Tipping

[Elaniel]

Hello. I've just joined here, and sorry my first post has to be a question. It's probably such a silly question to be honest.

I moved to the UK about 5 years ago, after being born and bred in Seattle and am coming back to the US for the first time in almost 3 years now and headed with a friend to Orlando next week. We've already got our Universal passes and going to probably go out some nights at City Walk, and I'm looking forward to that. Since it's been so long since I've been back home, I've totally forgot the etiquette for tipping! I remember I used to tip about $3 for a meal at a restaurant back in Seattle when I was about 20-21 before I left. Last time I came back to the USA my other half paid for almost everything and don't think they understood the tipping aspect so much so I used to leave about the same tip.

Now, I don't want to look a fool or come across as rude when I go out for a meal or go to a bar. Tipping has never been a huge thing over here in the UK, and even when I give a couple pounds tip I get really genuine appreciation for doing so. What's the best way to tip at the bars and restaurants, particularly at Universal?

 

[Mad Hattered]

Hello. I've just joined here, and sorry my first post has to be a question. It's probably such a silly question to be honest.

I moved to the UK about 5 years ago, after being born and bred in Seattle and am coming back to the US for the first time in almost 3 years now and headed with a friend to Orlando next week. We've already got our Universal passes and going to probably go out some nights at City Walk, and I'm looking forward to that. Since it's been so long since I've been back home, I've totally forgot the etiquette for tipping! I remember I used to tip about $3 for a meal at a restaurant back in Seattle when I was about 20-21 before I left. Last time I came back to the USA my other half paid for almost everything and don't think they understood the tipping aspect so much so I used to leave about the same tip.

Now, I don't want to look a fool or come across as rude when I go out for a meal or go to a bar. Tipping has never been a huge thing over here in the UK, and even when I give a couple pounds tip I get really genuine appreciation for doing so. What's the best way to tip at the bars and restaurants, particularly at Universal?

I think a general rule of thumb would be 15 - 20 % of the pre-taxed amount if you have what you consider good service. They will gladly accept anything higher than that though.

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Hello. I've just joined here, and sorry my first post has to be a question. It's probably such a silly question to be honest.

I moved to the UK about 5 years ago, after being born and bred in Seattle and am coming back to the US for the first time in almost 3 years now and headed with a friend to Orlando next week. We've already got our Universal passes and going to probably go out some nights at City Walk, and I'm looking forward to that. Since it's been so long since I've been back home, I've totally forgot the etiquette for tipping! I remember I used to tip about $3 for a meal at a restaurant back in Seattle when I was about 20-21 before I left. Last time I came back to the USA my other half paid for almost everything and don't think they understood the tipping aspect so much so I used to leave about the same tip.

Now, I don't want to look a fool or come across as rude when I go out for a meal or go to a bar. Tipping has never been a huge thing over here in the UK, and even when I give a couple pounds tip I get really genuine appreciation for doing so. What's the best way to tip at the bars and restaurants, particularly at Universal?

Well its pretty customary to tip 15-20% of your bill at a sit down restaurant.

Idk too much about bar but I personally would consider how much work needs to be done when deciding on your tip. If someone opens a bottle and hands it to you I wouldn't be inclined to tip. However if its a mixed drink you may throw some his/her way.

 

[wilma-bride]

We are from the UK and generally leave 15-20% for a sit-down meal, dependent on level of service. At a bar, we usually leave $1 per drink (although at Disney last year, after a few too many drinks, I did get rather generous and leave almost $20 )

 

[mjohnson96]

Well its pretty customary to tip 15-20% of your bill at a sit down restaurant.

Idk too much about bar but I personally would consider how much work needs to be done when deciding on your tip. If someone opens a bottle and hands it to you I wouldn't be inclined to tip. However if its a mixed drink you may throw some his/her way.

Most establishments only pay bartenders and servers a minimum wage which is around half of what the standard min wage is, so even if they are just opening up a beer for you it is nice to leave something. Now if they just had you that beer without a friendly smile, chit chat, or are just plain rude, well then I would leave nothing. I worked at the resort bars/resturants for years prior to getting into my current line of work and there is more to it than just opening up a bottle

We usually tip 20% but that might be because both my DH and I worked in the industry for years. Now we have been known to leave nada once when we had horrible service (up in Kansas not Orlando) and leave more when the service was outstanding.

