How do you tip?

[BMW F22]

So I do tip. My usual number is standard 18-20% unless service was bad. I don't tip for picking up and I tip less than 18-20% when someone just brings the food (ie not really waiting on us like at Pho places).

[Mr Tonka]

What about when you guys are at Golden Corral or Sizzler where people just clear your plates every time you go back up to the buffet? Do you guys tip the table cleaners?

[John Tanglewood]

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

I'm usually good for 10% assuming the server was competent enough to be courteous and no spill food or drink on our group.

How cheap can you be man? 10% is a garbage tip for anywhere in the USA.

I tip at least 20% so long as my server is competent. Usually in the 22% range as I'll usually round up. Servers work for tips.

[twin fed]

It takes a lot for me to give anything less than 20%. I worked in the food service industry for 10 years. I know what servers go through.

[dreamingat30fps]

I hate the whole tipping concept, however I typically tip about 20% give or take to make the total even (OCD about my total). I typically go to the same places over and over so service is usually always good and most of the people already know me so don't need to have a bad tipper rep.

[CANGRKE70]

Owning a restaurant, I tip more than usual for good service. If I get poor service, I tip lower than usual. Pretty standard.

[other_evolved]

Wow.....a decently long thread about tipping on an internet forum without the "TIPS = to insure proper service" insanity.

20-25% is typical. If I'm a regular at the place I'll go above that. If the service awful, down to 5% or a buck or two.

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by Mr Tonka

What about when you guys are at Golden Corral or Sizzler where people just clear your plates every time you go back up to the buffet? Do you guys tip the table cleaners?

Golden Corral

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by PINeely

Plenty of people talk about the reasons that you should tip your servers appropriately for their benefit, but I want to talk about how you should tip appropriately for your own benefit. You want over the moon service? Don't just expect it, pay for it. I usually go to the same few restaurants and everyone who works at them knows me because I tip well. At one of them the bartenders know all three of my cars and my drink is usually sitting on the bar at my usual seat when I walk through the door. They'll give me free food and drinks sometimes (It's often cheaper tipping 30% than not tipping at all when this happens) and the waitstaff will come chat with me when the place isn't busy. I've been invited to movies, to go drinking, to shoot pool, fishing and so on. And I always get outstanding service, not just from the bartender or my server, from everyone. Let them know that you appreciate the time and effort they are giving and they will let you know how much they appreciate you, guaranteed.

Norm!!

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by dreamingat30fps

to make the total even (OCD about my total).

Same. I double the taxes, round up a bit, but it always ends .00 That is when I use the credit card.

If I bought dinner, but somebody else wants to leave the tip, I check what they put down. If it's reasonable, then I put about $1 on the credit card, and waits get the cash. If my dad leaves the cash, I know I need to put more than a few $ on the credit card. . .

Some places no matter how many times we go, can't getwait staff to understand "No onions" even when both the wife AND I tell them that on her order. If I'm done with dinner and drinks, but the wife is still picking little bits of onions out of her plate, the tip ain't going to be all that great.

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by Mr Tonka

What about when you guys are at Golden Corral or Sizzler where people just clear your plates every time you go back up to the buffet? Do you guys tip the table cleaners?

In this situation, yes, I'll leave a few dollars (not 15%-20%) for the person who clears the table after we're gone...

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

In this situation, yes, I'll leave a few dollars (not 15%-20%) for the person who clears the table after we're gone...

I usually leave a buck in these places. Also do a buck for the curbside pick up places. If i have to go in to get my take off food, no tip. Well, except this one place where i was a regular. I'd call in and Sheila just asks, "the usual?" I leave her a tip. She's funny too. Haven't eaten there in a while and when i called in she picked up the phone and said, "what in the hell have you been eating?" lol

[kscarrol]

Agreed. Now when the kids were young and made a real mess I'd leave five for the cleanup folks. Figures they deserved that for the mess we made!

[other_evolved]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Agreed. Now when the kids were young and made a real mess I'd leave five for the cleanup folks. Figures they deserved that for the mess we made!

That brings up a good point. I tip more if our son is eating with us. At 18 months, he can have quite blast radius of food around him.

[Needbmwpartzz]

Originally Posted by John Tanglewood

How cheap can you be man? 10% is a garbage tip for anywhere in the USA.

I tip at least 20% so long as my server is competent. Usually in the 22% range as I'll usually round up. Servers work for tips.

From Canada eh and that is what I'm usually good for based on average service,tip much more if everything was exceptional.
Lately haven't had good service anywhere:
I find it interesting when people call me cheap based on 10 percent,but It's cool with me because you weren't with me to see the service received and it's my money.....I almost always tip everyone that serves me.....they really need to F$&? Up to not get.

[Dekansnowman]

Double the first number.

