GUYS, What is your Perspective on Tipping

[slickdtc]

You're a cool ****ing dude. Servers get bitched at, complained about 95% of the time. You made that kids day, week, and month. Confidence that he's good at what he does and that it is recognized. One great tip or even just a compliment can make a ****ty disastrous night okay. That's a reason why I got out of the business; it was too stressful not knowing what to expect table to table. I work harder, longer, and make less, but I don't regret leaving my various serving jobs. There's something to be said about being comfortable in your job. Dreading every shift ain't the way to be. Being a server is easy on paper, but basically being someone's bitch (as some tables treat you) is something I couldn't deal with for longer then a few months at a time.

When I go out, me and my girl are/were both servers so we try to make their job as easy as possible. I always liked when tables made you feel at ease to speak/act normally instead of being at their every whim (even if true), so I try to talk to them like they're someone I know instead of me paying for them to serve me. If food is taking a while, it's a don't worry about it, we know how the back of the house works too. Stuff like that. Just gotta realize there's more then meets the eye in a restaurant.

[Redacted01]

Re: GUYS, What is your Perspective on Tipping

Are these delivery guys teenagers? We order from 2-3 pizza places for delivery, and each time, even the one time my wife didn't have enough cash for tip (only gave him 2-3 bucks) they were smiling and saying thank you. Maybe they don't see the tip on the check, which in this case, I would tell them that you left a tip earlier. If they're still pissy, don't order from that place again. You never know what they might do to your pizza next time they deliver to you.

It ranges from college kids to adults. The only one that has done it consistently is an older guy. He hands you your pizza, and then he just kind of stands there a bit as if he is waiting, and then he'll finally walk away. I haven't seen him in a while so who knows, maybe someone said something. They've never done anything to my food, at least that I have noticed, and I'm not changing my favorite delivery places just because of one bad seed.

No tax here, but I'd assume the doubling of the tax is a bit low (around 15%). Not bad but I always go with 20% or a buck or two give or take.

Well, actually, you are still a bit high in some places, low in others. Tax is 6% in Maryland, Ohio, Florida, so you'd want to triple. Tax is over 9% in Tennessee and parts of Arizona, Washington, and Illinois so doubling is fine.

As I am usually just paying for myself, I usually tip 25-66%. I'm not petty over getting a $1 or $2 back on a $6 bill. Just leave a $10. Probably makes up for most of the undergrads around here that might tip $4 on a whole table.

[55]

Re: GUYS, What is your Perspective on Tipping

Tax in Cuyahoga County (where Cleveland is) is actually 7.75%.

[Lieutenant Dan]

Re: GUYS, What is your Perspective on Tipping

You're a cool ****ing dude. Servers get bitched at, complained about 95% of the time. You made that kids day, week, and month. Confidence that he's good at what he does and that it is recognized. One great tip or even just a compliment can make a ****ty disastrous night okay. That's a reason why I got out of the business; it was too stressful not knowing what to expect table to table. I work harder, longer, and make less, but I don't regret leaving my various serving jobs. There's something to be said about being comfortable in your job. Dreading every shift ain't the way to be. Being a server is easy on paper, but basically being someone's bitch (as some tables treat you) is something I couldn't deal with for longer then a few months at a time.

When I go out, me and my girl are/were both servers so we try to make their job as easy as possible. I always liked when tables made you feel at ease to speak/act normally instead of being at their every whim (even if true), so I try to talk to them like they're someone I know instead of me paying for them to serve me. If food is taking a while, it's a don't worry about it, we know how the back of the house works too. Stuff like that. Just gotta realize there's more then meets the eye in a restaurant.

Thanks

I've worked in customer service, in one form or another, since 1983. I always work hard to treat people how I want to be treated, plain and simple. I always reward good service, and exceptional service should receive that much extra, to me.

I can't STAND bad/poor service....especially if you are being treated like you are an imposition for being a patron. That **** makes me breathe fire.

Also, slick...would you swing by your tables where the food is running behind and notify them? I always appreciate servers that do that little bit extra. Some servers are either lazy or afraid of their tables to tell them food is running behind.

