Tipping Question

[swede96]

I have a question:

I understand that tipping works differently in other countries, but is it different i the south? I am being serious, not trying to generalize. It just seems that if I get a table where the person paying has a southern accent, I'll be lucky to get about 13%. In one case, a table came in about 5 minutes before closing. I took my time with them so they didn't feel rushed. They were from Alabama. We chatted about the area and I gave them tips on things to do for fun. All in all we had a nice time. They loved the food and said I was very helpful. Then they left me $65 on a bill that was $63 and change. WHAT?! It's happened quite often (though not to that extreme) with tables from the south, so I wonder if the waitstaff is paid more down there, OR if someone who is sweet as pie by yankee standards is still kind of an asshol by southern standards.

[swede96]

that is why you're not running a business

$3 to $10 is a 333% increase, no?

[donjuan]

Okay...you said both and that doesn't seem very intelligent to me.

Tips are generally 15 to 20%

Paying the waitstaff $10 an hour would increas that portion of the labor cost of your meal about 333%

Do you really think that wouldn't average out to more than a 15 to 20% increase in food prices?

So let me get this straight. You make $20 an hour from tips. If your wage was $10 an hour without tips, you seriously think that food prices would go up when you factor tips into the cost of the meal? That is pretty convoluted but not surprising for someone waiting tables.

[swede96]

So let me get this straight. You make $20 an hour from tips. If your wage was $10 an hour without tips, you seriously think that food prices would go up when you factor tips into the cost of the meal? That is pretty convoluted but not surprising for someone waiting tables.

Yes, I do. You are just the kind of asshole I would hate to wait on. What is that last line supposed to mean? Typical ignorant fvck that thinks people wait tables because they are too stupid to do anything else. I'd like to see how long you would last on my floor. With an attitude like yours, I'd probably fire your ass by your second shift...and you'd only get that long because you would't be taking tables your first night.

The tip is usually 15 to 20%, right?

So, you could increase the cost of the meal by 15 to 20% to cover tips, right?

Do you really think that would cover the cost of paying the waitstaff over three times their original pay? Please, explain to me in detail how the hell that would ever even out for the business owner. How about on slower nights when he has to pay the server $10 an hour, but only sells 10 meals?

I'll even help because you obviosly weren't an accounting major.

There's a little something called the cost of producing goods and services. The cost of producing your dining experience includes but id not limited to: the cost of ingredients, the cost to heat/cool the establishment, the cost for utilities, the cost of labor for the cooks, dishwashers, prepcooks, and waistaff, etc.

[pico]

$3 to $10 is a 333% increase, no?

if you think you're getting one million dollars after winning the million dollar lotto, then yes.

[swede96]

if you think you're getting one million dollars after winning the million dollar lotto, then yes.

Okay, you can be a pompous prick, or you can explain why you think I'm wrong.

[pico]

Yes, I do. You are just the kind of asshole I would hate to wait on. What is that last line supposed to mean? Typical ignorant fvck that thinks people wait tables because they are too stupid to do anything else. I'd like to see how long you would last on my floor. With an attitude like yours, I'd probably fire your ass by your second shift...and you'd only get that long because you would't be taking tables your first night.

The tip is usually 15 to 20%, right?

So, you could increase the cost of the meal by 15 to 20% to cover tips, right?

Do you really think that would cover the cost of paying the waitstaff over three times their original pay? Please, explain to me in detail how the hell that would ever even out for the business owner. How about on slower nights when he has to pay the server $10 an hour, but only sells 10 meals?

the well looks different from the top.

[donjuan]

Yes, I do. You are just the kind of asshole I would hate to wait on. What is that last line supposed to mean? Typical ignorant fvck that thinks people wait tables because they are too stupid to do anything else. I'd like to see how long you would last on my floor. With an attitude like yours, I'd probably fire your ass by your second shift...and you'd only get that long because you would't be taking tables your first night.

Well to be fair you're not helping the stereotype.

The tip is usually 15 to 20%, right?

