How Well Do You Tip?

[mtgianni]

From what I see especially working in a lot of small rural towns, 10% is far more common. Still 5 tables with two parties of 4, two couples and one single per hour, 13 people @ $20 per meal = $260. 20% would be $52 a nice wage for an hours work especially if half is under the table, 10% would be $26. Multiplty that by the busy hours of 3 hours dining and they do OK where I eat. Most waitress's and waiters have to take a manegement job to get a loan, then go back to tips when they are in a house because they make more.
Everywhere I have been in Europe tipping is considered rude and "American". Evidently they pay waitstaff what they can live on. I think it would be a far better system here and would pay the cost increase in the price of a meal.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

As I said before, almost always $3s is our standard tip. Thats on a average bill of $18s to $22s. We eat at cheap places like denneys, IHOP or cheap family resturants here. Now I realise not many like me admit to being a cheapskate. Yet as far as eating out go`s, the wife and I eat out AT LEAST once a day. I must live in the cheapest area of the united states compared to all you big tippers.

It if was only once per day that would be $600/mo + $90 tips.
By your emphasis of "AT LEAST" once per day then I'm guessing it's probably closer to an average of a $1000/mo + $150/mo tips? or more?

Now who is the Diamond Jim?

Wife and I go out to dinner about once a week.

 

[feralmerril]

Yup. The wife can cook okay, it`s just that I insist on getting out. We both are huge, done our damage years ago. Now we are trying to lose weight and usualy split almost every meal. Get one order, a extra plate, maybe a extra soup or salid and two drinks, once in awhile fall off the wagon and get dessert. I am 300 lbs, 6ft 1" at 70. Wife is 5 ft 11"s and big too. I am on a walking stick, knee went out, getting a operation july 8th on it. Gain sitting still when I spend most my time on the recliner and computer! We usualy split a late breakfast actualy for lunch and really a 3rd person could exist on what we leave! I guess 3 bucks on 20 bucks evens out at the suggested 15% anyway. Like most women my wife has done her gig as a ex waitress and knows the score. She also has been a motel maid before I knew her and makes sure we leave a tip when we travel. I think what bugged me on reading the 8 pages of a few off the scale is that I USED to get around as a batchlor for 50 years and I daresay have probley ate out as much or more than everyone here in my 70 years, and ya cant BS a BSer. I got eyes and see what most people tip, or lack of it in the real world. (I have only been married about a total of about 12 years out of my 70 between 2 marrages, so have lived in resturants). Just for fun, hear is a recent picture of us eager eaters.

 

[jkmo]

I always a 20% tipper (on the total bill including tax) unless it's bad service.

I read all these threads and didn't see it so this is what my dad told me

You give TIPS .......To Insure Prompt Service

 

[captorquewrench]

Now I realise not many like me admit to being a cheapskate.

I am a HUGE cheapskate. I make laundry soap instead of buying it. I make a lot of stuff here and can and preserve. I am test household for many companies so we can get the free things to use and be paid to do it. (I draw the line at being the lady who jacks up the checkout line with coupons though)

I absolutely refuse to shortshrift giving to others. I will shortchange myself before it gets to that.

I have never regretted giving to others, but have regretted NOT doing so.

 

[Onomea]

... feel like a cheapskate ... almost always $3s is our standard tip. Thats on a average bill of $18s to $22s. ...

I think that's fine, Feral. That's not bein' a cheapskate -- that's a standard ~ 15%. And if you're eatin' out once a day you are a good customer, too.

Like the pic of you and your fellow chowhound! And good luck with the knee. I expect I'll be doin' that too in a few years, dadburn it.

 

[therevjay]

Maybe one of our friends in Oz can comment on this.

When I was in Australia (Darwin) around 1990 a cab driver almost bit my head off when I tried to tip him. "I don't need your (insert really bad curseword delivered in awesome Aussie accent) tip!" or something to that effect.

I was pretty drunk and may have done something else deserving of a whupping, but it seems to me that tipping was considered insulting, at least from charmingly intoxicated American Air Force officers.

