How many still tip waiters and waitresses at 20% or more?

[SFC B]

I bartended and served while I was in grad school. I also delivered pizza in the Ghetto during that time period. I understand the system and tip well in CASH (I hate the idea of tips being taxed). The idea of a "living wage" given our the incredible diversity and differences in our country, local economies etc vs the western European countries (and I have lived in 3 of those) we get compared to is very flawed.....and accordingly service there (even in what would be non-tipped service jobs...like store clerks) is generally crappy at best. The other perspective that time gave me is that I know whether problems with my meal were kitchen related (ie steak not cooked correctly) or service related (food cold, not correct sides etc) and adjust accordingly. If I go below 15%, service has been bad.......some folks really do not belong in any type of service industry. Currently I work (Scheels) on partial commission but thankfully the culture and pay package is such that the most valued and rewarded move is getting the right fit for our customers instead of "upselling". Generally you can find things on line cheaper (even though we DO price match) so I really do strive to "help" people get what suits their needs/wants and b e as knowledgeable as possible. The best is when people are surprised when you suggest things that are substantially cheaper but fit them the best.

 

[Wildabeest]

I tip when I sit down and order. Otherwise, not so much unless I get exceptional service, in which case I’ll tip in cash after the transaction. I also will “tip the kitchen” in cash for exceptional food - on top of tipping the wait staff on the credit card.

I often go out to eat on my own and dine at the bar in nicer restaurants. I tip those guys pretty well. They take care of me on return visits.

 

[WIbiggame]

20% here but go up or down based on the service.

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

Usually around 18-20%.

I enjoyed the "no tipping" culture in New Zealand when we visited, although I did tip our fishing guide.

 

[bigsky2]

I typically do 20%. I did enjoy the no tipping culture when I was in Europe though. If you tipped anything at all they were ecstatic.

 

[Dave N]

I typically do 20%. I did enjoy the no tipping culture when I was in Europe though. If you tipped anything at all they were ecstatic.

Yeah, that took some getting use to.

 

[ismith]

My daughter works as a waitress with a base pay of $2.30. So yeah, it’s pretty necessary.

That should be illegal.

 

[Khunter]

Just curious, since higher tips became common practice soon after COVID as a means for waiters and waitresses to catch up on lost earnings. I continue to tip good service at 20% but wonder if it's still necessary.

tipped 20% with regularity before and after covid.

 

[Khunter]

Two things for me

We started a new rule in the house, don't tip if we're standing up to order. Heck even subway asks for tips now


We don't tip based on the taxed amount, only the pretax amount, but they always do the math on the full amount with tax, why should you tip on the taxed portion?

Have seen many pre calculated tips based on pretax on printed bills. “They” do not ALWAYS calculate for you post tax.

 

[Khunter]

My biggest issue with tipping is why should the patron be responsible to fix the failure of the employer? If being able to afford to live is dependent on the generosity of others, you’re being exploited. Form a union, force the employer to pay better wages.

The other side of the coin are the states that have reasonable minimum wages (and most bartenders make above that anyway), and the service industry is fighting against getting rid of tips because they’re making a killing through exploiting the customers with their whole guilt/shame scheme. And now it bleeding into every industry, getting utterly ridiculous. I’ve seen tipping options for the check out at stores more and more frequently. Tip you for what, ringing up the items that I shopped for?

Either scenario, it’s all entitlement and greed. How about instead we use those tax dollars we’re already spending to provide for people’s basic needs so we don’t have to have this stupid mandatory “gratuity” for people to live with dignity, aka the solution most other western countries have managed to figure out.

You sound CHEAP. Standing on a fake moral high ground that the diner employee should manage and require their employer to provide higher than wht is standard across industry in wages? LOL

 

[brymoore]

The U.S. could go to a non-tipping method but then the price of all our meals go up.

We’re paying one way or another.

 

[Boarmaster]

I have always tipped them at 20%. Certain circumstances I tip more.

 

[Bullshot]

On the flip side, anyone that tips only 20% to the hardworking waitress/server covering the overnight shift or 5 am at the local diner, pancake house, or off the highway serving cheap breakfast and coffee with a low food bill is not thinking. Look at that person, ask yourself if you would want to be there doing their job at that time, and give them some actual money, not just 20% of your $ $10.00 tab. A $5 minimum (in this case 50% tip) is much more appropriate there (and still feels cheap), to the HUMAN worker, especially if you would have no problem tipping that same cash and more for a normal lunch or dinner there requiring the same service. No overnight or breakfast server, who’s usually NOT a kid, is getting rich and they are working then in most cases cause they NEED to.

 

[FairWeather]

You sound CHEAP. Standing on a fake moral high ground that the diner employee should manage and require their employer to provide higher than wht is standard across industry in wages? LOL

Clearly what is standard across the industry is insufficient to live off of, or else there wouldn’t be the requirement to tip in order for servers to survive. Anyone who is working should be paid a living wage by their employer.

 

[Richard22]

Yes, I've seen comments from those who say they never tip when placing a food order while standing up. I've been following this rule but will leave a tip on the table if employees will be cleaning it after I leave.

 

[schmalts]

I really have no set standard. Not sure why the thought that we should tip higher percentage than before covid? I do 15-30% depending on the situation. One factor is the overall cost of the meal. It takes pretty much the same effort for the server to toss down a 300.00 tab for 4 at a fancy place then a 50.00 tab at hole in the wall. If the hole in the wall server did a great job the percentage is higher than the 300.00 place. As far as standing up at the counter 12 people deep in line to get a 12.00 beer at a music concert and then a card reader is turned around? yeah it's highly optional and usually no.