Would you rather Tip or Pay More?

[Luv'sTink]

I can assure you, if you paid servers minimum wage, you'd not want to eat out again. You would have everyone with a terrible work ethic in every restaurant in this nation as no one else would do the job for that amount of money. The turnover rate would be horrendous as well and you would have people waiting on you who had no idea about most aspects of the restaurant; including the menu itself.

When I waited tables, you couldn't so much as go to the bathroom during the rush (which lasted about 4 to 5 hours a night). If you did, you would be so far behind that you'd be a literal mess begging people to help you get caught up.

In Washington state they do make minimum($7.65, now I believe) plus tips and we eat out all the time! Some places service is good some it is bad, depends on the person.

 

[N.Bailey]

When I lived in England we never had to Tip. They thought it was a very silly American custom. I can't see how not tipping would raise costs? How does every other country in the world get away with it then? England has the same minimum wage we do.

Not too long ago, a poster from the UK posted that they practically stiffed everyone on their recent visit to WDW (I don't believe the poster meant wait staff) because they weren't aware of America's customs of tipping.

The poster was really embarrassed. These things happen!

 

[N.Bailey]

In Washington state they do make minimum($7.65, now I believe) plus tips and we eat out all the time! Some places service is good some it is bad, depends on the person.

If menu prices aren't changed, I don't think tips will be either.

 

[DISUNC]

I'm fine with the way it is now, its been like that for over 100 years! Great service=Great tips! Bad service=Bad tips!

I dont understand what "Tipping is out of control" means????

 

[Luv'sTink]

If menu prices aren't changed, I don't think tips will be either.

I am confused by this statement. What are you saying? You were talking about bad work ethics and people wouldn't eat out if restaurant charged minimum wage.

 

[Anewman]

I dont understand what "Tipping is out of control" means????

It is another way of saying that pretty soon the expected tip will be about 30%.

 

[Luv'sTink]

It is another way of saying that pretty soon the expected tip will be about 30%.

I am pretty sure Pappa Duece was talking about me saying "Tipping is getting out of control" and yes, that and who gets tipped it was I meant.

Let me give you an example; If I make $15 an hour working as a book keeper and my server makes $8 (in WA) and I go out to eat, say I saved to go to a really nice place and spent $60 on my meal. The tip would be $10.80 (18%). So $10.80 plus the $8 (wage) would be $18.80, more than I make an hour. The higher the rate goes the higher the cost.

Yes, I know it can take longer than an hour to eat but they are not waiting on one table at a time. Or if I can't afford the tip I shouldn't eat out or eat somewhere I don't have to tip, but the same could be said for the wait staff if they cant live on their wage dont do it.

 

[DISUNC]

It is another way of saying that pretty soon the expected tip will be about 30%.

NOT FROM ME! 20% tops! Unless its around the Holidays... I get mushy then!

 

[DISUNC]

I am pretty sure Pappa Duece was talking about me saying "Tipping is getting out of control" and yes, that and who gets tipped it was I meant.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Are you talking about the tip cups at Dunkin Dougnuts? Gas Stations??????? As being out of control!

 

[Chicago526]

I think tiping for positions where tips are traditional are fine (waitstaff, bell hop, car vallet, etc. But I admit I never understood tipping a hair dresser!). I think servers do better work when they know their tip depends on it. Yes, some people have a great work ethic and would do a fantastic job no matter what, that's not my point. Anyone willing to work as hard as possible to make as much as possible is simply going to be better at their job, and jobs that solely rely on tips will attract those kind of hard workers. If you know you'll be paid the same no matter what, you won't try as hard (and it even could be sub-conciously). You still may do a decent job, but you won't go above and beyond, there is no reward for the extra work!
.

 

[Anewman]

NOT FROM ME! 20% tops! Unless its around the Holidays... I get mushy then!

I use 15% as the expected tip, and the server can edge up to 20% or down to about 8% depending on service.

Except duing the Holidays, and then I REALLY need the money

 

[maddiemouse]

I dont understand what "Tipping is out of control" means????

