Tipping in restaurants

[CathrynRose]

But I can go to the same place and order a $5 breakfast or $20 steak and I am getting the same service. This is what I don't understand. I get it at a fancy restaruant where you are getting more service.

Genuine Questions - where can you get a $5 breakfast or a $20 steak?

And if this is the case - I'm kinda like another poster's son, earlier in this thread. The $5 breakfast would end up with $5. So would the $20 steak. So, for me - it is the same, y'know?

But I'll be the first to admit - I overtip. I over tip way too much. I think it's just the years of working in the industry, that did that to me. To me - what is a few more bucks, when I just spent $60 on dinner? I tend to round *way too far* up. The $60 check would end up being $75 w/ tip.

Quick story - I was at EPCOT my last full day, this past October with my 2 boys and my step son. It was a Saturday night, my step son is 21 - and we were Food and Wine Festival'ing. I had an ADR for GF Cafe - but step son and I were having too much fun to go.

So my boys - 18 & 14 went to the ADR at GF Cafe. Their bill was something like (Gosh, I wish I had the check) $63-ish? I think. And I made it a point to tell them *tip good*.

They get back, I said "How much was the bill, how much did you leave" They left like $7. *WHY???* I asked. My older son said - he didn't do anything, but bring us our drinks and our food. I said - yeah, that's what they do? Did you want him to serenade you?

I was mad. #1 - I told them. #2 - The food was free. #3 - It wasn't even THEIR money to spend, it was mine! And I told them to tip good.

Oh - and I tip carry out at 20% too - only cuz I worked with those people when at Outback, and they really bust their butts for your carry outs. They're generally (for lack of a better term) entry-level, servers. Maybe they started as hosts, they wanna serve - the manager starts them doing carry-out.

They rec'vd (again - this was just Outback) server wage. As do the HOSTS, at Outback. That 3% tip out I spoke up, went to - Bus, Bar & Host - each at 1%. Had that person hosted that night, they'd get that 1%, but since they're doing carry out, they're not getting it. Hence... me tipping them.

But I will fully admit. I tip too much.

 

[firefox2]

My opinion, and just my opinion, and has been since I can remember (I am so positive I will get jumped on for this in 2 seconds flat)

Why should a server get a tip for doing a job that they are paid to do in the first place? Not sure about most places, but where I live, servers make a very decent wage, more than most "other" jobs make. My son is a server in a pool hall, and he makes $13 an hour, his last serving job at a diner style restaurant, he made $11.50/hr. A grocery or department store cashier, cashing out a large order, has to spend alot more time making conversation and bending over backwards for a customer, than a server does. Why can't they accept tips? And they can't, most places would fire a cashier for accepting a tip. What about the clerks that carry your bags out? They aren't allowed to accept tips. Why don't electronics salespeople, who try hard to make sure you not only understand, but end up with the best equipment for YOU, get tips? (OK, some, but not all get commission, but there are also alot of stores that don't even do that). I think that if one job (servers) get a tip, for doing a job that they are paid to do, then everyone out there that gets paid to provide a service should also get a tip. Too many servers EXPECT to get a tip, you can see it, that will be when I tip less.
And yes, although I don't believe in it, I will tip, but I will also voice my opinion.

 

[happygirl]

My opinion, and just my opinion, and has been since I can remember (I am so positive I will get jumped on for this in 2 seconds flat)

Why should a server get a tip for doing a job that they are paid to do in the first place? Not sure about most places, but where I live, servers make a very decent wage, more than most "other" jobs make. My son is a server in a pool hall, and he makes $13 an hour, his last serving job at a diner style restaurant, he made $11.50/hr. A grocery or department store cashier, cashing out a large order, has to spend alot more time making conversation and bending over backwards for a customer, than a server does. Why can't they accept tips? And they can't, most places would fire a cashier for accepting a tip. What about the clerks that carry your bags out? They aren't allowed to accept tips. Why don't electronics salespeople, who try hard to make sure you not only understand, but end up with the best equipment for YOU, get tips? (OK, some, but not all get commission, but there are also alot of stores that don't even do that). I think that if one job (servers) get a tip, for doing a job that they are paid to do, then everyone out there that gets paid to provide a service should also get a tip. Too many servers EXPECT to get a tip, you can see it, that will be when I tip less.
And yes, although I don't believe in it, I will tip, but I will also voice my opinion.

