Tipping Question

[RageWizard]

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.

This would be very amusing. The bostonian accent in Mississippi.

[pico]

everyone of my waiter/waitress freinds sound the exactly the same. they all hate middle class people who lived beyond their means.

like willie said, best restuirant services i had also was outside of the states. here is a good read:

http://www.amazon.com/Nickel-Dimed-Not-Getting-America/dp/0805063897

that is capitalism for you.

the gripe i have about american tipping system is that resturants is making the customers the bad guy when their own employee perform badly. tipping is the same as undercoating surcharge when you buy a car.

[swede96]

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

Or was there something else you were trying to say?

Not wanting to take a pay cut for no good reason makes me lazy? Are you saying that you would take as much pride in your work as you do now if your boss came to you tomorrow and cut your pay for no reason? That makes you a sucker, not a good worker.

[swede96]

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

Who cares about the prices of the food when no one comes in to eat it? I'm looking at the big picture.

[swede96]

everyone of my waiter/waitress freinds sound the exactly the same. they all hate middle class people who lived beyond their means.

like willie said, best restuirant services i had also was outside of the states. here is a good read:

http://www.amazon.com/Nickel-Dimed-Not-Getting-America/dp/0805063897

that is capitalism for you.

the gripe i have about american tipping system is that resturants is making the customers the bad guy when their own employee perform badly. tipping is the same as undercoating surcharge when you buy a car.

Pico, you would have a point if only bad servers received bad tips. However, since plenty of servers who go above and beyond what is asked of them and still get stiffed, you have no idea what you're talking about. I was right about you never serving tables, wasn't I?

[donjuan]

Who cares about the prices of the food when no one comes in to eat it? I'm looking at the big picture.

1. Swede makes silly statement.
2. I point out the absurdity of the statement.
3. Swede changes topics

Did I miss something?

Not wanting to take a pay cut for no good reason makes me lazy? Are you saying that you would take as much pride in your work as you do now if your boss came to you tomorrow and cut your pay for no reason? That makes you a sucker, not a good worker.

I'm sure you are aware of the compensation for waiters in other countries around the world.

[Shark79]

Waitress suck!! .. and very well

[pico]

Pico, you would have a point if only bad servers received bad tips. However, since plenty of servers who go above and beyond what is asked of them and still get stiffed, you have no idea what you're talking about. I was right about you never serving tables, wasn't I?

i have a problem with the american tipping system that is all. it is not because i am cheap...i just find it a hassle to do math after half bottle of zinfandale.

don't you find it annoying going to the bathrooms in nightclubs and you have to tip them everytime you wash your hand? ****, i would rather just hand my credit card to the bathroom attendant and tell him to start a tab.

[pico]

1. Swede makes silly statement.
2. I point out the absurdity of the statement.
3. Swede changes topics

Did I miss something?

have you ever had an logical argument with your gf/wife?

[McBa1n]

I will keep this in mind next time I want some Mexican food in Rhode Island.

Haha - Mexican food in Rhode Island... There was none when I lived there. Thats like saying 'italian food in vegas'. LMAO - junk! You can't get proper cheese or sauce out here.

If you want good food in Providence, there's a calzone place with crazy owners.. Crap, can't remember the name of it. They opened when they wanted, served you cheap/fast calzones and they were simply the best of the best. Word spread fast as there were always lines there. It was a treat for sure finding that spot.

[donjuan]

have you ever had an logical argument with your gf/wife?

Indeed.

[Bet Shooter]

Long thread with many topics but here goes:

If the food sux do exactly what Swede said. Send it back BEFORE you eat half of it. The Chef is at fault, not the wait staff. If it sux again, ask to talk to a Manager/Owner. You will not have to pay the second time. Give every place one more chance. If it sux again, don't go back. I also don't try the hot new place for the first 2 months. Let them get the kinks out before you judge. (I think that was the original question posted here.) One of my businesses is the service industry and I REALLY want to hear all the bad stuff. Without the constructive criticism we have no basis for improvement.

