how you determine a waiter deserves 15 or 20% tip?

Question

you are the customer. you have finished your meal, now the waiter brings the check. how do you determine he deserves a 15 or 20% tip?
i just started a waiter job in a high class hotel and want to make
15 or 20% tip due to the minimum pay all waiter makes. i would appreciate some helpful tips from the customer POV. thanks.

Answer 1

Ok. I go out to eat all the time. I tip a min. 15% Better service gets better tips. Make people feel welcome. I can cook at home, but I choose to go out to eat because of the relaxing atmosphere and because I want to be served. So make it relaxing for the customer!

1. Be friendly but not fake!

2. Smile

3. Write down the order to make sure it's right and repeat it back to the person. This might make you look new, but I feel better knowing the person got my order correctly. I hate when I order a salad with no bacon, no tomatoes, no cucumbers, extra croutons and extra blue cheese and they don't write it down! I get a salad with everything on it and probably extra of something I said I didn't want! It's easier to write it down than to have to send it back because its wrong.

4. Keep the glasses full! When the glass gets half empty, you should ask if they would like a refill. Make sure you bring straws with the glasses if you guys use straws.

5. Bring out extra napkins.

6.Bring out condiments either before the food or shortly thereafter. If someone orders a steak and asks for steak sauce, you should bring the steak sauce out either before the steak is ready so they can start eating as soon as the food gets there or as soon as you set the plates down. I hate having to wait 5 or
10 minutes for condiments or napkins or silverware while my food is getting cold. Also if they order extra lemons, go ahead and bring out a small bowl or saucer of lemons.

7. Dress neat and professional and make sure you don't reach over their food. If you are trying to get empty plates off of the table ask if they are done before you take the plate and pick it up in a manner that you are not reaching over their food. I hate when people take my plate and don't ask if I am done! Don't hold their glasses by the mouth (some people drink from the glass instead of using straws). If you are bringing out a lot of food, make sure you dont hold it up by the nape of your neck and your hair falls in it! GROSS! I've seen this in a lot of restaurants. The servers have their hair pulled back in a ponytail at the nape of their neck and they carry the food right there and balance it on their shoulder. Stray hairs fall in people's food and that is so nasty!

8. Check frequently enough to see if they need anything but don't just hoover over them. Give them space.

9. NEVER ASSUME. Don't think because of a person's gender, age, ethnicity, etc. that they will not leave a nice tip. At my fav. bar they treat everyone really nice and they treat everyone equal. We often tip more than 50% of our bill. At a bar across the street a white bartender and I had a conversation about their drinks not being as strong as at my fav. bar. He said they make strong drinks for the good tippers and that because Black people didn't tip, he didn't make strong drinks for them. BIG MISTAKE. I never ordered alcoholic drinks from that place again and I hardly ever went back after that. Tipping is based on service not your color!

10. Don't curse at the table, the people you are serving might find it offensive (this has happened to me before).

11. If the kitchen messes up the order and your table gets upset. Don't say, well you can just pick this off or can't you just...etc. NO we can not. Apologize (even if its not your fault) and get it handled. Offer to get a manager if need be. People who are allergic to certain foods can't just pick things off of their food because the kitchen put them on after they specifically ordered no nuts or no bacon etc.

This sounds like a lot but trust me, you'll thank me once the tips start rolling in!

Answer 2

I start the meal at 15%. The better the service, the closer it gets to 25%. If it's bad, it drops toward a gawd-awful 5%. Here are 10 ways to earn a good tip. 10. Have a good attitude. No need for bubbly happiness, but pretend like you're in a good mood. 9. Be nice to the kids. Yes, many are brats, but if you make an effort, the parents usually take notice. 8. Don't disappear for several minutes at a time. I may want to add to my order, or need a condiment. My kid may need a spoon instead of a fork. If I can't see you, I can't get your attention. 7. If the table has young kids (6-under), ask if they would like the kids meals brought out first. Usually the microwaved Kraft Mac&Cheese is finished way before my steak. 6. Anticipate condiment needs. If I order a burger and fries, bring out ketchup and mustard ahead of time, or be prepared to grab it quickly so food doesn't get cold while I wait. 5. Bring a few extra napkins. 4. Keep the drinks filled. It's easy to see when the liquid level is getting low. 3. Get the order right. This goes to basic competence. 2. Sense when an order is taking too long. Most people realize the server doesn't control the kitchen. However, it is extremely frustrating when the server ignores the problem. A simply assurance that you're aware of the issue and checking on it goes a long way. 1. Space out the appetizer and meal. I just paid $8 for nachos, but before I've eaten the third chip, my meal shows up. Not only is this a waste of my $8, but it is rude and shows you are more interested in shoving me out the door than if I have a nice meal. A sure tip killer.