Servers in the US don't make minium wage or anything close to it

 

[maxiesmom]

I can't imagine deciding to under-tip, and using the economy as an excuse for it. If you can't afford to tip properly, then you shouldn't be going out in the first place. That is just a sad excuse.

I too tend to over-tip, because I think there are too many people out there like the OP, or those who just look for the smallest of reasons to leave a tiny tip. I have never been a waitress, but I work retail, so I know how entitled and horrible some people can act. And I'm sure it is even worse when you are dealing with food. If leaving a proper tip is putting a strain on your finances, then you need to eat out less, or just stay home until you can afford to tip as you should.

 

[CathrynRose]

I think there are too many people out there like the OP, or those who just look for the smallest of reasons to leave a tiny tip.

Agreed.

I have read somewhere - about how the person (wherever I read it) starts the server's tip at 20%.

As the meal goes on, and they have to ask for a drink refill perhaps - they then would deduct that amount from the tip. Extra ranch? Deduct. And on and on. The writer seemed to be big on mind reading, apparently. It's the only conclusion I could come to.

An empty glass is one thing, a half full glass that they know they're going to suck down, and need one - is another.

Anyways - my whole point of that, was this: I can't even imagine going out to dinner and calculating the tip game all night, like this person mentioned. I kick back, and enjoy my dinner. If I have to ask for a refill, I have to ask for a refill. It's okay.

As far as retail - I give you guys a lot of credit. I could have never hacked it. You're dealing with the same patrons we were, and you're not getting tipped.

 

[mjkacmom]

My opinion, and just my opinion, and has been since I can remember (I am so positive I will get jumped on for this in 2 seconds flat)

Why should a server get a tip for doing a job that they are paid to do in the first place? Not sure about most places, but where I live, servers make a very decent wage, more than most "other" jobs make. My son is a server in a pool hall, and he makes $13 an hour, his last serving job at a diner style restaurant, he made $11.50/hr. A grocery or department store cashier, cashing out a large order, has to spend alot more time making conversation and bending over backwards for a customer, than a server does. Why can't they accept tips? And they can't, most places would fire a cashier for accepting a tip. What about the clerks that carry your bags out? They aren't allowed to accept tips. Why don't electronics salespeople, who try hard to make sure you not only understand, but end up with the best equipment for YOU, get tips? (OK, some, but not all get commission, but there are also alot of stores that don't even do that). I think that if one job (servers) get a tip, for doing a job that they are paid to do, then everyone out there that gets paid to provide a service should also get a tip. Too many servers EXPECT to get a tip, you can see it, that will be when I tip less.
And yes, although I don't believe in it, I will tip, but I will also voice my opinion.

Servers in NJ (second highest COL in the country, I believe) get $2.13 an hour - try living on that!

 

[Fundytrail]

A tip (also called a gratuity) is a voluntary extra payment made to certain service sector workers in addition to the advertised price of the transaction. Such payments and their size are a matter of social custom. Tipping varies among cultures and by service industry. Though by definition a tip is never legally required, and its amount is at the discretion of the patron being served, in some circumstances failing to give an adequate tip when one is expected may be considered very miserly, a violation of etiquette, or unethical. In some other cultures or situations, giving a tip is not expected and offering one would be considered condescending or demeaning. In some circumstances (such as tipping government workers), tipping is illegal.

We base our tips on service & food quality. On average 15% to 20% and it is very rare that we would not tip. On our last trip to DW the max. we left was $20.00 on a $70.00 meal on the other end of the spectrum we did not leave any tip at one sit down meal, 35 minutes to be seated, 12 minutes before anyone came to the table and 15 minutes after we finished our meal I had to chase someone down to get our bill and when we did get it we were overcharged.

