I've been accused of tipping too much. But if the service is that good, then they have earned it as far as I am concerned. I know people who will leave 50 cents no matter how great the service was. How do you tip - big, small, or just right?
2007-02-17 07:03:09 · 16 answers · asked by willie 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Tip 20% off the bat. That is for the fact that the food and refills are brought to your table and is part of the meal. Factor in the fact that the server will be earning barely minimum wage of which he/she will only receive half from the owners of the restaraunt as the remainder is assumed to be paid as part of the meal. Whether you pay the 20% or not the server will have the full amount of the hourly wage factored into his/her wages and will pay taxes accordingly. Assuming that the server is earning a minimum of 6.00 per hour then the employer will only be paying the server 2-3 bucks per hour and taxing them for the six. If you do not leave the minimum for the "SERVICE" of bringing your meal to you then the server in effect is paying to serve you. If the service is especially good then you may tip above that standard. If not then you needn't pay anymore than the 20%. Too often people mistakenly believe that the tip is only for the quality of the service and forget that they aren't at a fast food restaurant and otherwise wouldn't receive their meal unless they go and get it themselves.
I have a son saving money for college books and works as a server. He is 17 and because he is young he sometimes will not receive a minimum tip. Thus he earned exactly $2.35 for the hour he served the table and payed taxes on the 6 bucks for that hour. Yet, there are those that can be very generous like yourself and he really appreciates it very much. Waiting tables isn't alot of fun and it definitely gives him incentive to finish his education.
Prior to our own son becoming a waiter after school; we always tipped 20% and factored that into the cost of our meal as some restaurants already do this. It is unfornate when an establishment doesn't. If an individual is unhappy with the service then they can simply speak with the manager and the server can be adjusted and the manager can discount the meal etc...
Not to leave a basic minimum tip only makes the customer look bad and guarantees even poorer service the next time they come in.
2007-02-17 07:22:05 · answer #1 · answered by GrnApl 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
The server pays 15% of sales in taxes so it should not be below 15% unless they were horrid. 25% is considered a good tip. If you really want to get the message across that they were great, don't leave the tip on the table, find them and thank them for the great service verbally while shaking their hand with the tip being passed in the handshake. As a former server, this is a compliment beyond compare! You can tip as much as you want to!
2007-02-17 07:55:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Deirdre, you are on the right track because you want to be a great server. When you really enjoy and take pride in what you do, it shows. Follow the good advice of freakgir, and you can't go wrong.
2016-05-23 23:16:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The international rule for tipping is around 10% to 15% of the total, but if you believe that the service was extraordinary good you can tip what you consider right, maybe like 25% at most.
2007-02-17 07:35:28 · answer #4 · answered by sigtris 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Since I worked in the restaurant industry I know what its like to be left with a crappy tip. I usually tip 20% for good-great service. Ok service gets 15%. I know 15% is standard but most people live off of their tips not their daily wage.
2007-02-17 07:21:30 · answer #5 · answered by miss m 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It really depends on the service.....Great service gets about 30%...good service 20%...ok service about 15%...mediocre and bad get about 10% or less depending on my mood. sometimes with bad service I will not leave a tip..but that is rare as I know that they use tips to compensate their salary.
2007-02-17 07:09:40 · answer #6 · answered by kerfitz 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What is expected in the cities now is 20% for regular service. About 30 to 35% would be for excellent service. 50% or more means you want a date with the server so leave your phone number or email address (LOL).
2007-02-17 07:09:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I leave 15% usually and 20% for outstanding service.
2007-02-17 07:26:54 · answer #8 · answered by notyou311 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
10-15% is normal for good service and that's what they get. 20% is if the service was out-of-this world exceptional, 5-10% if it was lacking and 0 if there was anything really bad.
Most people who tip excessively are just trying to show off anyway.
2007-02-17 09:59:21 · answer #9 · answered by ZenPenguin 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Well It depends on how many people are in my party. However I like to leave a big tip too. Nothing wrong with that.
2007-02-17 07:07:35 · answer #10 · answered by ...J 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