From the article: Tipping Etiquette
What do you think of the amounts in the tipping guide? Too low, too high? It's your turn to voice your opinion. What should guests tip at hotels? (Registration is NOT required.) How much should you tip?
tipping
- I'm sick of all the hype. When did 15% turn into 20%? Inflation takes care of this already. Why does a server at a high-end restaurant deserve more than a family type one? Percentages are not fair to the consumer. Let's use a flat rate and all will be fair.
- —Guest tgicdf
Tipping on wine
- I have been reading many articles on tipping for expensive wines and I'm still not sure what to do. I am also a restaurant manager. I think it is ridiculous to tip 15 to 20% on an expensive wine. All they do is get it off the shelf and open it. All the restaurants I have worked at, nobody tips out on bottles of wine. You tip the bartendar bar sales minus the btls of wine, and bussers total sales minus bar sales. I understand you get taxed on this, but if the people are buying a nice btl of wine. You will probably be compensated well being tipped on the rest of the bill.
- —Guest Aces and Jacks
Buffet or Cafeteria
- I have always struggled as to what to tip at a buffet or cafeteria-style restaurant. In other words, I did most of the leg work; however, the w/ress cleared the table and refilled the glasses. Another on-line source states the the appropriate tip in this instance is $ 1-2, if the service was exceptional. However, in many states--to include my own--servers are legally paid less than minimum wage. Therefore, my answer to my own question is thus: If I received good service, I tip $1 per course. If I had a salad, one-(1) plate, and dessert, I tip $3 for three clearings of the table. Some might say this is over-tipping, however, I feel this is appropriate.
- —Guest Eric
Tipping
- I will tip according my budget and the service I receive. I like to mention that I don't tip much because I am on a small pension and it takes me four years to go on one vacation. I do tip well when I have the extra funds as I too was a waitress and so was my sister. I got good tips because I made sure things were done right for all those I served even the poorer person. I found I got tips best when treating each table as a whole and everyone fairly.
- —Guest Darleneartist
Fixed Tip Movement
- More and more folks are joining the fixed tip movement. We tip $1-$3 per person regardless of check amount or meal. Why should I tip $1.50 for my $8 burger and $4 for my dinner mate's $20 steak when the same server delivered both meals. $1 for poor service $3 for great service. Now the server knows what I think of their service and doesn't think I can't add. One more thing...if diners knew how many servers took home $300-$400 for a 4-5 hour dinner shift they would tip differently. Do the math and you'll see how much these folks really make.
- —Guest
Tip at Subway? Never!
- I have worked at restaurants in my life and I consider tips are for good service only. Now that I'm retired, I tip probably better since I did work at the job and GOOD waitstaff WORK. If the service is lousy so is the tip. But what really got me, was last week I stopped at Subway for something quick for dinner, and when I got to the register there was a large GLASS JAR WITH tips printed on the card inside, Tip at Subway? Never in this lifetime.
- —cobraqueen
Stop w(h)ining
- Interesting comments. I enjoy a good dinner out, but these "absolutes" mentioned must be tempered. TIP - To Ensure Promptness (NOT, to give high school grads $20+/ hour jobs) 1. Many servers work very hard for tips. Some - even 4- and 5-star resorts, do NOT. 2. Not all servers watch our wine glass. I've had the wrong drink/bad bottle brought to my table, and then waited a good 20-30 minutes for the waiter to get his *** to the table. And, he NEVER checked on my meal - in Palm Beach! His only concern? His 20% for nothing. 3. Give single dining women the same service as men. We won't tip well (fulfilling your pre-conceived opinion of us) if you don't. Want a good tip? EARN IT, or we WILL stay home...and invite our friends to join us! I tip well, but, lousy service? Bring your personal issues to work? Don't expect us to "pay your electric bill". 4. Ongoing "chatter" on "great" wines. Most restaurant-served wine is NOT top shelf, but rather $8-25 jacked up 3x +20%
- —Guest Dining for dollars
Tipping servers and others
- While servers can at times make a pretty penny at a nice restaurant, some servers don't earn it and some do. I say consider the service you are getting, and possibly take the establishment into account. If a restaurant has inexpensive food that is above expectations and you get good service, overtip. Why? because others don't. If the service is mediocre and your bill is high, go lower, there is no reason to overpay for something that doesn't meet your expecations. Save it for someone who deserves it. As far as tipping on wine is concerned, just take into account what the server did do. If they worked hard to help you pick out just the right wine for you and your dinner, take that into account, if you just ordered it, and they showed up with the bottle, then provided a sloppy wine service, Don't.