As for the service, that is judged by itself. Swede as an example, may be an excellent staff person and the rest of the place sux. So you would tip accordingly. I am a 20% man on the WHOLE tab. Not just food. I have gone to 25% with exceptional service and it was warranted. I judge the service at a fine dining establishment by how seemless the service was. I have had dinners where the waitstaff was almost invisable. That is how you know when you have had some of the greatest service anywhere in the world. If you never noticed them and everything you needed ws already there at the table.

As far as tipping verses a straight hourly rate for waitstaff, wouldn't you like to be in control of who gets how much, instead of a flat fee with NO incentive for the staff to give exceptional service? I know I would like to tip 15% to those that suck and 25% for the exceptional ones.

Also by tipping well, you are almost assured the same or better service from that same staff member on your return. If they are worth their salt in the first place, they will remember you the next time. If the food sux, then it's a moot point, you aren't going back anyway!

As far as the dining experience overseas, you are comparing apples to oranges. In the UK for example, the base pay for waitstaff is much higher so tipping is almost negligable for their year-end pay. It's the exact opposite here. I have had UK business people take me out here and I always have to slip the waitstaff more cash. I just hope during dinner the staff doesn't ask if they did anything wrong after they get the check back. That has happened to me and they get insulted. Piss Off was the usual comment. But it's their way, not ours.

Also, diners overseas don't like to have the staff at their beckon call. It is a sign of good service here to ask if everything is OK and if you need anything. Over there, they think you are bothering them during the meal and that's rude. American's overseas think they have to ask for everything and think the service is terrible when all they are trying to do is give you some peace during your dinner. Also the time you spend at the table is different. In the US they are looking to turn tables fast, over there they take their time. Probably because of the hourly vs tip type payment for the staff. Again you can't compare the two, apples and oranges.

Final word: A simple please and thank you from us as customers goes a LONG way. Talk to your waitstaff as you would your family or friend. If they still suck then tip accordingly, but at least you tried. I think if any of use treated Swede with respect, you would get excellent service in return.

P.S. I have never worked in a restaurant and I have very few troubles dining out. I don't think working in one is a prerequiste (sp?) for eating in one.

[cantgetright]

People who go to nice restaurants and don't tip properly are just cheap assholes. Nothing more, nothing less.

All the reasons they give is just bullshit and they know it.

[donjuan]

Here's a question: why should tipping be a percentage of the bill? Was it really more work for the waiter if I order lobster instead of a hamburger?

[pjesnik24]

In Europe (at least most of it) waiters are paid depending on what kind of place they work and on what hours they work. And I would not say that I had worse service in Germany than in US. Owners of the restaurants should pay their workers.
what is next? to tip a stewardess 10% of the ticket? to tip the guy who brings you your cable bill 10 %? how about the guy who calculates your taxes?

[pjesnik24]

Just to add, sure you tip the service here, but only if you were pleased by everything. if you got really bad food, you should still tip the server 20 %?
why?
so, you got bad food, it ruined maybe a nice dinner that you planned with your partner, you lost an hour of your life in some lousy place, and after that you should say "thank you, here is your 20 % extra because you smiled to me". well, in Europe NOT. But I understand that the culture in US is different

[turnip]

Just to add, sure you tip the service here, but only if you were pleased by everything. if you got really bad food, you should still tip the server 20 %?
why?
so, you got bad food, it ruined maybe a nice dinner that you planned with your partner, you lost an hour of your life in some lousy place, and after that you should say "thank you, here is your 20 % extra because you smiled to me". well, in Europe NOT. But I understand that the culture in US is different

well you're not tipping the cook

[pjesnik24]

so, if you find a bug in your soup and a hair in your main meal you are still tipping the service?

[HAPPY BOY]

Uncle Sam should be stiffed and HARD for an Illegal ,Corrupt Mafia style tax system. I fvck em every chance I can. FVCK the IRS.

[mathdotcom]

Having a tip system makes sense. The problem is that everyone feels compelled to tip even when the service is bad. Most people tip a bit extra if they liked their server. But they don't go below 15% if the server sucked ass.