There has even been one or two occasions where a little something is offered on the house if they are behind on orders, like a free appetizer. Very nice touch, even if we turn it down due to big dinners coming lol.

My wife and I even partially bus the table lol. The server or clearer will come by when we're done to see the plates stacked, silverware and straw sleeves on the top plate. It's just a compulsion we have

[Redacted01]

Re: GUYS, What is your Perspective on Tipping

Tax in Cuyahoga County (where Cleveland is) is actually 7.75%.

I was guessing; it's been awhile since I was there. Ya'll are a mess when it comes to local taxes actually. It varies too much from checking. Cincinnati is 6.5%, as is Akron. I know those 2.
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So here is a tipping situation I want you guys to consider, because I have actually given this one some thought lately. To get rid of some variables, it will be the same server, same restaurant, same quality of service.

One order is a hamburger and fries, we'll say $12.50. Another order is a steak and potato, we'll say $25. Drinks are kept filled the same, attentive, etc... The only thing different is one plate had ground beef on a bun and sliced potatoes, another was higher quality. Does it really make sense to tip double just because you got a better cut of beef? All other service was identical that was left up to the server. The difference in price accounts for the higher quality meal.

And just to give an aside, let's say you go to a restaurant with a lunch menu. Let's say it is a burger and fries for $7. The same burger and fries are on the dinner menu for $3 more. Nothing else is different at all, and it is common for restaurants to have a cheaper lunch menu with some same items as dinner. What justifies giving a lower lunch tip/higher dinner tip? It is an identical meal.

We seem to be the only country that really screws around with tipping because nothing I listed in the first scenario makes it seem as if the waiter/waitress deserves twice as much money.

[Phobia]

Re: GUYS, What is your Perspective on Tipping

We have 8% tax so that means I'm normally in the 16% range. Which I guess is pretty common from what I'm reading.

[slickdtc]

Yeah wasn't sure on tax. I know here where I work in PA it's 6%.

@ Lieutenant Dan: we stack dishes too. Trash on top. NO SUGAR PACKETS EMPTIED IN THE CADDY. Lol

@ dochalladay: I think it's the total sales thing. If they're tipping out bussers, bartenders, to-go, and hosts, it's out of total sales. If you give them $5 on a $25 and $5 on a $50, it's gonna end up screwing them after tip-out to any of their help. I think that makes sense. Also, lunch portions are usually smaller. Same offering, just a little less. That's why I like going out to lunch over dinner. Less crowd, cheaper, and still delicious. I'm always full after a meal with the side items they give you (soup/salad and maybe an app) even if its a smaller portion.

[Redacted01]

Re: GUYS, What is your Perspective on Tipping

@ dochalladay: I think it's the total sales thing. If they're tipping out bussers, bartenders, to-go, and hosts, it's out of total sales. If you give them $5 on a $25 and $5 on a $50, it's gonna end up screwing them after tip-out to any of their help. I think that makes sense. Also, lunch portions are usually smaller. Same offering, just a little less. That's why I like going out to lunch over dinner. Less crowd, cheaper, and still delicious. I'm always full after a meal with the side items they give you (soup/salad and maybe an app) even if its a smaller portion.

Which goes to show why they should just be paid a regular wage and tipping should be a thing of the past. Have a bad night, maybe you aren't your usual self, you get less tips, and you take home even less because you had to hand it out. Or maybe you get the economy diners one night who only order the cheapest entree and water, and even if they tip 20%, you take home nothing compared to server X who got the family of 6 who all order steak and lobster.

[slickdtc]

Also, slick...would you swing by your tables where the food is running behind and notify them? I always appreciate servers that do that little bit extra. Some servers are either lazy or afraid of their tables to tell them food is running behind.

Of course. If its running late you definitely want to keep them informed. Ignoring them makes it look like your fault. People just want to know what's up.

Sometimes the people that have the worst experiences tip the best. Never know people's background and their story.

