What is the appropriate amount to tip a friend/coworker when they wait on you?

Question

Should you tip more than 20% or more than $10? What's the appropriate amount? I have gone to eat several times where a coworker or friend has waited on me, and I was never sure if I left too much or too little. Keep in mind they make $3 an hour.

Everyone seems to think I am asking about tipping in general. I am not. I know what to tip, but I was curious as to how much extra I should tip a FRIEND.

Minimum wage is also more than $6 here (FL), but servers make less than half of that.

Answer 1

If a friend served me I would tipped at least 30% that's just me. I know my friends would hook me up w/ a drink or so...I worked in a restaurant myself and when I see my friends coming in I always hook them up w. something. I have a friend who come and have lunch at where I worked. He would always leave me 10% tip regardless. That just tells me how well he tip when he eat out. So..when he had a house warming I just got him some cheap present that cost me about $10. He should know why. Buttom line is if you cheap to people people will be cheap back to you.

Answer 2

you should definately tip a friend more than 20%...
it's hard to say how much exactly tho...
i'd say maybe double what you would normally tip...or add an extra $5 to your tip....
if 20% of the bill is $3 then i'd say either $6 or $8 would be generous
....of course you're not obligated to leave more than 20%, so anything over that is a nice gesture

Answer 3

I think you'd feel better if you tipped at least 20 to 25 percent. I'd also be looking for another job. My family is in the restaurant business and has been for over 20 years. When my friends come in they usually tip at least this much. Not that I expect it. But I appreciate it.

Answer 4

I am a server and when I have coworkers or friends wait on me I tip them 20% and they repay the favor whenever I wait on them. So if they return the favor. $3 an hour? What state is that? Min wage in MN is $6.15!

Answer 5

You are not responsible for anyone's level of income. What would you tip that person if you didn't know them. I have moved away from the percentage tip to a value based on the level of service. At dinner, a server comes to your table many times. At lunch, you are lucky to get two visits and your check before the lunch hour is over. Good luck!

Answer 6

I never tip the standard rate. I tip based on the person's performance of their job. Are they courteous, do they check on you during your meal and do they keep the drinks filled up. Whatever you are comfortable with leaving as a tip is the important factor not what some one thinks you should leave. I hope this has helped.Good Luck.

Answer 7

Tip them 5-10% of the bill, sans tax. Just like any other server.

Unless she's giving you stuff for free. Then add about half the dollar value of the free stuff onto the tip.

Answer 8

We servers and Bartenders take care of each other because we are in the same biz!!! I got to one of my favorite bars or restaurants and get great service from a friend.....20 bucks ... and when they are in my place i get the same and they get the same great service....its not like you are Giving anything but respect really because the money always comes back...so Its not the money its the respect!! And even if the money does not come back..The 20 bucks shows my thanx and respect!! I could talk for hours on this...lol

Answer 9

I don't give a hoot what they make. Tip 10 to 20% of the tab. Since it's a friend, round up!

Answer 10

20% is a good start, but never less than $5. I'm sure there's a long list of other factors to consider. Some might be:

How bad do they need it?
How bad do you need to hold on to your own cash?
What would you expect from them?
How good of a friend are they?

And so on and so forth.