Tipping when dining out...

[Mags 112]

I've waffled on about this on expats, so apologise for those who have read this before!

I always say, 20% for excellent service, 18% for good service and 15% for adequate. Anything less is an insult, personally. I speak from experience - I'm the evening manager at the restaurant I work in, so I know how upsetting it can be when you've busted a gut trying to be nice and provide the customers with a great dining experience - only to be greeted with blank stares and a pathetic 10% tip.

Also, take in the surroundings when you eat. See how many tables the server is working (if poss), see how busy they are so, if your drink isn't quite filled often enough, you can maybe understand that they aren't neglecting you...they're just really over worked. Also, if your food is undercooked/overcooked, or poorly presented DON'T punish the server and reduce their tip. That's the fault of the kitchen - who get a wage! Instead, tip the server a decent amount and complain to the manager instead.

Personally, if you're only going to leave me a couple of bucks on a $25 check I'd rather you left me nothing. Our servers get paid $3. Try feeding kids, paying mortgages/rent and utilities on that - pretty impossible.

If you can't afford to add a potential 20% tip on a meal then you shouldn't be eating out in the first place.

[Sassy1natl 0]

I've waffled on about this on expats, so apologise for those who have read this before!

I always say, 20% for excellent service, 18% for good service and 15% for adequate. Anything less is an insult, personally. I speak from experience - I'm the evening manager at the restaurant I work in, so I know how upsetting it can be when you've busted a gut trying to be nice and provide the customers with a great dining experience - only to be greeted with blank stares and a pathetic 10% tip.

Also, take in the surroundings when you eat. See how many tables the server is working (if poss), see how busy they are so, if your drink isn't quite filled often enough, you can maybe understand that they aren't neglecting you...they're just really over worked. Also, if your food is undercooked/overcooked, or poorly presented DON'T punish the server and reduce their tip. That's the fault of the kitchen - who get a wage! Instead, tip the server a decent amount and complain to the manager instead.

Personally, if you're only going to leave me a couple of bucks on a $25 check I'd rather you left me nothing. Our servers get paid $3. Try feeding kids, paying mortgages/rent and utilities on that - pretty impossible.

If you can't afford to add a potential 20% tip on a meal then you shouldn't be eating out in the first place.

This is my philosophy as well... last night, the couple we were out with (work contacts) had no clue on manners or civility. The husband was wanting the server to go back and split the check and wanted to itemize the bill. How embarassing. My husband told the server "no" and grabbed the check. The bill was close to $100. And my husband tipped $25 (the service was excellent). The wife proceeds to grab the check holder (which was rude anyway) and almost had a heart attack. She says she only tips 10% and less if the service is bad. I could have died. She said that if they want more money they should go back to school. What?! I was trying to be polite for my husbands sake, but I wanted to kick this heifer in the shin.

I am glad I don't have to deal with these morons on a regular basis. But I just wanted to know how others felt on the subject.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

15% for barely acceptable service.

Less than 15% below that.

20% for excellent service. Never more than 20%.

ps. I've left penny tips on occasion.

[Mags 112]

This is my philosophy as well... last night, the couple we were out with (work contacts) had no clue on manners or civility. The husband was wanting the server to go back and split the check and wanted to itemize the bill. How embarassing. My husband told the server "no" and grabbed the check. The bill was close to $100. And my husband tipped $25 (the service was excellent). The wife proceeds to grab the check holder (which was rude anyway) and almost had a heart attack. She says she only tips 10% and less if the service is bad. I could have died. She said that if they want more money they should go back to school. What?! I was trying to be polite for my husbands sake, but I wanted to kick this heifer in the shin.

I am glad I don't have to deal with these morons on a regular basis. But I just wanted to know how others felt on the subject.

I agree that people like that are the ones who make my life hell.

Many servers ARE at college and serving is paying their way through it! The servers whom I work with all have other jobs during the day.

I think what disgusts me most, is this general feeling that servers are below everyone else on the planet; that they should be treated as staff. I can't get over how many people come in thinking they are better than me, without knowing a thing about me. Ironically enough, I probably have more intelligence than them but I don't have a superiority complex that means I have to treat them like sh!t at the first available opportunity to make myself feel better!

Btw, a $25 on a $100 is perfect. I'd be your server any day!

Edited August 10, 2008 by Magenta

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

At the risk of sounding mean, I tip based on the service provided, not based on what the server does or how badly they need the money.

I've been led to believe that 15% = barely acceptable service, so that's what I do. If the social consensus changes to make that 20%, that's what I'll do (although I'll likely eat out less). But I won't up the % because the server needs the money. I've never worked for an employer who paid more because I needed it more, that's unfortunately not how it works.

[Asante Maroon 0]

At the risk of sounding mean, I tip based on the service provided, not based on what the server does or how badly they need the money.

I've been led to believe that 15% = barely acceptable service, so that's what I do. If the social consensus changes to make that 20%, that's what I'll do (although I'll likely eat out less). But I won't up the % because the server needs the money. I've never worked for an employer who paid more because I needed it more, that's unfortunately not how it works.