Personally, I don't give a shit if the server smiles or anything. But if she is annoying, takes forever to even get a drink, makes stupid comments and/or interrupts constantly, then I give a shit tip. That's the whole point.

Madcapper, usually the server comes over and asks you how your food is. What did you say there? I agree with whoever said you should complain ASAP before you eat anymore.

[mathdotcom]

pjesnik,

Agreed. Everyone expects a phucking tip these days for doing their jobs. Places like restaurants, etc. that don't pay proper wages are traditional exceptions. I go to this pool place sometimes and they expect a tip when you pay your tab, even though they didn't bring any drinks; all they do is hand you a rack of balls. Wtf?

[Tsoprano]

I would call out the manager, tell them I'm not paying for their crappy food and then generously tip the server.

Next stop, Jail.

[Tsoprano]

Long thread with many topics but here goes:

If the food sux do exactly what Swede said. Send it back BEFORE you eat half of it. The Chef is at fault, not the wait staff. If it sux again, ask to talk to a Manager/Owner. You will not have to pay the second time. Give every place one more chance. If it sux again, don't go back. I also don't try the hot new place for the first 2 months. Let them get the kinks out before you judge. (I think that was the original question posted here.) One of my businesses is the service industry and I REALLY want to hear all the bad stuff. Without the constructive criticism we have no basis for improvement.

As for the service, that is judged by itself. Swede as an example, may be an excellent staff person and the rest of the place sux. So you would tip accordingly. I am a 20% man on the WHOLE tab. Not just food. I have gone to 25% with exceptional service and it was warranted. I judge the service at a fine dining establishment by how seemless the service was. I have had dinners where the waitstaff was almost invisable. That is how you know when you have had some of the greatest service anywhere in the world. If you never noticed them and everything you needed ws already there at the table.

As far as tipping verses a straight hourly rate for waitstaff, wouldn't you like to be in control of who gets how much, instead of a flat fee with NO incentive for the staff to give exceptional service? I know I would like to tip 15% to those that suck and 25% for the exceptional ones.

Also by tipping well, you are almost assured the same or better service from that same staff member on your return. If they are worth their salt in the first place, they will remember you the next time. If the food sux, then it's a moot point, you aren't going back anyway!

As far as the dining experience overseas, you are comparing apples to oranges. In the UK for example, the base pay for waitstaff is much higher so tipping is almost negligable for their year-end pay. It's the exact opposite here. I have had UK business people take me out here and I always have to slip the waitstaff more cash. I just hope during dinner the staff doesn't ask if they did anything wrong after they get the check back. That has happened to me and they get insulted. Piss Off was the usual comment. But it's their way, not ours.

Also, diners overseas don't like to have the staff at their beckon call. It is a sign of good service here to ask if everything is OK and if you need anything. Over there, they think you are bothering them during the meal and that's rude. American's overseas think they have to ask for everything and think the service is terrible when all they are trying to do is give you some peace during your dinner. Also the time you spend at the table is different. In the US they are looking to turn tables fast, over there they take their time. Probably because of the hourly vs tip type payment for the staff. Again you can't compare the two, apples and oranges.

Final word: A simple please and thank you from us as customers goes a LONG way. Talk to your waitstaff as you would your family or friend. If they still suck then tip accordingly, but at least you tried. I think if any of use treated Swede with respect, you would get excellent service in return.

P.S. I have never worked in a restaurant and I have very few troubles dining out. I don't think working in one is a prerequiste (sp?) for eating in one.

Cough up the 15%. Only 3% if you all split it up if its that big a deal from reading through this.

[TheLock]

i never like the concept of tipping. it is just a scam the resturant owners push the cost of the meal to the patrons. the meal prices are artifically deflated to attract more customers. pay the waitress 10 dollars an hour and let the customers tip if they wanted to.

$10 an hour?

How is a single mom with 2 kids suppossed to make ends meet if she's making $10 an hour with optional tips?

If you can afford to go out for nice dinners you can afford to tip a waitress if the service is good.

