't know about, and often times beyond the servers control. As long as I get courteous service, I will tip 20%. The ONLY time I go below 20% is for rude or careless service, and that is rare. I have had bad service, but the server is attentive and apologetic and I realize that she/he is doing the best they can.

Also, for people who think the servers should just be paid more and get rid of tipping? Where you might now pay $12.99 for a meal at Applebees? Expect to pay about 50% more for food if the restaurants are going to start paying more to the servers. So that Grand Slam at Denny's is going to go from $4.99 to $7.50 or so. Just something to think about.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We start at 18%, which has been the base in FL for quite awhile. My DH usually ends up leaving 20% for ease of calculating. I've never felt my service was bad enough to tip 0-10%. I have a BIL who seems to have bad service often. At least, from his perspective. Then again, he likes to tip the bare minimum anyway. It can be quite embarrassing for those dining with him.

For those wishing the servers would make at least minimum wage, so there's no need to tip, have you considered the quality of service you'll receive? I have no desire to spend $100+ on a meal & get McDonald's level service. Good servers would not work for minimum wage or a little more. It's that simple. Be careful what you wish for.

 

[sjaakie]

with him.

For those wishing the servers would make at least minimum wage, so there's no need to tip, have you considered the quality of service you'll receive?

Excuse me.

That's plain rubbish. In Europe this is normal and the service is excellent.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Excuse me.

That's plain rubbish. In Europe this is normal and the service is excellent.

It may be, but all you need to do is go to McDonalds here in the US to see what type of service minimum wage buys you. I wasn't saying paying a server a salary would result in worse service. How much you paid that server could make a huge difference though. Would all those who want to do away with tipping be willing to pay the rise in menu prices required to pay a salary quality servers would demand? I can't think of one person who would be willing to take the abuse servers sometimes receive for minimum wage.

 

[letthewookiewin]

Personally, I've never liked the idea of tipping based on a % of my bill. It didn't take any more effort for them to bring a $50.00 steak to the table than it a $10.00 peice of chicken. For us it just really depends on the service and we just leave a set dollar amount. There are a lot of factors in the amount we leave. Did we have to ask for drink refills? If my children spoke to them, did they ignore them? How big of a mess did my DS's make? (Usually I clean up the table and even have all the plates stacked neatly.) Did we have an appetizer and dessert with our dinner or just the entree? Is it just our family of 4 or more people? I have no problem tipping someone more based on their job performance, and I have no problem leaving a big tip if it was warranted.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes I agree they do provide some what of service, but if I dont feel that the person doesnt earn that 15%, Im not gonna leave 15%. Why leave them a good tip or any tip if they dont deserve it?

I didn't say it's necessary to tip 15% for lousy service - but surely even diners who have gotten (or perceived) lousy service have gotten SOME service; more than a penny's worth, at least.
I continue to contend the best and most effective time to resolve bad service is WHILE IT'S BEING EXPERIENCED. Seek out a manager WHILE you're not getting the service you expect. Give the restaurant a chance to solve the problem. Don't sit and gripe between/among yourselves, then leave a penny - or less.

You wanna leave a 15% tip for horrible service - more power to ya!

Actually, I think I tip very well. The worst service I had, the waitress got 15% to the penny... for thinking that a party of four women wasn't worth paying attention to. She flirted with the table of four business men on one side of us; she chatted with the table of either regulars or friends on the other side. We got service, but not impressive service. It's the only time I ever left change as part of the tip.

When I brought it back asked me if I gave them a senior discount, I explained I did not I have to be asked first

Oh, come on. You KNOW if you had asked them in advance if they wanted the senior discount, they would have been so offended they would not have left you a tip! Not a tipping situation, but I was in a Wendy's once where they had a single snaking line roped off, with an employee at the entrance to the line taking orders and transmitting them electronically. I ordered whatever and an iced tea. The girl asked if I wanted the discount. I said, "What discount?" She said, "Senior citizen". I WAS THIRTY-DANGED-SIX at the time :lmao :lmao I only remember the drink because that's the ONLY thing I could think of that would have given her the impression I was SOOOOOO old!

So yeah, service was HORRIBLE. So all in all we had 4 people waiting on us. Oh and to top it all off, she got my order all wrong but managed to get DH right.

That wasn't great service, but it wasn't horrible. Since your waitress didn't bring your food, how do you know SHE got your order wrong? Did you see her order pad? Maybe the kitchen made the wrong dish. Maybe they made the right dish but didn't prepare it as you requested. Maybe the runner picked up the wrong plate. You got service. You got okay service. AND your waitress probably had to split the tip you DIDN'T leave with the runner, and maybe the waitress who refilled your drinks. It doesn't matter that you didn't leave a tip - she still has to tip out one or more of those other people.

 

[polineedyan]

Umm....ok, I didn't know that God received a monetary wage for his job or that tipping had ANYTHING to do with religion, but anyways....

Yes, most churchgoing people tithe 10% to the church. If I'm giving the church 10% of my earnings it's hard for me to give somone else 20%. That's just me though. It takes all kinds to make the world go round'

Youre not tipping a server a percent of your wages, your tipping a percent of your bill..

