Tips

[Traviesa 0]

But the big bottom line for me is that I refuse to let anyone act as if any amount of tip is "entitled to". They are working in a service delivery profession - its the quality of the service that I am tipping for. If the service is non existent or bad, I have no problem to not tip at all.

xactly. There's simply no entitlement on tips. I've read over and over in this thread that people "tip only 10%" in a restaurant if the service was bad. Not me. I sure as hell won't leave a tip that wasn't earned. It will create the impression with the server that this sort of non-service is something acceptable or that he/she did an alright job. It isn't and (s)he didn't...

Actually, if you'd been an employer, and especially in the food service industry, you'd quite possibly change your approach to this matter. An employer has what is referred to as a 'tip credit" option and if he or she chooses can pay a server only a fraction per hour with the understanding that the employee will make it up with tips. Even a bad server MUST earn minimum wage, per the FLSA. So, it's better to make your discontent known to the manager/owner than to short change the server.

Actually, no. A server that can't make minimum wage with tips and base pay would appear to be in the wrong business and should maybe consider flipping burgers at Mickey D's instead. As a customer, it is not my job to make sure that a server makes minimum wage. Rather, it is the manager's job to ensure that (s)he hires capable staff and manages to motivate said staff towards acceptable performance where customers receive the service they can reasonably expect.

You just proved my point. It all boils down to the manager. The person to whom I recommended that a disgruntled, or disenchanted, or dissatisfied customer should vent and complain, rather than to neglect to leave a tip for the server. It's the restaurant owner that needs to do a better job of hiring or training.

It soes not all boil down to the manager - other than the managers failure to let go of a bad server before (s)hedoes damage to the reputation of the restaurant. At the end of the day, if the server neglects to provide appropriate service, then I don't see why a tip should be left. Again, the whole idea of the tip system is to stimulate good service. If the server provides that, then a tip is warranted. If the servers fails on that end, then you may leave all the tips you want, I sure won't.

No, the whole idea of the tip system is to compensate someone who performed a personal service for you which you could have done for yourself. In other words, someone who made your life more convenient. Unless you go somewhere and are not fed or not given something to drink, the server has done their job. They fed you. That's about all you need. They don't need to be your best friend. Tip them for the personal service they DID provide of getting you a drink, bringing it to your table, taking your order, and bringing the food to the table. Bottom line, that's what a server is. You want more, as I said before, everything has its price.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

But the big bottom line for me is that I refuse to let anyone act as if any amount of tip is "entitled to". They are working in a service delivery profession - its the quality of the service that I am tipping for. If the service is non existent or bad, I have no problem to not tip at all.

Exactly. There's simply no entitlement on tips. I've read over and over in this thread that people "tip only 10%" in a restaurant if the service was bad. Not me. I sure as hell won't leave a tip that wasn't earned. It will create the impression with the server that this sort of non-service is something acceptable or that he/she did an alright job. It isn't and (s)he didn't...

Actually, if you'd been an employer, and especially in the food service industry, you'd quite possibly change your approach to this matter. An employer has what is referred to as a 'tip credit" option and if he or she chooses can pay a server only a fraction per hour with the understanding that the employee will make it up with tips. Even a bad server MUST earn minimum wage, per the FLSA. So, it's better to make your discontent known to the manager/owner than to short change the server.

Actually, no. A server that can't make minimum wage with tips and base pay would appear to be in the wrong business and should maybe consider flipping burgers at Mickey D's instead. As a customer, it is not my job to make sure that a server makes minimum wage. Rather, it is the manager's job to ensure that (s)he hires capable staff and manages to motivate said staff towards acceptable performance where customers receive the service they can reasonably expect.

First, you shouldn't assume that being a server=unskilled, uneducated, lacking in intelligence (the Mickey D's comment). Secondly, you shouldn't assume that a server who can't make minimum wage between check and tip is a bad server. In fact, in this area (suburban DC) it happens regularly. It's not always the other person's fault. And it never hurts to be nice.

