Question: What are your thoughts on "tipping" waiters/waitresses?

[Bamabuzzard]

I'm sure we've discussed this before but it was mentioned in another thread.

The act of tipping has always been one that I've gone back and forth on over the years. Rarely do I not leave a tip. For the most part we usually get "tippable" service where ever we go. But I am of the mindset that one doesn't have to give horrible service before not deserving a tip. I think each customer has a minimal standard of expectation when they enter a restaurant when it comes to service.

I know there have been times that I didn't get "bad" or "horrible" service but just didn't feel we received the kind of service deserving of a tip. My wife on the other hand feels like that if we don't receive "bad" or "terrible" service that a tip ought be left. I just don't feel that way. I'm already paying a pretty hefty mark-up for having the meal prepared for me rather than eating at home, my bill is going to be pretty substantial anyway not including the tip because of four of the five people in our family are old enough to order from the menu. So for me to pay a tip on top of what I'm already having to pay the service better be good. Not mediocre.

 

[GreatDanish]

I've been a waiter. Tips were my income - my pay rate was $2.13/hour (many years ago - not sure how it's changed). So, maybe I have a little bias here.

My policy is that I always tip SOMETHING, and consider it the cost of eating out, unless the waiter just does something completely disrespectful or something, but I have never once encountered something that bad. I mean, I completely understand not tipping someone if they spill coke on you, and just let it be, or something.

But, as long as they are trying at all, I will tip 10-15%. A waiter that is "good" I will tip 25-30%. The higher the bill, the lower the % tip. If it's just me, and my bill is $8-10, then I'll tip a higher percentage than if I take my wife, two kids, and the bill is $50 or so.

But, the nice thing about tipping is that every patron can make their own rules. I prefer to err on tipping too much than coming across as stingy. I still have internalized hatred for patrons that would ask for refill after refill at the busiest time, order appetizers, desserts, and I would knock it out, and they'd tip me $3 or something. I just never want to be that person.

 

[Tide1986]

For mediocre or even somewhat bad service, I'll usually leave around a 10% tip anyway, give or take a couple percentage points, since tips are frequently shared among a lot of the restaurant staff. If I'm picking up food to go, I usually do not leave a tip at all. If I go to one of my usual haunts like the Mexican and Chinese restaurants, I'll leave 20%+ since the staff knows me and really takes care of me and my family when we're dining in. I also tend to leave closer to 15% in chain restaurants unless the service is exceptional.

 

[DiamondDust]

I look for a waiter to do basic things:

-Bring me my meal at a reasonable time
-Keep my drinks filled
-Don't call me nicknames like "Buddy", "Pal", etc.
-At least put up the impression I'm worth your time
-Don't try to have a conversation with me if I give you multiple indications I don't want to. I'm there to eat... not talk to the waitstaff.

If they follow those simple guidelines, I have no problem with a 20%+ tip.

 

[ValuJet]

Unless the service is horrible, I leave a minimum of 15% of the Subtotal from the bill. I've caught hell from my two older daughters for this alleged cheapskatedness, as they've both been servers before. That galls me a little bit because I have just paid the entire bill, fed everybody and then I catch grief because I only tipped a measley 20%. Normally I leave 20% if they just keep my glass refilled. They do not have to know the menu and recite it for me.

I feel like I am very generous on tipping. When I am picking up food, I'll include 10%. I realize those working the Take Out counter are probably not waiting tables that day, and they are working just as hard to get my order together and bring it to me while I don't even have to get out of the car.

I can only remember one instance when I left nothing, and that was about two years ago at a Red Lobster in Charleston, WV. I was there with two co-workers. Our server was a lady who gave bad service from the onset. One of my friends was a jokester and tried to "mess" with the lady but nothing serious. When she took our drink orders, he says "Yes ma'am, I'd like the tallest glass of goat milk you have." She smarted off to him and the jokes were over. When we were ordering our food, my other friend paused for a moment looking at the menu, and the server was rolling her eyes and acted like we were bothering her. She didn't make sure I had silverware and I asked her for a set (nicely). She huffed and puffed and came storming back with a set and nearly slammed it down on the table. We all three sort of looked at each other.

The rest of the meal, our conversation was over whether we were going to report her to the manager or just not leave a tip. She got zilch from us. Zero. Nada. Worst waitperson I've ever encountered. She had no business in front of customers.

 

[GoBama#1]

When it comes to tipping: Waiters and Waitresses do not even make minimum wage. Their tips are their income, and a tip should be budgeted from when a person eats out:

15% of the Bill or two dollars is a bare minimum (which ever is greater) -for ok but not great service.
20% for good decent service-
25% for service that is exceptional

These percentages do not change with the budget or price range of the restruant.

If you are so angry with the quality of your service not to leave a tip, it better be bad service. If my service is that bad, I'm talking to the manager. I sort of use my tip to tell the server what I thought of their service.

 

[ValuJet]

I look for a waiter to do basic things:

-Bring me my meal at a reasonable time
-Keep my drinks filled
-Don't call me nicknames like "Buddy", "Pal", etc.
-At least put up the impression I'm worth your time
-Don't try to have a conversation with me if I give you multiple indications I don't want to. I'm there to eat... not talk to the waitstaff.

If they follow those simple guidelines, I have no problem with a 20%+ tip.

I agree with that. If the waitperson wants to engage is small talk, though, that's OK. If I am having a conversation with my wife or whoever I'm with, they should be able to recognize that, and normally do.