[pico]

$10 an hour?

How is a single mom with 2 kids suppossed to make ends meet if she's making $10 an hour with optional tips?

If you can afford to go out for nice dinners you can afford to tip a waitress if the service is good.

how about give hand jobs under the table for 30 a pop. it is just an arbitrary number.

[pavyracer]

If you go to a very expensive restaurant with 4 colleagues for dinner and the food absolutely was a disaster, do you still tip your waiter the minimum 15%? Obviously its not the waiter's fault that the food sucked. But you are still the one that has to pay an outlandish amount of money for the bad food.

What would you do in this situation?

You always tip the waiter 15% no matter how bad the food is unless the waiter is also the cook.

[swede96]

Long thread with many topics but here goes:

If the food sux do exactly what Swede said. Send it back BEFORE you eat half of it. The Chef is at fault, not the wait staff. If it sux again, ask to talk to a Manager/Owner. You will not have to pay the second time. Give every place one more chance. If it sux again, don't go back. I also don't try the hot new place for the first 2 months. Let them get the kinks out before you judge. (I think that was the original question posted here.) One of my businesses is the service industry and I REALLY want to hear all the bad stuff. Without the constructive criticism we have no basis for improvement.

As for the service, that is judged by itself. Swede as an example, may be an excellent staff person and the rest of the place sux. So you would tip accordingly. I am a 20% man on the WHOLE tab. Not just food. I have gone to 25% with exceptional service and it was warranted. I judge the service at a fine dining establishment by how seemless the service was. I have had dinners where the waitstaff was almost invisable. That is how you know when you have had some of the greatest service anywhere in the world. If you never noticed them and everything you needed ws already there at the table.

As far as tipping verses a straight hourly rate for waitstaff, wouldn't you like to be in control of who gets how much, instead of a flat fee with NO incentive for the staff to give exceptional service? I know I would like to tip 15% to those that suck and 25% for the exceptional ones.

Also by tipping well, you are almost assured the same or better service from that same staff member on your return. If they are worth their salt in the first place, they will remember you the next time. If the food sux, then it's a moot point, you aren't going back anyway!

As far as the dining experience overseas, you are comparing apples to oranges. In the UK for example, the base pay for waitstaff is much higher so tipping is almost negligable for their year-end pay. It's the exact opposite here. I have had UK business people take me out here and I always have to slip the waitstaff more cash. I just hope during dinner the staff doesn't ask if they did anything wrong after they get the check back. That has happened to me and they get insulted. Piss Off was the usual comment. But it's their way, not ours.

Also, diners overseas don't like to have the staff at their beckon call. It is a sign of good service here to ask if everything is OK and if you need anything. Over there, they think you are bothering them during the meal and that's rude. American's overseas think they have to ask for everything and think the service is terrible when all they are trying to do is give you some peace during your dinner. Also the time you spend at the table is different. In the US they are looking to turn tables fast, over there they take their time. Probably because of the hourly vs tip type payment for the staff. Again you can't compare the two, apples and oranges.

Final word: A simple please and thank you from us as customers goes a LONG way. Talk to your waitstaff as you would your family or friend. If they still suck then tip accordingly, but at least you tried. I think if any of use treated Swede with respect, you would get excellent service in return.

P.S. I have never worked in a restaurant and I have very few troubles dining out. I don't think working in one is a prerequiste (sp?) for eating in one.

You sir, are the exception, not the rule. My comment about having to work in a restaurant was half sarcastic. Thank you, for saying eveything I was trying to only doing it much better.

[swede96]

Just to add, sure you tip the service here, but only if you were pleased by everything. if you got really bad food, you should still tip the server 20 %?
why?
so, you got bad food, it ruined maybe a nice dinner that you planned with your partner, you lost an hour of your life in some lousy place, and after that you should say "thank you, here is your 20 % extra because you smiled to me". well, in Europe NOT. But I understand that the culture in US is different

Because the cook made the food, not your server. The cook gets the same amount weather you like your food or not. It's the cooks job to make the food. It's the server's job to bring you everything and, if needed, take it back and bring you another. If the server did their job, they should be compensated. Trust me, the cook doesn't go unpunished (IF it's a mistake on their part and not just a dish you don't like). I let my boss know every time there's a complaint on the food. That way, he can re-train cooks, or adjust his dish accordingly.