Now, I have been to some places where service, personality, and anticipating our needs were just above and beyond. I'm not a difficult customer, and rarely make a complaint. But I was at one restaurant in Austin called Perla's that was just fantastic. There was a small error that was done by someone who brought our food, versus the server who took our order, and it wasn't even a big deal. We ordered a side of asparagus and spinach or something, and they brought out potatoes. So I told the waiter that I think we got someone else's side on accident, and he apologized profusely. I told him it was totally ok, a minor mix up, and to not worry about it. This dude came back with our normal sides, and a side of brussell sprouts to which he added, "I remember you guys discussing sides, and you both mentioned you never tried these. So here, these are on me, again I am sorry for the mixup."

The bill was $110ish including a mixed drink we got at the bar before seating. I gave the dude $60 just because he was so on point, and just the right about of convo to welcome us into town.

[jtodd_fl]

Originally Posted by Dekansnowman

Double the first number.

Now, I have been to some places where service, personality, and anticipating our needs were just above and beyond. I'm not a difficult customer, and rarely make a complaint. But I was at one restaurant in Austin called Perla's that was just fantastic. There was a small error that was done by someone who brought our food, versus the server who took our order, and it wasn't even a big deal. We ordered a side of asparagus and spinach or something, and they brought out potatoes. So I told the waiter that I think we got someone else's side on accident, and he apologized profusely. I told him it was totally ok, a minor mix up, and to not worry about it. This dude came back with our normal sides, and a side of brussell sprouts to which he added, "I remember you guys discussing sides, and you both mentioned you never tried these. So here, these are on me, again I am sorry for the mixup."

The bill was $110ish including a mixed drink we got at the bar before seating. I gave the dude $60 just because he was so on point, and just the right about of convo to welcome us into town.

That shit would possibly get a 50%er from me too - or at least something significantly "extra". Being "on point" is a good description. This makes me want to got there and ask for him. Of course, first I would have to fly to Austin.

[koreez88]

15% on top of after tax total, rounded up to the dollar. Which actually comes out to be more since the industry standard is 15% before tax from what I know.
I'm pretty tolerant to fuck ups (forgot the order, long wait) as long as they handle it professionally, they will still get their 15%. It takes a special kind of service to make me leave less than that.
18% for great service.
20% for truly exceptional work.

I'll leave a dollar or two for take outs and 15% if food is delivered.

[Dekansnowman]

Originally Posted by jtodd_fl

That shit would possibly get a 50%er from me too - or at least something significantly "extra". Being "on point" is a good description. This makes me want to got there and ask for him. Of course, first I would have to fly to Austin.

We live 3hrs from Austin, and make the trip at least once a year. Almost always we stop there so I can get my Scallop fix. The place is great, the atmosphere is great, and we always get great service. Haven't had the same guy again as it was a couple years back, but the trip just last month was topped off by the waitress who suggested an awesome after dinner cocktail after asking me a couple questions about what I liked in a drink. Congressman's Lemonade if I remember correctly. Pretty interesting, and even after a meal I got a decent little buzz.

If you ever decide to hit Austin, PM me so I can give you a couple places to check out.

[Lups]

In the USA (in finland leaving a tip is an insult) I counted how many kids I had with me. If the servant let them order their own food, he/she got $5 per kid. With my kids confirming from me was okay when they didn't speak english and just copied my words.

So it didn't take long for me to become everyone's favorite client. 60 bucks on food, 50 as a tip and the kids in the table never got crayons and they sure as hell had time to order.

As for me, if I asked a drink without ice I sure as hell got it.

If I went alone for a dinner and I wanted to stay alone, I gave 20%. My usual place for my spicy dinners always gave me a corner and if I told the staff that my night had been shitty and that I was going to spend the rest of it reading bp and by getting drunk, they brought me so much alcohol I could handle, and they all knew (wa law btw says this is illegal, but I got the euro handling which meant "do what ever the fuck you want since driving isn't it") what I accept and what I don't.

But lol. Tips are hard for someone who isn't from that culture. I used money to buy my way every time and everywhere.

[logicc]

[PoorLurker]

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

How about letting customers order electronically? Have a small number of people available to answer customer questions when they arise and deliver food, but just have an app that allows customers to place orders from their table, eliminating the cost of waiters? If gratuities are eliminated and prices increased to pay more labor, that would be a logical next step for restaurants with cost-conscious customers, wouldn't it?

There are restaurants doing this already. Went to Red Robin recently and then you could order drinks and apps on this little "game device" on the table. I believe Chili's may be the same way.

Originally Posted by PINeely

If you can't afford to tip properly then you can't afford to eat out,

Can't afford is much different than thinking X is not worth $Y.

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Agreed. Now when the kids were young and made a real mess I'd leave five for the cleanup folks. Figures they deserved that for the mess we made!

I am what my wife calls very cheap. However, if I had a child who made a huge mess that I could not tend to, I would pay more money because I am causing them to do a job that I feel is out of the norm. By having to spend more time with me and my party cleaning up, I am taking away time from their other job. However, if my experience is what their job details entail, I don't feel like I owe them anything.

Regarding the person who said that a waiter brought out free food. In cases like these, I would leave a larger tip.

My wife's family often gets free drinks and an appetizer at one frequently eaten at restaurant, so we typically leave a tip that would pay for 50% of the drink costs in addition to the 15-20%.