I am getting sick of this tipping entitlement...

[BoomerD]

We also generally pay tips with cash rather than putting them on a card with the meal. Many places deduct the cost of the card transaction from the amount the server gets. If I tip $10, I want the server to get $10...not $9.65. (or whatever it is after the credit card company gets their piece)

In some restaurants, the bus boy or "drink person" takes care of the menial tasks like refilling beverages, bringing napkins, etc. If they're GOOD at what they do...they also get a small tip. (even though they're generally given a cut from the waitresses.)

 

[Harrod]

I went to a Japanese steak house the other day, they added the tip onto the bill, I gave a six dollar tip before seeing that, I immediately crossed it out and left it at what they added to the bill.

 

[BoomerD]

I went to a Japanese steak house the other day, they added the tip onto the bill, I gave a six dollar tip before seeing that, I immediately crossed it out and left it at what they added to the bill.

Fuck that. I can understand the "group gratuity"...sort of. But otherwise, if you automatically add my tip to the bill, I'm gonna refuse to pay that. Tipping is OPTIONAL...not mandatory.

 

[JoeyP]

Fuck that. I can understand the "group gratuity"...sort of. But otherwise, if you automatically add my tip to the bill, I'm gonna refuse to pay that. Tipping is OPTIONAL...not mandatory.

For the "group gratuity" we just put groups under the limit at separate tables, but usually within talking distance. Usually this would be at a bar where we as a large group drop a couple hundred in drinks over 3-4 hours, so they're getting their money and tips.

 

[Dannar26]

It's bullshit that many facets of the service industry push off paying their employees on we, the consumers. Try paying your employees, imho.

Tips should be given for doing something exceptional. I'm no bad tipper, but I'm tempted when I get a zombie of a server/barber/2 dollar street hooker. Work for that tip!

Duely blundered from my thunderdolt.

 

[mrCide]

I tipped nothing for the first time the other day at a Pizza restaurant. Took 10-15 minutes to come take our order, food took another 20 minutes to arrive, and the place was half empty. Guy didn't even bring out the food himself (was brought by another waitress and slammed on the table, seemingly annoyed that she had to do it).

I will never ever tip again for shitty service. I used to have that "well i have to give something" mentality, but not anymore.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Fuck that. I can understand the "group gratuity"...sort of. But otherwise, if you automatically add my tip to the bill, I'm gonna refuse to pay that. Tipping is OPTIONAL...not mandatory.

After that thread awhile back http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2243292 It is probably a good idea to inquire concerning the policy before being seated. Unless someone has the time and energy for the potential ensuing drama.

 

[Rakewell]

I said Western U.S : California, Nevada, Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington. Should be 7 to 12 an hour.

You're incorrect.

CA allows $8.

But I don't see a $12 figure... or $11 or 10. (Save CT, which allows 10 for full time employees, and $2 for part time.)

I suggest you check the US Dept of Labor link again.

 

[kaerflog]

why does it suck for the business? They're not paying their workers even minimum wage to begin with.

And don't tell me they have to raise food prices if they have to pay workers, because they already charge twice the amount it usually is for a simple burger. And $15 for a chicken and some pasta? Get real for a second, restaurant owners are not the ones being shafted.

I'm glad most people, at least here, think tipping is a crap system.

While I think the tipping system is a farce to a degree, I abide by it when I eat out.
Why ?? Because I have options.
If I don't want to tip, I can go eat at a fast casual restaurant or cook at home.
Simple as that.

You are clueless on how restaurants operate.
Most restaurants fail within the first yr of business.
Its not easy to turn a profit.
You need learn how a restaurant operate before making stupid comments like "$15 for chicken and pasta"

 

[It's Not Lupus]

To me, years ago it seemed 15% was a standard for adequate service, 20% or more for great service, and 10% for bad service (which I never understood. why leave a tip at all?). But I'm getting the impression that 15% is no longer good enough, especially when I hear people say, I always tip 20% (or more). 15% is my usual amount if I'm satisfied.

 

[alkemyst]

To me, years ago it seemed 15% was a standard for adequate service, 20% or more for great service, and 10% for bad service (which I never understood. why leave a tip at all?). But I'm getting the impression that 15% is no longer good enough, especially when I hear people say, I always tip 20% (or more).

The reason 'bad service' gets a tip is because it's still service. Unless it was some incompetence or gross error, it was still service.

The problem is people tend to think they are 'entitled' to better service than what they are really paying for. You hit TGIF's on a busy night and you are sharing that server with a dozen or more tables. It's expected you speak up if you need something...as such you are paying a very low cost per plate for the meal.

15% is what many think is only for extraordinary service and that's not the case at all.

In reality, I know they know better; but they want to validate their own shortcomings in life at the expense of others.