Both my wife and myself have worked in the food industry in the past, and the reality is, those servers that look after their customers will make more $ than those that do a poor job on something that is based on voluntary extra payment.

 

[bicker]

A tip (also called a gratuity) is a voluntary extra payment made to certain service sector workers in addition to the advertised price of the transaction.

While legally, the difference might be immaterial, from a more practical standpoint, gratuities aren't best classified as "voluntary", but rather are "discretionary" extra payments....

 

[surfgirl]

The restaurant where I was a server for 12 years did a lot of take-out orders. Some people tipped, and we really did appreciate it, but most did not. I didn't mind taking care of to-go orders when we weren't busy.

But on a busy Friday or Saturday night? They were a pain. Not so much if I just had to walk to the back to get the order and ring the customer up. But if I was the one who answered the phone (waitresses/hostesses answered the phone, cooks never did) and especially if it was a long, detailed order for a larger family/group, then I was the one who put the order together (bagged it or boxed it) after checking each item to make sure it was correct, putting in the condiments/napkins, getting the drinks and dessert, then bringing it up and ringing up the customer. That all takes time. Especially if they ordered milk shakes, and many people did because ours were hand-dipped). A couple of extra $$ from the customer was really appreciated, especially since getting their order ready was taking time away from my sit-down customers who might be needing refills on their drinks, wanting dessert, etc.

But I really like the idea of implementing a "service charge" on to-go orders and then splitting it between the servers at the end of the shift. Or just not doing "to go" orders at all. Great idea.

I do takeout about every other month from a local place. I'm embarrassed how bad the takeout orders are... they may get silverware, but I usually order soup and there is RARELY any crackers. I'm sitting in a hotel room and don't have a box handy... hence the reason for takeout. I really like crackers in my soup.

I've even started requesting EXTRA to get ANY and they still don't get it.

They get the wings right and forget the ranch sauce and celery.

They've forgotten salad dressing.

So, when I sit in my car and get the food, I look in the bag. Depending on what is in their determines their tip.

 

[surfgirl]

But I'll be the first to admit - I overtip.

I'm usually right there with you. I took my kids out to Denny's a few years ago... I was having the worst possible day and needed to get out of the house (kids were little, I was feeling cooped up). The server was so incredibly kind and helpful... extra plates, napkins, just general kindness to me. My total bill was about $20. I left $40 total. Her helpfulness and kindness was well worth that extra $20 and she earned it . I hope that it brought a smile to her face, b/c she brought one to mine. I don't tip like that very often, but I will if it has been earned.

 

[Tink888]

4 tables an hour. that would be great. a 7 hour shift, 4-11, that would be 28 tables! in one night! outside of disney, where can you get that kind of table turnover? please let me know, I'll work there!

I also wondered why it was based on the price of the meal. sometimes I work
the hardest on the people ordering off our value menu, ordering water (with lemon). well, this is how the rest. pays the servers. the more they make, the more the server makes. is that fair? who knows. .... we could revamp the whole system....have the restaurant give servers a decent hourly wage..period. now, that $10 value entree just went up in cost. as did he high end steak. causenow the rest. has to pay much more to the servers. and now. the customers have no choice. at least, with the current system, the tip is optional. If you want you can split an entree, drink water, and tip nothing. If you get bad service, you can tip little. If you really like theway I remember what you drink, how you like your steak prepared, no onions on your salad, and ask how your daughter is liking her college, or if your son is feeling better, and make you laugh with an anecdote, you can tip more.... IF you want.
it is refreshng to hear so many people appreciate their waitstaff. and acknowledge that we have taken quite a paycut, in these times, due to less tables. and we servers know there are many who will tip as little as possible, and it just goes with the territory. I am thinking of 2 regular couples, one couple are well to do, and tip me 25%!!! the other tip me15%. both , very nice couples. I give them both great service. either will get their drinks or more rolls before the "tip as little as possible" couple.
anyone know what the acronym TIPS stands for? To Insure Prompt Service.