I think it means a situation like a Dunkin' Donuts near my house where the guy at the drive-up window has a cup sitting there that has written on it " Tips for exceptional service" I guess you're supposed to give him your change.
Since I don't think pouring and handing me a plain cup of coffee really qualifies as exceptional service, I don't think I need to tip him.... but I'm too much of a wuss to make a big deal of it, so I just go to a different Dunkin' Donuts.
BTW, I'm an extremely generous tipper as a rule, and yes I did tip extra at every meal on our recent trip to WDW on the dining plan

 

[DISUNC]

I think it means a situation like a Dunkin' Donuts near my house where the guy at the drive-up window has a cup sitting there that has written on it " Tips for exceptional service" I guess you're supposed to give him your change.
Since I don't think pouring and handing me a plain cup of coffee really qualifies as exceptional service, I don't think I need to tip him.... but I'm too much of a wuss to make a big deal of it, so I just go to a different Dunkin' Donuts.
BTW, I'm an extremely generous tipper as a rule, and yes I did tip extra at every meal on our recent trip to WDW on the dining plan

Those tipping cups drive me ! I ignore them.

I only tip the customary tipping postions, Server staff, Paper boy, Bartender...and hairdresser,etc (I dont know why either...but I'd be afraid to go back if I didn't ). Unless its the owner of the Salon establishment!

 

[DISUNC]

You still may do a decent job, but you won't go above and beyond, there is no reward for the extra work!
.

Some (few) companies do give Christmas bonuses based on ones service throughout the year! I miss those days!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I was the poster on the other thread that said waiting tables at PH would be better than being a hostess at Hooters. I know Pizza Hut will not bring in the $100 to $200 a night that I made, but it will bring in more than minimum wage, not to mention giving the girl a little experience to apply at better restaurants on down the line when she's old enough (some require you to be 18, but I don't think Pizza Hut does). Not that I think she should make it a career, but only as a means to make some extra cash as she works her way thru high school and college.

In all honesty, I fully believe if prices were increased to raise wages, all it would end up doing is putting more money into the owner's pocket. I also know is, if prices were raised to compensate, tips would go down, thus putting us back to square 1. Who would tip the same if their bill was higher?

Personally, I like eating out where I have someone who gives a crap waiting on me than those who just want a job.

I hope you don't think I was "calling you out" or anything. I simply reported my husband's experience. And he was a good and attentive server and it did not deem true for him. Often in those types of establishments..the tipping isn't necessarily good and he got stiffed quite a bit.

Also wasn't trying to bring the Hooters debate over here---just made my post as it applied to tipping and that there was someone who thought you could make decent money. In hubby's case--it just wasn't true as I am sure it is with those who work at Denny's or elsewhere.

You can end up with a sucky server in any type of restaurant regardless of their base wage or the avergae menu price.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

This is another excellent point. By raising prices and doing away with tipping (I realize everyone didn't say to do away with it altogether), you're taking the choice away from the customer.

It would take A LOT for me to feel service was so horrible it wasn't worth anything, but if I ever got service that bad, I do want the option of not leaving a dime.

I don't know about that...there are many places I go where I get excellent service and tipping doesn't exist. They aren't working on commission either. Some people just enjoy the job they do and want to keep it. To me that would be incentive enough to provide proper service.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

Chobie--I have to ask if you served at Outback? I ask because you said "in the weeds" and that was the only place I ever served at that used that term!


For me "tipping is out of control" means a tip cup at McD's,BK,DD,gas stations etc.
And I think if your already making minimum wage you should not be tipped regardless of what job you do. Millions of people make minimum wage and learn to live off it w/out the tips.
As a server I seen many restaurants increase the prices and we still were paid the same so I don't think that'll help much-It was crappy to be running around busting my butt while the manager sat at a table and talked to customers he knew and ate dinner with them and he leaves and gets into a Porsche and I leave and get into a Ford Tempo with a squeeky tire and a bad transmission--The head waitress cashed everyone out--The Asst manager closed the restaurant.

 

[Papa Deuce]

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Are you talking about the tip cups at Dunkin Dougnuts? Gas Stations??????? As being out of control!

Actually it was at a BUFFET, that charged 18% for large parties AND STILL put tip jars out about every 7 - 10 feet.... on the BUFFET LINE. Not good, IMO.

 

[chobie]

No, not Outback. But it was a common expression for servers out in the Seattle area.

 

[DISUNC]

Actually it was at a BUFFET, that charged 18% for large parties AND STILL put tip jars out about every 7 - 10 feet.... on the BUFFET LINE. Not good, IMO.

IMO NOT GOOD either!!!!!!

Since I am serving MYSELF at a Buffet can I take the tip jar?