What is the average tip, you give to a waitress/waiter in America.?

Answer 1

I make a habit of 20% for satisfactory service. Great service i'll do 25%, excellent/outstanding can be more. Mediocre service is 15%. Rude service, i have no qualms about leaving them nothing. I've worked in restaurants as a cook for a few years now, i see how the servers struggle to make ends meet. A lot of times the problems that occur aren't their fault. I tip based on how attentive(too much attention can be bad though), how polite, etc etc. I once was at a casual table service pizzeria where the service was horrible. My buddy who i was with asked if he could make change for a twenty, to which the waitress replied "you should give your change to me!". When we settled up the bill we made sure to count out to the cent the exact price of the bill, leaving her nothing. Other things factored into this. but the majority of the time i feel 20% is appropriate. 10% as a norm is abhorrent, those people have never worked in food service obviously.

Answer 2

I cannot believe how many people think 10% is an acceptable tip!! I have been serving for 8+ years and if someone tips me 10% I assume I've done something to offend them. Most servers make between 2 and 3 dollars an hour as a wage. I find 18-20% to be acceptable in most situations. If you have a large group or are dining with particularly demanding people, I suggest 20% plus a couple of dollars. You can also ensure you get good service by making eye contact and smiling at your server. Make sure you are clear about your order without being rude. Place empty glasses near the edge where the server can see them when you want a refill. I suggest learning the server's name as this makes it easier to get their attention. Also, servers naturally gravitate towards nice, open people. Give kindness and you shall receive.

Answer 3

Depending on their service I tip 25-30 percent ONLY if I loved the waiter/waitress and usually if my bill was really small, like $10 or under. I don't feel right tipping $1.40 for their work when my bill is like $9 so I usually just give them like two to three dollars. If it's a large bill I'll tip them about 20 percent, but if their service was bad/slow I'll give them maybe 10-15.

Answer 4

It is supposed to be 15 percent, but I am a very genourous tipper, and usually leave a huge tip, if I think the waiter/waitress was especially good..if they were horrible, I still leave the 15 percent, just because I want to do the right thing...very rarely have I never tipped..

Answer 5

10%?!?!? This isn't 1985. The standard is 18%. I tip 20% myself if the service was good. Less if it was poor. Always take into consideration some problems with the meal are NOT your server's fault. Some are the chef's fault. The chef does NOT get penalized by your low tip. Only the poor individual busting their butt to make sure you have a good dining experience. Tip accordingly.

Answer 6

Depends on level of service. No less than 15%, they are, after all working for a wage that is less than minimum. If the service is as it should be up to 20%. If they go out of their way to make the experience great then 20% plus.

Answer 7

having recently returned from florida, i know its customary that you leave 15% of whatever your bill is for a tip. The wages are so poor there that the staff rely on the tips to make up the shortfall. And they do give a great service

Answer 8

Think its 12%. Reason I say this is that when my folks were in New York they said that they couldn't work out how much they were meant 2 leave (in otherwords, it was an unusual number) so took a guess.....and guessed wrong!!!! The waitress chased after them saying that they hadn't given enough of a tip.

True story!

Answer 9

Why is there this "tip" culture in America? Why do employers not simply just pay their staff adequately and - if necessary - increase the prices?

Or is it simply so that the server does not tell the IRS of the full extent of the tips?

Answer 10

15% - But don't hold out if they are really good!!! I always think of it like this: Here is a TOTAL stranger serving YOU. Why should they have to serve you (other than the fact that this is their job), otherwise they wouldn't want to wait on a stranger hand & foot. Would your Mom cater to you @ home?? I think not.