Tipping at Restaurants

[Lady V]

Truthfully some people just are jerks. But don't worry-in thier real life they probably hold really crappy jobs where they are treated like crap. When they go out they finally get to be the boss (over the server). But when they leave, they go back to being a loser in life. And luckily there are enough good people out there that tend to make up for those jerks. Hope your next shift is better!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I saw a report the other day on the news about this. They were saying that there is a growing trend of people not tipping the usual 15%-20% because of the economy. People felt that they just couldn't afford to tip and that the restaurant is lucky to have gotten their business at all.

I don't understand that mindset, because to me, tipping is a part of going out to eat. It should be factored in and expected. Of course, if the service was horrible then I think anyone can understand tipping less the usual, but for anything else there should be a 'normal' tip left.

I think some people are just using the economy as an excuse to be cheap. How they could actually feel good about it is beyond me. If you can't afford to tip then you need to be doing take out or eating at a place where there are no waitresses.

I totally agree with this. My theory is, if you can't afford the tip, then you can't afford the meal. I do think tips should be lowered for worse service, though I do question the why still tip 10% for bad service, even though I also always tip at least that much. Seriously, once I was almost in tears over the way my server treated me, and I left a 10% tip. I also will leave a higher amount though, and if the 20% is less then $5 I usually leave at least that much anyway.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Triple the tax and round to the nearest quarter-that is within a few ticks of 18%. My parents are cheap. They left a $2.25 tip for a $73 meal last time. I snuck back and added a $10, which was all that I had.

I always have to do the same thing when I eat out with my parents. The last time four of us went out to dinner, I think my dad left $5, and I took more out of my wallet, since my dad had only left like 10%.

 

[Praying Colonel]

If I were the OP, I would've been tempted to follow them out and say, "Here, you can have this back--if that's all you can tip, obviously you need this a lot more than I do." Hang in there.

 

[maddmike]

If I were the OP, I would've been tempted to follow them out and say, "Here, you can have this back--if that's all you can tip, obviously you need this a lot more than I do." Hang in there.

I don't care how bad a tip a person left or if the person left one at all, never follow someone out of the restuarant to confront them. The results could be very bad.

Whatever tip a person leaves is up to them. There is no law stating what people have to tip or that they even tip. It is etiquette. As I said before the greedy business owners should be paying their people more money. I too thought I was just tipping the waitperson, not paying the entire restuarant staff. Maybe the business owners should put up a sign saying "A 20% tip will be included in all bills to pay my employees."

 

[java]

20% for good service - more for excellent service.

On the following out- my co-worker when I was a waitress did that! Said exactly what you said- you need this more than me. And threw it at them!!
Well she didn't last long at the restaurant.

I believe if you can't afford to tip don't go out to eat. That's part of the bill imho.

 

[sbell111]

Now one thing...I dont care how much cleavage is flashed at me, if your service was terrible you are not going to get a good tip.

That totally depends on the cleavage. Tips are based on quality.

Seriously, I will reduce the amount of tip if the food quality was obviously bad or the order wasn't correct. Before bringing out the food, the order should be quickly checked for accuracy. This is the downside to having anyone but the server who took the order bring out the food.

I always have to do the same thing when I eat out with my parents. The last time four of us went out to dinner, I think my dad left $5, and I took more out of my wallet, since my dad had only left like 10%.

Not to long ago, I had to go to the bank and return to the restaraunt to give the server a bigger tip. I only had credit cards and I really didn't want to make a huge deal of it in front of my father.

If I were the OP, I would've been tempted to follow them out and say, "Here, you can have this back--if that's all you can tip, obviously you need this a lot more than I do." Hang in there.

That's an awesome way to get fired.

 

[Praying Colonel]

That's an awesome way to get fired.

Well, yeah. That's why I wrote that I'd be tempted to do that.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Seriously, I will reduce the amount of tip if the food quality was obviously bad or the order wasn't correct. Before bringing out the food, the order should be quickly checked for accuracy. This is the downside to having anyone but the server who took the order bring out the food.Not to long ago, I had to go to the bank and return to the restaraunt to give the server a bigger tip. I only had credit cards and I really didn't want to make a huge deal of it in front of my father.That's an awesome way to get fired.

I wouldn't base any of the tip on the quality of the food, that's not the server's fault.

 

[JustcallmeHappy]

if you just take my order, then drop it off and if you barely check on me or I have to have someone track you down... less than 15%

totally agree! BTW to the people that think its horrible to keep asking for things.. I don't always ask for things everytime I see the server just to make them mad, I do it b/c they keep forgetting things...Like for ex. this past weekend we went out and after bringing the app. (which took forever to get on a 3 pm Sat afternoon) we had no silverware to eat it with... WOW And of course its such a bother to some that wait tables to stop what they are doing for 3 sec and grab something they never gave us...

If I were the OP, I would've been tempted to follow them out and say, "Here, you can have this back--if that's all you can tip, obviously you need this a lot more than I do." Hang in there.

If someone said that to me you better believe I would be contacting the general manager ASAP..
Yes, sometimes tips suck sorry

 

[sbell111]

I wouldn't base any of the tip on the quality of the food, that's not the server's fault.

If there was a problem with the food that could have been identified by the person who brought the food out, it may affect the amount of the tip.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

btdt. it totally sucks to get stiffed but it happens to everyone. doesn't matter if you are working at Denny's or a high-end linen tablecloth place.

here's some funny reading for you - start with the oldest posts.

www . waiterrant . net

 

[disneyfav4ever]

btdt. it totally sucks to get stiffed but it happens to everyone. doesn't matter if you are working at Denny's or a high-end linen tablecloth place.

here's some funny reading for you - start with the oldest posts.

www . waiterrant . net

I have that book. Some good reading.

 

[Inigo]

I have tipped nothing a few times for exceptionally bad service. Each time, I gave the waitperson numerous opportunities, but they seemed to have a don't care attitude. As I left, I made sure to let the management know why I chose not to tip at all.

We usually tip between 15-20%, higher for better service. For really good service, we try to make sure we sit in that person's section the next time we go to that restaurant. For really good service, I have been known to tip really well. Last week, DH and I went out for my birthday. I had been given gift cards, so we used those to pay for the meal. The total for the meal was $52, and we gave the waiter $75. Next time we eat there, we will ask for Jay, as he made the meal more enjoyable and had a great attitude and personality.

 

[mrspaha]

I usually stick to the 15 to 20% average, though I have a tendency to go on the high side on a cheaper meal. After all, the server works just as hard if you order a sirloin steak vs filet mignon. If the server is prompt in taking the order, refills glasses without asking, and brings out more bread when he/she sees it's low, then they get more too.

 

[AustinTink]

I use the double the tax trick to figure out the tip. That's 16.5%. Then, I tack on a bit for superior service.

 

[KSchwagg86]

I tip 20% as a standard, more if the service is exceptional.

same here

 

[HOGFAN]

15% regardless

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

The only times I tip lower than 20% are when the owners are also the waitstaff or when I'm at a buffet.