Maybe you shouldn't make assumptions about what I may or may not have assumed. A lack of intelligence was not what I had in mind since a truly smart person I had the pleasure to work with actually worked his way through college as a server.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

But the big bottom line for me is that I refuse to let anyone act as if any amount of tip is "entitled to". They are working in a service delivery profession - its the quality of the service that I am tipping for. If the service is non existent or bad, I have no problem to not tip at all.

xactly. There's simply no entitlement on tips. I've read over and over in this thread that people "tip only 10%" in a restaurant if the service was bad. Not me. I sure as hell won't leave a tip that wasn't earned. It will create the impression with the server that this sort of non-service is something acceptable or that he/she did an alright job. It isn't and (s)he didn't...

Actually, if you'd been an employer, and especially in the food service industry, you'd quite possibly change your approach to this matter. An employer has what is referred to as a 'tip credit" option and if he or she chooses can pay a server only a fraction per hour with the understanding that the employee will make it up with tips. Even a bad server MUST earn minimum wage, per the FLSA. So, it's better to make your discontent known to the manager/owner than to short change the server.

Actually, no. A server that can't make minimum wage with tips and base pay would appear to be in the wrong business and should maybe consider flipping burgers at Mickey D's instead. As a customer, it is not my job to make sure that a server makes minimum wage. Rather, it is the manager's job to ensure that (s)he hires capable staff and manages to motivate said staff towards acceptable performance where customers receive the service they can reasonably expect.

You just proved my point. It all boils down to the manager. The person to whom I recommended that a disgruntled, or disenchanted, or dissatisfied customer should vent and complain, rather than to neglect to leave a tip for the server. It's the restaurant owner that needs to do a better job of hiring or training.

It soes not all boil down to the manager - other than the managers failure to let go of a bad server before (s)hedoes damage to the reputation of the restaurant. At the end of the day, if the server neglects to provide appropriate service, then I don't see why a tip should be left. Again, the whole idea of the tip system is to stimulate good service. If the server provides that, then a tip is warranted. If the servers fails on that end, then you may leave all the tips you want, I sure won't.

No, the whole idea of the tip system is to compensate someone who performed a personal service for you which you could have done for yourself. In other words, someone who made your life more convenient. Unless you go somewhere and are not fed or not given something to drink, the server has done their job. They fed you. That's about all you need. They don't need to be your best friend. Tip them for the personal service they DID provide of getting you a drink, bringing it to your table, taking your order, and bringing the food to the table. Bottom line, that's what a server is. You want more, as I said before, everything has its price.

That's laughable. Do you think that a restaurant that builds it's business on your "service" model will stand a chance of making it in this day and age? I don't.

[♥JP♥ 5]

But the big bottom line for me is that I refuse to let anyone act as if any amount of tip is "entitled to". They are working in a service delivery profession - its the quality of the service that I am tipping for. If the service is non existent or bad, I have no problem to not tip at all.

Exactly. There's simply no entitlement on tips. I've read over and over in this thread that people "tip only 10%" in a restaurant if the service was bad. Not me. I sure as hell won't leave a tip that wasn't earned. It will create the impression with the server that this sort of non-service is something acceptable or that he/she did an alright job. It isn't and (s)he didn't...

Having worked in a restaurant for tips before (it was Applebees) I was stiffed plenty of times when I thought I did a pretty decent job. The thing is, when you go to a place like that you get what you pay for-you get your drink, you get your meal, you get some refills, then you get the check and get out of there. It's not exactly the kind of place where a server feels the need to wow you to death for the tip that will come off the $30 check. A place like that fills a basic need-to sit down and have a meal. The server facilitates that for you. If you have, in fact, had your drinks and your meal, the server has done their job and deserves that tip. If over-the-top service is what you're looking for, you might want to consider changing your choice of dining establishments. Sorry, but Applebees and customers didn't pay me enough to sing you a song, engage you in witty conversation, and make sure your glass never gets lower than half empty.

