Tipping at restaurants.

[Gypsy]

I thought we'd revisit this.

I just watched this and was so annoyed that this guy could be so ignorant and so proud. He had no idea that servers didn't make minimum wage and actually says that he thinks waitstaff at expensive restaurants make a good salary (just their hourly wage, no tips).

http://xfinitytv.comcast.net/tv/Ask-Oprah-s-All-Stars/141793/2163029447/Ultimate-Checklists/videos?skipTo=135&cmpid=FCST_hero_tv

Servers are exempted from minimum wage in the US (not in Europe and other countries that I have visited) and yet I KNOW that this guy isn't alone in thinking "they get paid to serve me, I'm not tipping!" but the fact is that servers get something like 2.50 an hour and make the rest up in tip.

So do you tip, how much and when do tip more and when do you deduct.

I've only not tipped once. The service, food, attitude everything were horrible. And it was owner on premises and he didn't care. So... no tip, bad yelp review and no returns.

Otherwise I typically tip 20%. More for something exceptional.. for example the other day we were at a nice steak restaurant and the server brought me a tasting glass full of really good ice cider, which I didn't end up buying, and then when I did buy the muscat dessert wine he brought me out the label so that I could take a picture of it and asked his manager where I could find it to purchase. That was above and beyond so he got 25-27% I don't recall which.

For bad service I'm at 10%. And I have called over the manager and explained if I've felt the service is terrible. BUT I also make sure to call over the manager when I am impressed too, as I did with the steakhouse guy above.

I also give out positive and negative yelp reviews. But you really have to screw the pooch to get a flat out bad review out of me on yelp. But you have to give me repeated great experiences to get top marks as well.

 

[Hera]

Most times I start at 20 percent and then deduct from there. If I feel they weren't that great then they'll get a tip around 15% and if terrible, around 10%. Really exceptional will get 25 to 30% but it doesnt happen that often. I'm pretty easy so most get the full 20% and include the tax in the calculation.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

Most times I start at 20 percent and then deduct from there. If I feel they weren't that great then they'll get a tip around 15% and if terrible, around 10%. Really exceptional will get 25 to 30% but it doesnt happen that often. I'm pretty easy so most get the full 20% and include the tax in the calculation.

Dittoo everything.

 

[Hera]

Btw, I hate bad tippers. If I go out to a restaurant and someone in my group undertips when we have received great service, I will call them out on it. Some people are so cheap and they always act like they miscalculated it

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I am pretty much the same...20% for very good service, 15% for okay service, and rarely anything below that unless it is buffet and then I might leave a little less since all they do is bring the water.

 

[Autumnovember]

ALWAYS 20% or more.

Very rarely do I give less and if I do, I give 15% for bad attitude/making endless mistakes

I tip more when the waiter is kind, attentive, and smiles.

 

[sonnyjane]

Most times I start at 20 percent and then deduct from there. If I feel they weren't that great then they'll get a tip around 15% and if terrible, around 10%. Really exceptional will get 25 to 30% but it doesnt happen that often. I'm pretty easy so most get the full 20% and include the tax in the calculation.

Yup. Exactly this. I have worked in a restaurant before so I'm pretty generous. Because of that, I'm also very understanding of a lot of things that are beyond the server's control. If you get a bad tip from me, it means you were REALLY bad.

 

[daintyG]

Every time I think about tipping I think that it's a really clever idea... for restaurants. We pay for the food and we pay their employees for them, too. I think that servers deserve to be paid--that's not the point I'm making--but does anyone else think that their employers should pay them?? Or am I crazy.

 

[daintyG]

and I do 15% but my husband usually pays nowdays and he tips more generously

 

[chemgirl]

I tip between 10-20% depending on the service. That seems to be the norm for my region. An annoying server will usually get closer to 10%, a server who does a standard job will get 15%, and a friendly server will get closer to 20%.

I have not tipped twice. Once the waiter didn't bring my food during a large group meal. Instead of apologizing for the mistake and putting in a rush order he claimed I was lying and that I actually hadn't ordered anything. He offered to put in an order, but then told me that the kitchen was backed up so I shouldn't expect it for another 45 minutes. He used a very rude tone. Had he just apologized I would have still tipped, even if the food took 45 minutes. The second time the entire table didn't tip because we found small stones in our salad. When we told the manager he offered to bring us new ones...um not good enough. It took a lot of arguing to get them taken off of the bill. We overheard him calling us the b witches word to a waitress. We felt bad for the waitress, but we really didn't feel like paying the bill period.

So I tip unless something really out of the ordinary happens.

 

[Hera]

Every time I think about tipping I think that it's a really clever idea... for restaurants. We pay for the food and we pay their employees for them, too. I think that servers deserve to be paid--that's not the point I'm making--but does anyone else think that their employers should pay them?? Or am I crazy.

I believe the profit margin for restaurants are very small. I don't think a lot of restaurants could afford to do that and stay in business. In addition, a server could make more money than what they would if paid by the hour. In this case, friend and attentive staff have more opportunity to make a higher paycheck.

