If you dine out, you should read this...

**Ginger's Mom** · 10-11-2007, 11:39 AM

What I would object to is the 18% minimum tip. For two reasons, first I object to being told what the minimum tip/contribution/voluntary payment of anything is. Second, the reasoning is faulty. This says that because the cost of living has gone up since 1960 the percentage of the tip should go up. But the cost of the meal has also gone up since 1960, so the actual monetary amount being left as a tip has kept stride with the cost of living. The percentage does not have to be increased. For example, I would have paid $4.00 for a meal in 1960 and left a .60 tip. In 2007 I will have to pay $12.00 for the same meal and will leave a tip of $1.80 (probably will round it up to $2.00), an increase of 230%, and that is without raising the "minimum" tip.

**cassiesmom** · 10-11-2007, 02:51 PM

Okay, dearies, since it has been brought up, I'm going to hit you with all my questions...

Sunday brunch buffet (or any buffet). I've heard it said that it's okay to tip less at a buffet than a sit-down meal. Is that correct? The last 2 brunches I have been to, we had a gratuity added on to the check because of a party of six or more.

At a place like the Old Country Buffet, where there is not a server per se except someone who clears your plate, should a tip be left?

What do you do with your tips at the end of your shift? Do you give them to the restaurant manager in exchange for bigger bills? How do you prefer to receive a tip? Do you hate receiving change in a tip for that reason? Is it even correct to use coins for a gratuity anymore? What happens when I write the gratuity onto my credit card receipt - do you get it?

If I need to split a $20 bill, do I tip the bartender who takes care of that for me? If I'm waiting with a friend for a table in a restaurant (say, T.G.I. Friday or Applebee's), and we get soft drinks from the bar while we wait, do I tip on those?

What about Starbucks or Caribou Coffee? That jar on the end of the counter - I am never quite sure what to do.

**jazzcat** · 10-11-2007, 03:09 PM

Does this bother anyone else? I hate when I pay for a meal and the server asks if I would like change back.

I think they should always bring the change back unless the told to keep it by the customer first. Sometimes they will say "I'll be back with the change" and I'll say just keep it and that is fine but to flat out ask if I want change back is a little too presumptuous.

**moosmom** · 10-11-2007, 03:09 PM

I try to be as close to 15% as possible. If the service sucks, I don't leave one.

**JenBKR** · 10-12-2007, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by Ginger's Mom

What I would object to is the 18% minimum tip. For two reasons, first I object to being told what the minimum tip/contribution/voluntary payment of anything is. Second, the reasoning is faulty. This says that because the cost of living has gone up since 1960 the percentage of the tip should go up. But the cost of the meal has also gone up since 1960, so the actual monetary amount being left as a tip has kept stride with the cost of living. The percentage does not have to be increased. For example, I would have paid $4.00 for a meal in 1960 and left a .60 tip. In 2007 I will have to pay $12.00 for the same meal and will leave a tip of $1.80 (probably will round it up to $2.00), an increase of 230%, and that is without raising the "minimum" tip.

I completely agree. I always tip based on the service I receive - but I do always leave a tip. I don't really like being told how much I am 'supposed' to leave. I do generally tip around 15%, and around 20% if the service is exceptional. I can't imagine not leaving a tip at all though, the service would have to be about nonexistant for me to do that.

**Lady's Human** · 10-12-2007, 04:35 PM

I normally tip extremely well, especially when it comes to breakfasts. If I tipped based on the bill, it wouldn't be much of anything normally.

All I ask is friendly service, and keep my coffee cup full. If the service is really good, I'll leave 50% of the bill for breakfast, which would amount to what a normal tip would be for a regular meal. The waitress/waiter is working just as hard, no need to give a lousy tip.

**Edwina's Secretary** · 10-12-2007, 04:36 PM

I eat out often. I travel frequently for my work. So often I am eating alone.

This week I arrived at my hotel...no restaurant....

So I go next door. A hotel restaurant. No smile. No greeting.

I have to ask to be seated. I have to ask for water.

