Get real! In today’s economics, even a simple glass of soda is going to cost more than $2, so a TIP of $2 is like no tip at all. Wait staff aren’t in it for laughs, they have to put up with all sorts of people and situations while being nice and polite and can also developed serious bodily issues from their job. If you’re too cheap to tip decently, don’t go out to eat. And spare me the “bad server” spiel; if you have problems, talk to the manager, but leave some tip anyhow.
Servers in America do not even earn minimum wage. Most get around $2.50 to $3.00 an hour, and expect to make up the difference in tips. IRS taxes them as if they get 15% on every bill. If you do not leave a tip you are actually costing them money. Tip 20% if you can, but never less than 15%.
If a server earns a good tip they get one. Exemplary service always gets better than 20% from me. If they disappear for long periods of time, get orders wrong, are rude, or get the bill wrong then cop an attitude they are lucky to get anything.
There are a letter Amy Dickenson’s column less than a year ago, by a woman who had a bone to pick with her son or son-in-law. The woman said she tipped 5% for decent service, and 10% for exceptional care. Something to the effect hat she only tipped 20% if the waiter washed her car while she ate – in other words, never. She was annoyed – furious, insulted, etc. – with the son-in-law for going back and paying the waiter more after she had settled the check.
Amy laid her out flat, and told her exactly what I said above. She came just shy of calling the woman a cheapskate, but did make it clear she was cheating the server. I don’t think 5 or 10 percent was ever a decent amount.
Many of you who are- or have been- servers will know about this, but, as a patron, I was shocked to learn it:
A restaurant owner told me that there was a group of women who come in once a week that no one wants to serve, because it costs them money. I asked why. She said, the group usually spends over $200.00 but never tips and that the server has to make up the tip, as they are charged a percentage of EVERY BILL THEY SERVE, whether the customer tips or not, to pay into the pot that is shared by the kitchen staff. I checked around, this is common practice will all the restaurants.
I think we need to address the real problem…that these places get away with paying less than minimum wage. It’s outrageous! Most work their butts off and many times have to deal with nasty customers. These businesses are taking advantage of their employees.
I don’t disagree with most of these comments, but tell me this – why should the percentage of the tip increase over the years? As I was growing up my dad told me that 15% was normal for food service, and 10% for a drink at a bar (AT the bar). You may argue this, but as the cost of everything goes up, the tip amount increases accordingly but should the percentage too? That’s a trend that will quickly make going out unaffordable.
By the way, certain bartenders are worth a lot more than 10%, but not all of them.
“Actually, I’d like for you to call your manager…” I tip according to the service I receive. If you do it the way it should be done, I will tip 20%. If you do better than that, I’ll tip more. If you do less, I’ll tip less. I once tipped $0.10, in pennies. When I went back a week later, that server was no longer there. I don’t know if that was by choice or not.
blunebottle almost 7 years ago
Do that around me, buddy, and you’ll never see another one!
Say What Now‽ Premium Member almost 7 years ago
In that case, he over tipped.
GROG Premium Member almost 7 years ago
Looks like I gotta know when to withhold it.
LadyPeterW almost 7 years ago
Get real! In today’s economics, even a simple glass of soda is going to cost more than $2, so a TIP of $2 is like no tip at all. Wait staff aren’t in it for laughs, they have to put up with all sorts of people and situations while being nice and polite and can also developed serious bodily issues from their job. If you’re too cheap to tip decently, don’t go out to eat. And spare me the “bad server” spiel; if you have problems, talk to the manager, but leave some tip anyhow.
Dani Rice almost 7 years ago
Servers in America do not even earn minimum wage. Most get around $2.50 to $3.00 an hour, and expect to make up the difference in tips. IRS taxes them as if they get 15% on every bill. If you do not leave a tip you are actually costing them money. Tip 20% if you can, but never less than 15%.
rhpii almost 7 years ago
If a server earns a good tip they get one. Exemplary service always gets better than 20% from me. If they disappear for long periods of time, get orders wrong, are rude, or get the bill wrong then cop an attitude they are lucky to get anything.
rickmac1937 Premium Member almost 7 years ago
probably more the he deserved.
Dani Rice almost 7 years ago
There are a letter Amy Dickenson’s column less than a year ago, by a woman who had a bone to pick with her son or son-in-law. The woman said she tipped 5% for decent service, and 10% for exceptional care. Something to the effect hat she only tipped 20% if the waiter washed her car while she ate – in other words, never. She was annoyed – furious, insulted, etc. – with the son-in-law for going back and paying the waiter more after she had settled the check.
Amy laid her out flat, and told her exactly what I said above. She came just shy of calling the woman a cheapskate, but did make it clear she was cheating the server. I don’t think 5 or 10 percent was ever a decent amount.
stuart almost 7 years ago
A hundred years ago, that would be a very generous tip (worth 100 times today’s dollars).
blunebottle almost 7 years ago
Many of you who are- or have been- servers will know about this, but, as a patron, I was shocked to learn it:
A restaurant owner told me that there was a group of women who come in once a week that no one wants to serve, because it costs them money. I asked why. She said, the group usually spends over $200.00 but never tips and that the server has to make up the tip, as they are charged a percentage of EVERY BILL THEY SERVE, whether the customer tips or not, to pay into the pot that is shared by the kitchen staff. I checked around, this is common practice will all the restaurants.
I’m of the opinion that should be illegal.
clacou almost 7 years ago
Servers who are not satisfied with their pay and or work condition are free to look for another type of job…
boothgetz almost 7 years ago
I think we need to address the real problem…that these places get away with paying less than minimum wage. It’s outrageous! Most work their butts off and many times have to deal with nasty customers. These businesses are taking advantage of their employees.
HappyDog/ᵀʳʸ ᴮᵒᶻᵒ ⁴ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵘⁿ ᵒᶠ ᶦᵗ Premium Member almost 7 years ago
I don’t disagree with most of these comments, but tell me this – why should the percentage of the tip increase over the years? As I was growing up my dad told me that 15% was normal for food service, and 10% for a drink at a bar (AT the bar). You may argue this, but as the cost of everything goes up, the tip amount increases accordingly but should the percentage too? That’s a trend that will quickly make going out unaffordable.
By the way, certain bartenders are worth a lot more than 10%, but not all of them.
Kirk Barnes Premium Member over 6 years ago
“Actually, I’d like for you to call your manager…” I tip according to the service I receive. If you do it the way it should be done, I will tip 20%. If you do better than that, I’ll tip more. If you do less, I’ll tip less. I once tipped $0.10, in pennies. When I went back a week later, that server was no longer there. I don’t know if that was by choice or not.