Answer 3

I think that you have got some great answers already, but I would like to add something to these. To maximize your tips, you need to master one thing: "Anticipate your guest's needs!"

I could list hundreds of things that you could do to get the best tip, but if you can deliver what your guests want before they ask, you will get the best tip. Here are just a few examples:

1. If your guests are eating something messy, bring extra napkins, or wet naps, or (in finer dining) linens.

2. If a guest's glass is nearing empty, bring a refill or at least offer to refill it. If your guest is drinking an alcoholic drink or a beverage that doesn't get free refills, offer to bring another when it gets low.

3. If a certain food item might require a sauce or condiment, offer it when you serve it. An easy example is to offer ketchup when serving fries...but have it with you!

In addition, here's a helpful hint about being personable. Some guests will engage you in conversation; I suggest engaging them in friendly conversation back. Others will care only about what you do for them; I believe in respecting their wishes and delivering more "silent service." Be friendly but not long-winded, and be as prompt as possible.

I know I don't represent a customer, but I think I sum up their point of view well. Good luck and make lots of money!

Answer 4

If he serves the food, drinks, etc. Keeps up with needs. 20% If he does more and is nice and pleasant, add to that. If the job is not done like not bringing refills on drinks or not clearing dishes. Mistakes that were obviouly his mistake-Then I may give 15% or less. I always am sure to not penalize the waiter if I know it is the kitchen's fault and truely not his.

Answer 5

If the server has been competent and friendly, I always leave at least 15%. If they have done something extra, or paid extra attention to my table, I leave 20%.

Here's what I like as a customer:

Being greeted and given menus immediately.
Asked for a drink order, with drinks coming quickly.
A reasonable amount of time given to decide on order; server paying attention to when I'm ready--if my menu is closed.
After being served, after a minute or two they check back to see if everything is OK (this is a big one for me).
Quick clearing of a finished meal.
Quick delivery of the check.
The server being accessible, i.e. they periodically look at the table to see if I need anything.

Answer 6

I love waiters who seem like they're happy to be working. They smile and are polite and friendly. I hate when a waiter keeps comming over to the table "how are things?" "you okay" "everything ok here?" over and over and over. that really drives me crazy. I also love when a waiter /waitress is quick with the bill when we're finished eating. I feel really rude to have to call them over and ask for it I'm too shy to do it so that makes my life easier.
Try not to hover, but keep an eye on the table, most people show signs they need assistance, they'll be looking around or sitting back from their food.
The only time I reduce my tip is when I see the waiter/waitress off chatting to the other staff or doing their nails when I need assistance. Everybody should be expected to be working while at work.

Answer 7

Be friendly, courteous, and competent.

Don't forget orders, be at the table as often as you can to refresh drinks and make sure things are going ok, but don't hover around and annoy the people while they are eating.

Smile, be friendly, small talk (but only as much as is necessary to get the people to like you), and make the table feel included.

Answer 8

hi there i used to be a waitress in a real high class hotel before i had my children. The best way to make tips is to have good eye contact , smile, make converstion as you seat them, explain the menu briefly to them, and offer to get drinks while they look through it. Tell them your name and let them know if they need you all they need to do is shout you over. If they have children with them concentrate on them talk to them , serve them there drinks and meal first as they become impatient

Answer 9

first you greet them with a happy smile . ask them if they would like something to drink, while they look at the menu. when you come back just ask them if they are ready to give their order. . don't over bear them with your presents. but make sure everything is fine, if they had soup or salad, make sure its clear before the dinner comes. they tip on how their service is, if they she you in a corner just talking and not doing nothing, some people do get mad, if they have emply plates in front of them. good luck, I waitress most of my life. good luck.

Answer 10

Was the food on time? Was the order correct? Did my drink get refilled? Did the server ask me if everything was ok? Was the server TOO PUSHY? Is it close to a holiday? Was the restaurant full or empty?

The answer to these questions help me determine the tip.

Answer 11

In truth, sometimes regretably, all tips are up to the decision of the customer, including whether to tip AT ALL. I was brought up with the manners and breeding that tipping is good manners, and sad to say, there are many, (Probably the majority) who have forgotten, or are just to cheap to tip, whether they received good service or bad.
On the other hand, there are restaraunts that have the unmitigated GALL to actually include a MANDATORY tip, whether the employee gets the whole amount or not. I believe this is JUST as wrong as skin-flints who refuse to tip, and I will NOT eat in such places, no matter HOW good the food is.
Basically, to receive the maximum tip, put forth the maximum effort, with a smile at all times, no matter how hard it is at times.