Question on 'tipping' when YOU eat out?

I usually tip a minimum of 15%-20% as well. However, if I'm eating at an inexpensive place and the service is excellent, I've left $5 for a bill under $15. Also, another poster mentioned the amount of time spent at a table. I agree with that logic, and if I've only ordered something small but I've taken up their table for over an hour, I will also leave a large tip in comparison to the total bill, especially if the service was attentive and unrushed.

On a couple of extremely rare occasions, I've left no tip or something very small, but that's for extremely poor or no service.
 
We tip 15-20 percent of bill if not more. I was a waitress and also have a soft spot and tip well.
 
Originally posted by Pin Wizard
. One thing she told me was that when we "linger," staying a longer amount of time, we should tip them more. You're taking up their table when they could be making tips off other customers that would sit there. I agree with that and do it.

ABSOLUTELY!! Great to hear someone say that finally. Nothing like having a table sit for over an hour and then tip me $3 or $4 on their $25 check when I could've had that table sat a couple more times. :mad:
I don't tip percentages, I don't think I ever have really even before I became a server. I start at $5 and go up or down from their. I went to a little breakfast cafe once and my bill was $8 and some change...I left her $5. I'm probably not the one to answer about tipping since I'm way above the norm. Just remember a few things for me:
1) those of you who don't tip on the bill total, we are taxed on that no matter what, so if you leave us $4 on $50, in the long run, we're going to lose that money
2)servers at diners, casual restaurants, and fine dining restaurants all work just as hard. As a matter of fact, I worked harder at the diner than I have a Ruby's because I had to do a little more, so base your tip on what they've done, NOT where they work
3)the important thing...most servers make less than minimum wage...I'm at $2.48 an hour but only because I got a raise for being a certified 3-Star trainer. Most pay rates for us starts at $2.13 an hour and goes from there. So our $15 and $20 paychecks aren't for squat really! I use mine for gas money or to pay a bill I missed.
If you can just remember those things....then tipping shouldn't be too much of a problem.

~~~Denise :p
 
Originally posted by CBRorBust
I forgot to add something. I asked my brother why he didn't tip more than 15% once and he replied,

"hey I didn't tell them to take a job for $2/hour":rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
I would highly recommend not going to resturants he frequents with him. Waiters remember faces &, well, I've seen first hand extra "ingredients" that are added for non/bad tippers.
 

We always tip at least 20%. There is a small diner type of restaurant here that we eat at a few times a week. Their prices are very reasonable....for instance breakfast bill for 1 person yesterday was $2.41...tip 1.25......lunch for 2 $6.05...tip $3.00.
I think that over and above their tips servers should be paid at least minimum wage too. They work hard & should be compensated for it.
 
I am a server and understand everybody tips differently but my theory has always been ( even before I was a server ) that if I don't pay/tip others what they are really worth why should I expect to be paid fairly for my job. Where I eork most good servers usually average about 20-22%. Out of that we have to tip a percentage of our food sales to the "food runner" who helps ensure everything gets out of the kitchen and to the table promptly (and hot and correct) a percentage of our bar sales (alcohol and espresso based drinks) to the bartender then a percentage of what's left after tipping them to our Server Assistants (bussers) then we are taxed based on a percentage of our total sales. Most resturaunts "encourage" the servers to do this, so that $10.00 tip on a $50.00 dollar check may end up only being $5.00 in the servers pocket. Also, I agree w/ the poster who talked about guests "lingering" at the table. For example I had a table tonight who sat for almost 3 hours after paying the check. In that time I could have had that table "sat" 3 more times. I don't ever want to rush people through their evening but common courtesy would seem to be that the server deserves some compensation for the tips lost by not getting the other tables they could have served.
 
Also take into consideration that tips are considered taxable income, so it really isn't free and clear money.
 














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