Tipping in America

[shellybaxter]

i know that in california their server min wage is 6 something. but i think that is because their cost of living is higher ( apparently, they haven't lived in NJ... ). sometimes people don't realize this. they think that we get paid the regular working minimum wage. but, we don't

Actually in California the servers are paid at regular minimum wage or above (currently $7.50 an hour, going to $8.00 per hour on Jan 1, 2008). As a California resident I do tip the servers, but I never feel I am "required" to as they are governed by the same rules as everyone else. I like it better than way. I get to tip as a form of appreciation, not as a way to pay the person's salary.

 

[Claire L]

I must say we always tip for service usually between 15 - 20% and understand the reason behind it, becasue if the minimum wage wasn't so low prices would have to go up to cover!

Just out of interest the minimum wage here in the UK for anyone aged 22 and over is now £5.35, approximately $10 an hour.

Claire

 

[Katiebell]

As of January 1 2007, the minimum wage for Florida employees is $6.67. However employers can deduct a "tip credit" of $3.02/hour from the wages of tipped employees, lowering their legal minimum wage to $3.65, with the assumption that tipped employees will earn at least enough in tips to increase their wage to the state minimum, $6.67. Tipped employees are taxed on tips, whether or not they actually receive them. And Claire is exactly right -- if servers were paid a living wage in the US, we'd see an increase on the menu prices to cover that.

When I eat at a restaurant, I just automatically consider a 15% tip as part of the bill, for just basic service -- the server took my order, brought my food, asked if it was ok and fixed any problems if it wasn't, refilled my drink, brought my check. Anything at all above and beyond that, even just a cheerful personality , is likely to increase that tip. Very, very rarely would I leave less than 15%, the service would have to be truly horrible -- so bad, that I would probably speak with the manager. And I would only consider lowering a tip for a problem specifically with the service -- it is not the server's fault if the kitchen messes up my order, the other tables aren't bussed, the food isn't what we were expecting. If my server does their job, they will get their tip.

I know that in other countries, the customs are certainly different -- and the servers are usually paid a fair living wage, and not dependent on the whims, generosity, and fairness of their customers. We got some weird looks when we tipped in Ireland, and our guide told us that tipping was not customary or expected, even though it was appreciated.

 

[yankeepenny]

at several meals last year in the world, we got such exemplary service even though we did not say we were on the dining plan until the end of the meal (they did not ask either and we never thought to mention it) that we tipped extra because the service was so good.

 

[jonkatony]

how much should you tip taxi drivers

 

[Luv'sTink]

In Washington state all servers are paid minimum wage also, $7.93 per hour. I think all states should just pay their servers at least minimum to stop some of the confusion.

If it makes the food more expensive then we are paying more for food and more for tips if it is based on percentages.

I also find it difficult to pay (tip) someone more an hour than I make myself.

 

[udsweetpea]

As a former WDW server, I can tell you that servers there make around $2.50 an hour, with taxes taken out on top of that, so we make practically nothing in our paychecks if we weren't given tips.

I worked at a Disney buffet and usually made well over 18%.

 

[Katiebell]

As a former WDW server, I can tell you that servers there make around $2.50 an hour, with taxes taken out on top of that, so we make practically nothing in our paychecks if we weren't given tips.

I worked at a Disney buffet and usually made well over 18%.

Well, as of January 1, 2007, the minimum legal wage for servers in Florida is $3.65. That's still not a living wage, and tips are a huge part of the server's salary. I sort of look at a restaurant bill like a bill for car repair: there is a charge for parts and a charge for labor. At a restaurant, there is a charge for food, and a charge for service (tip). Except, the cost for a mechanic's labor often far exceeds the cost of the parts!

It would be nice if servers were paid a fair, living wage -- at least the state's minimum wage -- and tips were truly something optional, just a little something extra you could give if the service was exceptional.

 

[deltachi8]

I had a professor in college who had a philosphy on grades. He broke it down something like this:

Very few got A's (exceptional - only 4 % of students earned this)
Most students got a B (solid, expected performance)
A few got C's (average, but just the basics to get by)
A small amount got D's (technically passed by gave no effort or rarely showed up)
No one recived an F unless they were (in his words) a complete idiot or never showed up.