Good point

I take into account the number of tables and how busy the server is when service is not that great, but I don't believe in tipping good just because my order has been taken.... There are crappy customers as there are crappy servers. And I have had my share of servers who were not busy...restaurant not busy ...and they were just not concerned with being there, nonchalant, and sometimes outright rude and when you don't tip or tip a small $ amount due to this poor service, you are thought of as cheap.

Dining out is becoming more expensive and when you are paying good money for a meal, good service should come with that and unfortunately that is not always the case.

I know if I am working a job where I am getting only $3 per hour I am going to bust my a$$ regardless because I am not going to be the reason for not getting whats due to me...

So I pose this question... How much do you tip or should you tip a server who gives you horrible service, not due to anything else (like being overworked) but a bad attitude and poor work ethic?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

So I pose this question... How much do you tip or should you tip a server who gives you horrible service, not due to anything else (like being overworked) but a bad attitude and poor work ethic?

Whatever you want. 15% is (IMO) for barely acceptable service - if you feel service was unacceptable, anything below that.

[Sassy1natl 0]

So I pose this question... How much do you tip or should you tip a server who gives you horrible service, not due to anything else (like being overworked) but a bad attitude and poor work ethic?

Whatever you want. 15% is (IMO) for barely acceptable service - if you feel service was unacceptable, anything below that.

I feel nothing below 15% is acceptable. If it's that bad, I find a manager. They only make $2.15 (or close to) per hour. I mean think about it... If you are underperforming for whatever reason at work...having a bad day, lets say. Do you get less than minimum wage for that hour or so work. No. They have to live to. And I do understand that they chose that profession.

Edited August 11, 2008 by Sassy1natl

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

So I pose this question... How much do you tip or should you tip a server who gives you horrible service, not due to anything else (like being overworked) but a bad attitude and poor work ethic?

Whatever you want. 15% is (IMO) for barely acceptable service - if you feel service was unacceptable, anything below that.

I feel nothing below 15% is acceptable. If it's that bad, I find a manager. They only make $2.15 (or close to) per hour. I mean think about it... If you are underperforming for whatever reason at work...having a bad day, lets say. Do you get less than minimum wage for that hour or so work. No. They have to live to. And I do understand that they chose that profession.

I disagree, but that's ok.

[MissStacey 1]

I have always been a good tipper- Mel is too. The server would have to be incredibly rude and nasty for me not to give a good tip.

I am bothered when the tip is automatically added to a bill though- a tip should be the customers decision, not the establishments.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I am bothered when the tip is automatically added to a bill though- a tip should be the customers decision, not the establishments.

A lot of places do that these days. I have gotten the tip removed a few times, when I strongly felt the server did not deserve it.

[ronjie 0]

At the risk of sounding mean, I tip based on the service provided, not based on what the server does or how badly they need the money.

I've been led to believe that 15% = barely acceptable service, so that's what I do. If the social consensus changes to make that 20%, that's what I'll do (although I'll likely eat out less). But I won't up the % because the server needs the money. I've never worked for an employer who paid more because I needed it more, that's unfortunately not how it works.

Good point

I take into account the number of tables and how busy the server is when service is not that great, but I don't believe in tipping good just because my order has been taken.... There are crappy customers as there are crappy servers. And I have had my share of servers who were not busy...restaurant not busy ...and they were just not concerned with being there, nonchalant, and sometimes outright rude and when you don't tip or tip a small $ amount due to this poor service, you are thought of as cheap.

Dining out is becoming more expensive and when you are paying good money for a meal, good service should come with that and unfortunately that is not always the case.

I know if I am working a job where I am getting only $3 per hour I am going to bust my a$$ regardless because I am not going to be the reason for not getting whats due to me...

So I pose this question... How much do you tip or should you tip a server who gives you horrible service, not due to anything else (like being overworked) but a bad attitude and poor work ethic?

Remember, its your money. you had to earn it. and so should anyone you give it to. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT TIPS STAND FOR? WITH OUT LOOKING IT UP !!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Reservoir Dogs is on TV right now, the tipping scene rocks!!

[Amby 490]

So I pose this question... How much do you tip or should you tip a server who gives you horrible service, not due to anything else (like being overworked) but a bad attitude and poor work ethic?

Whatever you want. 15% is (IMO) for barely acceptable service - if you feel service was unacceptable, anything below that.

I feel nothing below 15% is acceptable. If it's that bad, I find a manager. They only make $2.15 (or close to) per hour. I mean think about it... If you are underperforming for whatever reason at work...having a bad day, lets say. Do you get less than minimum wage for that hour or so work. No. They have to live to. And I do understand that they chose that profession.

Every place I've worked if your tips don't bring you up to minimum wage the company has to give you the difference.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Every place I've worked if your tips don't bring you up to minimum wage the company has to give you the difference.

Good to know!