Tipping small amount above included (large party) gratuity, insulting?

[Pandamonium]

I don't know about you, but I was taught 15% was the standard, and you could deviate in either direction depending on the quality of service. There have only been a handful of times where I've gone below 15%, and I think it was maybe 10% with disastrous service. 18% seems to be the standard for a large party, which peeves me a bit. Anyway, I don't think it's insulting at all to round up change post-gratuity. I round up to the nearest dollar after I apply a 15% tip on the pre-tax subtotal so that I'm sure I'm not tipping below 15%.

When I'm with other 20-somethings, I've noticed a trend of leaving at least 20%. I can understand the desire to not seem like a cheapskate, but if cultural norms dictate that 20% is the new 15% in the next decade, then I'm going to cut back on going out. Maybe all of you guys are pulling in six-figure salaries and don't mind paying extra; but I was raised to live a bit more frugally.

FWIW, I like the european style better: higher prices but no gratuity expected. The staff is fairly compensated to begin with. This way, the cost of "going out" is just laid out in the open instead of being inflated under the guise of social etiquette. I'm not too keen on hidden charges of any kind though.

 

[Kipper717]

Umm, if you do the math, $3.12 on a $23 bill is only 13.5%. Adding in another 0.82 brings it up to 17.4 %.

And I don't think adding in a little more on top of a "forced gratuity" should be insulting to the server.

 

[jchu14]

Umm, if you do the math, $3.12 on a $23 bill is only 13.5%. Adding in another 0.82 brings it up to 17.4 %.

And I don't think adding in a little more on top of a "forced gratuity" should be insulting to the server.

Yea I was just pulling numbers out of my head when writing the original post, looking at my receipt, it was actually

subtotal: 23.25
included: 3.87 (18% of subtotal before tax)
additional: 0.88

Total: 28.00

Thanks for everyone's feedback. Seems like the general consensus is that the waiter/waitress should not be offended, but what would be better is to circle included tip to clearly show that the small additional tip is not a slight at the service quality.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I should know better than starting a tipping thread in ATOT, but I want you guys' opinions. If you are/were a waitress/waiter, even better.

I was in a party of 8, so there was an 18% gratuity on the bill, my check came out to(approximately)

subtotal: 23.00
included gratuidity: 3.12
additional gratuity: ____

TOTAL :

I have the habit of rounding up to the next dollar on my bills (no particular reason, just a habit). So I added $0.82 in additional gratuity to make an even $27. One of my friend told me that by adding such a small tip over included, I am actually implying that the service was not good, and that's not my intention. And she said that I'd better off tiping another dollar, or not add addtional tip at all. My friend is a waitress, so I think she may be right, but it makes no sense to me.

In my mind, if I really wanted to say that my service was not good, I would've crossed out the included gratuity and added a penny. By adding an additional $0.82, I am either saying that the service was equal or better than 18% worth. But then I am not a waiter/waitress.

What do you guys think?

If there was an included gratuity due to size of the party, then you shouldn't feel obligated to tip anything extra. I'm sure any additional tip is appreciated but, it isn't expected. (35+ years in the hospitality industry)

 

[Bill Brasky]

Sometimes I serve in between jobs, and I'll happily take any extra tip you'd like to give me. Any server who says different is an asshat and obviously doesn't need the money.

 

[ElFenix]

frankly i think the word server is insulting. waiter sounds better to me. no idea why they changed it or why server is more pc than waiter. oh, because women are waitresses. if that's the whole problem, get a fscking life.

 

[warr666]

.....

 

[spacelord]

If tip is added thats all they get. I normally tip about 20% for good service.. but if they are going to automatically tack on 15-18% thats what they get. they made a choice.

 

[shortylickens]

I tip and I tip well, but I think it's really an irrelevant hassle, especially with the level of concerning tip/or-not-tip/how-much, etc. Why not charge more for food, and raise the pay? Is it the assumption that waitstaff will provide better service base on tipping incentive? There are other nations that don't have this kind of tipping for food service, and their waiting is excellent, an inherent expectation and attitude of the service. But then, again, there are strong tax and payroll benefits in the current system for the establishment and waitstaff.

Welcome newb!
If you are smart you'll leave now cuz tipping threads usually involve murder threats and mass bannings.