how well do you tip??
 

I just started a waiting job this past summer, and the way people tip is so frusterating to me. I consider myself a fairly decent/compitent waiter, and have people compliment me on many occasions about my service, and yet many times those very people complimenting me don't leave near what i consider a "good" tip. So before i disclose my thoughts on "tipping" after working in a restaraunt, i'd like to hear some of yours. (p.s., if you say 7 dollars on a 65 dollar check is good don't even bother posting.....lol)
Ryan

how i wish people were more like you.....having someone telll you that you did a great job and then giving you a five on fifty makes you want to throw the book at them....haha.

20% and a bonus if the service is outstanding and they work their way down from there 15% is the bottom(rare) but that will usually be accompanied by a complaint to the manager.

My standard of service is the Ritz Carlton dining rooms. I'll tip 20% there for their standard service.

Here's 10 reasons why I don't tip 20%, or even 15%.

1) You leave my dirty utensils on the table after each course
2) I have to pour my own wine
3) There are crumbs allover my table
4) The server wanting to get to know me
5) Empty water glasses
6) Servers who know nothing about the food they serve
7) Servers who don't check back at your table almost immediately after you take the first bite
8) Excuses, made up ones or otherwise
9) Dirty uniforms
10) Improper sanitation habits

Service used to be like that offered up at the Ritz. Servers knew how to make a Caesar Salad and prepare Steak Diane. They knew the proper way to serve Creme Anglais with the souffle. They knew how to filet a fish tableside and they knew how to provide Russian style service. Back then the standard tip was still 15%. Where people got 20% I don't know. Today standards have dropped tremendously and people still expect to get tipped 15%? I think not. Just because you bring me a $40 steak and a $8 piece of cake doesn't mean you deserve 20%.

So yeah $7 on a $65 check is good at most places.

We eat at a lot of the same restaurants most of the time and have gotten to know the waitresses. We go to these places because the food is excellent and the service is the same. On a typical 15 dollar pizza dinner, I will tip $5. At the high line restaurant we go to, on a $70 bill, I will tip $20. I think that is fair, and the waitresses work their behinds off for everyone. I will not hesitate to call for the manager for exceptionally poor service, and I will do the same for exceptionally good, consistant service.

Standard tip is 20% and crappy gets 15 or 10. I got fired as a waiter because I sucked at it so I appreciate good service.

Kuan,

I don't know what to say...........

I generally try to tip well, especially if I think I will be back. The difference between a good and bad tip is only a couple of bucks.

On your 65 dollar bill I'd generally leave 80-85.

From my own personal Gyrogearloosean sense of self. Never tip more than 20%, at least if you frequent the establishment often, as you don’t want people to think you’re an insecure chump. Kind of like buying a women too expensive a present to remind her you’re not really that much fun to be with. Just be your waiters favorite customer. Tipping 10/15% for bad service only leaves the message that you’re cheap or short of cash – you only do it because you are crazy. For bad service you leave a penny or a penny placed on top of a one-dollar bill. If the initial service is slow you simply get up and walk out.

We did this survey a couple years ago, and my opinion just pissed alot of people off. So I won't share my opinion of the stupid tipping system this time. I'll just say I'll tip the usual 15%, period. Good, bad or indifferent service, that's what they get. Except my daughter. When we eat where she waitresses, I tip WAY more to her:D

Tacky – now that’s a great topic. My wife always worked in the fashion industry, and probably served to often as arm candy for what she’d describe as a mentor. That’s an upscale old fart with lots of important business dinners, which are otherwise socially pathetic and unable to close much more than a business deal. This of course, before she was blessed by the presence of “The Great One”. She did seminars for women and could have probably written a book on how not to be “Tacky”. At first she was a little leery about taking me out in public, but slowly I was able to show her the light. She’s been much happier ever since. You may be right – I’ll have to start just leaving a note. The truth is I seem to get special attention almost wherever I’m at, just smile, be nice and be sure to tell them how good they look.

for bad service, i tell the server why and i leave no tip.

i also don't go back to the restaurant.

tips are earned. i work hard for my money as should they.

This is one of my pet peeves, or at least bad service is.

I typically tip 15% for good service and actually have gone way overboard at times when the service is outstanding. By overboard, I mean 40%. I like to tip and I think it goes a long way to insuring great service the next time you go back.

For example, you go to a crowded bar and get a round of cocktails. You tip the guy well, and the next time you're around the bar, he'll make sure to take care of you, whether it be taking your order in front of people ot perhaps making your drink a little stiffer. Works most of the time.

By the same token, I will tip a lot less when I feel I have been neglected from a service aspect.....you don't come around and refill drinks, my steak is as cold as my beer, my appetizers come out the same time as the entrees.....I get my meal 5 minutes after everyone else at the table.....s@#$ like that.

Anyone ever notice that service is generally worse when you frequent restaurants that have automatic tips included? Like on parties of 6 or more?

I understand that parties of 6 or more take time away from other tables, but the increase in the bill will reflect a larger tip as well.

I think servers sometimes slack off because they think their tip is "guaranteed". I have adjusted these automatic tips up and down depending on service received.

.02

The WORST is when you are walking out of the restaurant after paying, and leaving a nice tip, then wondering if the gratuity was already included....DOH! :eek:

......on second thought, the WORST is when a server brings the check and it's $25. You throw down two twenties and the server asks "do you need change?" :rolleyes:

Of course I need change, it's my money until I decide to part with it......;)