[dickey1331]

GUYS, What is your Perspective on Tipping

I read a story yesterday of a New York restaurant getting ride of tipping and putting its employs on salary. I wished more restaurants would do this as I think tipping is pointless and shouldn't be considered as part of their paycheck.

I usually tip 20% but it irks me that we tip for doing your job. Yeah if you went overboard that's one thing but you are still doing your job.

[ESPNdeportes]

Re: GUYS, What is your Perspective on Tipping

I read a story yesterday of a New York restaurant getting ride of tipping and putting its employs on salary. I wished more restaurants would do this as I think tipping is pointless and shouldn't be considered as part of their paycheck.

I usually tip 20% but it irks me that we tip for doing your job. Yeah if you went overboard that's one thing but you are still doing your job.

I have heard of restaurants doing that as well, but then prices on all their menu items increased by 18% (this was their average gratuity they calculated).

Come to think of it, I heard this on the Freakonomics podcast....they did an episode on tipping

http://www.freakonomics.com/2013/06/03/should-tipping-be-banned-a-new-freakonomics-radio-podcast/

[FlyingFinn]

Re: GUYS, What is your Perspective on Tipping

That is how it is in Germany. The price you see on the menu is the price you pay. Everything is already is included.

[12]

I'm all for tipping 20 percent, but at the risk of being 'that guy...'

It has been a LONG time since I have been to a restaurant that had above average service. Even when a joint is not busy, it seems to take an act of Congress to get our waiter/waitress to come by more than once or twice. Most of them seem to be on their phones in the back constantly...

I still tip 20 percent most of the time, though I really shouldn't.

[VDusen04]

Re: GUYS, What is your Perspective on Tipping

Two years ago, my wife, son, and I were having lunch at The Pink Door in Seattle (excellent fine Italian, and during the summer you eat lunch out on the deck with a view of the bay and sights and sounds of the Public Market all around you).

We had this new kid as a server named Chris (still remember his name!). He'd only been there two weeks. But man, this kid was an outstanding server; one of the two or three best we've had all-time. Very friendly, but smart and sharp, perfect timing on refills, was really accommodating for getting my son hooked up with a pizza the way he wanted it as opposed to what was offered on the menu, he was aces.

So we get to the end of the meal/desserts, and he brings me the check. I asked him if I might speak to the manager. His face visibly fell a bit but he maintained his charm and said 'Of course, sir!'. Thinking he's in trouble for something, he goes off to find the manager while I fill out the check and leave Chris a huge tip. The manager approaches the table (Chris was not in tow, which is good), and I proceeded to tell the manager how outstanding Chris is, and that he is a model for the server they should hire. Also commented on the food which was great, etc. Glowing, the manager took my check to process and left.

A few minutes pass and Chris comes back with the check and my card...and a big grin on his face. He nearly fell over himself with thanks.

I smiled and just said "Keep up the great service, Chris. You will go places."

"Oh, yes sir! Thank you sir!"

I doubt he's still at the Door, but I bet he's a success where ever he is now.

I've always thought this was a great idea. My secretary told me she does that on a regular basis. In fact, she said she often starts crying when she does, just because she knows how much those folks have to put up with day in and day out.

I personally don't go out of my way like that, but I like to think I'm a pretty darn chilled out and appreciative customer. Perhaps I just have low standards (or that is, normal standards). If I go out to a restaurant, I plan on ordering food, waiting a bit, sometimes getting the wrong thing (we all make mistakes sometimes), and having the waiter at least be somewhat cordial. I just try to put myself in their shoes, I suppose. It's a tough racket. Even the perfect staff will be making numerous mistakes each evening in some regard, so I just roll with it as long as it's not mega blatent and egregious.

[shugknight]

Re: GUYS, What is your Perspective on Tipping

Ok so most of the fam went to a steak, seafood, and sushi buffet this Sunday for Father's day. They had this server that would come by and give us drinks, and in the end the check. Of course since it's a buffet, we got our own food.

What are the rules for this? Do I tip him the normal 15%? Less since he only brought us drinks?