What are the Rules on Tipping???

[alanbrenton]

How much (as a percentage of the food bill before taxes) should be given?

To:
-really lousy servers
-decent servers
-good servers

Are there industry expectations? I just noticed that some Asian restaurants usually have fast and efficient service but the servers aren't really warm and hospitable (I guess because they have to work harder at these places because of the faster customer turnover).

I usually leave a little over 10% of the food bill before taxes...

[gilboman]

How much (as a percentage of the food bill before taxes) should be given?

To:
-really lousy servers
-decent servers
-good servers

Are there industry expectations? I just noticed that some Asian restaurants usually have fast and efficient service but the servers aren't really warm and hospitable (I guess because they have to work harder at these places because of the faster customer turnover).

I usually leave a little over 10% of the food bill before taxes...

it depends on what you mean by really lousy? i mean if they forget stuff i ask for because they are busy and seem aplogetic if i remind them about it, it doesn't decrease their tip. but if they have a bad attitude and/or treat me rudely, only then will i classify as being really lousy. then i leave 0-5%

decent as in do everything and bring me everything i asked and friendly..i leave a little more than 15% more before tax.

great service it's 20%.

the rule of thumb is for decent/good it's 15% before tax everywhere. in ontario its easy since it's just GST+PST which is calculated for you on ur bill so u just tip the tax amount.

i also realize that even if the food is no good, if the service was good, it doesnt affect the tip since the servers aren't cooking/preparing the food.

[Supershyguy]

if the service is really bad. leave a penny there to proof a point.

its not that you forgot to tip. but its that you decided to tip only 1 cent because of the bad service (saw this on a show about tipping) lol

[charliebrown]

Cash or credit card?

regardless of the amount, wanted to know whether the server prefers

a) cash tip (which is what i would prefer if i was the server)
b) added onto credit card invoice

c) round up credit card invoice to nearest dollar, then tip 10-15% cash
(have also done this just to make my visa statement end up in round numbers)

[buy.A.gift]

the idea of tips doesn't make sense
i mean, we spoil them, we really do.
they already have their own salary, and still ask for more?
one time my dad didn't give tips becos the service is suck, and the waitress told my dad dont go yet, you have to pay tips.
i don't like this idea at all.
15% food tax + 10% service ... too heavy for me, at least

[Princess Buttercup]

the idea of tips doesn't make sense
i mean, we spoil them, we really do.
they already have their own salary, and still ask for more?
one time my dad didn't give tips becos the service is suck, and the waitress told my dad dont go yet, you have to pay tips.
i don't like this idea at all.
15% food tax + 10% service ... too heavy for me, at least


I hope your dad only gave a penny,

if there is a service fee on the bill that is the tip some places now do this over here it is the norm in Europe.

If no service fee,
bad service nothing
normal service 10%
extra ordinary service 15%

[gilboman]

15% food tax + 10% service ... too heavy for me, at least

then don't eat out. ;)

[Yaowsers]

the idea of tips doesn't make sense
i mean, we spoil them, we really do.
they already have their own salary, and still ask for more?
one time my dad didn't give tips becos the service is suck, and the waitress told my dad dont go yet, you have to pay tips.
i don't like this idea at all.
15% food tax + 10% service ... too heavy for me, at least
That's why people like you should eat at home.

[keanefan]

yes- waitress/waiter seem to expect 15% and more.

but at a Chinese restaurant, 10% would probably be acceptable.
If you can afford to be generous- you can give more.

Chinese restaurants appreciate that you came to visit them- no doubt.

[llbeanburrito]

Be generous - give as much as you can - unless your server is Gilboman, in which case you should leave a penny. :razz:

[Decius]

My rules are very simple. Crap service = 0%. Service at Expectations = 10% - 15%. Above Expectations = 20%.

[john widow]

How do you calculate 20% of a bill that comes to like 154.58 in your mind? Do you bring a calculator?
One time when going out we tipped and then the host made us tip more. They shouldn't do that and we won't come back.

[Sajjad]

How do you calculate 20% of a bill that comes to like 154.58 in your mind? Do you bring a calculator?
One time when going out we tipped and then the host made us tip more. They shouldn't do that and we won't come back.


significant digits
Let's be generous and that's $160, multiply by 20% (think of it has 16 x 2 = 32).
So tip 32 dollars, give or take.
However, that's probably the cost of one plate; so don't tip that much.

[wetsnot]

How do you calculate 20% of a bill that comes to like 154.58 in your mind? Do you bring a calculator?
One time when going out we tipped and then the host made us tip more. They shouldn't do that and we won't come back.

you can calculate 10% yes?
10% of 154.58 is 15.458

20% is double 10%, so...
20% of 154.58 is 15.458+15.458=30.92

[jraja]

depends on service for me, 0% if crappy service, 10-15% standard service, and 20% for excellent service.

[tinlunlau]

the idea of tips doesn't make sense
i mean, we spoil them, we really do.
they already have their own salary, and still ask for more?
one time my dad didn't give tips becos the service is suck, and the waitress told my dad dont go yet, you have to pay tips.
i don't like this idea at all.
15% food tax + 10% service ... too heavy for me, at least


you disgust me! obviously, i don't think you've ever worked in a restaurant/bar establishment at all. you have no idea what the people who service you have to go thru. and it's just as bad as for the waitresses because most would go thru some kind of sexual harrassment from you pigs!

[TrevorK]

There are no "rules" for tipping.

There are cultural norms - which usually means a tip of 15% is expected. However, what you tip is up to you, and some people tip well, others not well (Or not at all).


Personally, I typically tip the 15% if I don't have anything negative to say about the experience - so for average service. If I have negatives, I slowly lower the tip. Rarely does the tip itself go below 10% though, as if I feel the server at least tried that's worth something.