This is an interesting point of view however I have to agree here with Big Dog on some points. When I go to a restaurant I'm not looking to have my server sing me a song or talk to me about the latest news reports. However taking my order in a timely manner, bringing food/drinks in a timely manner while they are still hot are things that are important and thats more so what I judge my tips on. I don't really care if a server doesn't want to be witty and charming, but let me tell you, if you are working in a "service industry" that charm goes a long way.

I recently went to Outback and the server we had was more than wonderful. On top of the very generous tip I left him, I let every manager at the restaruant know what a great job he did and I even sent an email to corporate acknowledging him.

I know that maybe you don't feel that applebee's pays you enough to do this but is it really applebee's that pays your wages? Tipping has come to be expected and this is wrong. IMO I will not tip the same to server that just barly gets the job the done or sometimes doesn't get the job done at all in comparison to the one I had at the Outback the other night.

While I agree that tipping is important, I dont like that fact that it is expected. What's next? Adding it to the bill?

That's laughable. Do you think that a restaurant that builds it's business on your "service" model will stand a chance of making it in this day and age? I don't.

Speaking of the devil....it's funny how the restaurant business has built this business model where the american public is expected to compensate the entire restaurant staff with tipping. Why can't they just pay them more freaking money!!!!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

That's laughable. Do you think that a restaurant that builds it's business on your "service" model will stand a chance of making it in this day and age? I don't.

Speaking of the devil....it's funny how the restaurant business has built this business model where the american public is expected to compensate the entire restaurant staff with tipping. Why can't they just pay them more freaking money!!!!

Because, as I said before, the tipping system is there to foster good service.

[♥JP♥ 5]

That's laughable. Do you think that a restaurant that builds it's business on your "service" model will stand a chance of making it in this day and age? I don't.

Speaking of the devil....it's funny how the restaurant business has built this business model where the american public is expected to compensate the entire restaurant staff with tipping. Why can't they just pay them more freaking money!!!!

Because, as I said before, the tipping system is there to foster good service.

True but it has gotten to the point where the tips we leave get divided among the entire restuarant in some cases which I don't think is fair.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

That's laughable. Do you think that a restaurant that builds it's business on your "service" model will stand a chance of making it in this day and age? I don't.

Speaking of the devil....it's funny how the restaurant business has built this business model where the american public is expected to compensate the entire restaurant staff with tipping. Why can't they just pay them more freaking money!!!!

Because, as I said before, the tipping system is there to foster good service.

True but it has gotten to the point where the tips we leave get divided among the entire restuarant in some cases which I don't think is fair.

No it isn't. And it's counter-productive. I suspect that many of the mainstream restaurants do this these days (essentially dragging the under-performing staff along at the expense of those that take pride in a job well done) and the service hasn't exactly improved as a result.

[Mags 112]

That's laughable. Do you think that a restaurant that builds it's business on your "service" model will stand a chance of making it in this day and age? I don't.

Speaking of the devil....it's funny how the restaurant business has built this business model where the american public is expected to compensate the entire restaurant staff with tipping. Why can't they just pay them more freaking money!!!!

Because, as I said before, the tipping system is there to foster good service.

True but it has gotten to the point where the tips we leave get divided among the entire restuarant in some cases which I don't think is fair.

Best idea? Ask the server if the tips get divided...if they don't then you can tip them happily in the knowledge that they will get the money themselves.

[PlatyPius 5]

I always tip at Starbucks. Those baristas typically only earn base minimum wage and have to deal with a whole realm of folks and attitudes!

In my exerience, it's the "baristas" who have the attitude problems.

a) they work for a place that sells coffee made from burnt coffee beans

2) They call themselves "baristas"

^) They give you "the look" if you order a large coffee. It's gotta be "tall" (#######???), grande, or Venti. How precious.

d) Starbucks is the anti-christ.

5) Their coffee sucks.

f) It's all about being seen, not the quality of what they sell. Gotta have the Starf*cks cup....

