Where do you draw the line at being too cheap?

[ducklite]

I would guess that most people tip more than 8% and I would also guess that most waitpersons only pay taxes on what is reported on their W-2. So, if a few people stiff them here & there, it isn't really going to cost them. I am not advocating stiffing the waitstaff and I don't agree with that practice. Simply wanted to point out that I don't find the argument above very valid.

So in fact it is quite valid. Whether the server claims all tips or not does not change the fact that the party I described cost the server money to wait on them. Just because they make money on other parties doesn't make it right that some cheap-o's end up costing the server money to do their job.

Anne

 

[Genieklone]

If you have five people at the table and they all ask for three lemons wedges to make their own lemonade, that's 15 lemon wedges--a bowl full.

Anne

Ok... I get where you're going here, and I don't condone that behavior but here is where that logic takes you:

• If I pay 2.99 for a soda at a restaurant with free refills...when does getting refills make you cheap... when you order 7 or 10? do you just have to order one refill to be in the realm of acceptance? Technically you've paid for the drink, you're lowering the cost per cup. <don't do this, but follow the argument>
  
• If I only order water, but I get refills with my water, is that cheap? Let's say I order water twice and lemons come in that water twice...what's better for the restaurant, one cup 2 lemons or 2 cups seperate lemons... <sorry, I'm guilty of this>

Just seems kind of silly is all. If I want water with 2 lemons and a packets of splenda and the person across the way is going to think I am so cheap for doing so... so be it. Honestly, in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't really matter, as long as you are a generous person. I pay for good service, in the off chance you find me in a restaurant, but my conscience hurts when I pay 2.99 for a soda. I literally can't bring myself to do it. I start to think of all the things I can buy with that money and the guilt takes over.

I know, I know... je suis tres cheap

 

[Plantlady]

The waiter doesn't get change from thr gift card! They effectively stiffed the waiter! If they were so concerned about not getting the full value for their gift card they should have ordered something extra for the $10 difference, then left a tip!

Why wouldn't the waiter get the change? Gift cards are as good as cash in the place they are valid for.

I've paid with a gift card before, written down the tip amount, and the entire tab, tip included is paid via gift card. And, I worked in a restaurant where the servers got their tip via the gift card.

 

[ducklite]

Ok... I get where you're going here, and I don't condone that behavior but here is where that logic takes you:

• If I pay 2.99 for a soda at a restaurant with free refills...when does getting refills make you cheap... when you order 7 or 10? do you just have to order one refill to be in the realm of acceptance? Technically you've paid for the drink, you're lowering the cost per cup. <don't do this, but follow the argument>

When you start sucking down soda even though you aren't thirsty and are getting to the point of an upset tummy just to "get your money's worth" by ordering four refills, you are being cheap. (And stupid! ) When you order four refills because you've ordered "INFERNO" wings and your mouth is on fire, you're not cheap. (Although maybe still stupid! ) Semantics? Possibly, but IMHO it's a matter of reasonable behaviour in polite society.

• If I only order water, but I get refills with my water, is that cheap? Let's say I order water twice and lemons come in that water twice...what's better for the restaurant, one cup 2 lemons or 2 cups seperate lemons... <sorry, I'm guilty of this>

If you are ordering water because that's what you like to drink, and would order it even if there were a small cost involved, it's not cheap. If you are ordering water with lemons and making your own lemonade, even if there is lemonade on the menu, that is cheap.

Anne

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

My thinking is that when I get a gift card to go out and eat, i take it as a free meal for us paid for by someone else. If my meal comes to less than the gift card and the amount left on the gift card is adequate for a tip, then that is what we do. That's not being cheap. I am leaving enough on the card for the tip. If we happen to go over the card amount then we will pay for a tip out of pocket. A gift card is the same as money to the consumer. If you're not part of the waitstaff, then the consumer would not know this otherwise.