Great post!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

My opinion, and just my opinion, and has been since I can remember (I am so positive I will get jumped on for this in 2 seconds flat)

Why should a server get a tip for doing a job that they are paid to do in the first place? Not sure about most places, but where I live, servers make a very decent wage, more than most "other" jobs make. My son is a server in a pool hall, and he makes $13 an hour, his last serving job at a diner style restaurant, he made $11.50/hr. A grocery or department store cashier, cashing out a large order, has to spend alot more time making conversation and bending over backwards for a customer, than a server does. Why can't they accept tips? And they can't, most places would fire a cashier for accepting a tip. What about the clerks that carry your bags out? They aren't allowed to accept tips. Why don't electronics salespeople, who try hard to make sure you not only understand, but end up with the best equipment for YOU, get tips? (OK, some, but not all get commission, but there are also alot of stores that don't even do that). I think that if one job (servers) get a tip, for doing a job that they are paid to do, then everyone out there that gets paid to provide a service should also get a tip. Too many servers EXPECT to get a tip, you can see it, that will be when I tip less.
And yes, although I don't believe in it, I will tip, but I will also voice my opinion.

In PA I believe servers make $2 something an hour.

 

[Tink888]

I took my 30 year old son to breakfast. I paid, he paid the tip. the bill was abou $15. he left a $5 bill... looked at me and said, "whatever the bill, $5 is my minimum" bless him


the differece is, servers choose that profession assuming that tips will be included in their pay. (whether or not you agree with the tip system )baggers do not. and if they are successful servers they expect a reasonable tip (or the would not work that job) if a particular server consistanly receives lousy tips, he/she should seek another profession, they're NO GOOD AT IT! and don'tbelong there. this, and most threads about tipping, are about decent servers., NOT about lousy service. I think we all agree terrible waitresses don't deserve decent tips.


the OP was talking about tipping in general, NOT bad sevice. in keeping with the original post, you shouldnot tips servers less because of the economy. they already took a pay cut, with less diners. (which has nothing to do with tipping someone less becuse of poor service.

Re the 1st paragraph - No, the intent of my comparison was specifically from a customer service standpoint and how attitudes are conveyed to the customer and the customer's perception of them. I agree that when a server takes the job they have a correct assumption of a reasonable tip. What is reasonable though? Anywhere from 15% to 25%? To me, based on my dining experiences and where I live 15% is reasonable. Now, if I get a server who is accustomed to receiving 20% in tips as the norm, does my 15% make me a lousy tipper? Have I then become the person who "if you can't afford to leave a tip, you shouldn't be eating out"? Or, if I left a 13% tip because of lousy service, I am then also that "person"? It's that attitute of some servers (and again NOT ALL) that I have a problem with. And yes, that did veer off topic of the original post, so I do apologize for that.

Re the 2nd paragraph and to stay ON topic. Yes I do agree that a customer should never walk into a restaurant with the expectation from the get go of leaving a lower tip based purely on the economy. I wouldn't. But I also feel that if I was a server (and again, I'm not), I would rather have someone at my table leaving a 12% or 13% tip than an empty table if that's all the person was able to leave. Now a 2.00 tip on a $50.00 meal? That person should just stay home.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

I'm curious as to whether servers would support a flat 18% "service charge" added to all sit down meals without the potential for added tips.

 

[Tink888]

Respectfully, how do you feel when 'plain old' people, never employed by a restaurant or supported by the income of anyone who worked in a restaurant, states that same opinion? Because I'm right here, and this is my philosophy.

Tipping is customary in United States restaurants. Armed with this knowledge, diners can reasonably be expected to consider the [estimated] tip when choosing a restaurant. If you've got $20 to feed two people, don't even bother with Applebee's or Chili's, despite their "Two for $20" deals - because you don't have the money for the tax or the tip.

It's not the case. Minimum wage is minimum wage. While it's possible the high-end restaurants pay more, please refer to CathrynRose's explanation about working one's way up.

