What is your philosophy on tipping waiters?- Page 2

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 10:39am

Ivan, I am sure it is easier for you to just leave a flat fee ($5 or $10) than it is for your little mind to figure out a percentage, but if the most you leave in ANY restaurant is $10 I hope that the nicest place you eat is I-HOP. Of course, that is assuming you ever pay.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 10:44am

madbrian, I know what you're saying and I'm the first to admit that my thoughts are this are seen through the prism of my years as a waiter. Yes, no waiter should EXPECT anything, but the fact remains that the way this system works is no surprise to anyone, and I've seen plenty of people go out to eat, spend a buttload of money, get decent service and leave a really crappy tip. I see nice people go out to eat, drink and eat a ton, and then - with some degree of chagrin - say they can't afford to leave a tip appropriate to what they spend.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 10:52am

If you cant afford to leave 20%, then dont go out to eat.

I start at 20% and round up for good to very good service.

I start deleting for neglectful service and bad attitudes...if I have a problem with another staff member, or the food, or anything other than the service, I tell the manager...but I dont take it out on the wait staff. I often give more to a new waiter who is trying, even if the actual service may suffer...it's tough being the newbie in a restaurant.

I also make sure the table leaves a good tip

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 11:08am

In my book, a waiter can actually make or break a dining experience. If they are truly exceptional, I've been known to leave 30%, but definitely start at 20%. Like Doodle, I start deducting for bad service, bad attitude, etc.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 12:40pm

"But you don't tip people at McDonald's! The next time we go to Wendy's, you better tip them."

[madbrian]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 12:45pm

"I've seen plenty of people go out to eat, spend a buttload of money, get decent service and leave a really crappy tip."

I've never done that, and in fact, when my kids were younger I used to tip a lot because kids require additional attention, but their meals don't usually add that much to the bill.

[me2]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 12:55pm

I don't go out to eat unless I can afford a good tip.

If I server is good, I usually give at least 20%. An extra dollar means little to me, but it adds up quickly for a waiter.

If the server is bad, I'll do 10%. I've done less for really horrible service.
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[Elphaba]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 1:04pm

I tip based on service. It's that simple. If I get good service, I tip 20%, if not-it's less. If the service is truly horrible, or the server rude, etc, nothing.

Since I do not tip the counter person at Walgreen's, my dry cleaners, or the staff at my Vet office, I would never tip a McDonald's employee.

Tips, are earned in my opinion.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 1:07pm

Never leave a tip that cannot be folded in half.

[tazber]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 1:09pm

so true sueleen. Leaving change is just spiteful. Leave nothing rather than coins.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 1:09pm

so...dont leave my jar of pennies?

[lildogs]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 1:11pm

I usually go for the 20%, add more if it's great service, take off if it's not or if I had a small meal--like luncheon.

I have had GREAT service and we left a huge tip..and I've overtipped hunky pizza guys.

I always tip delivery guys and sometimes tip take out--maybe a dollar or so--if they remember you, they'll take care of you first and fast next time--and who can say no to that?

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 1:12pm

Actually, I prefer tipping cows.

[Calvin]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 1:13pm

Fantastic service: 25 percent
Above average service: 20 percent
Below average service: 15 percent
Abysmal service when there appears to be no mitigating factors: 10 percent
Sitting at a diner for a long time, just drinking coffee and taking up space: 150 percent
Waiter calls me a faggot: 0 percent and a note to management
Updated On: 2/12/08 at 01:13 PM

[peach]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 1:16pm

I waited tables for years, so I tend to be generous if the effort is there. I also strongly believe there is no excuse for a waiter to treat a table poorly. This is a customer service job, and customer service is part of the package.

I generally START at 20% and go up or down from there. Good service gets 20%. Extra effort or a truly exceptional experience gets more than 20%, up to 30%. Less than good service - I start deducting from the 20%. I rarely go below 15% unless the waiter really offends me in some way. But if he apologizes and makes up for it, I will start adding back on.

For example, I had a 10:30 p.m. reservation at a fine dining establishment that I frequent often. I brought out of town guests with me to this partciular event. The moment we sat down, our waiter (new guy whom I had never seen before) informed us with a sigh and a snotty tone that the restaurant was actually closed and that he would "take care of us," (as if he was doing us a favor) but he had to get our orders in "right away." The restaurant advertises that the kitchen is open until midnight, so this fool was way off. I explained that I had a reservation, and fully expected the restaurant to be open and that I would like to speak to the manager. The waiter apologized and I got dessert on the house. So he got 15%, but not more, for embarassing me, a frequent patron, in front of my guests. I will not reward poor or patronizing service (the waiter has a job to do), but I do not stiff.

Important to keep in mind...in many places, including where I live, WAITERS DO NOT MAKE MINIMUM WAGE. It is a common misconception that they do. Waiters make about $2.00 and change per hour. Factor in taxes, and most of the time, the "paycheck" he or she receives each week reads anywhere from $0 to $10.00. I hope people understand that tips are how waitstaff make a living. Like I said, they also need to hold up their end of the bargain with good customer service. But tips are customary in the United States, and are expected.

ETA: For take out, it depends. I'll throw a dollar or two in the jar at Starbucks if I have a large order. I always tip the pizza delivery guy a few bucks (more if it's snowing).

Updated On: 2/12/08 at 01:16 PM

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 1:24pm

%20 - Good Service
%15 - Adequate Service
%10 - Indifferent Service
Zero - Terrible Service

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 1:33pm

And keep in mind that the servers often have to tip out the bar, runners and bussers BASED ON THEIR SALES. So if you leave a small tip or no tip they end up PAYING to wait on YOU.

[cubanpab]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 1:43pm

i always leave 20% unless the service was extremely bad. then i'll leave 15%. i feel bad not tipping. they make like $3 an hour.

[Calvin]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 1:46pm

I've never understood why restaurants are allowed to operate like that.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 2:38pm

I only tip 'em if they're cute.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 2:40pm

Waiting on YOU, DP, would be tip enough for any servant.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 2:43pm

My philosophy on tipping is "There but for the grace of the goddess go I."

[justagirl2]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 2:48pm

I'm a pushover, and start at 20%, regardless of service quality. I know, I know...but I can't imagine how terrible being a waiter can be sometimes.

[Calvin]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 2:52pm

The thing is: The most obnoxious people you have to deal with usually are going to be the ones who tip you the least. So the most difficult work yields the worst rewards.

[worrell4077]

Posted: 2/12/08 at 3:03pm

Every time my family goes out to eat, the waiter starts at 20%. If the waiter does anything rude or anything like that, the percent starts to drop.