Will expected tip amounts ever get this high?

[LadyBJ]

I still only tip 10%. It's not my fault that the servers' wages are low. This is why I don't do table service much 'cause I feel obliged to "tip".

 

[kaytieeldr]

Fine , how much do you tip when you get coffee at dunkin donuts or starbucks ? Dunkin Donuts, $1 for a coffee. Starbucks, nothing because I grew up on Dunkin Donuts.

When I buy my $4 beer at a bar how much should I tip ? 20% tip on 4 bucks is what .80 cents ? What does the bartender actually do that deserves that much of a tip ? Typical tip in a bar is $1-$2 per drink, more for complicated or expensive drinks. The bartender doesn't get that from diners, so servers tip out bartenders.
I could understand if I went and ordered some complex drink perhaps he deserves a tip. But if its just a beer or just a club soda what part deserves a tip ?

I remember I went with a few friends to see a game at a local bar .... okay it was dota 2 championships . We were the only people at this bar and we spent about $150 on beer and apps. We gave the guy a $25 bucks as a tip and the guy got mad and started yelling at me.

No need - as far as I know there is no law either federal or state that dictates how much I have to tip.

The law dictates the minimum wage restaurants are required to pay servers and bartenders, necessitating tipping to acheive (or exceed) the minimum wage in any other job. The "solution" offered by several posters is to pay these positions (at least) the same minimum wage as any other job. That requires changing the minimum wage law, and the way to start to change a law is to contact one's state legislature or - for states that adhere to the federal minimum wage - congress.

IRS can require all they want but the fact is, most of the time cash is not reported. A restaurant reporting sales has nothing to do with tips.

The restaurant reports checks to the IRS. See Lewisc's posts for a more elaborate explanation. Servers not claiming cash tips on their tax returns doesn't exempt them from being taxed.

 

[gljvd]

You tip $1 on a $1 to $2.50 coffee ? Seriously ?

Wow dude. That is insane to me.

As for your tipping a bartender that is also insane to me. $1 for a beer is a bit much. Here I'd pay likely $3-$4 for a beer. For just two beers out I can get a nice Six pack , heck I may even be able to get a 12 pack of beer. Wow.

I was never a big bar guy even in college , so glad I wasn't as I would have wasted a ton of money tipping.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yep. I walk into Dunkin Donuts, I smile, and they make my coffee.

When you're choosing to imbibe in an establishment other than a private home, you're choosing to absorb the costs involved. The bar or rsstaurant isn't your living room and can't operate as if it were. If the v alue/money matters more, stay home with the six.

 

[gljvd]

Yep. I walk into Dunkin Donuts, I smile, and they make my coffee.

When you're choosing to imbibe in an establishment other than a private home, you're choosing to absorb the costs involved. The bar or rsstaurant isn't your living room and can't operate as if it were. If the v alue/money matters more, stay home with the six.

except dunkin donuts pays at least minimum wage. So why are you tipping up to 100% on the product your buying ?

If I go to a bar and get a $3 beer then I'm paying a 33% tip by paying $1 for a tip as you say you do. That is crazy high % for what amounts to almost no work involved.

The places with some of the best food don't expect tips anyway. Those are the places I go to most.

 

[manning]

I was talking to a relative about this. She related a story about her mother. Her father was middle management at a major airline...her mother a waitress. His parents thought it was beneath their son marrying a waitress.....until they found out it was her tips that paid off the mortgage. And it wasn't a small mortgage

Eliza61 hit it on the head.












i

 

[Dizlvr]

except dunkin donuts pays at least minimum wage. So why are you tipping up to 100% on the product your buying ?

I don' tip at DD, they pour my coffee, hand me a doughnut or the make my sandwich, its no different than walking into McD's and I don't tip there, or the local Chinese food place, or when I pick up my pizza.
I tip at a restaurant because the server is giving me personal service, they bring my food, come back to make sure its all right, or to see if I need anything, they make conversation etc. I don't tip you if you are handing me something across the counter. Its fine if someone wants too, but lets not pretend that job deserves to be tipped compared to what a waiter or waitress does.

 

[eliza61]

The IRS requires the restaurant to report all checks and earnings, and that the servers' tax filings will accurately reflect what was reported


Ten percent was more than fair?


The Disney server is waiting on many (not all) people with tbe "do you know how much I'm spending on this vacation" attitude. And vocabulary.


You as the seller of a product can set the price of that product. The restaurant server doesn't have that ability

No, it's because large parties frequently undertip or don't tip, thinking someone else will cover the tip or exleriencing very por math skills when splitting the tip.

No, like most nonexempt workers, they get an hourly wage.

Look, for those of you who disagree with tipping a percentage of tge restaurant bill, take it up with your state legislatlure or with congress.

They most certainly can set their price. the tip os the price of their product. like many other jobs where you work with the public, you, yourself are the product. you sell yourself.

A hairdresser has to sell in her knowledge and expertise. the price of the haircut covers the material and labor, the tip covers her personality and competence. If I go to a salon and they make me wait an hour past my time, if the stylist says less than 2 words to me, if she is inattentive guess what?? She gets a poor tip. her product was horrible.