 

[polineedyan]

If the server is good we give 20%, if they are great we might give 25% or 30%. If they are bad it might be closer to 10% or 15%. I'm not going to give 20% just because you showed up once and took my order and I never saw you again (because other people brought our drinks and food).

Most restaurants nowadays have policies the require the food to go out when it is hot, and the kitchen nor the mgmnt care who takes it. So dont think that a server is bad because someone else brought your stuff..Some places require it. As a bartender at a corporate chain (darden) my coworkers are required to bring your food to the bar for me, so that I can stay with you. Some places even have food runners.

 

[polineedyan]

Excuse me.

That's plain rubbish. In Europe this is normal and the service is excellent.

Who says that food service workers SHOULD make minimum wage?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Umm....ok, I didn't know that God received a monetary wage for his job or that tipping had ANYTHING to do with religion, but anyways....

Youre not tipping a server a percent of your wages, your tipping a percent of your bill..

Oh, sure - go ahead and throw common sense into this!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Who says that food service workers SHOULD make minimum wage?

Not I! I think a restaurant server, bartender, etc., should earn as much as they can! I feel the same way about any person/position!

 

[drwitz]

Can I ask a different question? Are you obligated to tip for take out service?

What if the place you get take-out food from is also a sit down restaurant?

Lately I have noticed that when I purchase food for take-out from a place which also serves as a sit-down restaurant, my credit receipt will have a space to add a tip. I struggle with what to do. If I were eating in, I would tip, since I was being served by the waitstaff, but since I am ordering out why should I pay a tip? But on the other hand I usually tip someone who delivers food to me -- is there a reason (and is it OK) not to tip the staff who prepares my meal when I go to pick it up myself?

Does the fact that there is a space for a tip on the bill mean that they expect a tip?

 

[shellybaxter]

Can I ask a different question? Are you obligated to tip for take out service?

What if the place you get take-out food from is also a sit down restaurant?

Lately I have noticed that when I purchase food for take-out from a place which also serves as a sit-down restaurant, my credit receipt will have a space to add a tip. I struggle with what to do. If I were eating in, I would tip, since I was being served by the waitstaff, but since I am ordering out why should I pay a tip? But on the other hand I usually tip someone who delivers food to me -- is there a reason (and is it OK) not to tip the staff who prepares my meal when I go to pick it up myself?

Does the fact that there is a space for a tip on the bill mean that they expect a tip?

I believe the reason that space is on the credit card print out is because the print out is standardized for the restaurant. They don't have a "take out version" without the tip line. That being said, I appreciate that the server took the time to place my order in a take out container, add napkins, condimons, plastic ware and make sure the order is easy for me to carry out, so I usually leave a few dollars. I dont tip a percentage, since I don't believe the standard tipping rules apply. Instead I give a small gratuity to say "thank you" for the nice service and for going above and beyond the regular sit down service

 

[mom2my3kids]

Can I ask a different question? Are you obligated to tip for take out service?

What if the place you get take-out food from is also a sit down restaurant?

Lately I have noticed that when I purchase food for take-out from a place which also serves as a sit-down restaurant, my credit receipt will have a space to add a tip. I struggle with what to do. If I were eating in, I would tip, since I was being served by the waitstaff, but since I am ordering out why should I pay a tip? But on the other hand I usually tip someone who delivers food to me -- is there a reason (and is it OK) not to tip the staff who prepares my meal when I go to pick it up myself?

Does the fact that there is a space for a tip on the bill mean that they expect a tip?

See we have this new IHOP TO GO at work, but guess who takes the orders and puts it in and get its ready for you?? The server, it makes me so mad, I have to take care of my tables plus take phone calls or go up front to take to go orders. You hardly ever get tipped, I am not saying tip a percentage but a buck or two is nice. I will be slamed busy and that phone rings, the managers are saying pick up the phone. Hmmm do I take care of my tables or take a phone call for a TO GO ORDER!!!

 

[crisi]

Ideally, servers would be paid a living wage without tips - and good servers in good restaurants would make good incomes. They'd give you great service, because that gets them raises, the ability to move up the job ladder (at Disney servers start out in the lower cost restaurants, and are generally invited to move to restaurants where they will earn more money), and keep from getting fired. Plus they'd give great service for the same reason those of us that aren't tip do our jobs well, we take pride in our work.

However, that isn't the way it works, and so we tip the appropriate percentage based off the bill.

(Love the DDE, which makes tipping part of the price of the food by discounting the food).

 

[Tricia1972]

See we have this new IHOP TO GO at work, but guess who takes the orders and puts it in and get its ready for you?? The server, it makes me so mad, I have to take care of my tables plus take phone calls or go up front to take to go orders. You hardly ever get tipped, I am not saying tip a percentage but a buck or two is nice. I will be slamed busy and that phone rings, the managers are saying pick up the phone. Hmmm do I take care of my tables or take a phone call for a TO GO ORDER!!!

I would like to see a 'service charge' be added to these orders and I feel the money should go directly to the server. Not a lot, but as you suggest a buck or two.