[swede96]

so, if you find a bug in your soup and a hair in your main meal you are still tipping the service?

Yes. Your server brought it to you. If there is a bug or a hair in something, tell your server. A good server will apologize profusely and ask what they can do to fix it for you...ie: bring you a new one or take it off the bill. As long as he/she does that, they have done their job and you have received good service. Maybe the product wasn't up to your standards, but the service is what you're tipping on, not the product.

[RageWizard]

Is it O.K. if I give a hooker just 20% with the tip? I mean I'm paying for it, why would he/she care? This way I don't use the tonsiles as a punching bag, and they don't need to choke.

[Bet Shooter]

Is it O.K. if I give a hooker just 20% with the tip? I mean I'm paying for it, why would he/she care? This way I don't use the tonsiles as a punching bag, and they don't need to choke.

[MadCapper]

Long thread with many topics but here goes:

If the food sux do exactly what Swede said. Send it back BEFORE you eat half of it. The Chef is at fault, not the wait staff. If it sux again, ask to talk to a Manager/Owner. You will not have to pay the second time. Give every place one more chance. If it sux again, don't go back. I also don't try the hot new place for the first 2 months. Let them get the kinks out before you judge. (I think that was the original question posted here.) One of my businesses is the service industry and I REALLY want to hear all the bad stuff. Without the constructive criticism we have no basis for improvement.

As for the service, that is judged by itself. Swede as an example, may be an excellent staff person and the rest of the place sux. So you would tip accordingly. I am a 20% man on the WHOLE tab. Not just food. I have gone to 25% with exceptional service and it was warranted. I judge the service at a fine dining establishment by how seemless the service was. I have had dinners where the waitstaff was almost invisable. That is how you know when you have had some of the greatest service anywhere in the world. If you never noticed them and everything you needed ws already there at the table.

As far as tipping verses a straight hourly rate for waitstaff, wouldn't you like to be in control of who gets how much, instead of a flat fee with NO incentive for the staff to give exceptional service? I know I would like to tip 15% to those that suck and 25% for the exceptional ones.

Also by tipping well, you are almost assured the same or better service from that same staff member on your return. If they are worth their salt in the first place, they will remember you the next time. If the food sux, then it's a moot point, you aren't going back anyway!

As far as the dining experience overseas, you are comparing apples to oranges. In the UK for example, the base pay for waitstaff is much higher so tipping is almost negligable for their year-end pay. It's the exact opposite here. I have had UK business people take me out here and I always have to slip the waitstaff more cash. I just hope during dinner the staff doesn't ask if they did anything wrong after they get the check back. That has happened to me and they get insulted. Piss Off was the usual comment. But it's their way, not ours.

Also, diners overseas don't like to have the staff at their beckon call. It is a sign of good service here to ask if everything is OK and if you need anything. Over there, they think you are bothering them during the meal and that's rude. American's overseas think they have to ask for everything and think the service is terrible when all they are trying to do is give you some peace during your dinner. Also the time you spend at the table is different. In the US they are looking to turn tables fast, over there they take their time. Probably because of the hourly vs tip type payment for the staff. Again you can't compare the two, apples and oranges.

Final word: A simple please and thank you from us as customers goes a LONG way. Talk to your waitstaff as you would your family or friend. If they still suck then tip accordingly, but at least you tried. I think if any of use treated Swede with respect, you would get excellent service in return.

P.S. I have never worked in a restaurant and I have very few troubles dining out. I don't think working in one is a prerequiste (sp?) for eating in one.

[pico]

.

[yisman]

.

. .

[blueghost]

your not tipping them for cooking the meal your tipping them for service if their friendly.courteous.and prompt,they get a tip seems that 20 per cent is standard..if the service was extraordinary you can boost it up accordingily