So, you could increase the cost of the meal by 15 to 20% to cover tips, right?

Do you really think that would cover the cost of paying the waitstaff over three times their original pay? Please, explain to me in detail how the hell that would ever even out for the business owner. How about on slower nights when he has to pay the server $10 an hour, but only sells 10 meals?

Um it might "even out" for the owner because he'd be making an additional $10/hour before taxes per waiter on average.

[swede96]

Of course, pico...no actuall contribution from you...just condescending bullshIt. I should have known. This will be my final response to you until you post something that has anything to do with the actually accounting of running a business.

[pico]

Okay, you can be a pompous prick, or you can explain why you think I'm wrong.

by your argument, if you never managed a restruant, how do you know how to estimate their labour cost?

[swede96]

Well to be fair you're not helping the stereotype.



Um it might "even out" for the owner because he'd be making an additional $10/hour before taxes per waiter on average.

An additional $7 he's already taking off $3 before taxes. Yeah, that would off-set it a bit...But still,

[pico]

Of course, pico...no actuall contribution from you...just condescending bullshIt. I should have known. This will be my final response to you until you post something that has anything to do with the actually accounting of running a business.

to be fair, are you really trying to open a resturant or just bitching about people who have not tipped you well?

[donjuan]

Money doesn't vanish or appear out of thin air. You choose to ignore the cost of tips for the owner when it comes to cost of labor. Thinking people don't.

[swede96]

Money doesn't vanish or appear out of thin air. You choose to ignore the cost of tips for the owner when it comes to cost of labor. Thinking people don't.

You choose to ignore the cost of lost business due to being short handed because no one will do this job for $10 an hour. People in the business don't.

The draw to being a server is cash in hand that the IRS doesn't have to know about. Sure, you have to claim your tips and be taxed on them...but how does the IRS know if I make an average of 20% a table or 10%. If they audit me, all I have to say is: "Yeah, well, I kind suck." How can they prove I didn't claim all my tips? Take away that cash aspect and most servers I know wouldn't do it...and if they did, they wouldn't put the same effort into it. There wouldn't be much incentive to upsell the drinks or desserts because what the hell do I care if the bill is higher? I'm probably not getting a tip anyway. In fact, I hope people DON'T order dessert because it's a pain in the ass for me to go make it and I'd really rather you get water than a margarita because that takes a whole lot less time and effort. And if you do order a drink...where's the incentive for the bartender to get it to you quickly?

[donjuan]

Feel free to go off on a completely unrelated tangent at any time.

[gordon gekko]

You choose to ignore the cost of lost business due to being short handed because no one will do this job for $10 an hour. People in the business don't.

The draw to being a server is cash in hand that the IRS doesn't have to know about. Sure, you have to claim your tips and be taxed on them...but how does the IRS know if I make an average of 20% a table or 10%. If they audit me, all I have to say is: "Yeah, well, I kind suck." How can they prove I didn't claim all my tips? Take away that cash aspect and most servers I know wouldn't do it...and if they did, they wouldn't put the same effort into it. There wouldn't be much incentive to upsell the drinks or desserts because what the hell do I care if the bill is higher? I'm probably not getting a tip anyway. In fact, I hope people DON'T order dessert because it's a pain in the ass for me to go make it and I'd really rather you get water than a margarita because that takes a whole lot less time and effort. And if you do order a drink...where's the incentive for the bartender to get it to you quickly?

Swede they this is a never ending argument the only way to settle it is put them in a restaurant for a month and than lets see what they say. Or better yet let them have it there way and just take tipping out of the picture and when they go out and the service completely sucks they are going to be scratching there heads.

[donjuan]

Or better yet let them have it there way and just take tipping out of the picture and when they go out and the service completely sucks they are going to be scratching there heads.

Apparently you have never been abroad.

[swede96]

Feel free to go off on a completely unrelated tangent at any time.

Unrelated? Really? Are you actually telling me that if the employees are being paid more and selling less it won't have an adverse effect on the profit for the business?