 

[neatfreak]

Every time I think about tipping I think that it's a really clever idea... for restaurants. We pay for the food and we pay their employees for them, too. I think that servers deserve to be paid--that's not the point I'm making--but does anyone else think that their employers should pay them?? Or am I crazy.

Actually in many states these days waitstaff get more than a few dollars. It is often still lower than minimum wage, but for example in CA, they get a minimum of $8 per hour on top of their tips.

FEDERAL law only requires $2.13, but many states go above it these days.

http://www.dol.gov/whd/state/tipped.htm

Just FYI!

 

[daintyG]

Yes, I knew that they got paid an hourly wage as well. Still feel the same though.

 

[daintyG]

Every time I think about tipping I think that it's a really clever idea... for restaurants. We pay for the food and we pay their employees for them, too. I think that servers deserve to be paid--that's not the point I'm making--but does anyone else think that their employers should pay them?? Or am I crazy.

I believe the profit margin for restaurants are very small. I don't think a lot of restaurants could afford to do that and stay in business. In addition, a server could make more money than what they would if paid by the hour. In this case, friend and attentive staff have more opportunity to make a higher paycheck.

Well that makes a little bit more sense to me.

 

[Gypsy]

Every time I think about tipping I think that it's a really clever idea... for restaurants. We pay for the food and we pay their employees for them, too. I think that servers deserve to be paid--that's not the point I'm making--but does anyone else think that their employers should pay them?? Or am I crazy.

Actually in many states these days waitstaff get more than a few dollars. It is often still lower than minimum wage, but for example in CA, they get a minimum of $8 per hour on top of their tips.

FEDERAL law only requires $2.13, but many states go above it these days.

http://www.dol.gov/whd/state/tipped.htm



Just FYI!

Interesting. So in CA restuarants are required to pay 8 bucks an hour? That's great.

 

[Cehrabehra]

I'm not the best tipper - I used to be a waitress so I can be pretty judgmental - but fair too if I see things are crazy. 15% is my average. If you're stellar you get more, if you suck you get less. But the lowest I ever tipped and this only happened once I wrote on a napkin the math for taking 8% (what we were required to claim to the IRS) and then taking 30% of that and I gave her that much with a note explaining that I would cover her taxes and that's it because it sucked so bad.

I've never tipped nothing at all.

That's not true... here in China there is generally no tipping. Culturally there never was, but a few generous americans have introduced the thought but it isn't expected and your service isn't worse if you don't get a tip. Your service might be *better* then next time you go though, so that's something to keep in mind if you want extras (especially for like pedicures). Generally I am not a fan of tipping for the same reason I'm not a fan of leaving feedback for ebay sellers. Everything is NOT 100% positive and I hate that I can't be neutral when that's how I feel. I hate the idea of starting at 20% and coming down if you suck. I much prefer starting at 10% and going up if you're awesome. I want the tip to mean something, not be expected. If it's expected then just do me and the waitress and everyone a favor and raise your prices by 20% and put a no tips allowed sign up. I would LOVE that - if you kept your staff in check.

 

[VRBeauty]

15-20% for sit-down service unless the wait person or food are really exceptional. Many of the places I eat at are counter service though - as in order at the counter, and someone brings you your meal (on real dishes and on metal cutlery). You're on your own from there on, for beverage refills etc. I usually drop a $1 into the tip jar, which is probably about an 8% tip... but I suspect that in these types of establishments, tips are more likely to be split with the kitchen and clean up crew. ARG! What to do, what to do???

So if this isn't a hijack... do y'all use the same formula for tip jars as for table service?

I'd really like a system where the waiters etc are paid a reasonable wage to begin with, and the tips are truly thanks for exceptional service, but suspect that's not gonna happen in my lifetime...

 

[kenny]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I assume the percentage that everyone is reporting they tip is on the final total, which is AFTER all food, drinks, and tax has been totaled together.

I've heard of a few people tip on the total of food and drinks but before tax is added, and others calculate their tip on the total for the food only.
Does anyone here do that?
The people I have met who do that assumed everyone did and thought I was crazy for tipping on the Total amount.
They say, "Why should I tip on tax; that's not some service the waiter performed?"

BTW, I'm a 15%er on the total AFTER food, drinks, and tax was totaled together.
If the service is horrible, which has only happened once or twice, I tip zero and never return.

 

[VRBeauty]

Interesting. So in CA restuarants are required to pay 8 bucks an hour? That's great.

Actually, some California cities have "living wage" ordinances that might require higher than the state minimum wage:

http://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/livingwage/resources.shtml

 

[VRBeauty]

I assume everyone is tipping on the total, which is AFTER all food, drinks, and tax has been totaled together.

I've heard of a few people tip on the total before tax is added, and others calculate their tip on the total for the food only.
Does anyone her do that?
The people I have met who do that assumed everyone did and thought I was crazy for tipping on the Total amount.

BTW, I'm a 15%er on the total AFTER drinks and tax was totaled together.
If the service is horrible, which has only happened once or twice, I tip zero and never return.