I personally do not feel that if i ordered a $10.00 meal or a $25.00 meal that my service would be any different. Why would i have to tip higher just because the bill is higher?
At least I am not as bad as DH grandmother, she takes straws, napkins, ketchup, salt packets and the spork with the napkin packages. She even gives them to me for my birthday and XMAS. What kind of response should one give to those precious gifts? DH ran out of straws and put them on the groxcery list. I told him that he should mention that to his grandmother and then maybe he will get some for his birthday.

 

[vhoffman]

Why wouldn't the waiter get the change? Gift cards are as good as cash in the place they are valid for.

I've paid with a gift card before, written down the tip amount, and the entire tab, tip included is paid via gift card. And, I worked in a restaurant where the servers got their tip via the gift card.

The gift card stated right on it (I should know, I bought it!), valid only for in store purchases, not applicable to take out, gratutities, etc. BTW, we went dutch treat, which means each pays their own way, not splitting the bill (don't know what term is used for that?)

 

[vhoffman]

Thank God, I don't have to resort to that. But it is funny that you mention that, my husband just said that just last night. I have a squeamish factor on this one folks... If the govt ever went to crap, I'd be plenty thankful we recycle

You do realize I meant that post as a joke? I really wouldn't seriously suggest using junk mail as toilet paper! Just a take off on the old joke/picture of the outhouse with the Sears catalog hanginf from the door!

 

[imsayin]

Whether the server claims all tips or not does not change the fact that the party I described cost the server money to wait on them. Just because they make money on other parties doesn't make it right that some cheap-o's end up costing the server money to do their job.

I never said it was right or that I agreed with it, because I don't, just pointing out that they aren't paying more taxes than they owe.

The waiters that don't report the tips above & beyond the 8% on their tax returns are being cheap-o's and costing the rest of us taxpayers money so maybe it's just karma.

 

[swilshire]

Or charge for the water unless the person also ordered something else to drink. On the rare occasion that I only order water, I'd have no problem paying a nominal fee for the glass of water.

The first restaurant that charges me for a glass of water will lose a customer fast. I can sort of understand the fast food restaurants that charge 10 cents or whatever for a paper cup of water, since there is some cost involved there. If I'm buying a meal, however, I don't feel obligated to pay them for washing my water glass.

I think it's a little ridiculous that restaurants charge close to $2 for a fountain soda or glass of iced tea and I'll drink water all day long rather than pay it. DH will sometimes order a drink, but the kids are not allowed to.

Sheila

 

[vhoffman]

The first restaurant that charges me for a glass of water will lose a customer fast. I can sort of understand the fast food restaurants that charge 10 cents or whatever for a paper cup of water, since there is some cost involved there. If I'm buying a meal, however, I don't feel obligated to pay them for washing my water glass.

I think it's a little ridiculous that restaurants charge close to $2 for a fountain soda or glass of iced tea and I'll drink water all day long rather than pay it. DH will sometimes order a drink, but the kids are not allowed to.

Sheila

The reason they charge for a cup of water is because they inventory by cup. They can't measure how much soda they used accurately. I've had places let me fill up my own container for no charge--they aren't charging for the water, nor for the cup, its just how they inventory their soda.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

I consider myself a bargain shopper/hunter but the lengths some go to save a dollar has me scratching my head There are certain things that I won't sacrifice or skimp on period. If it came down to not being able to flush and or reusing sanitary protection, I would get a second job. I would never go out to dinner and order water and lemonade fixins although we do drink water or milk with dinner and do not have a problem paying for the h2o. We do not keep the house at an uncomfortable temp. We like to not have to wear t necks and sweaters indoors. Same thing in the summer, we have Ac and we use it.

And lastly, just because it's free, i.e. a dining plan etc we would not gorge ourselves to get the most out it. This is probably the craziest thing that people do. We order what we want no matter the cost.

 

[Plantlady]

The gift card stated right on it (I should know, I bought it!), valid only for in store purchases, not applicable to take out, gratutities, etc. BTW, we went dutch treat, which means each pays their own way, not splitting the bill (don't know what term is used for that?)

I see. Interesting.

