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

[lbaker]

Well Jen, depending on what the nekkid "handy man" looked like without clothes I would be hard pressed to go home without leaving a tip, (but where would I leave it???) Let's calm down about it folks... opinions are like... blankety blank..... everybody has one.

[jennielynn1970]

Well Jen, depending on what the nekkid "handy man" looked like without clothes I would be hard pressed to go home without leaving a tip, (but where would I leave it???) Let's calm down about it folks... opinions are like... blankety blank..... everybody has one.

LOL! He was built nice, and had a great tan! Not particularly cute in the face, but he was a nice guy. I think that was another thing at the resort... it wasn't all about looks. They helped though, lol.

As for tips... my hair stylist used to joke that they'd say "Bend over honey, I need a buck." He was sooooo bad!

[Daisy and Delilah]

This thread was a great idea, Anna. I am fascinated to hear all these opinions.

I eat out alot. Both in restaurants and take-out. I always tip 20% unless something isn't adequate and then, I might start deducting. Most of the time, I tip the 20% anyway. I've never worked as a server but I watch them in restaurants and I usually feel that those people are working their tails off. They're on their feet 8-whatever hours a day. Most of the time they are running from table to table, trying to keep dozens of people happy.

If I can't afford to cover the food and the tip, I shouldn't be there. Tipping is a "given" to me too, just as Pam said. Someone has to do this job and I'm glad it's not me. I have to imagine what it would be like to walk a mile in the server's shoes. If they are trying to please me, then they deserve a good tip.

I have had bad experiences before with bad service or no service and the tip might go down. In these cases, I always figure that that person is having a bad day or they don't belong in that industry. Not long ago, I had a waitress that insulted one of the people in my party. I have never had this happen before. I was astounded by what she did. I still tipped her but not much. Just to add: I emailed her boss and described the incident. I received an apology and a $50 credit for the restaurant.

Anna, I would almost drive to Ohio to visit your Red Lobster. I can imagine it's a dining experience I would never forget. I have to ask you......are your feet killing you most of the time? I don't know how you servers do it.

[anna_66]

Anna, I would almost drive to Ohio to visit your Red Lobster. I can imagine it's a dining experience I would never forget. I have to ask you......are your feet killing you most of the time? I don't know how you servers do it.

Thank you

Yes, most of the time my feet hurt (at work and at home) but also my shoulders from carrying the trays. I think we at Red Losbster have some of the heaviest dishes around
But I guess that's just one of the hazards of being a server!

I found this this morning on Wikipedia about tipping for some of you that asked these questions:
Tipping for traditional table service restaurants offering take-out and curbside service is sometimes suggested, one source suggests a tip of 10-15%. This is due to the fact that in a few cases up to 8% of the server's total sales may be automatically reported as tips, so the server is penalized if you do not tip at least at that level.

Tipping at buffet-style restaurants is also necessary, although some may think it is appropriate to tip a small amount (e.g. $1) if a server refills their drinks. The fact of the matter is, that servers in buffet style restaurants receive less than minimum wage per hour as well and thus need gratuities to supplement their earnings. [citation needed]

Some coffee shops or establishments without table service leave a countertop tip jar (a.k.a. guilt cans)by the cash register, but tipping is not expected as it would be for table service.

Servers usually "tip out" portions of their tip receipts to support staff like bussers and bartenders. Bartenders usually are also tipped by the patrons ordering drinks at the bar