I'm curious about that too. I've always heard tipping was considered a insult in Austraila. Is that still true?

 

[feralmerril]

There is a resturant here in town that has a section on a wall with their favorite customers. We are on it.

 

[sw44spl]

I leave $5 no matter what it cost.but most our meals are not over $40.$25 - $36 is the norm. I have left 1 cent before that was when I had to get up and get refills at one plce we used to go once in a while but havent been back in years. now when I go to hooters and megan,tara,or joann wait on me I leave $10-13 most times its more than the cost of my food.but they have great legs.

 

[ohiobuckeye]

If you add a tip to the meal price and pay on a credit card, you'll pay added interest. I think it's better to tip in cash.

I never have and never will pay one red cent of interest or a yearly fee for a credit card. There is no interest when paid in full each month. The credit union kickback directly to my savings account actually makes each charge less than paying cash. I do tip in cash, but only because I think the tip has a better chance of going to the intended server.

 

[pawncop]

Bob R,

You are so very right. Let people know when they do right.

We do not celebrate the small successes enough.

 

[Road Rat]

Okay,

Waitress's make at least minimum wage - and have for quite a few years.

The "feds" make the restaurant add on 15 percent of your gross receipts (food and liquor) as income and hold out taxes and SS on that!!

And that is the way it is currently...

Now, back to the issue. I take the easy way out for "normal" service...I take the sales tax and double it.

For "most" of my life the normal TIP was 10 percent. Then folks started increasing the percentage...hey, food was going up so why did the percentage also increase??? I don't know but these days folks seem to want to receive 20-25 percent tip........NOT.

 

[john3136]

I'm curious about that too. I've always heard tipping was considered a insult in Austraila. Is that still true?

Never been an insult, but it's not required.
It is starting to become a bit more normal, but all our servers etc do get paid at least minimum wage, so they aren't expected to "live off tips".

I'm only watching this thread cos I'm going to the US laster this year and need to know what to do ;-)

 

[Road Rat]

john3136,

A hearty Pre-Welcome to America!!! I sure hope you have a great trip.

If you get to IOWA give me a yell and we will go shoot something!!

 

[Rock185]

I/we tip very well. Before a career in LE, my wife spent some time as a waitress...

 

[Texas Star]

Never been an insult, but it's not required.
It is starting to become a bit more normal, but all our servers etc do get paid at least minimum wage, so they aren't expected to "live off tips".

I'm only watching this thread cos I'm going to the US laster this year and need to know what to do ;-)

What is minimum wage in Oz, and how does your dollar compare to ours?

Just curious. Hope your trip here goes well.

T-Star

 

[RobertJ.]

25% for outstanding service.
20% for good service.
10-15% for mediocre service.
0-10% for bad service.

My first wife and I ate at a local restaurant here on the North Coast. She had the clam chowder and a glass of milk. She was halfway done with the chowder when the milk arrived, and she chugged half of it, before realizing it was sour. When we told the waitress, she said, "oh, that's the third time today", and didn't even apologize. We left her one single penny.

 

[Mule88]

To me it all depends on how im treated by the waitress or waiter the better and more attentive they are, the higher I tip.

 

[brucev]

The $2.30 figure is just about right. I seldom tip less than 15% for routine service. I often tip 25% for exceptional service. If I can afford it, I try to go to 40%.

I do have preferred waitresses at the two restaurants where I most often eat, and they take good care of me. I always tip them more than the 20% that is the upper limit for most diners. I've heard the tales (some not apocryphal) about poor tipping by Christians. It applies to other groups as well. I do not leave a poor tip. I speak to the waitress/waiter and explain what was problematic about the service and, if it is a local restaurant and I then tell them I will look forward to coming again and having them serve my family. I think that is a better way to get better results.

 

[EB71]

If the service is normal to above average, I round the bill up to the nearest round number, then do 20%, which is easier for my math-challenged brain.

If there's a situation where the food had to be sent back and the manager wiped out the bill, I still leave a tip for the server; it's not her fault the cook screwed up.