How much to tip?

A little bit off topic but I was in Ireland once and left a tip for excellent service. As we were walking to the car the waiter came running out and said "sir, you left your money". I tried to explain it was a tip which was apparently not common then and insisted he keep it.

I was in New Zealand last week and tipping is not apparently normal there, no place on a CC bill for a tip. I do usually leave something for great service. Probably will ruin it for future travellers.
 
The VERY few times I eat out, I tip at least 20% no matter how bad the service or food is. Reason: I have been alone for almost one year now with poor health and limp with a cane. Very few places have tables for one or cater to senior citizens in my area. The few that do I want to be able to return and be welcome.
 
I worked in the music business for over 20 years. I was the tech - never expected tips, but occasionally a club owner would pass me a $50 or so in thanks for "keeping the volume reasonable". My roommate for many years worked food service, lived on the tips. I always tip when and what I can - gave the lady at the Cost Cutters 25% for my haircut today. Her look told me that she was truly surprised.
 
A little bit off topic but I was in Ireland once and left a tip for excellent service. As we were walking to the car the waiter came running out and said "sir, you left your money". I tried to explain it was a tip which was apparently not common then and insisted he keep it.

I was in New Zealand last week and tipping is not apparently normal there, no place on a CC bill for a tip. I do usually leave something for great service. Probably will ruin it for future travellers.

Europeans consider Americans foolish for assuming waiters are not paid a living wage.
 
My parents had a restaurant and the people who wait on you work their butts off. The whole staff works hard. If my bill is $25.00 I tip $10.00. Don't forget when there are more people at your table the tip goes up.
The staff that waits on us makes the meal pleasurable. Being nice to customers goes a long way. I've had eating out experiences go wrong too. Which reflects it in my tip.
 
When the Sons of the American Legion started operating the bar in the Legion Post, I was one of the volunteer bartenders from the Sons. That was an eye-opening experience as to the lives of people who rely on tips for a living. I always thought I was a fair tipper, but being on the other side of the bar has reinforced with me leaving a good tip. And of course, I tip in Gold(en) Dollars, and I tip with them standing on edge on the bar or table. I seem to be remembered as a good tipper in the places I frequent.

A lot of servers are impressed that I tip with the golden dollars coins. A lot of times I hear the servers are going to save them for their kids or grandchildren. Their kids and grandchildren are going to have a big stash of golden dollars waiting for them.
 
Re: Tipping with reference to restaurants. If you cannot afford to leave a good solid tip ... minimum 20%, then you are to poor to eat out. Go home and have a PBJ. Before anyone offers the objection that that is just talk on my part, I will say that when I eat out, I tip. I start at 20%. I go up from there. I am not rich. I don't make a big salary at the church. But, I have spent a lot of time with folks who go to restaurants and folks who work tables, etc. at restaurants. It is appalling to see someone enjoy a $15 lunch and then leave a couple of dollars on the table. A few months ago a text came to my phone. The lunch bill for the customer was $65, which she paid by card. On the tip line she wrote, "Bones." Guess she thought it was funny since chicken had been part of her meal. The waitress was rightfully unhappy given the amount of time the woman occupied the table, etc. The manager took care of the matter. She just added the 18% gratuity that is normally automatically added to bills of more than $50. Good for her. Good for the waitress. And, good for the lady who left the thoughtful note. JMHO. Sincerely. bruce.
 
I have a few simple rules:

1. No service, no tip.
2. Minimal service, minimal tip.
3. Excellent service, excellent tip.

Works pretty well for me. I'm sure a few servers who can't get their head in the game are disappointed from time to time, but that might be part of the learning experience for them.
 
Generally, I don't "double dip" in threads. I'm a one and done kind of guy.

I understand that many service workers make minimum wage, at best, and live on their tips. I.M.H.O. all to often the same folks forget that a tip is not owed to them but is a reward for good service.
Here are two of my personal extremes. Treated a friend to a Nice birthday dinner, at what should have been a high $$ restaurant, service was TERABLE, waitperson had an attitude. Tab was in excess of $150.00. I left a $10.00 tip.
Fast forward several years, I treated the same friend to another birthday dinner, at a different restaurant. This time the Tab was close to $200.00. Yet, the service was excellent, I left an extra "C note" on the table.
So, I guess that tipping comes under the heading of, "you want you earn."
 
The other name is Gratuity! If you are grateful, then show it!

However the best thing that McDonald's taught us is: The ordering and delivering of the food is included in the price! If the staff (ANY STAFF) wants or expects a tip, they need to do something to make us grateful!

Ivan

I'll meet you at G&R in Waldo for a fried baloney sandwich. I'll pay, and you pick up the gratuity
 
Dad and I had a smallmouth bucket list guided trip booked.
Six weeks out I chose a day in the last week of October hoping the bite would be on. It was 15degrees at the ramp that morning and the bite was extremely tough... although through the professional guides knowledge and effort we did catch enough to keep the day interesting.
At days end We tipped the man same as if we'd had a banner day. He promptly pulled out a business card, signed it and wrote half off your next trip! :)
 
I hate the waittess that comes to the table and says are uses guys ready to order.[emoji46]

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In 69 I worked as a waiter in a hi end steak house in Denver. Golden Ox if anyone remembers it. Also Emerson St East. I don't put up with lousy service and I tell the waiter first and the manager second. I expect good service and I tip well. If I upset a waiter I don't care. I gave great service and I made $250 + a week working nights only. Good money in 69. The places I go to eat take good care of Me because I'm a good tipper and They all know it. Being older I have mellowed a lot, but I can't stand lousy service. I grew up in a Texaco service station and My Dad didn't allow lousy service. He always said" This is a service station, not a gas station." Most of the companies I worked for were service companys and I spent almost 40 years at the last one. Tip good and get good service. OK end of lecture.
 
I. like BD, do NOT tip on tax. I AM a bit generous however as I pretty much feel that they need the money more than I do-always round up-rather leave a little too much than too little. It has paid off handsomely in great service as well as client referrals and I kind like it that all the waitresses know my name:D
 
I would tip 10% at the start of the hunt and inform your guide that another 10% will be gifted with a successful hunt. It will provide him good reason to set you up in the better spot...and believe me, he knows where the for sure kill spots are...just sayin

I guide bird hunters and this approach is not necessary with a competent guide. It may even get you the opposite response of what you are wanting. A guide has no logical reason to not put you in an optimum situation. It is what they are hired to do.
I am compensated quite fairly by my employer. I dont depend on tips. The people that hire guides know the value of a good one.
The hunts I guide are three days in length. The average tip is $50 - $75 per day, per hunter in the group. Percentage does not seem to play a role. The lady who does our cooking also gets tips, but I have no idea what she gets. Bad manners to discuss such, just like counting a tip in front of a customer.
I am grateful for whatever they feel is appropriate or can afford. It is a compliment and I take it as that and not something I am owed.
 
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