Tipping..

[Kath2003]

The minimum wage is $7.93, if they don't make it up in tips then the restaurant has to pay the difference. That's why I don't really understand this mandatory tipping thing - it seems to be just giving the restaurants an excuse to pay their servers less than they actually have to whilst relying on guests to effectively pay over the odds for their meals to subsidise their wages!

It allows people to make a significant sum of money as wait staff IF they are good at their job. The service is almost universally dire in the UK because much of the wait staff couldn't care less - and why would they? They're being paid no matter what. Unless they're in it "for the long haul", there's no real benefit to being a good server. Being wait staff in the UK seems to be primarily a job done by students/part time workers as a "short term solution" rather than a career - whereas in the US, you can have a very successful career as wait staff.

I don't think you are paying "over the odds" Staff's wages in the UK are INCLUDED in the price of your meal - and you pay that even if the service is appalling! In the USA, you add them on - just like you do sales tax, and you actually have the option NOT to tip (or to tip less) if the service doesn't meet your expectations. It's easy enough to work out when you order a meal and universally known that tipping is expected - it's just not printed in black and white on the menu. Brits are just used to having everything "up front" whereas in the US the culture is to always add tax and to always add a tip.

 

[disneyholic family]

The minimum wage is $7.93, if they don't make it up in tips then the restaurant has to pay the difference. That's why I don't really understand this mandatory tipping thing - it seems to be just giving the restaurants an excuse to pay their servers less than they actually have to whilst relying on guests to effectively pay over the odds for their meals to subsidise their wages!

That said, I always tip as it isn't the servers fault

that's minimum wage for non-tipped positions..
in florida, the minimum wage for tipped positions is $4.91

 

[mackay_j]

my tip - don't ask this on any other part of disboards-


what you tip is up to you really up to you- but one warning as it is expected to be about 20% in restaurants be aware that if you are on the dining plan and go to the better end restaurants the tip can be quite a lot - for example in flying fish the waiter allowed us us the special meal as a treat! it was $79 for this course each and then add in sweet and drinks our bill for 4 resulted in a $95 tip - bargain

we had a few meals like this as we were away for a few days in the middle so were able to do several signatures meals - thus the tips really added up - which was fine as we had budgeted for them - but would have been a shocker if we didn't

 

[LeaversOnTour]

We are a party of 6 so always get whacked with an 18% charge anyway.

We have noticed the difference to when we were a party of 5. Then they worked for their tip! when they see u are a party of 6 most barely bother. Because they know they will get it whatever.

Of course they are not ALWAYS like this and its generalisation but its just something we have noticed.

That being said when we received exceptionally BAD service at Chefs de France I refused to leave an 18% tip as she plain didn't deserve it - We left a tip but certainly not 18%. It really was appalling.

 

[maxiesmom]

We are a party of 6 so always get whacked with an 18% charge anyway.

We have noticed the difference to when we were a party of 5. Then they worked for their tip! when they see u are a party of 6 most barely bother. Because they know they will get it whatever.

Of course they are not ALWAYS like this and its generalisation but its just something we have noticed.

I've traveled to WDW as a family of 6 or 8 many times, and have never had the wait staff treat us poorly because of a guaranteed tip. I'm sorry you seem to run into that fairly often, that has not been my experience at all.

 

[flortlebap]

that's minimum wage for non-tipped positions..
in florida, the minimum wage for tipped positions is $4.91

Ouch...

I'm glad I'm not of the militant non tipping variety then lol.

I may not agree with the system, but I accept it because it's their culture

 

[scoobydooby]

Ouch... I'm glad I'm not of the militant non tipping variety then lol. I may not agree with the system, but I accept it because it's their culture

^ this.

 

[jump00]

Do you mind hearing from a Canadian???

I tip housekeeping everyday - leave a quick note of thanks- it's a brutal job and I was told the housekeeper can Change - day to day. So I leave $ 3-5 daily.

Restaurant- 15 - 20%

ME - never used it but had no idea you should tip (don't tip bus drivers in canada). If we ever use it will tip $5.

If I see a tip jar and they are pleasant - leave $1.