Tradition. Plus, a percentage of the cost of items ordered is tangible and calculable. Since the service itself doesn't have a price/cost, it is impossible to determine what percentage of its value is a reasonable tip/gratuity/service charge/add-on.

To be honest, in a lot of ways I'm right there with you. When I choose to dine out, I except to be leaving on average 15%....the tip is already factored into what I plan on spending. And no, a person who has no money for a tip shouldn't dine out. A person who only has a dollar for a tip at a chain restaurant probably shouldn't go out.

But I will admit that it does bother me more to hear that coming from servers (and I'm not talking about the complaint of a server who got stiffed altogether or who got a couple dollars on a big bill because those complaints are justified IMHO). I think it bothers me more because when it comes from the server, it sounds as if they feel they are automatically entitled to not only something but X amount of something and the tip itself was never meant to be an entitlement, but rather a gratuity, and the restaurant industry has turned it into something else. Now, I realize that's not the server's fault and it's not the customer's fault either.....it's just the way it is.

Not sure if that makes sense or not but that's how I feel. I'm not anti-server and I think I'm a pretty decent customer and a reasonable tipper. And I'm guessing, based mostly on my sister's experience, that the good tips outweigh the bad tips, otherwise there would be a push in the industry for change. She takes the good with the bad because she feels she does better with tips than she would with a hourly wage.

 

[hbkfan637]

Servers in the US don't make minium wage or anything close to it

Servers in San Francisco make at least minimum wage plus mandatory health insurance coverage depending on the restuarant size. I think servers in all of California get minimum wage but I could be wrong.

 

[declansdad]

If I didn't have enough to leave a decent tip, I wouldn't be eating out.

I only over tip when I receive exceptional service or when I know the person who is waiting on us. Otherwise, I'm in the 20ish range (give or take).

There is nothing wrong with a minimum 15% tip.

 

[firefox2]

Servers in San Francisco make at least minimum wage plus mandatory health insurance coverage depending on the restuarant size. I think servers in all of California get minimum wage but I could be wrong.

Yes, I googled the average wage for servers in the U.S., and came across a chart for all of the states, and most were above their minimum wage, some were pretty decent, but I thought it was an error, as a previous poster said that they did not even make min. wage, so I didn't save the page. I have to go to work now, but if I have time tomorrow, I will look for it again and post the link on here.

 

[LuvCuteBoys]

^^ That made me curious... so I googled too, and came across this from the US Department of Labor page:

Question: Is it legal for waiters and waitresses to be paid below the minimum wage?

Answer: According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, tipped employees are individuals engaged in occupations in which they customarily and regularly receive more than $30 a month in tips. The employer may consider tips as part of wages, but the employer must pay at least $2.13 an hour in direct wages.

An employer may credit a portion of a tipped employee's tips against the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. An employer must pay at least $2.13 per hour. However, if an employee's tips combined with the employer's wage of $2.13 per hour do not equal the hourly minimum wage, the employer is required to make up the difference.

The employer who elects to use the tip credit provision must inform the employee in advance and must be able to show that the employee receives at least the applicable minimum wage (see above) when direct wages and the tip credit allowance are combined. If an employee's tips combined with the employer's direct wages of at least $2.13 an hour do not equal the minimum hourly wage, the employer must make up the difference. Also, employees must retain all of their tips, except to the extent that they participate in a valid tip pooling or sharing arrangement.

Based on that statement, it seems to me that every server in the US MUST be making minimum wage, because if you don't get enough tips your employer must make up the difference... yes??

 

[firefox2]

^^ That made me curious... so I googled too, and came across this from the US Department of Labor page:



Based on that statement, it seems to me that every server in the US MUST be making minimum wage, because if you don't get enough tips your employer must make up the difference... yes??

Yes, that is correct. And aside from that, there was also a page on the average server wage for each of the states, believe it or not, MOST of them we $9.25/hr to start, with a few (like Texas for example, being $7.50 I think it was).