[swede96]

Apparently you have never been abroad.

It has always been that way abroad though. That is what they're used to. Were talking about implementing that system in America. It wouldn't fly.

[Willie Bee]

I have a question:

I understand that tipping works differently in other countries, but is it different i the south? I am being serious, not trying to generalize. It just seems that if I get a table where the person paying has a southern accent, I'll be lucky to get about 13%. In one case, a table came in about 5 minutes before closing. I took my time with them so they didn't feel rushed. They were from Alabama. We chatted about the area and I gave them tips on things to do for fun. All in all we had a nice time. They loved the food and said I was very helpful. Then they left me $65 on a bill that was $63 and change. WHAT?! It's happened quite often (though not to that extreme) with tables from the south, so I wonder if the waitstaff is paid more down there, OR if someone who is sweet as pie by yankee standards is still kind of an asshol by southern standards.

One of the wisest men I've ever known said it best when he wrote, "Never confuse character with geography."

[swede96]

Swede they this is a never ending argument the only way to settle it is put them in a restaurant for a month and than lets see what they say. Or better yet let them have it there way and just take tipping out of the picture and when they go out and the service completely sucks they are going to be scratching there heads.

I love how smart these guys think they are. They can go ahead and talk down to me. Without breaking out my Accounting book and making up a balance sheet, no, I can't give any concrete proof, but I don't see them giving any either. Isn't it cute how DonJuan thinks that the employees having no motivation to upsell is unrelated to the topic. Ahhh...people with booksmarts but no streetsmarts are fun.

[RageWizard]

Apparently you have never been abroad.

I've never been a broad just a dude. Just kidding when I do go to some countries that don't do the tipping thing. The waiter/waitress looks at me funny when I tip anyway.

O.K. you all can now continue with your fighting.

[gordon gekko]

Unrelated? Really? Are you actually telling me that if the employees are being paid more and selling less it won't have an adverse effect on the profit for the business?

They don't understand that we help the store by up selling items to get the checks bigger and in turn get a bigger tip. win - win
If we got paid hourly we wouldn't care and not give as good service as we would knowing we are being paid on how we do.

[Willie Bee]

Apparently you have never been abroad.

No lie, Don Juan. Some of the best service I've ever received was outside the US and absolutely no tip was expected. In fact, leaving a tip would have been considered an insult in many ways. Often in UK pubs, I will leave a pint back for the bartender when settling the tab, but nothing even remotely close to the level or percentage of the tab that's expected here. My ale and pub grub was delivered with a smile, so the theory about the level of service would decline here is nothing short of garbage. After the first 3-4 waiters are fired for being turds in the punch bowl of life, the message would be pretty clear if you ask me.

Question for Swede and Mr. Gekko: How much of your tips do you report to the IRS?

[swede96]

One of the wisest men I've ever known said it best when he wrote, "Never confuse character with geography."

I know you are a Texan and I am not trying to be rude in any way. This is just what I've noticed. I have gotten some really good tips from southerners too. But I have noticed a pattern of lower tips from them in general. That doesn't mean I don't provide the same service. I was just curious if they pay waitstaff more down there, or if tipping isn't as common, or if it's simply that New Englanders are assholes by nature, so even when I think I'm being really nice, someone from a more friendly part of the country would find me rude.

I have a regular from Australia that tips me 10% every time. I'm assuming that's because things are different there because we chat and get along well every time he comes in. So, I was just wondering if other parts of this country look at tipping differently.

[swede96]

No lie, Don Juan. Some of the best service I've ever received was outside the US and absolutely no tip was expected. In fact, leaving a tip would have been considered an insult in many ways. Often in UK pubs, I will leave a pint back for the bartender when settling the tab, but nothing even remotely close to the level or percentage of the tab that's expected here. My ale and pub grub was delivered with a smile, so the theory about the level of service would decline here is nothing short of garbage. After the first 3-4 waiters are fired for being turds in the punch bowl of life, the message would be pretty clear if you ask me.