 

[Saint Nick]

So, if a restaurant adds a tip to the bill ("group gratuity"), can you cross it out and not pay it? This happened recently, and while I didn't totally agree with it because the service was bad, I didn't want to cause a big commotion over a few bucks.

 

[TheNinja]

Assuming the service is acceptable I always leave a minimum of $2 per person or 15% (whichever is larger) regardless of the bill. There is no reason the lady at Denny's deserves a $4 tip for 4 people just b/c their food is cheap crap.

However everyone is starting to expect 20% for not really doing good service anymore. I usually look around and see how busy the waitress is and what else she is doing. If she's running around like crazy and can't always check on me or refil drinks instantly I can understand. If I'm sitting there for 10 minutes with an empty glass and she's flirting with the bartender....ya, no big tip for her.

It's getting ridiculous in California now. With ~10% tax and ~20% expected tip a $15 meal ends up costing like $19.50, or if paying with cash people just toss in a 20 dollar bill.

 

[TheNinja]

Do tipping conversations remind anyone else of Reservoir Dogs and Mr.Pink?

 

[edro]

So, if a restaurant adds a tip to the bill ("group gratuity"), can you cross it out and not pay it? This happened recently, and while I didn't totally agree with it because the service was bad, I didn't want to cause a big commotion over a few bucks.

They will probably just charge the original amount.
By the time your see your credit card charge, you are highly unlikely to dispute it.

 

[zCypher]

When I get better service, I tip more. Pretty simple. Being in Quebec, I'm used to pretty terrible service. I will still tip unless it's really horrible though. Not all waiters/waitresses make a lot of money, it varies wildly from place to place.

If I get service with a smile, water/refilled water without asking, get the right food generally they get a very good tip! I can usually accept waiting longer than usual without penalizing them on the tip, as it's not always their fault. If it IS their fault (can see them slacking off, flirting with other customers while I wait and wait), then they get less tip.

Like some have said it's a service.

 

[It's Not Lupus]

When did 15% become 20%?

 

[SunnyD]

What did the one cow say to the other as the teens ran away?

"I'm getting sick of this tipping entitlement mentality..."

 

[darkxshade]

So... tell me... how do you all feeeeeel...

about sales tax on the tip automatically added to your bill for convenience.


Hold nothing back... GO!

 

[KMFJD]

Jesus, are you kidding me?

The OP's ridiculous manager aside,

Waiters are the hardest working people on earth, and make like $2-$3 from their employer. They survive on tips; they have to be quick, organized, polite, and deal with assholes when they complain about stupid shit. And most people, if the kitchen fucks up an order OR the waiter makes a mistake, diners will take it out on them by withholding tips.

Way to fuck over a waiter, champ.

roflmao at bolded section....pay them a decent wage instead of begging/expecting tips

 

[slayernine]

In Canada waiters get paid hourly, at least $10.25 an hour, i think that is the average minimum wage. Tips are extra, no entitlement.

In the states they basically work for free and their only income is tips. That's why they feel entitled i guess. Weird way to do business, ought to be illegal to hire someone for no wage.

Min. wage is set by provincial governments in Canada and thus varies across the country.

 

[Hugo Drax]

Autistic people have an issue with Tipping. They cannot grasp the concepts involved.

 

[wirednuts]

Tips are crap and should be completely abolished. It is abundantly clear that the size of the tip has almost NOTHING to do with the quality of the service, because bad tippers will always screw even the best server and good tippers feel guilty enough that they will always leave a decent tip. Therefore, the server has to stereotype the customer wildly and deliver service according to the EXPECTED tip. Not to mention that the tip is based on the bill, which has little to do with the quality of service...so the guy ordering a glass of water and an appetizer pays half as much as the guy ordering a steak and a cocktail, despite the server having to do the same amount of work.

The cost of service should be included in the price, as should the tax. Prices could be adjusted to nice, round numbers that way, then we could finally get rid of the penny and the nickel. You could just pay your bill, and not worry about it! Places with bad service would get panned on the internet, and people would shun them, just like every other non-tipping establishment.

Oh, and I generally tip 20%. But I hate doing it every time.

i agree. i think the tipping system we have is there though so servers dont have to pay taxes on those tips. (of course, theyre supposed to, but who does that)

 

[BoberFett]

Obligatory http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-qV9wVGb38

 

[Puppies04]

I agree completly with everyone who says that waiting staff should be paid a reasonable wage and tips should be optional for good service. Luckily i'm from the UK and tipping is completly down to the customers discretion.

I almost always tip in restaurants but I have come across a couple of places that add a 10% or whatever service charge directly onto the bill and think that having the worlds smallest small print on the back page of their menu makes this ok, suffice to say I do not grace those establishments with my prescence again.

This American way of doing things where 15% or 20% is automatically expected to be "tipped" is ridiculous as the very act of making it frowned upon not to "tip" immediatly turns it into a "service charge" in my mind.