 

[taximomfor4]

I order water in restaurants ALL THE TIME!! I am so bad with my fluid intake that every time I sit down, I try to drink a glass or 2 of water. ANd restaurant water is my favorite!!

With my blood sugar an absolute mess, and my horrible water intake in general, I have to limit sugary drinks, caffeinated drinks, carbonated drinks, and alcoholic drinks.

Like Anne, I wouldn't have a problem paying a nominal fee for it. I order water, because it is what I truly want to drink. Want to know something else? On any given meal out, about 3 of the 6 members of my family will order water too!

Beth

 

[Genieklone]

You do realize I meant that post as a joke? I really wouldn't seriously suggest using junk mail as toilet paper! Just a take off on the old joke/picture of the outhouse with the Sears catalog hanginf from the door!

Ofcourse, I know it's a joke! I was laughing along with you because my husband, knowing I'm a tightwad, asked me what he should do with the big pile of the Economist magazines we have. No, thanks, I don't need to resort to that

But I will be selling them to Half Price Books...

 

[DMRick]

We went out with friends last week and they had their own drink mix..and it was the red one, not the lemonade, so it was very obvious. I wanted to shrink under the table.

We also went out to dinner with other friends, and our share before tip and tax was $15, because we were using the entertainment book. We had asked for and was told separate checks were fine. When the waiter came to clear plates, one of the other couples (who were drinking heavily and expensively) told the waiter not to worry about it, we would just split the bill (in this case, they were being the cheap ones). Our share then came to $75. I really was stunned and didn't say anything, as we didn't know them well..but the next day, when we met for breakfast, you bet I asked for my separate bill as soon as I was served. We each got the special for $2.95..they each got the steak and eggs $11.95. Whew...that was close.

 

[Lady V]

I think being too cheap is like so many other things-I know it when I see it. I'm probably labelled cheap for using a reusable menstrual cup, but I wouldn't cook in a resort room.

I hope you don't mind me asking...what is a menstrual cup??

 

[ducklite]

We went out with friends last week and they had their own drink mix..and it was the red one, not the lemonade, so it was very obvious. I wanted to shrink under the table.

We also went out to dinner with other friends, and our share before tip and tax was $15, because we were using the entertainment book. We had asked for and was told separate checks were fine. When the waiter came to clear plates, one of the other couples (who were drinking heavily and expensively) told the waiter not to worry about it, we would just split the bill (in this case, they were being the cheap ones). Our share then came to $75. I really was stunned and didn't say anything, as we didn't know them well..but the next day, when we met for breakfast, you bet I asked for my separate bill as soon as I was served. We each got the special for $2.95..they each got the steak and eggs $11.95. Whew...that was close.

Wow! With friends like that who needs enemies! DH and I are always aware of the fact that we often order alcohol or appetizers while our dining companions might not, and always adjust the bill accordingly to be sure that we take care of our share of the tab, or just pick up the entire tab.

If we are someplace that no one is drinking anything but soft drinks or sweet tea, we do'nt quibble over one entree being $8.99 and another being $9.99, and I imagine you wouldn't either. But to have an extra $60 added to the tab--that's just wrong!

Anne

 

[Lady V]

I see too cheap when people let their children order from an adult menu and then barely give the server a 10% tip if that. Or going to a restaurant and stiffeing a server on great service. If you can't afford to tip on it, you can't afford to go out to eat ( stick to the dollar menu!!$) and you aren't teaching your kids anything except to only look out for number one. Great lesson to teach.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

sometimes I iron gift tissue paper and re-use it.

I did it after Christmas. Now I have a whole stack to be used for Valentine's Day -- it's red tissue paper. As long as it's not ripped or torn, I iron it and re-use it.

 

[taximomfor4]

I hope you don't mind me asking...what is a menstrual cup??

Here ya go. Great if you don't slouch or lay down, not so great if you do. I wouldn't reuse one though, because I'd be afraid of bacteria. (bacteria is what causes Toxic Shock Syndrome). I think there might be another kind that is reusable, though.
http://www.softcup.com/

Beth