We always tip (15% - 20%) when we go out to dinner, get haircuts, have someone deliver food to us, etc. However, we are trying to lower our expenses. We are rethinking giving tips just for people to do their jobs, especially in the case when they aren't doing anything special (or in some cases, aren't even pleasant or courteous) to earn the tip?
2006-09-28 00:50:52 · 34 answers · asked by kewtber 3 in Dining Out ➔ Other - Dining Out
You tip when you feel good about the services provided. It is not at all necessary to tip. But as a social taboo, you are swayed away. It is your own pocket and decision is all yours.
2006-09-28 00:54:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to eat out. Go to McDonald's or make your own d@mn dinner. I'm a former waitress, and this really gets me. Server minimum wage is $2.83/hr. Everything else is tips. Base tip is 15-20% of your bill, pre-coupons. Don't use coupons or other discounts as an excuse to tip $2 on a $75 meal (this happened to me). Give more if you think the server did a great job. Give less ONLY if the service was appalling and it was the server's fault. Don't take it out on the server if there was a screaming baby the next table over, or if the chef overcooked your steak. It is not their fault. If you're at a bar, either tip 15-20% of the tab, or a dollar per drink. If you're at a buffet, tip a couple of bucks (the server is still filling your drinks, taking away plates, and dealing with your check). Don't tip under a dollar; it's tacky. Fifty extra cents is not going to kill you. Never worry if you're tipping too much; you can't be overgenerous here.
If you want to keep ordering delivery from the same restaurant, tip. They will remember the cheap people who never tip them; you did like your food warm and not messed with, right? Anyone it is customary to tip that you want to keep coming back to, tip. Some say that "tips" is an acronym that means "to insure prompt service". If you don't tip people you'll never see again, you're a jerk, but at least you don't have to worry about them taking it out on you later.
2006-09-28 05:02:12 · answer #2 · answered by random6x7 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you go to dinner if you get good to very good service it is necessary to tip. 15 to 20% is a tip that is acceptable for good service and a nice server. Most servers make between 2.13 and 3.15 and hour, they live off of their tips. If you get bad service then you can choose what kind of tip to give. I suggest 10% for average service with a server who does nothing special and is not very friendly to nothing for someone who is awful and not nice. You should let the server know why you are not tipping so they don't think you are just cheap.
For a haircut you should tip only if you like the cut. If they do a bad job then let them know that you are not happy and tell them they will not receive a tip.
When someone delivers food 2 to 3 dollars is acceptable unless they are delivering a large amount, then add more. Delivery drivers usually make above minimum wage (as far as I know) but they are responsible for the expenses of their cars including gas and maintenance.
2006-09-28 00:57:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should lower the tip on bad service or better yet, complain. In Pittsburgh, even the best restaraunts pay very low wages. Tips are their main source of income. This is a screwed up system but that's how it's done.
As for other services, some make a good living on comission, but others do not. When in doubt, I always offer a tip as a courtesy. That's because I work in an industry that can be somewhat inconsistent and tips are always appreciated. Some will tip because the love the we did their pet's groom and that feels pretty good!
2006-09-28 01:09:14 · answer #4 · answered by groomingdiva_pgh 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Servers in restaurants are NOT paid minimum wage - they are paid in the range of 2.15 per hour. If their tips + the 2.15 an hour do not add up to minimum wage for the hours worked, the employer makes up the difference. In addition, servers must also "tip out" the people they work with ... bartenders, bus boys and kitchen staff. So don't plan on eating a meal in a "sit down" restaurant if you don't plan to tip. Instead, follow the advice of others ... prepare your own food.
Bad service? Instead of not tipping your server, create a solution to the problem by speaking to front of the house manager or head server. It's important to most restaurants (those that survive, anyway!) that their servers are competent, friendly and professional and managers want to know when someone isn't doing a good job as the restaurant's guest liason person.
2006-09-28 05:11:21 · answer #5 · answered by Abita's Mom 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST TIP! If you thinking about your expenses, you should just always think about including the amount of the tip when figuring out how much to pay people. Seriously, waiting is the WORST job on Earth, and they don't get paid anything besides tips really... like maybe $2-3 an hour, and then they rely on tips as their main salary. If you are not going to tip, you should go to fast food where no one waits on you. In our society tips are not just for exceptional service, they are common-place and are expected for any kind of service, unless the server is outright rude. Just doing the job satisfactorily should earn a tip.
2006-09-28 05:00:13 · answer #6 · answered by Stephanie S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people in the service industry--especially waiters and waitresses get paid less (often less than minimum wage) because it is expected that a percentage of their earned income will come from tips. Yes, I think tipping is necessary, unless you had rude or very poor service. You wouldn't want to seem not nice to the people serving you at the restaurant--or come off as cheap to whoever came with you to dinner. Now if its a buffet on the other hand? I have a hard time tipping when I've served myself everything from drinks to dessert...
2006-09-28 00:57:48 · answer #7 · answered by brd1000 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people earn their tip. Some don't.
If they don't, give 5%. They'll be happy to just get anything and you won't look like a cheapo.
If they earn their tip, give 18%, and no more.
If they really really prove to be exceptional, give 25%. I assure you, many aren't exceptional. So the 18% rule will pretty much occur 60% of the time.
So use these numbers to create a little system for yourself.
Either way, eating out isn't very good when it comes to lower expenses.
So maybe you should stay at home and cook yourself altogether.
2006-09-28 00:54:39 · answer #8 · answered by Mario E 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on whether or not the person is listed as a "tipped" employee. Many people who receive tips, only make 2 or 3 dollars an hour, so they depend on tips to make a good salary. In that instance, it WOULD be rude NOT to tip. In today's economy, 10% is no longer acceptable. When I go out to eat for example, my server's tip automatically starts out at 20%. Depending on the quality of service, that percentage goes up or down.
2006-09-28 01:37:50 · answer #9 · answered by rebecca_sld 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think by cutting expenses eating out at a restaurant or having delivery is what you should cut out on. Not tipping someone at a restaurant is not right but tipping people for haircuts and delivery I never do anyway. But I would definetely suggest cutting back on dinning out, shopping etc. And if the person is rude then I tip poorly or not at all.
2006-09-28 00:54:26 · answer #10 · answered by Capricorn82 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People have to definitely earn their tip. Bad service should equal no tip. But don't get cheap with the good ones. You can save tons of money by making meals at home and skipping the take-out and restaurants!
2006-09-28 00:59:38 · answer #11 · answered by Gone fishin' 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