Question for Swede and Mr. Gekko: How much of your tips do you report to the IRS?

If you fired 3-4 waiters, you'd have no one. No one would go from what they're making now to $10 an hour and like it.

As for my tips...I claim none. I'm a stinker.

[Willie Bee]

I know you are a Texan and I am not trying to be rude in any way. This is just what I've noticed. I have gotten some really good tips from southerners too. But I have noticed a pattern of lower tips from them in general. That doesn't mean I don't provide the same service. I was just curious if they pay waitstaff more down there, or if tipping isn't as common, or if it's simply that New Englanders are assholes by nature, so even when I think I'm being really nice, someone from a more friendly part of the country would find me rude.

First off, anyone who thinks New Englanders are assholes -- And that would be you, dad, in case you're reading -- is simply allowing ignorance to dictate their lives. Secondly, I have no clue how or how much wait staff is paid around here. To tell you the truth, I don't really care and assume they don't really care how much I am paid.

[Willie Bee]

As for my tips...I claim none. I'm a stinker.

So you're saying that if someone stiffs you for a tip, that's muy malo, but if you stiff Uncle Sam for your taxes, that's hunky dory, rooty-tooty A-OK fine?

[swede96]

First off, anyone who thinks New Englanders are assholes -- And that would be you, dad, in case you're reading -- is simply allowing ignorance to dictate their lives. Secondly, I have no clue how or how much wait staff is paid around here. To tell you the truth, I don't really care and assume they don't really care how much I am paid.

We are assholes, Willie. I'll be the first to admit it. When I go to the south, I have an uneasy feeling the whole time. You peole are too nice. I always think they want something. Around here, everyone tells me I'm too nice. Most southerners I meet think I'm a bitch.

I really wasn't trying to insult you. I'm sorry if I did. I was just wondering.

[swede96]

So you're saying that if someone stiffs you for a tip, that's muy malo, but if you stiff Uncle Sam for your taxes, that's hunky dory, rooty-tooty A-OK fine?

Yep. I am. Are you saying that you have never been anything but completely honest on your taxes?

[Shark79]

Commercial:

In CR theres a 13% Service Fee already charged on the bill, therefore, it is not necessary to tip the waiter

Back to the action!!

[Willie Bee]

Yep. I am. Are you saying that you have never been anything but completely honest on your taxes?

Yes, I am. I say that each and every time I sign the bottom of the return. You may either choose to believe me or not. But I have never intentionally left income unreported on any federal income tax return.

You didn't insult me about the New Englanders comment nor wondering if Southerners are lighter tippers for one reason or another. I just hate it, and likely because of my father's bigotry, when people group everyone from one geographic or cultural or religious domain into one big, honkin' negative pile.

[donjuan]

It has always been that way abroad though. That is what they're used to. Were talking about implementing that system in America. It wouldn't fly.

Americans=lazy ****butts.
Rest of the world=do their job properly.

Or was there something else you were trying to say?

[swede96]

Yes, I am. I say that each and every time I sign the bottom of the return. You may either choose to believe me or not. But I have never intentionally left income unreported on any federal income tax return.

Well I don't feel bad if the goverment has trouble paying for some of it's stupid programs. If they can't afford welfare, perhaps some of its recipients would like to bust their ass for $10 an hour.

You didn't insult me about the New Englanders comment nor wondering if Southerners are lighter tippers for one reason or another. I just hate it, and likely because of my father's bigotry, when people group everyone from one geographic or cultural or religious domain into one big, honkin' negative pile.

Well, I wasn't trying to lump everyone. I was just speaking from experience. I love southern folk. If I wasn't with my current boyfriend I may have already relocated to Mississippi to be with the most dashin southern gentleman I have ever met.

[donjuan]

Unrelated? Really? Are you actually telling me that if the employees are being paid more and selling less it won't have an adverse effect on the profit for the business?

Yes, it is unrelated to the argument that food prices would not go up if you paid waiters $10/hour.