How much do you tip?

Question

Please be honest and if it's less than 15% please explain...I'm a waitress and I get so upset when I get 10% and I just wonder what goes through their mind, and it's not like I'm a bad waitress

Answer 1

People are dirt cheap, you bust your butt, and shorted.
I base mine on 20%, it can go up or down from there, based on the actual service, not the food.

Answer 2

20%.
Some people don't eat out much and don't know how much to tip. That's not an excuse, I realize. I tip on the actual food amount... not the tax added in. There have only been a couple of times when the waiter was so awful, I refused to tip. I also do not with hold a tip because the kitchen is slow or can't get the order right. I find that happens far more often than having a bad waiter or waitress.

Answer 3

I tip 20% but take off a percent for each mistake. If she forgets my water it will be 19% but if I never see the waitress after my food has arrived she gets 15% max. I hate having to flag down another waiter to ask for something my own server should have done.
I was a server for years and for some reason there are ppl who think $2-$5 is an appropriate tip no matter what. Do they realize that servers make a little more than $2 an hour and depend on tips!

Answer 4

If I have reasonable service I usually go between 15 and 20%. If the service is excellent, I never go below 20%. If the service is downright bad--one incompetent thing after another, I give an amount that makes a statement....like 5% or 10%. Somethings that start to bring the tip down: If I have my food and request a refill on a drink and it doesn't come until after my food is gone 2) when a waitperson forgets everything you ask them for 3) when a waitperson acts like they don't want to be there and is nasty until the end of the meal when they bring you the check 4) when a waitperson brings you your food and then disappears until it's time for the check. 5) Waitresses that are overly attentive to my husband and curt with me 6) Waitpeople that take forever to get to you to take your order and then make no apology.

Sometimes places are understaffed and that is never the fault of the waitstaff.....but at least make apologies if it takes a while to take care of someone. Keeping drinks filled and being nice covers a lot of ground and a friendly attitude disarms people.

I tip over and above if people are good at their jobs.
My husband and I like to go out. We care more about service than we do about the food. We have five kids so just having someone wait on us is part of the enjoyment of going out. If I want stress, I'll cook for 7 people at home.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Well Ally, as you should know, 15% has changed it recent years. Gratuity is now 18% and the word "tip" means "To Insure Promptness." So, if you're a waitress in a middle of the road restaurant like The Olive Garden or Claim Jumper for example, you should expect no less than 18%. That is if you're doing your job just as you're supposed to be doing. Now, if you're slacking off a little and neglecting your guests who deserve the quality of service that you promote, then perhaps when that guest signs the charge slip with "Here's a shiny nickel just for the turtle." well, don't act surprised. You should of been giving your guest 100% instead of gabbing on the phone at the side-station or nibbling on your free appetizer. Never abandon your guest. And if you really value that tip, go the extra mile and generate creative ways to make a lasting impression on the guest that will compel them to come back and ask for you again. Do this to every guest and you will make an extra $200-$300 a week. Trust me.

Answer 6

Some people are just cheap. We always tip twenty percent, even if the service is bad. Waiters and waitresses have such a hard job. There's no way I could remember all the requests they do. And being on their feet all day. And having to be upbeat and nice all the time... to the crankiest jerks. Even if my waitress is grouchy, I still give her the big tip. There's no telling what kind of horrible day she's had. I think the hourly rate is poor, too. I'd rather be remembered as the customer that left a nice tip than the one who was a jerk. The best way to get good service is to be nice.

Answer 7

I tip a minimum of 15% unless the service is so horrendous that I can't justify it. When that happens, I have usually gone to the manager over the problem. I do tip more when I get a really exceptional server. I have been known to tip 20-40% when it was awesome service. If the service was awesome and it was a holiday is when I have given the extra high percentage. I know some people at work that think 10% is acceptable. They are from other countries originally so maybe they don't tip where they are from? I think it is rude if they have given acceptable service. Some people are just cheap too.

Answer 8

If I get good service to where the waiter/waitress keeps me satisfied throughout my visit, I would tip 20-25%

If I get okay (unexceptioal) service to where the waiter/waitress was pleasant but not overly friendly I would tip around 15%.

If I get mediocre service to where the waiter/waitress was rude and they weren't there for me as often as they should, I would tip them 1-10%

Answer 9

I was a waitress for a long time sweetheart it's 15%. Now a person has the right to leave you 10% or nothing at all. IF gratuity is added to the bill they don't have to leave anything. Also it depends on the service.

Answer 10

Waitresses work very hard usually for very low wages. The working conditions are generally bad and in some establishments they can expect to be harrassed by customers. Considering the premium I am paying for food, I am not opposed to giving more than an average tip. I always give 20 percent and sometimes I give 25 percent.

Answer 11

-15% if the service was just OK - average
- 20% if the service was good and attentve
- 25% if the service was excellent and above average
*** I would only think on tipping less if the waiter is just rude and nasty there for service been way below par and usuall I just will get up and tlak to the waiter or manager ifr available and just say it and leve the place. This is cause I've been a waiter and manager and I'm not gonna take it from anyone.