Can you tell that I hate Starbucks and all that they stand for?

To hell with the baristas. They chose to work for a malevolent demon. I feel the same way about telemarketers. I'd starve to death before I'd work as a telemarketer. They deserve whatever they get.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I always tip at Starbucks. Those baristas typically only earn base minimum wage and have to deal with a whole realm of folks and attitudes!

In my exerience, it's the "baristas" who have the attitude problems.

a) they work for a place that sells coffee made from burnt coffee beans

2) They call themselves "baristas"

^) They give you "the look" if you order a large coffee. It's gotta be "tall" (#######???), grande, or Venti. How precious.

d) Starbucks is the anti-christ.

5) Their coffee sucks.

f) It's all about being seen, not the quality of what they sell. Gotta have the Starf*cks cup....

Can you tell that I hate Starbucks and all that they stand for?

Yeah you let that shine through just a little.

That said, I agree: Starbucks so sucks.

[JODO 2]

Sunday night I went through the drive thru at Starbucks and ordered a tall peppermint mocha, skim milk, no whipped cream and two splenda. I drove off and realized it was made with regular sugar, whipped cream and was probably made with whole milk too! I was ticked

So, I get home and call back up to Starbucks because I was tired and refused to go back. So the manager says just come back and we'll make you another one! I thought excuse me? So I can get double the fat and sugar again?

NO thanks.

[JenAlex 0]

I like Starbucks but don't go to often. Everytime I've been in the baristas have been friendly to everyone. Even when the line is backed out the door and you can tell they are under pressure. When they have made my coffee wrong they've always corrected it and have given me a voucher for a free coffee. Maybe it's just the one I frequent that is so nice.

[Nessa 23]

Interesting. I've decided i'll tip my tattoo artist 50.

Just a note Nessa.. when I had mine done i put down a 25$ fee which was refundable for the artwork proof. I was told I would get the refund when I got the tattoo back and presented a little deposit card.

I forgot about it and so when I settled with the artist - it somehow got factored into the tip (it was more my error than anything).. I forgot to take it off the amount of the tattoo and actually gave him an amazing tip!! Just wanted to give you the heads up to not forget about the deposit if you do have to put one down and factor that into the amount you give the artist..

I didn't have to put down a deposit. He makes 100/hour (not bad, eh?) So it was 2.5 hours first time and this Sat I'll finish, it'll probably be another 2 hours. So I already paid 250 (no tips, never occured to me that people tip their tattoo artist, we don't tip almost anyone in Brazil, tips are almost always included in the bill) and he told me to bring another 200, but I'll bring 250 to tip him.

[Sister Fracas 5]

Can you tell that I hate Starbucks and all that they stand for?

I've never understood the huge draw to the overpriced pretentious nonsense that is Starbucks. If I DID drink coffee I'd rather go to a independent neighborhood coffee shop that was cozy and charming where you'd want to sit and read a book or something hunkered over a nice cuppa.

[Emancipation 2]

Interesting. I've decided i'll tip my tattoo artist 50.

Just a note Nessa.. when I had mine done i put down a 25$ fee which was refundable for the artwork proof. I was told I would get the refund when I got the tattoo back and presented a little deposit card.

I forgot about it and so when I settled with the artist - it somehow got factored into the tip (it was more my error than anything).. I forgot to take it off the amount of the tattoo and actually gave him an amazing tip!! Just wanted to give you the heads up to not forget about the deposit if you do have to put one down and factor that into the amount you give the artist..

I didn't have to put down a deposit. He makes 100/hour (not bad, eh?) So it was 2.5 hours first time and this Sat I'll finish, it'll probably be another 2 hours. So I already paid 250 (no tips, never occured to me that people tip their tattoo artist, we don't tip almost anyone in Brazil, tips are almost always included in the bill) and he told me to bring another 200, but I'll bring 250 to tip him.

Pictures i wanna see pictures!! Sounds like it's a big piece!!! LOVE IT!