Tips on tips please!

[eeyore0062]

Yes, unfortunately undertipping is a problem.

Part of the problem stems from international guests who aren't aware many times, that the tip is not included, as it is in many, if not all European countries.

Some people just don't know how to figure a tip, so they either leave nothing, or just a dollar, no matter the amount.

Others feel that a dollar per person, whether they have spent $5 on an entree or $25 on an entree is sufficient. This usually happens on large parties. I remember distinctly serving a party of 10, and each guest spent over $20 on food and beverages, and receiving that dollar a head--- a total of $10 on a $200 check---basically 5% ... they got really good service, so to say I was a bit disappointed was an understatement... this is likely why gratuities are included in larger parties... also, it keeps the last person at the table from having to pay the entire gratuity because the rest didn't figure it into their bills.

I really think that it is knowledge that is lacking, not just guests being cheap or rude.

A simple statement in the menu that a 15-18% gratuity on the non taxed amount of the bill is customary, but not automatically added, would alliviate much of the problem.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by ukcatfan
Just a little piece of advice for tipping in a bar/club. If possible, start a tab. That way the bartender will give you better service all night because he/she does not know what you will be tipping. Bartenders will intentionally skip low tippers and go to get someone else's order.

So true! We ALWAYS give a really good tip on the first round, and then can see we are obviously well cared for afterwards

Anne

 

[eeyore0062]

Anne, you are so right. I know it is a definite influence after working in cocktail lounges in high end tourist-y restaurants.

Standard tips in cocktail lounges and at bars is a $1 per drink (regardless of the price of the drink)... it is not based on a percentage as it is in sitdown restaurants or buffets. So if you are getting those frau-frau drinks that cost $7 you come out ahead, but if you get a beer at $2.50, the bartender/ waitstaff comes out ahead. It all averages out in the end, though.

 

[Belle5]

because I have read so many of the tipping threads here over the years. A few years back the "wisdom" on these boards was 10% at buffets. I brought DH to read all the responses and we determined after reading all the replies that we would tip 10-15% at the WDW buffets. This year the "wisdom" seems to be 15-20%. Maybe not a big difference for everyone but for our large family (5 "adults" and 2 children) that's a big difference! If our buffet meal was $150 pre-tax-- for average water refilling/ plate clearing service we would leave a $15-22 tip. By this new standard we should be looking at up to a $30 dollar tip. Whew! I will say that when my DH dines alone or it's just the two of us we tend to way over tip. But bringing the whole crew along ---we're happy to be average tippers! We always tip at least 20% at traditional sit down dinners.

 

[AmyA]

We tip 15% at buffets and 20% at table service restaurants. We've always tipped on the entire total, including tax.