 

[Jonny_Duck]

Most establishments only pay bartenders and servers a minimum wage which is around half of what the standard min wage is, so even if they are just opening up a beer for you it is nice to leave something. Now if they just had you that beer without a friendly smile, chit chat, or are just plain rude, well then I would leave nothing. I worked at the resort bars/resturants for years prior to getting into my current line of work and there is more to it than just opening up a bottle

We usually tip 20% but that might be because both my DH and I worked in the industry for years. Now we have been known to leave nada once when we had horrible service (up in Kansas not Orlando) and leave more when the service was outstanding.

I know what you are saying and understand that because my sister is a waitress and constantly complains even though she makes more money then she should imo.

Its a system I think should be reworked and even though there is more to your job then opening a bottle....all your doing for ME is opening one.(Even though I don't drink beer so it wouldn't happen)

I usually tip more then 20%...I used to be pretty demanding person to take care of(constant refills, used to drink a lot of soda). Now I tip usually around 20%-25% since I think I am one of the easiest ppl to take care of.

To my recollection I have never stiffed a waitress. Times at buffets I would leave none or only a cpl dollars but for sit down idr ever leaving nothing.

 

[lachica]

I usually tip 18-25% depending on service. But if i'm at the bar I tip about $1.00 per drink.

Keep in mind that parties larger then 6 have tip automatically added on their bill - so check you receipt.

 

[Deevan]

The customary tip for the US is nothing for poor service, 10 for standard 15 for good and anything above and beyond that for great service. Remember you are still paying a portion of their salary on the purchases you make, so even leaving them zero for a job poorly done is not "stiffing" them.

 

[keishashadow]

always check ur receipt to make sure an automatic gratuity hasn't already been added (unless u want to tip for extra service).

 

[paulfoel]

always check ur receipt to make sure an automatic gratuity hasn't already been added (unless u want to tip for extra service).

I'm from the UK and always tip 10% over here. Zero if the service is rubbish.

In the US, I tip 15%. Is this about right?

I'm not keen on tipping for drinks though. This seems weird to me. Obviously not done at all in the UK.

I remember once buying a Bud off a street seller somewhere. It was like $3 (a few years ago!) and the guy took offence to having to give me the $2 change out of the $5 bill I gave him.

There were loads of people getting drinks off him too. $2 to flip the lid off. 50 people an hour. $100 an hour. Wow !!!!

 

[keishashadow]

I'm from the UK and always tip 10% over here. Zero if the service is rubbish.

In the US, I tip 15%. Is this about right?

I'm not keen on tipping for drinks though. This seems weird to me. Obviously not done at all in the UK.

I remember once buying a Bud off a street seller somewhere. It was like $3 (a few years ago!) and the guy took offence to having to give me the $2 change out of the $5 bill I gave him.

There were loads of people getting drinks off him too. $2 to flip the lid off. 50 people an hour. $100 an hour. Wow !!!!

last i checked most servers in US only paid $2-something/hourthey even have to claim a certain $amt in tips on taxforms whether they get them or not, dumb system imo

unless it's change from a buck, i don't tip a kiosk vendor for a brew

in another life i moonlighted as a bartender. im more of the tip frame of mind if sitting @ bar to tip @ the end of that particular round of drinking vs solo beers. cocktail waitresses r different set up though, it's expected every round or u'll get oh so sloooow service.

from what i gather in miami, 18% is mandatory on everything, even a coke.

when dining, if the service is decent, i tip minimum of 15% (higher ratio in family type restuarant where overall prices keep the bill in check). if the server has done a stellar job, i up it to 20%

 

[wwessing]

My daughter is a server. She also works as a bartender. Servers are paid a very small hourly wage. . .usually less than $4 per hour. They do depend on their tips to make any money. Having said that, you should still tip according to the service you get. Standard is 15%, so most people start there. It can go up or down according to your service. I have tipped as high as 28% and as low as 5% for very poor service. When my DH orders a round of drinks for the two of us, he will usually tip a minimum of $1 plus any change and at the end of the evening, he will leave a few extra bucks if the service was good.

Of course tipping in restaurants and bars is pretty simple to figure, but then you figure in car service tips, baggage handlers tips, room service tips (what about regular cleaning and then turn down services), food delivery tips ( you know, Jimmy John's and the pizza guy), maitre'd tips, valet parking tips. . . geez, the list is almost endless.

Someone should create a list of the top 20 times you would tip, the usual amount and post it as a sticky . . . come on you guys. . .damo, mac . . someone??