When someone pays for your meal...

[AndreaDM]

how do you handle the tip? This happened to us last night, we were out for our anniversary and ran into a colleague of my husband. They left before we did and when we were done our server told us our check had been taken care of. We knew it was this guy, but we didn't know if tip had also been paid? We felt awkward asking so we just left some cash on the table, I didn't know the total of our check so I didn't even know a %. So, if tip WAS paid, she got a nice little bonus from us, if it wasn't, she was probably undertipped if she just got what we left. Funny thing, this is the second time this happened to us at the same restaurant on our anniversary, we were there 2 years ago when someone else paid for us.

Anyway, should we have asked the server if she had been tipped? The guy left before we were done so would he just have had them run his card and then add the %? I'm clueless...

 

[shortbun]

If I was going to treat someone as a gift, I'd also pay the tip. Wouldn't you?

 

[AndreaDM]

Yeah I guess I would, just wasn't sure how they handled that when the party who paid had already left.

 

[kathie859]

Op, Happy Anniversay. I would have asked if a tip had been included. I can't see where anyone could take offense at the very legitimate question. . You're just trying to insure that the server didn't get stiffed.

 

[NaLisa]

I would guess that he tipped, but I would have left a generous tip for the server anyway since your meal didn't cost you anything. I also think it would have been OK to ask the server about the tip, as I think he/she would appreciate you being considerate enough to ask.

 

[Uncle Remus]

how do you handle the tip? This happened to us last night, we were out for our anniversary and ran into a colleague of my husband. They left before we did and when we were done our server told us our check had been taken care of. We knew it was this guy, but we didn't know if tip had also been paid? We felt awkward asking so we just left some cash on the table, I didn't know the total of our check so I didn't even know a %. So, if tip WAS paid, she got a nice little bonus from us, if it wasn't, she was probably undertipped if she just got what we left. Funny thing, this is the second time this happened to us at the same restaurant on our anniversary, we were there 2 years ago when someone else paid for us.

Anyway, should we have asked the server if she had been tipped? The guy left before we were done so would he just have had them run his card and then add the %? I'm clueless...

If the man was kind enough to pick up the tab, he picked up the tip too.

What'd ya have to eat?

 

[Suz725]

just ask the server

 

[ols386]

I would have asked the server if the tip was included in the payment.

 

[AndreaDM]

What'd ya have to eat?

That is the important part right? We both had strip steak, several drinks and dessert...yeah we spared no expense, but we had NO clue we wouldn't be paying for it until we were totally finished with dessert.

 

[JessicaR]

I would have asked the server. If I didn't want to ask I would have left a tip that I was sure would be appropriate. Happy Anniversary!

 

[AndreaDM]

Op, Happy Anniversay

Thanks! Funny thing, DH had ordered 9 red roses (9th anniversary) to be delivered to the restaurant so they were on our table when we got there. When his friend came over to say hello he asked what the occasion was when he saw the flowers, otherwise he would have never known we were there to celebrate our anniversary.

 

[Uncle Remus]

That is the important part right? We both had strip steak, several drinks and dessert...yeah we spared no expense, but we had NO clue we wouldn't be paying for it until we were totally finished with dessert.

It is, it is, it is!!

Sounds like you had a wonderful anniversary, hope you have many more.

 

[Kat77]

I think it was safe to assume the tip was covered. If I pick up a check I include the tip unless I've made an agreement to let the other party cover that portion.

What a nice gift! You have great friends.

 

[scrapquitler]

how do you handle the tip?
Anyway, should we have asked the server if she had been tipped? The guy left before we were done so would he just have had them run his card and then add the %? I'm clueless...

I would have assumed that he paid the tip when he paid the bill.

 

[JessicaR]

For those that are assuming the tip was paid - what if it wasn't? The waiter/waitress gets nothing? If asking isn't an option would you leave a tip? I agree that it was likely included but I would never assume it was.

 

[Frantasmic]

It won't hurt for the server to get a generous tip every once in a while.

Pay it forward.

If your original bill was going to be expensive, and it looks like it was, I would imagine that the person who picked up the bill wasn't going to be extravagent on the tipping.

 

[LuvOrlando]

That was very nice of him. We usually pay the tip when someone else gets the meal. In your situation I would have asked if it was left and how much just in case it was missed or too low, I wouldn't have guessed because I wouldn't have wanted it to be too low even with guessing. I can see getting turned around by the situation though

 

[Buckalew11]

It happened to us 2 yrs. ago on our anniversary. We left the tip just in case. I'm surprised DH didn't ask the server but I think he figured since it was free for us, we'd just tip and if he got two tips, good for him.

It was a kind gesture from a friend who we both adore. I'll never forget that she did that. I'm a big believer in "passing it on."