I want your opinion on tipping!?

Question

How do you feel about tipping at restaurants for servers? Knowing that servers only make $2.13 an hour, and basically live off of the tips they get, what are your thoughts on gratuity automatically added to your check in a large party and tipping when your meal is over, in a normal sized party (under 6 people). Assuming your experience was a good one with the server, food quality/presentation, restaurant apperance...all of that.
How do you tip and what are your thoughts on tipping people who basically live off tips and have to have pretty good customer service to succeed?

I'm not a server, but I was for about 4 years and understand the tipping process. I was just wondering what the general people thought about it because I got in a little spat with some family of mine who think that if they (servers) want to get paid more, they need to get better jobs. I explained everything to them witht he 8% and the $2.13 hr, but they are hard headed and I guess with their head up their own a s s. I wanted to make sure I wasn't the only one who felt tipping is neccisary if you eat out.

Answer 1

I always tip. Usually I'll do 20 percent, more if it is exceptional service. I think anyone who can afford to eat out should just consider the tip as part of the cost. If you can't afford to tip, then you can't afford the dining out experience.

Answer 2

I'm a server and I always tip 20%, unless the service is not so good and even then I never leave anything less then 15%. I understand how difficult it is to be a waitress, and I give them the benefit of the doubt if something goes wrong. If they are apologetic, I forgive and forget.

I'm also pretty laid back at a restaurant, I treat the server with respect. Yes, they are there to serve me, but I do not abuse them. Your server should not be spending all or 1/2 of their time running back and forth for you. You are just one of their tables, they have other people to take care of.

As for trying to convince other people how hard and underpaid server are, you never will succeed. Some people just don't get it or choose not to understand. As for getting a better paying job, why don't you mention that everyone followed that advice there would be no servers in restaurants at all.

Answer 3

Tipping is a customary gesture to thank the server for good service, unfortunatly some have come to believe it is above the call of duty.The server is providing a service in making sure you get the best service you can. 15% is standard but if the services are great i dont mind going higher on the tip. Accordingly some servers think they should get a tip no matter, i will say as long as they provide the best service they can and have a pleasant attitude, then they earned thier tips. A good server can make a resuraunt a popular place

Answer 4

I'm a server at an outback steakhouse. First let me explain that in partys of 8 or more gratuity is add but it is not at the desgression of your server, it is a decision made by the corporatin and due to the laws of discrimination we must add the gratuity to all parties of 8 of more and are not at liberty to pick and chose who we grat. With that said, an average tip is 15% of your bill where as 20% is a tip if your server was relly good. It may sound like alot but we have, like most other resturaunt, a tip share we must give back to to the resturaunt at the end of the day. It's 3% of our sales that we must pay to Outback so for every $300 we sale we must turn in $9 of our tips. Meaning if you leave your server 10% he or she will only ever see 7% of it. Also as a rule of thumb between server. No server will ever leave another server less then $5. As it's seen as a sign that you really sucked if you get less then $5.
It may sound complicated, but that's my world.

Answer 5

I understand what servers make and tip at least 20% for a basic experience. Having waitressed myself, I tip really well if I can tell the server has put effort into our service.
I also understand when stuff goes wrong and it's the kitchen's fault or the room is understaffed for the evening.
If you want to make good tips remember this: Many folks go out to eat as a little vacation from daily life. Make them feel special, like you actually give a sh*t about them and make it fun; pamper them a little. You'll make much better tips that way!
Now...if some jerk walks up and looks really bored reading off specials and acts like they're just killing time until they go home and never bothers to check back in at least once with what seems like a sincere interest in whether the food's ok or not and I see them hanging around talking w/ their fellow waiters-
AAaaaackk. Bad move- no good tippy for them.

Answer 6

I think it SHOULD be automatically added to the bill. Or at least have a suggestion listed at the bottom with a 15% and a 20% figure.
The problem is: some people are crappy at math and can't figure out a customary tip percentage if their life depended on it. Some other people just don't give a crap or are completely oblivious to what it feels like to work for tips.

I think that the service industry should be treated like the military is in some countries. In some countries, you have to serve 2 years in the military to call yourself a citizen. I think everyone should have to serve 2 years in the service industry, working for tips, so that they understand what it's like.

My husband is working as a server at night. Our good friends that we sometimes go out with, hardly tip servers at restaurants, even though we explained to them that servers are financially responsible to pay taxes on 8% of their bill. We often have to wait for them to leave the table before we slip some more money to the server. It's so disrespectful to the server AND my husband.
Sorry, I just had to vent that too!

Answer 7

this is a touchy subject. You will always received the most deserved (whether good or bad ) from people who worked in the service industry. I have been a waitress & bartender for over 20 years and some people just don't get it! I personnally tip 20%. if service is good, it may be more but the exact % varies:occasion, how much $ I have on me etc. However if my service is terrible I will also adjust my tip accordingly. Remember, serve people as you would like to be served, like they are special! You never know why they are at your establishment, it may be an anniversary, birthday, engagement, or a night out, but as a server, your job is to make them feel special and pampered. I feel if you can do this, you will get a decent tip. Also I don't like to approach a table too often, like hounding someone, but make sure you are visable and available to their needs

Answer 8

I always base it on the service. Bad service (rudeness) = bad tip (10% or less) - Fair to good service 10 - 15%, but I am usually very generous with tipping because even though I have never been a waitress, I know it must be hard work, so I usually tip really good service 20 - 30%. I say, you take care of the people that take care of you.

Answer 9

My mom is a skinflint and only tips 10%, unless it was exceptional and then she tips 15%.

I ALWAYS tip 20%.

I HATE it when they automatically include the tip in the charge, because they usually add anywhere from 25% to 45% to the total, which is outrageous. I dont want to give a tip out for THAT much unless the service included being hand-fed.

Answer 10

The standard rule of tipping is AT LEAST 10%. I generally (and everyone else I know who has any manners) tip 15 to 20 percent. It is rude to tip any less..... unless the food, service, server, EVERYTHING was terrible.