Hourly wage is still a salary. i meant that they get paid. I as a customer am not required to be their welfare system because they don't like that wage.

as I said tipping is not mandatory. it is a common practice nothing more. I have the discretion to tip or not as I see fit. personally I think it should be the servers who take it up with Congress. I fight my wage battles with my EMPLOYER not my customers.

I tip based on performance, I see no reason to reward incompetence or poor service.

Now I've never been a server and every large party I've been in overtips because we tend to round up on the bill so I can't argue whether or not they are routinely stiffed.

I do know that I will never tip some 25%, so if that's what they need to survive I suggest doing what the fast food folks are doing and start demonstrating for higher salaries

 

[mi*vida*loca]

The Disney server is waiting on many (not all) people with tbe "do you know how much I'm spending on this vacation" attitude. And vocabulary.

But how is this the customers problem?

Servers, especially Disney servers, are not down and out. Most waitresses and servers I know make a decent income waiting tables.

Back in high school a girlfriend of mine made $500-700 a week in TIPS. Once she graduated it was about $1000++. She quit once she decided to have a baby since she usually worked the late shift. The schedule didn't fit with her life anymore.

Like a PP stated, if they turn 5 tables an hour and each table leaves $10 that's $50 an hour. Even after they tip the bar and bus boys they are making an excellent income for a job that requires no education.

 

[gljvd]

I don' tip at DD, they pour my coffee, hand me a doughnut or the make my sandwich, its no different than walking into McD's and I don't tip there, or the local Chinese food place, or when I pick up my pizza.
I tip at a restaurant because the server is giving me personal service, they bring my food, come back to make sure its all right, or to see if I need anything, they make conversation etc. I don't tip you if you are handing me something across the counter. Its fine if someone wants too, but lets not pretend that job deserves to be tipped compared to what a waiter or waitress does.

But they are the same thing. AT DD the person is not only making you your food but also serving it to you. If you have a problem with it you go right back to them about it. Its not any different than a waiter and its the same for Chinese food and McDs or pizza.

Do you tip when you buy a car ? The sale person has to spend a lot of time with you.

Do you tip when you go buy a tv at best buy and someone helps you pick it out ?

Tipping is so random and silly.

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

But how is this the customers problem?

Servers, especially Disney servers, are not down and out. Most waitresses and servers I know make a decent income waiting tables.

Back in high school a girlfriend of mine made $500-700 a week in TIPS. Once she graduated it was about $1000++. She quit once she decided to have a baby since she usually worked the the late shift. The schedule didn't fit with her life anymore.

Like a PP stated, if they turn 5 tables an hour and each table leaves $10 that's $50 an hour. Even after they tip the bar and bus boys they are making an excellent income for a job that requires no education.

I am really curious where all these waitstaff are that are just raking in the dough. In one hour they could make $50, but that is not the same as making $50/hour.

According to the department of labor statistics (2014) the median income for a waiter/waitress is $18,000ish with the 90% percentile making just over 30k.

Maybe it's my skewed perception but on average servers are not making an excellent income IMO. Many are making a living wage, but that is also very dependent on tips.

I would prefer restaurants just add 20% to the base cost of food and do away with tipping. But until that happens, I understand as part of the dining out culture in America. If I don't want to pay it then I stay home.

 

[eliza61]

Let me ask a question, so it seems that the attitude is we should tip regardless because servers make low wages, if they get a minimum wage salary can I stop tipping? or will they still want tips??

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I am really curious where all these waitstaff are that are just raking in the dough. In one hour they could make $50, but that is not the same as making $50/hour.

According to the department of labor statistics (2014) the median income for a waiter/waitress is $18,000ish with the 90% percentile making just over 30k.

Maybe it's my skewed perception but on average servers are not making an excellent income IMO. Many are making a living wage, but that is also very dependent on tips.

I would prefer restaurants just add 20% to the base cost of food and do away with tipping. But until that happens, I understand as part of the dining out culture in America. If I don't want to pay it then I stay home.

Could it be that they don't claim everything they make?

I work in healthcare and a few of our RN's were waitresses during college. They talk about making very good money but only claiming 20K or so. The RN I work directly with said she made 50-60K a year as a waitress. Times when she had 10K in cash in a drawer in her room.

 

[undertheradar]

If tipping is such an issue, stay home. Those of you who are opposed to the practice are taking up tables, probably at prime dining hours, and then complain because the industry standard is to tip for service? This would be like the people who dine out on holidays and complain how rushed the service was, food was subpar, long waits for tables. The easiest and most budget friendly option is to make it yourself and dine at home. Same goes for tipping the bartender. Don't like the idea of tipping, drink at home.
Costs for dining out keep rising, surely those who tip lowly amounts are contributing to the increased costs for everyone else.

 

[eliza61]

I am really curious where all these waitstaff are that are just raking in the dough. In one hour they could make $50, but that is not the same as making $50/hour.

According to the department of labor statistics (2014) the median income for a waiter/waitress is $18,000ish with the 90% percentile making just over 30k.