I believe before taxes is considered correct... in many parts of California it's easiest to just double the tax, which gets you to somewhere between 15% and 17% depending on where in the state you live and if there are any general surcharges... but most people are probably like me... you glance at that total on the bottom and calculate from there.

I also think that the IRS assumes waiters get 8% on the food total, and that's supposed to be reported and taxed as regular income.

 

[jewelerman]

I don't get that in many of the posts on this thread that if there is bad service then a lesser tip is given.If there is bad service that is given because of bad attitude or things well within the servers control why are these servers being tipped at all? I was raised in the restaurant trade and when i go out to eat my expectations are high when service is considered.I factor in for things that are out of the servers control or if they are new etc. If the server is working hard to give good service then its reflected in the tip. If (and its rare)that i get a server who gives bad service because of bad attitude, laziness etc then why should they receive a tip at all? I have no problem with asking the manager for a new server if service or attitude is really bad. I refuse to get bad service and pay for it.When i receive great service and food i will go back to a place often and ask to be served by that certain server and then im all about tipping above the average.

 

[Gypsy]

Before tax is correct, but my husband and I have argued about this. I WAS ABOUT SOMETHING, yay!

As for living wage, even more interesting. SO GLAD I STARTED THIS THREAD!!!

I double tax a lot of the time VR. It's just easy to do it. Here it ends up around 18-19% which is fair.

Lilia, I HATE people who disingenuously 'miscalculate' too. Fortunately none of them are in my life anymore but in law school there were people like this everywhere and I would call them out too, and for one couple who were ALWAYS doing this, I actually just started asking for separate checks for myself. I refused to split a check with them.

 

[Cehrabehra]

It's been 20 years but we were paid min wage. I worked in california.

And kenny - why would you tip on the taxes? The waitress's income is based on her SALES. In fact, in CA a handy "tip" is to double the tax and round it off. You'll be in a decent ballpark with that figure.

it's funny to hear you be so "I can't believe people don't tip on the tax" but I can't wrap my mind around why that makes sense other than its easier. I look at the total bill every time myself, but I'm nonsensical

 

[jstarfireb]

I always tip before tax but after drinks are totaled. My standard is 15%, but I'll tip 10% for mediocre service and 20% for exceptional service. Also, I usually tip 10% for buffets, where they're just refilling your drinks and occasionally busing the table.

 

[texaskj]

I waited tables in college, so I pay a lot more attention than most people I know. I'm with the posters above who usually start at 20% and deduct from there. More if things are stellar. Never leave nothing; some wait people are stupid enough to think you're too stupid to leave a tip. My dad will leave a quarter or $1 if the service is bad.
Want to drive me nuts? Get separate checks at dinner with me and then argue with me about my tip. (Usually a cheapskate who thinks it's too much.)
And if you can't afford to eat out and tip? Stay your happy ass home or go to a place with counter service.

 

[ladypirate]

We tip 18-20% usually, more if the service is exceptional, less if the service is awful but never less than ~15%. My sisters both have worked in the service industry and the stories of the people who come in and spend a ton of money on dinner then leave almost nothing for a tip really tick me off.

ETA: We don't have sales tax in Oregon, but I tip after drinks, obviously. I also tip on drinks if I'm at a bar--usually a dollar for a beer, a couple dollars for a cocktail (or ~20% on the entire tab if paying with a card).

 

[Laila619]

I tip around 15% (I always include taxes/drinks as part of the total, I never thought not to!). DH usually goes a little higher.

 

[Gypsy]

Want to drive me nuts? Get separate checks at dinner with me and then argue with me about my tip. (Usually a cheapskate who thinks it's too much.)

LMAO. I had someone do this once and I was like... "Really???"

 

[mayerling]

Caveat, I'm in the UK.

Among people I socialise with, 10% is the norm unless restaurants factor in a service charge which varies between 10% and 12.5%. I have to say that restaurant prices are much higher over here (especially in places like London) than they are in the US, that 20% would almost make me not want to eat anywhere because I wouldn't be able to afford it.

 

[Porridge]

Every time I think about tipping I think that it's a really clever idea... for restaurants. We pay for the food and we pay their employees for them, too. I think that servers deserve to be paid--that's not the point I'm making--but does anyone else think that their employers should pay them?? Or am I crazy.

You took the thoughts right out of my head, I ALWAYS think this. I have NO PROBLEM tipping someone for great service, but I do have a problem being expected *by the company* to pay their employees wages.

Gypsy you're right, servers aren't exempt from minimum wage here, so when we tip, it's just a little extra to say thanks for good service, it is not to make up their salary. I find the culture shock of tipping very difficult to adjust to when I visit the US. I always freak out that I'm undertipping, or that I didn't tip someone I was supposed to, or tipped someone I wasn't supposed to and offended them... and then how do people always have so much change on them!? I'm scrambling around for the right change for a tip, do I ask them to break my ten and give me back $8 or something...it's a minefield.

Aaaaaaaanyway. Back to the point. I agree with daintyG, I think the practice of tipping has gone too far, from a nice way to show appreciation for good service to full out expectation of covering someone's salary. I can not understand how it is allowed that the companies do not pay their employees for that service, because you can be damn sure they're charging me for it.