How much should you tip your server?

Question

So being that it is the Holiday season, I notice, as a server, that tips tend to decrease. I realize that money is tight and that you need to buy presents for your family and friends. Why are you going out to dinner if you can't afford to tip your server? The thing is, guests don't realize is that the money tipped is not the money that your server keeps. Servers have to tip out bussers, bartenders, and in some instances food expeditors and hostesses. Regardless of the tip that is left, servers are taxed on the full amount of sales. What that means to someone not working in the food industry is that you can work a 40 hour week and still get a paycheck every two weeks of $150- $200 (in CA, where the cost of living is astronomical). For parties of seven or more the gratuity placed is generally placed at 18% of the bill. Tips are the base of our income. Can you please keep that in mind for our familes during the holidays?

I've been reading the answers and there are a few things that I would like to add:

1.) I work my butt off and truly care that my guests get excellent service, no matter what. It doesn't matter if they are of a certain race or don't speak the native tongue period. That's the thing that is killing me, if I was a lousy server I could understandy lousy tips. I'm one of those people who get extremely irritated by servers that aren't giving the service that is expected, let alone don't go over the top. I had two different tables last night that the kitchen went very wrong with the food orders, but they walked out of the restaurant wanting to come again because of my service. So I know that it is not me as a server.

2.) For those of you that are saying choose another profession, I understand entirely where you are coming from. Unfortunately this is my college job. I'll be graduating in May and can't wait to say "take this job and shove it" and move on into the professional world.

Answer 1

I always tip really well. Im the type of person who always wants to portray himself as a respectable nice person. Even if I have a bad waitress I still tip decently. I have friends who just dont have any common sense when it comes to tipping and it urks me badly. I know a lot of waitress' and to be honest. No matter where you work there will always be ignorant people and there isn't much you can do about it. Your gonna get answers from those types of people on here saying to quit complaining and find a new job and all kinds of stuff. Just keep your head up and remember not everyone forgets to kip someone trying to make an honest living.. Good Luck.

Answer 2

Okay, here's the deal. No matter what the restaurant lobby wants to proclaim, "20% IS NOT the new 15%."

I tip 15% for good service and 20% (or more) for very good or excellent service. I used to manage restaurants way back when and I know who is giving my good service or not. Poor service gets little or no tip. Hell, you think you get no respect, try delivering pizza in a bad neighborhood IN A COLLEGE TOWN 25 years ago. Tips? What were they? I was responsibly for any losses I incurred, paid for my own gas and maintenance AND uniform. The only reason I did it was for flexible hours. I moved from there to managing a pizzeria and then other restaurants.

It is not my fault that someone chooses a certain job. I got out of the service industry when I realized how little future there was in it. I went back to school and got my education. Yes, I racked up debt to do it, but I'm glad I did. Unless you're living in the Soviet Union in 1975 (or Cuba today), you aren't forced to work a certain job.

I'm sorry if I sound heartless, but I've heard this story on many occasions. Improve your life. Polish your skills. Get out of there and do something else. Hell, office secretaries with minimal skills start out at over $10 an hour. You can type and you know your grammar. Your call.

Answer 3

15 % is the normal amount. I have been a waitress. The truth of the matter is that I tip on the service. If I get minimal service my wait staff will get a standard 15 % tip. If I get great service with a friendly attitude the tip will reflect the service. I have been known to stiff the tip or leave a note to the wait staff because of really poor service. It is my opinion that the tip is to show gratitude for the service. You want a good tip, give me something to be grateful for. Thus the term gratuity.

Another thing I have noticed ...... those who have keep those who do have so much tip. Give service like you are going to get a great tip from everyone and expect nothing.

Answer 4

I think people should tip accordingly. However, some companies don't add gratuity. Therefore, customers have to. If they don't the sever has to pay for you(the customer) to sit in their section. Since they get taxed on there total sales. Good service still gets bad tips and that is not right. You should tip your server double the tax. That is what is fair for good service.

Answer 5

Tips for servers should be 10-15% based on the service provided. I have never tipped over 15% just because the service is not warrented for over that. To many servers expect a tip and they fail to provide good service anymore. As you said money is tight so people will continue to tip as they feel is deseerved.

Answer 6

You should tip the servers 15% to 20% at least that much.
I know your pain ! Listen up people once again a server 's tip should be at LEAST 15%to20% . Servers do have families to support their families (many servers are single parents & trying to just make a living!) & buy Christmas presents too. !!! so get in the spirit & spread the Christmas cheer.!!!

Answer 7

i only tip if they deserve it. if theyre mediocre, i tip 13%. if they suck, i tip like, a dollar or 2, or sometimes nothing. if theyre outstanding, i tip around 20%. im tired of tipping 13% though.
i've had wait staff that barely let me finish a drink before they refill it. ive had them ask me if i need anything etc. some of the best service ive gotten has been at ihop and some of the worse has been at olive garden. i hate getting my food and not seeing the wait staff untill its time for them to bring another item or bring the check. getting 2 refill checks durring a 1 hour meal was kinda bs, especially since it was 1st the appetizer being delivered and the 2nd main meal being delivered. she got no tip, and i didnt bother to tell her that she gave me the wrong bill (which was less than half what it should be).

Answer 8

i tip the same no matter what time of year it is. and i tip on service, as do many. if you are an excellent server, i give you a lot more than if you are a bad one. but even for the bad ones i give them at least a dollar. but they'd have to be pretty bad to get that much.

Answer 9

I eat out a lot! During the holidays if I am dining at one of my regular spots I tip the server a little more. I always tip at least 20% on a daily basis. If service is crappy then 15%. Why are people so cheap. I would never go out to eat if I couldn't afford to leave a decent tip. People are just selfish and rude!

Answer 10

Don't gratuity you customers unless you get a nasty vibe. Let them tip what they want. Be an outstanding waiter and go home with some serious ching. Simple as that.

Answer 11

I tip based on how the well the service is, if they suck I dont leave them much (still tip them though) and if they do a great job then I tip them real well. Most of the time I tip about 20% or more if they are good and 10% or less if they are less than satisfactory. I believe in rewarding people if they do a good job, that and if they know you tip well you usually get better service..........