What REALLY determines how well you tip?

Answer 1

First and foremost the wait persons customer service skills.

I don't want to have to look for my waiter every time I need something.
I don't want them to bring me food that shows that they payed absolutely no attention to what I ordered.
I don't want them to throw things down on a table in front of me.
I want them to be pleasant and engaging.
I want them to bring me what I ask for the first time.

What gets them the best tip is did they treat me in a way that made me feel welcome?

Answer 2

Service is the basis of a tip. Most people know about the "standard 15%", but this can actually vary quite a bit. Did the server greet you quickly? Did he get your drinks promptly? Did he know the answers to any questions you had about the menu? If there was a problem during the meal, did the server get it fixed for you? Since servers don't make the food, set the prices, or run the wait for seating - the tip is not the place to address problems with those things - ask to see a manager. Also, if you had any special requests during the meal (you order like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally or it was someone's birthday and the server had it recognized) then by all means, tip generously.

Answer 3

I have been serving for 5 years now. I know what I am doing. When I go out to eat I except certain things. First I when they come to my table they need to introduce themselves. That way if i need anything I know who I need to ask for. Second they should have excellent menu knowledge. You can't sell something if you don't know what you are selling. Offer appitizers and tell me what your favorite food is. I also have kids. When they talk to you, you need to respond, not look at them like a total idiot. If you keep my drinks filled then that is a plus. I really don't take off of their tip if the food is bad. They didn't cook it. They only thing I ask is if you know I didn't like it then offer me something else, and take the plate away from me. I don't want to look at it. Keep in mind that servers only make $2.13 a hour, so basicly tips is what they go home with and it's the money they live off of. I normally tip whatever the tax was times two. But if you thought they were extremly good then leave them more. It makes them feel better and makes them want to give even better service. I have had days were no matter what I did, people would leave me a crappy tip and all that did was put me in a crappy mood!

Answer 4

Do you want to know how I personally tip, or some kind of etiquette/rule? And who do you want to know about? Delivery people, waiter/tress, cab drivers?
If you want to know how I personally tip (wait staff, I mean), I decide how well the person waited on me, and either go up or down from 15% of the bill AFTER taxes. If they were crappy, it'll prolly be closer to 10%. If they were good 20-25%. Of course, I don't get my calculator out and figure exactly. I just make an approximation. I also do not tip based on how the food tasted, looked, etc. If they try to make amends, I will tip them normally. If they are rude to me, that is a reason to lower the tip.
Actually, for the last few months, I will tip much closer to 20% than 15, if they do a good job.

Answer 5

I tip on the quality of service I received. Even if the food is not good, it's not the servers fault..If the ambience is not nice, I'm probably not going to eat there anyway(ditto on a repeat visit to place where the food is not good)
The server can really make or break your dining experience.
A good server can make up for a lot that's wrong with a meal, and a bad server can ruin a good one.
It is really awful that they only get paid like $ or 3$ an hour, which makes them dependent on tips tp make a living.

Answer 6

my mother and I go out and eat a lot and I love to tip well if the service is good. Good service is not throwing my utensils or food down like what happened to us the other day. I don't like being hovered over either so I need some space but not enough so that for the past 10 minutes I have to suck on my ice cubes because I haven't had no sweet tea in my cup for 10 minutes straight. If you are cordial and you give good service, no attitude then I usually give good tips. Most times I actually give more then the bill actually is..

Answer 7

It is all based on the server and his/her level of service.

Tipping is based on the BEFORE TAX total, not the after tax. Why would anyone tip on a tax?

The standard is 15% for good service. Scale it up to 20% for very good service, and even 25 for excellent service. Poor service rates 10% and below.

Some people in the "service industry" come on this site to try and bully people into tipping more. Usually you hear the "do you know how little we're paid?" excuse. NO ONE OWES a server a dime because they are a server. Tipping is based on performance. Serve me tasty food in a reasonable amount of time and I'll tip well.

You know what really galls me? Tip jars for everyday tasks. Go into Baskin Robbins and there's a tip jar. Go into Starbucks for an overpriced coffee and the "barista" (what a silly title) has a tip jar out. Sorry kiddies, you aren't working for tips, you're working for a wage. Big difference.

Did I get tips when I dug ditches back in high school? No. Did I get tips when I was a cashier in a drug store? No. Did I get tips when I spun out pizzas in college? No. Servers are paid a sub-minimum wage and expected to work for tips. Ice cream scoopers, the guy who changes your tires, and the guy pouring making the coffee do not get tipped.

Answer 8

An attentive server. It's all about the service. The food could suck, but then I know not to order that again. But I want the server to be checking back, keeping my glass filled before I have to ask, clearing plates, being amiable and a bit chatty. I've waitressed for many years, and that's usually the key to good tips. So therefore that's what I expect.

Answer 9

Usually the people start out at 20% in my mind.
If I wait for drinks constantly, or it's fairly empty and the drinks take a long time, I knock the tip back.
If it REALLY sucks, 10%, usually never less.
I've never stiffed anyone. I know that tips are almost required to get a decent wage, but I can only tolerate so much.

Answer 10

I am a bad tipper, I tip if I get my drink refilled on time and my food on time and if my empty plates are removed fast enough. And if I am checked on atleast 2 times during my meal. If the server is friendly , but not too friendly. If my food is like I ordered it but the problem is the way it was cooked, that is not the servers fault and I tell the manager, while telling then about the bad food, I make sure they know the server was good, if they are.

Answer 11

I have No problem tipping well even if the food is not so good. All I ask is a friendly attentive but not in your face server. I want drinks replaced BEFORE the other is empty and I want the food the way I ordered it. I used to wait tables and all it takes to be a good server and get good tips is to have common sense and PAY ATTENTION.