2007-01-02 11:40:00 · 7 answers · asked by Nashy 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
This is a hotly debated question. The short answer is no.
Tips are a reward for good service. They're not a "gimme" if you will.
However, most servers in restaurants make $2.13/hour + their tips. If they're good, they're averaging at least $18/hr.
In restaurants, you generally want to leave a 15% tip for adequate service. More if it was outstanding service and of course less if the service was less than desirable.
As a general rule, if I'm leaving less than a 15% tip, it means I am NOT happy with the service I've received, and it also means that I've most likely spoken to the manager about the service.
2007-01-03 01:15:32 · answer #1 · answered by sylvia 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Servers in restaurants and bars do not make minimum wage. Their "salary" is their tips. I'm a hairdresser and also get tips. I also happen to be a good tipper when we go out to eat because I know how hard people work to get them. So, to answer your question, no. You are not obligated to give tips, but honestly, people who work for tips, work very hard. If you don't like the service, don't tip. If the service is great, why wouldn't you? I have a friend that just doesn't go anywhere where she has to tip because she doesn't like to do it. Rather than taking up valuable money making space at Applebee's preventing some hard-working server from getting his/her rent money, she just goes places that don't do tips. She gets to hold onto her money and the server at Applebee's has the opportunity to have a customer who's more appreciative.
2007-01-02 21:54:34 · answer #2 · answered by hairdvs 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tips are there to ensure good service. Some people say that they should just "do their jobs," but as a former server and bartender, I always gave preferrable treatment to those that tip well. Some people just suck to wait on and they are the ones that got there orders messed up, slow service, food spilled on them, etc. It was a sucky job and the only way that it was worthwhile were the tips. If I were paid $20 per hour to do it it might be worth it, but in order to do that, the restaurant would have to charge a lot more for the food and drinks. Besides, tips are a way of showing appreciation to the person that makes sure you are fed.
2007-01-02 21:04:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, yeah, yeah, technically, tips are supposed to be for good service. But, c'mon, we all know, especially for restaurant workers, that tips ARE the main part of their income. So -- yes, you should tip and tip decently. The only exception would be if the service from that person was willfully horrible. If you can't afford to pay the bill plus (at least) 15% for the tip, then you can't afford that restaurant. Ditto hair dressers and taxi drivers.
2007-01-06 13:40:38 · answer #4 · answered by TaDa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No but you should always tip for good service. It's a way to show your appreciation. Poor service on the other hand should be reported to the management!
2007-01-02 21:53:04 · answer #5 · answered by Inquisitive125 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tips need to be earned and the server needs to realize this. granted things can go wrong in the kitchen with food being late or overcooked, and that should not affect the tip. how they handle such a situation will go a long way towards determining a fair tip.
2007-01-03 09:51:59 · answer #6 · answered by Jim G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
only for good service.
2007-01-02 23:41:40 · answer #7 · answered by Stand-up Philosopher 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