I don't get called "Buddy" or "Pal" because I am probably old enough to be the person's father.

And, if there's a problem with the food, I don't hold that against the effort of the server.

 

[DiamondDust]

I agree with that. If the waitperson wants to engage is small talk, though, that's OK. If I am having a conversation with my wife or whoever I'm with, they should be able to recognize that, and normally do.

I don't get called "Buddy" or "Pal" because I am probably old enough to be the person's father.

And, if there's a problem with the food, I don't hold that against the effort of the server.

I dine out on the go a lot, and sometimes I do bring a magazine or newspaper to read if I know there's going to be a wait. Nothing annoys me more at a restaurant than a waiter or waitress still trying to engage in a lengthy conversation at that point.

As for "Buddy" or "Pal", I'm 29 years old but do look younger. Still, I'm neither 9 years old or a dog so both names are pretty demeaning in my book. The same goes for "Dude" or "Man". Call me old fashioned, but I'd rather just be called "sir", or heck, if you want to exchange first names... I'm up for that as well.

 

[ValuJet]

Heh! If you're in the restaurant from "Pulp Fiction" and the Buddy Holly look alike takes your order, I think "What'll ya have, buddy?" would be OK.

 

[DiamondDust]

Heh! If you're in the restaurant from "Pulp Fiction" and the Buddy Holly look alike takes your order, I think "What'll ya have, buddy?" would be OK.

Haha... good point.

 

[Bama4Ever831]

I look for a waiter to do basic things:

-Bring me my meal at a reasonable time
-Keep my drinks filled
-Don't call me nicknames like "Buddy", "Pal", etc.
-At least put up the impression I'm worth your time
-Don't try to have a conversation with me if I give you multiple indications I don't want to. I'm there to eat... not talk to the waitstaff.

If they follow those simple guidelines, I have no problem with a 20%+ tip.

Oh I hate the "buddy, pal, etc" that I always get. I don't know why, but I always get those names. I typically am a good tipper 20% regardless of the service. If it is bad, I typically go down to 10%. I actually have never not left a tip.

I am afraid if I ever not leave a tip that they take my picture and leave it in their kitchen in case I ever go back there.

 

[GreatDanish]

-Don't call me nicknames like "Buddy", "Pal", etc.

If you go to Cracker Barrel and are NOT called "Sugar" or something similar, I'd think something was wrong.

 

[ValuJet]

I am afraid if I ever not leave a tip that they take my picture and leave it in their kitchen in case I ever go back there.

Never eat at Red Lobster in Charleston, WV again: Check!

Hopefully, never return to Charleston, WV: Double check!

 

[CrimsonNan]

I leave 15% if the meal and service is good. I have rarely NOT left a tip. If there's something wrong with the way my steak is cooked or the wrong thing is put on the plate by the cook, I don't punish the waiter/waitress. It's not their fault and they can make it right. Not refilling my coffee cup or bringing more ice tea isn't excusable, unless the restaurant is REALLY full and I can see that there aren't enough waiters/waitresses.

I've never waited tables but I worked in retail longer than I wanted too until I could find an office job - and I have news for y'all - IT AIN'T FUN!!! Customers can be $@#%^&* people!!!

 

[It's On A Slab]

I leave 20% generally. My feeling is that, if you think tipping just adds to the financial pain you're already experiencing, maybe you should not eat out so much.

I have under-tipped before when I thought I had horrible service. Generally, if it's a kitchen issue, I cut the wait staff some slack....but I do not tip greatly for surly/poor service.

 

[RogueElephant]

I always leave at least 20% but then again I flirt with the chic waiting my table and usually get her number. :biggrin:

 

[Bama Reb]

I usually tip 15-20%, but it really depends upon the price of the meal. I don't think that just because your meal is a lot more expensive at restaurant "A" than at restaurant "B", that the waitress should necessarily get that much more than the other. If my meal costs $30 and the service was satisfactory, I have no problem leaving a $5 tip; more if she's on the ball and keeps me happy. But "OK but nothing to brag about" service at a restaurant where my meal might cost $80 doesn't necessarily earn the waitress a $10+ tip.

 

[ValuJet]

I usually tip 15-20%, but it really depends upon the price of the meal. I don't think that just because your meal is a lot more expensive at restaurant "A" than at restaurant "B", that the waitress should necessarily get that much more than the other. If my meal costs $30 and the service was satisfactory, I have no problem leaving a $5 tip; more if she's on the ball and keeps me happy. But "OK but nothing to brag about" service at a restaurant where my meal might cost $80 doesn't necessarily earn the waitress a $10+ tip.

I've always had a problem with that too. A $100 check with a poor or average server "by the rules" gets an $18 tip.

At Waffle House, a $20 tip for an excellent waitperson, who's worked harder to make me satisfied gets $3.60. In my rare trip to a Waffle House, IHOP or similar place, if the person is good I'll leave a lot more than 18%. The size of the bill shouldn't determine the tip in a lot of cases, IMO.

 

[Bamaro]

15% for 'normal' service
20% for really good service
10% for substandard service
Never stiff the server
A little extra if the server is hot and friendly

 

[TideEngineer08]

I have a general rule where I start off giving the waiter/waitress 20%. If their service is average, then their tip stays at 20%. If it is less than average, it goes lower than that. If it is better than I expect, then it can be up to 30%. I have even tipped 50% at a local Mexican restaurant because the prices are excellent and the service is as well.

On call in orders, I'll usually tip 10% or so.