Maybe it's my skewed perception but on average servers are not making an excellent income IMO. Many are making a living wage, but that is also very dependent on tips.

I would prefer restaurants just add 20% to the base cost of food and do away with tipping. But until that happens, I understand as part of the dining out culture in America. If I don't want to pay it then I stay home.

Why should they make 50 bucks an hour??

See imo that's the root of the problem, everyone feels they should make a doctor, lawyer, engineers salary without the work. 18k is the salary for a low skilled type of job.
Now most waitresses I knew did it as a part time job as they were striving to better themselves.

I worked in Macy's in college, I didn't EXPECT to make 100k as a sales clerk. i also worked at walmart, who knew I should have been demanding 20% on each sale for no other reason than I have a low salary

 

[Dizlvr]

But they are the same thing. AT DD the person is not only making you your food but also serving it to you. If you have a problem with it you go right back to them about it. Its not any different than a waiter and its the same for Chinese food and McDs or pizza.

Do you tip when you buy a car ? The sale person has to spend a lot of time with you.

Do you tip when you go buy a tv at best buy and someone helps you pick it out ?

Tipping is so random and silly.

They are serving it to me, as in they are handing it to me.
They are not seeking my table out, bringing me extra drinks, making sure my meal is fine, coming to check on me while I'm sitting there eating and bringing me whatever I need. That is why I tip them. I don't tip them for just handing over my food, there is a difference between counter service, and table service.

I agree that tipping is random, but I don't agree that is silly as a whole concept. I do think its silly to tip someone for handing me an egg sandwich and a coffee though. That is their job.
A waiter/waitress can also just plop down my food and drink, and walk away never to be seen again until I get my check. If they did that, they'd be treated the same as the DD worker- no tip.

 

[piccolopat]

I agree that a server shouldn't get more of a tip just because I order a $45 steak at the same place that also serves an $11 burger. Same effort, same service so why should they get more? I do usually tip 20% but this whole tipping thing is out of control and more and more tip jars are showing up in all sorts of places. I would much rather see restaurants pay their servers a decent wage and eliminate the expectation of a tip, leaving it truly a discretionary item for exemplary service like they do in Europe. Yes, I know that means meal prices will go up.

 

[kamik86]

I hate the whole process of tipping. I do it because its expected but I hate it.

Did a cruise a few weeks ago. Most of the tips made perfect sense to me. The only one I found annoying was the 18% automatically added to any drinks at the bar, which included if you got them from a restaurant or from the bar itself.

In one restaurant we were sitting near the bar and we realized that when my husband ordered a beer all the bartender did was take it out of a cooler and sit in on a counter. The waiter got the glass, popped the top of the bottle, and poured it. The beer he was drinking was $5 a bottle so why did the bartender get an extra 90 cents for each beer? Should have gone to the waiter (who was tipped out of the standard tipping)

 

[FairestOfThemAll37]

Why should they make 50 bucks an hour??

See imo that's the root of the problem, everyone feels they should make a doctor, lawyer, engineers salary without the work. 18k is the salary for a low skilled type of job.
Now most waitresses I knew did it as a part time job as they were striving to better themselves.

I worked in Macy's in college, I didn't EXPECT to make 100k as a sales clerk. i also worked at walmart, who knew I should have been demanding 20% on each sale for no other reason than I have a low salary

I never said they should make $50/hr but some here believe they do based on their calculations of tables/tips/hr.

Based on the stats (yes, some my go unreported but tips are taxed based on food run through the system so this is increasingly harder to do) waitstaff seem to make a reasonable amount IMO for the job they do.

That however is based on the tipping standard. Without tips waitstaff make far below minimum wage.

I am curious about the folks complaining about tipping. Would you also complain about a 20% increase in menu prices and no tipping to pay a set wage for servers?

I find the argument of its not my job to pay the staff so interesting. You're paying for it regardless. In tips it's more direct, but restaurant margins are thin. They're not going to start paying waitstaff $10+ per hour and keep menu prices the same so you're still paying for it.

 

[Dawnlight]

Wow, some of you are total cheapos. If you don't want to pay for the service then eat at home, serve and clean up after yourselves. Unbelievable!

No, that's not the way it should work. Tipping should not equal extortion.

I've been amazed at how high the 'suggested tip' is - but it's the buffet pricing that gets to me. A buffet is a whole other tipping level, especially at a WDW buffet which is, to say the least, out of the norm on buffet pricing. Family of four with two 'normal' adults, one ten-year-old pseudo-adult-according-to-Disney who will eat 12 ounces of food at full adult Disney price, and one child - all eating at the Cape May Seafood Buffet ends up costing about $150. Tables in Wonderland adds the 18% tip which means I'm tipping almost $30.00 for a buffet. That's insanity. And watching my daughter (age 10, adult price) eat almost nothing makes my heart hurt LOL.

Agreed.

We were a party of 9, 7 Disney adults and 2 children, and we ate at lots of character meal buffets. An 18% tip was added automatically to the bill when most of the time the servers did nothing more than bring drinks (and not very promptly, either). It's ridiculous to add that amount to a buffet meal.