- —Guest Stuffuff
If cou can't afford it
- If you can't afford to tip 20% then you shouldn't be eating there period. It doesn't matter if it's a high end establishment or a diner, 20% is basic now considering the cost of living and the fact that your wait staff doesn't keep all of their tips, since there are behind the scenes folk as well.
- —Guest waitress who tips
All In fairness
- First off I like being called a server rather than a waitress. I like knowing that I am serving my customers, not "waiting" for them. I feel that tipping average 15% is appropriate or if on a low budget. 18%-20% is excellent. And gratuity is right and just for parties of 6 and more. I am a petite girl and it takes more work when we have 6 steak orders and two dinner entrees. Those trays get heavy! Personally, our restaurant requires that we give a certain percentage of our tips to the bus staff and tipping out the bar and cooks are optional. I always do because it's not just money they provide me with the food and drinks. As a server, sometimes people leave 3 dollars on $70 even if the server did a good job. I've had customers who had a bill of 60, handed me a 100 dollar bill and only leave $2. I agree that if one can't afford to leave a tip then they should not be eating out. If people can afford to order bar drinks, steaks, appetizers, desserts then they can afford to tip average.
- —Guest Server
So which one is it?
- This response goes out to "guest waitress's" comment: In your first example you said you made 165$ during a 13-hour work day. In your second you claim to be lucky if you make 75$ in 4 hours. That means you're talking about an average wage of 12.69$ - 18.75$ an hour. So if you are indeed working those 60 hours a week you are making at least 760$, not less than 400 a week. I wonder now which one it is? Other than that: I absolutely think 15-20% is fair, however staff that is showing off a bad mood or lacks any enthusiasm or skill should not receive any tip whatsoever.
- —Guest Customer with math skills
Serving earns less than you think
- While one might think that serving earns a pretty penny, I might add that many restaurants use their servers as cleaning staff, bussers, hosts, and much more that you definitely do not see behind the scenes. I have worked in several restaurants in my years, and have found that wait staff wages are far less than what the public would think. There also is usually a 2-4% (of sales) owed at the end of the shift (to share with other staff members) that is a mandatory fee for the server. Add to the fact that you have some customers paying only a few dollars for a tip, and you can see why percentages matter. When a customer leaves a non-percentage-based tip I remember their face. Believe me--tip appropriately and you will increase your chances of excellent service in the future. Honestly, if your budget does not allow a 15% tip, find a restaurant you can afford. I do it all the time.
- —Guest anonymous server and fine-diner
Rental Car
- You should leave a tip in the car for the car cleaners. You made the mess in the car, they have to clean up after you. Leave a tip in the car.
- —Guest MARK
Tipping is showing you are prosperous
- It could be coincidence or karma, ladies and gentlemen. But every time I give a good tip, something great happens to me. I feel ashamed when I go out with coworkers or friends and they either leave only a $1 or nothing. Tipping is a state of a prosperous mind. If you don't think you can afford a tip, don't eat at a restaurant or put at your door of a hotel "do not disturb." Remember that money is round so it can circulate.
- —Guest Maria
Frequent Guest
- 15 to 17% at a restaurant. It should not matter how "high end". Hotel maids = $1.00 to $5.00 per night (tipped nightly) based on the price hotel star rating.
- —Guest Glenn
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