Typically between 15 to 18% depending on the restaurant.
My FI and I spent years in the restaurant industry so we are generous with tips (those guys bust their behinds). But standard is 15% for restaurants like TGI Fridays or 18% for higher end restaurants.
Same here...Date: 8/16/2008 8:35:48 PM
Author: curlygirl
I generally give 20%, more if the service is exceptional.
Date: 8/16/2008 9:20:59 PM
Author: princesss
Same!
Date: 8/16/2008 9:39:15 PM
Author: vslover
We give a minimum of 20%
Date: 8/16/2008 11:33:19 PM
Author: little miss sunshine
Like others, 20% normally, and a bit more for excellent service.... I know I am a ''big'' tipper, whenever I am out with co-workers I always cringe at what they want to leave, but luckily it''s never restaurants I frequent... I do find that I tip more at places I go often, rather than a restaurant I might eat at once, i.e on vacation or something... My brother and sister both have worked in food service and I know how it would make their nights to get good tips and be a bummer when they didn''t - most restaurants pay servers extremely low wages and they depend on tips.
Date: 8/16/2008 11:33:19 PM
Author: little miss sunshine
Like others, 20% normally, and a bit more for excellent service.... I know I am a ''big'' tipper, whenever I am out with co-workers I always cringe at what they want to leave, but luckily it''s never restaurants I frequent... I do find that I tip more at places I go often, rather than a restaurant I might eat at once, i.e on vacation or something... My brother and sister both have worked in food service and I know how it would make their nights to get good tips and be a bummer when they didn''t - most restaurants pay servers extremely low wages and they depend on tips.
Date: 8/16/2008 11:51:12 PM
Author: claudinam
Do you guys ever tip more than 20% just because you ''like'' someone? Or there''s something about them that ''touches'' you somehow? We do...
I never know what it''s going to be...sometimes it''s a young kid who''s just funny, or a much older lady...or a young person who''s working hard on a Saturday night...
I do this too! I almost always leave at least 20%, unless the service is really bad, but I''ll leave more than 20% if the service was excellent, or if I really just like the server for some reason. DH is NOT a very big tipper, so I usually have to argue with him about it, though.Date: 8/17/2008 12:07:54 AM
Author: neatfreak
Date: 8/16/2008 11:51:12 PM
Author: claudinam
Do you guys ever tip more than 20% just because you ''like'' someone? Or there''s something about them that ''touches'' you somehow? We do...
I never know what it''s going to be...sometimes it''s a young kid who''s just funny, or a much older lady...or a young person who''s working hard on a Saturday night...
We TOTALLY do this. If we really like a server for some reason, any reason, we will often leave more than 20%. Especially if its not an expensive restaurant.
It''s interesting to me that many people seem to leave higher percentages at ''nice'' restaurants. I actually think we do the opposite! We''re much more likely to leave 25-50% on a $10-30 bill than we are on an $80 bill!
Date: 8/17/2008 1:05:24 AM
Author: Rachie
Unless your service is really horrible, I don't see a reason to leave less than 18-20%. If you can't afford to tip, then don't go out to eat. I know that may seem harsh but for the work that goes into serving, the hourly wage is horrible (I get $2.65/hr) and so tips are what I pay my bills with (along with what I tip out bussers, food runners, and bartenders with).