So, I have adopted that philospohy for Tips, I expect "B" level and tip about 18% for that. If I get C level, roughly 12-15%, D around 10%, F - zero.

Now, if I get one of the 4%, the truly A service, I go beyond 20% because the server really does seserve that for their efforts.

 

[cmwade77]

I don't really know why the % is higher. A good question to ask.

Yes, the wait staff do get a lower wage (lower than the U.S. minimum wage) in most establishments. Tips do make up a large majority of their earnings.

They can not get lower than the minimum wage, if you know of a restaurant that pays less, please report them to the local labor board, this is illegal, the minimum wage is just that a MINIMUM wage that employers are allowed to pay. Please note that Federal Minimum wage is above the Florida minimum wage, which means they must be paid at least $7.75 per hour per Federal Law, again if someone is not being paid per the law please, please report it.

Here is how I tip based on the PP setup:
A+ = 20% + (This must be really exceptional)
A = 15%-20% (Above average service)
B = 10%-15% (Normal Service)
C = 5%-10% (Below normal service)
D = 1% - 5% (Way below normal service)
F = $0.01 (Flat out bad service)

 

[cmwade77]

As a former WDW server, I can tell you that servers there make around $2.50 an hour, with taxes taken out on top of that, so we make practically nothing in our paychecks if we weren't given tips.

I worked at a Disney buffet and usually made well over 18%.

Again that low of a wage is illegal according to Federal Law, you can not make less than $7.75 per hour I believe is the current federal minimum wage law.

 

[Lewisc]

Take the time to read the posts above yours. In most states employers are allowed to pay less than minimum wage to employees in positions that are considered "tipped". The employer might get in trouble if the total pay, tips paid and hourly wage, is less then the minimum wage. There are rules regarding how many dollars per hour the minimum wage is reduced due to a tip allowance.

I just read the post before this one. Do you really think Disney is paying waiters less then is required by Federal law? Of course not. Most of the states, including Florida, allow restaurants to pay servers less then the minimum wage, with tips making up the difference.

Most people consider an appropriate tip for normal service to be 15-18%. 10% is generally considered a tip for poor service. Different parts of the country have different standards. Your tip guidelines might be appropriate in states that require servers be paid the minimum wage by the employer.

They can not get lower than the minimum wage, if you know of a restaurant that pays less, please report them to the local labor board, this is illegal, the minimum wage is just that a MINIMUM wage that employers are allowed to pay. Please note that Federal Minimum wage is above the Florida minimum wage, which means they must be paid at least $7.75 per hour per Federal Law, again if someone is not being paid per the law please, please report it.

Here is how I tip based on the PP setup:
A+ = 20% + (This must be really exceptional)
A = 15%-20% (Above average service)
B = 10%-15% (Normal Service)
C = 5%-10% (Below normal service)
D = 1% - 5% (Way below normal service)
F = $0.01 (Flat out bad service)

 

[cmwade77]

Federal laws do not make exceptions for "tipped" positions and this trumps all state laws on the matter.

No one should have to depend on tipping to earn a minimum wage, I know in California they must earn before tips a minimum of the states minimum wage, which is something like $8.25 an hour, no where near enough to live off of, but that's the state's minimum wage, which they must be paid before tips. Federal law doesn't let states make up their own rules about who minimum wage applies to and who it doesn't, it applies to everyone.

 

[Lewisc]

Of course federal law allows states to allow employers to credit tips against part of the minimum wage.

Do you think the Disney servers who posted in this thread are lying? Do you think Disney is getting away with violating federal minimum wage laws?

California rules don't apply to waiters who work in Florida.

States are free to have higher minimum wage laws then the federal law and are free to require servers be paid the minimum wage in addition to tips.

Actually some congressmen want to go the other way to prevent states from crediting tips against the minimum wage.

http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/coffeehouse/2006/jul/31/the_gop_minimum_wage_cut_bill

Federal laws do not make exceptions for "tipped" positions and this trumps all state laws on the matter.

No one should have to depend on tipping to earn a minimum wage, I know in California they must earn before tips a minimum of the states minimum wage, which is something like $8.25 an hour, no where near enough to live off of, but that's the state's minimum wage, which they must be paid before tips. Federal law doesn't let states make up their own rules about who minimum wage applies to and who it doesn't, it applies to everyone.

