Bogus! Tipping

What’s the right amount?

I tip 15% unless I get great service or horrible service. My daughters who are Millennials, chastise me and say the rule has changed and 20% is the news norm.

Did I miss the memo?

The kids say it’s generational. That it’s because I’m a Boomer and they are Gen Z.

What do you tip? How old are you?

 

...I have a lot of experience is this area and I won't disclose my age but let's just say I'm no youngster. I spent about 10 years in the food/beverage business and served as a waiter, bartender and then a manager. And as we used to say, "TIPS" stands for "To ensure prompt service"...most people who are/were in that line of work are good tippers, as am I.

...but I never put a specific percentage on the amount of the "tip" and instead, base the tip on the performance of the server. But I also concede that some restaurants combine all the tips and then divide them equally which I don't agree with.
...If the service was very good but the food was bad I won't penalize the server for that and I will tell them that so they can relay the feedback to the kitchen, with hopes that they may make changes/adjustments to correct the problem going forward. For the server for example, I usually tip from $25 to $50 on a $100 tab but that's just me.

...conversely, if the food was good but the service is bad I will tip accordingly, maybe $10 or if they were horrible or rude or had some sort of attitude I may not leave a tip at all. And before I leave I will often times tell the server exactly why with hopes that they will take it into account and improve on it...my wife hates it when I do that...lol.



...just tip according to your conscience and don't feel obligated to over-tip when the dining.drinking experience was bad.

 

But what’s the answer????

Fancy dinner for 4 tonight in cannon beach. Bill- $135. I leave $155. $20 on $135 is just about 15%.it was good food good service. a B. And anyway, it’s friggin $20!

Kids inferred I was a bad tipper.

 

...meh, don't let it bother you...if the kids feels that bad about it or embarrassed, they can kick another $10 - $20...like I said just tip your conscience and don't feel pressured. Keep in mind there are always going to be people who will tip more/less than you so it all evens out for the server. They also get a small hourly wage to help offset taxes/withholding with a little leftover.

 

That's an excellent question.
There was a young man over on OLive's Trail Blazer forum, towelboy, who used to work as a waiter. Last I heard he was in law school at Northwestern. He used to tell us that 29% was the norm and anything else was an insult. This was a shock to me because when I used to fly around on company business, we were always allowed only 15% tip for restaurants, even expensive ones where the standard is 25%, and taxis.

My wife and I now tip 20% unless the wait staff has to do extra for us. e.g. Can we have straws with those drinks, my we have extra napkins, could you please include a wedge of lemon in our glass of water, can we have a table with a booth and so on, then we up the tip appropriately. We went out for seafood last night and had several questions for the waiter and left a little over a 25% tip. Nice guy.

If we get simply awful service we've been known to walk out like once every ten years or so, without leaving any tip.

 

Here's a helpful tip: Never complain about the service or food until after you receive all the food and drink you were expecting. Who knows what goes on in the kitchen behind closed doors.
Also, whenever we receive a waiter/waitress that we really like, we let them know right then and there.

I never give any feedback to poor servers except the low amount of my tip or rarely, no tip at all. That's just a personal approach that I do for my fellow coworkers or anyone else. I prefer to compliment and remain silent when they are rude or lazy.

When a fellow worker does a nice job or tries to do a nice job, I tell their boss even if it's also my boss. I respect those that try.

 

I would have left at least $35 at a fancy restaurant and the service was good.

 

Just tip 25%. it’s easy to figure out when you’re wasted, and the person will remember, insuring good service your next visit.

If it’s a one off, all bets are off. Just depends how my dick swings that day. But never less than around 15%. I think less than a 15% tip is kinda a slap in the face these days. If it’s truly brutal service maybe I’ll do like 12% to make a point. Whatever rounds up to an even number for my total total.

 

...well, my tip and/or suggestions are obviously at the end of the meal when they bring me the tab...doesn't make sense that I'd do it beforehand.

...my point is that you get bad service and simply tip a small amount or nothing at all without saying something the server will probably just think you're a cheap SOB.

...restaurants/pubs/bars need feedback to know what kind of job they are doing which is why many managers/owners make it a point to periodically go to tables and ask the customer if their food/drinks/service was satisfactory.

 

That is 14.8%.

Its an insult to the wait staff and reflects poorly on you in today's society. 15% is considered the absolute mininum and you fell below that.

 

I have done this when I dine with my cheap tipping relatives. Its embarrassing and i throw an extra $5 in sometimes if i see they undertipped.

 

FYI, i believe most restaurants pool tips. Its not just for the server, but for the bus boy, the guy washing your dishes, etc. By tipping badly you are taking money out of their pockets.

Recrntly some spots have a separate kitchen tip which is fucking classless to ask for IMO.

And a healthcare surcharge.

 

I was thinking the same thing

 

20% almost always unless it was a disaster.