I see clam chowder in a sour dough bowl. I order it and a diet soda.

My soup is brought to me in a china bowl. What about the sour dough? I ask. "Oh, you want it in a sour dough bowl?" as if I were making a bother.

Afraid what he would do and how long he would take to do it...I said I would take it as he presented it.

No refill on my soda. No inquiring of any kind.

I had to flag him down for the check.

So what should I have tipped?

**Lady's Human** · 10-12-2007, 04:42 PM

Sara, I wouldn't have left a cent.

No service, no tip.

**lbaker** · 10-12-2007, 04:43 PM

I would have left 10% or a bit less with a comment to the server AND the manager that I was leaving 50% of what I normally would because the service received was only 50% of what I had expected "of a hotel restaurant of this caliber" or something equally as condesending (snotty?), especially if I were dressed in professional business attire (and yes, I do own and wear some when I am traveling on business

)

p.s. In many places now water is served only when requested because of the drought. At least the soup was consumable and hot I assume. When I have had to wait for the check after trying to get his/her attention I have been known to go straight to the cashier and explain the situation, demand the check and in such cases have not left a tip.

**Edwina's Secretary** · 10-12-2007, 05:35 PM

I left 15% and resented every penny! I suppose I felt guilty as it wasn't a very large check. But to pay a 15% surcharge for food NOT as it was described, poor service....Doesn't make me feel good...

(btw...LB...there was no cashier...it was waiter takes the check...and the last thing I want to do in the evening after traveling/working all day is seek out the manager, haggle, complain, be patronized., etc.)

**IRescue452** · 10-12-2007, 05:42 PM

I don't eat out often, and never super expensive. For the most part I leave a $5, which can be anywhere from 100% of my bill to 20%. I've left more than my bill before. Unless the service is bad. I don't consider an overworked, frazzled server to be giving me bad service as long as they are trying with what little time they have. I think ALL jobs should be included in the federal minimum wage, even if they make tips.

**joycenalex** · 10-12-2007, 07:14 PM

i have a question, i tip in cash. if i use a gift,debit or charge card on the tip line i write none, does this affect what the computer would "say?"

**jennielynn1970** · 10-12-2007, 10:57 PM

Originally Posted by Edwina's Secretary

I left 15% and resented every penny! I suppose I felt guilty as it wasn't a very large check. But to pay a 15% surcharge for food NOT as it was described, poor service....Doesn't make me feel good...

(btw...LB...there was no cashier...it was waiter takes the check...and the last thing I want to do in the evening after traveling/working all day is seek out the manager, haggle, complain, be patronized., etc.)

I've actually gone home, sat down, and written out what I'd like to say, edit it so that it is not too terse, and then mail it to the manager's attention. Normally there is a response from the manager of the restaurant in the mail or over the phone (normally with a meal offer/discount as well) and they apologize about the wait staff. This way they can keep track of staff that they may be having problems with, but jsut need a paper trail to keep track of them if and when the'd need to be let go.

I know in our state, PA, we don't get water at most restaurants unless we ask for it. Goes back to water shortages. They had even been cutting out tomatoes on sandwiches and such the past two summers if you didn't ask for them.

**jennielynn1970** · 10-12-2007, 11:04 PM

Take tonight for example.... I stop in at our WaWa convenience store. I order a hot toasted Pizza Chicken Cheesesteak with sauteed onions. Grab some chips, a jug of lemonade tea, and pay at the register. Go back, pick up the sub and leave a tip at the counter where the girls prep all the soups, sandwiches etc...

I get home to find that I have a regular beef cheesesteak sandwich. Not even what I ordered in the meat category. Not toasted. Not a pizza steak. Cost more, and 20% tip, and I have the wrong food!

Did I go back? No. Did I complain... No. It was a friday night, a busy shop, and even though it was red meat and not chicken, I didn't die from it (the cats enjoyed the most of it). I'll still go back there. They make good subs. I think they were just rushed, which happens. Won't tip any less because of it either next time.

At least the cats were happy with the order, lol.