 

[2forMe]

Well I guess I am cheap as I have never left a tip for housekeeping at any hotel.. and have no plans to in the future. I normally tip 15% for meals.. which for me means adding the two taxes and then rounding up. For buffets.. well it depends but normaly not more than a few dollars. Of course since I will be on the dining plan I will not worry at all about tipping with my meals.. what a relief!!

 

[TDC Nala]

From the Official WDW Guide:

Wonder why WDW itself in the literature it leaves in the rooms for guests does not say what the Official Guide does.

 

[sdenis]

And if I leave a tip of 10% I expect the server to know that I was not happy at all with the service.

I'm happy to tip 20% when the service is superb and many times a buck or two more than that if I'm really pleased.

My scale goes from 10%-20% generally as I know that the majority of wages are made from tips. My base wage was $2.52/hour as recently as 8 years ago on touristy Mackinac Island.

As for mousekeepers, I think their wage is minimum but not that mininum. None the less, I will tip at every occasion I can because I believe what goes around comes around!

Love to all my fellow Dissers!

 

[cmwade77]

Of course federal law allows states to allow employers to credit tips against part of the minimum wage.

Do you think the Disney servers who posted in this thread are lying? Do you think Disney is getting away with violating federal minimum wage laws?

California rules don't apply to waiters who work in Florida.

States are free to have higher minimum wage laws then the federal law and are free to require servers be paid the minimum wage in addition to tips.

Actually some congressmen want to go the other way to prevent states from crediting tips against the minimum wage.

http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/coffeehouse/2006/jul/31/the_gop_minimum_wage_cut_bill

Granted California Rules do not apply to Florida, I was pointing out that our state (which is what I base tipping off of, as I can not know each state's laws) has a law that states they can earn no less than the state minimum wage, and of course states can have a higher wage, I have never head of employers being able to credit tips toward the minimum wage, if any tried that here they would be fined like crazy. I have never read or heard of any such thing the federal laws that would allow the states to allow employers to do so either and I have read the labor signs that are required to be posted at work places talking about minimum wage laws.

 

[Lewisc]

Did you think the Disney servers were lying or did you think Disney was violating the federal law?

I wouldn't expect you'd see a non-California version of restaurant specific minimum wage in California.

I don't understand why you kept posted that the federal minimum wage law applies to servers, without a tip credit when several posters told you that you're mistaken.

http://www.labor.state.ny.us/workerprotection/laborstandards/workprot/minwage.shtm

Granted California Rules do not apply to Florida, I was pointing out that our state (which is what I base tipping off of, as I can not know each state's laws) has a law that states they can earn no less than the state minimum wage, and of course states can have a higher wage, I have never head of employers being able to credit tips toward the minimum wage, if any tried that here they would be fined like crazy. I have never read or heard of any such thing the federal laws that would allow the states to allow employers to do so either and I have read the labor signs that are required to be posted at work places talking about minimum wage laws.

 

[raidermatt]

Again that low of a wage is illegal according to Federal Law, you can not make less than $7.75 per hour I believe is the current federal minimum wage law.

Federal laws do not make exceptions for "tipped" positions and this trumps all state laws on the matter.

The Federal minimum wage is $5.15 per hour, not $7.75 per hour. And yes, Federal law does make exceptions for tipped employees.

From the Dept of Labor website:

The federal minimum wage for covered, nonexempt employees is $5.15 per hour. The federal minimum wage provisions are contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Many states also have minimum wage laws. In cases where an employee is subject to both the state and federal minimum wage laws, the employee is entitled to the higher of the two minimum wages.

A tipped employee engages in an occupation in which he or she customarily and regularly receives more than $30 per month in tips. An employer of a tipped employee is only required to pay $2.13 per hour in direct wages if that amount combined with the tips received at least equals the federal minimum wage.

So no, it is not illegal to pay servers less than the standard minimum wage.


Congress did pass a bill to raise the minimum wage earlier this year, however it has not been signed by President Bush. If signed, it would increase the minimum wage in increments to $7.25 approximatly 2 years and 2 months after the bill is signed. The issue is still being kicked around Congress with many wanting to attach it to Iraq War issues.