Now sometimes if it's just a small order, I tip large (in terms of a percentage). I ordered room service in a hotel the other day (From a Moxie's) and when I gave the girl a 50% tip ($5 on a $10 order) she about fell over. It's nice once in awhile to make someone's day.

[TrevorK]

you disgust me! obviously, i don't think you've ever worked in a restaurant/bar establishment at all. you have no idea what the people who service you have to go thru. and it's just as bad as for the waitresses because most would go thru some kind of sexual harrassment from you pigs!

Cry me a river - it's a job. You know what it entails going into it - deal with it.


I don't mind tipping - but what I absolutely hate is servers that think their job is that important that they DESERVE a nice fat tip.

[rj2]

one thing to keep in mind about tipping on bill amounts.
tip on the food total,not the final total :)

[rabcede]

just a few things to remember about the service industry here in ontario:

-servers make less than minimum wage (alcohol servers make $6.50/hr, reg min wage is $7.45/hr - and trust me, i have not met a restaurant/bar owner willing to increase the min wage of their servers) since it is 'assumed' that they get tips as servers of alcohol. so in a typical 4-5 hr shift for dinner, your server is only making a salary of about $32 bucks, so yes tips are what they live on.

-tips in some restaurants are also given to the kitchen staff - so don't just tip on the service. some restaurants require that a server give a percentage of the sales (regardless of how much in tips were made) directly to the kitchen or bussers or house(management).
in higher end restaurants, you can always tip the kitchen specifically if you think the food was spectacular (its happened to me), or just tip the server more and express to them that the food was great (they will know that they're bigger tip is due to the kitchen and might be nice to the kitchen in some way). if the food wasn't good, but the service good, still tip the server (kitchen tips aren't that big) - just let the server know what was good and what was bad.

and PLEASE - don't just tip cuz its customary and you think you should. tip accordingly, if you got good service/food then show you're gratitude. if food sucked and service sucked, TELL them and tip accordingly.

[TrevorK]

-tips in some restaurants are also given to the kitchen staff - so don't just tip on the service. some restaurants require that a server give a percentage of the sales (regardless of how much in tips were made) directly to the kitchen or bussers or house(management).
in higher end restaurants, you can always tip the kitchen specifically if you think the food was spectacular (its happened to me), or just tip the server more and express to them that the food was great (they will know that they're bigger tip is due to the kitchen and might be nice to the kitchen in some way). if the food wasn't good, but the service good, still tip the server (kitchen tips aren't that big) - just let the server know what was good and what was bad.


Why should the customer have to figure out the fault of the meal/experience?

The wait staff are in charge of ensuring your ENTIRE experience is good, and if their tips suffer they will ensure that whoever is responsible fixes it.

I'm not going to tip big if the food was bad - because the waiter is the one I deal with. They will find out, and their tip will suffer. It only hurts them if they let it continue throughout the night for all their clients.

[palumbo]

Why should the customer have to figure out the fault of the meal/experience?

The wait staff are in charge of ensuring your ENTIRE experience is good, and if their tips suffer they will ensure that whoever is responsible fixes it.

I'm not going to tip big if the food was bad - because the waiter is the one I deal with. They will find out, and their tip will suffer. It only hurts them if they let it continue throughout the night for all their clients.


i agree totally also its there job to serve me if they dont like getting paid the amount they do find another job, there are alot of service jobs where tipping is not done so why should they get it over other people.

that being said i still do tip depending on the experience i have but to expect i dont agree with

[peppy5]

tips always reflects the service.

personally, i don't like to tip under 10%. that's just me though. i do remember going once to a high end hotel and having brunch there. the waiter was terrible giving our group bad looks and asking when we were going to leave (the place wasn't even full). my friend tipped accordingly, 6 cents that he found on the ground.

[buy.A.gift]

you disgust me! obviously, i don't think you've ever worked in a restaurant/bar establishment at all. you have no idea what the people who service you have to go thru. and it's just as bad as for the waitresses because most would go thru some kind of sexual harrassment from you pigs!

this is part of the job dude
if you don't like it, and not accepting it, find another job
from your words, so you mean waitress should accept sexual harrassment?
WTF, not just waitresses, any woman should stand up when it happens,
as i said before, if u dun't want to take risk, dun do this job, find another job,
so from ur discussion, is that mean if i don't give tips, then i should get in jail or something? as some of the guys said, no service no tips. Some guys above saying i shouldn't go out eat, whatever, i don't pay tips for food service, period.

[TenzoR]

good server, competent, 10%

other than that, the server get less or none pending how I feel

[sparkplug]

Would you tip the same if...

(a) You order two entrees that are $9.99 each. A 15% tip on a $30 dinner bill is $4.50.

(b) You order two entrees that are $40 each. A 15% tip on a $100 dinner bill is $15.00.

Let's say the service is the same.

Same if you order a $10 bottle of wine during A versus a $50 bottle of wine during dinner B. You'd tip $1.50 for one dinner but $7.50 for the other dinner -- but same service.

[awesome-o]

Would you tip the same if...

(a) You order two entrees that are $9.99 each. A 15% tip on a $30 dinner bill is $4.50.

(b) You order two entrees that are $40 each. A 15% tip on a $100 dinner bill is $15.00.

Let's say the service is the same.

Same if you order a $10 bottle of wine during A versus a $50 bottle of wine during dinner B. You'd tip $1.50 for one dinner but $7.50 for the other dinner -- but same service.

you should know what you're getting into when you go to a place with $40 entrees.

[tlamm]

I usually leave 10%. But I alter that to be about 10 bucks an hour. So If im there for an hour they get 10% or 10 bucks, which ever is higher. 2 hours would be 10% or 20 bucks, etc..

[sparkplug]

you should know what you're getting into when you go to a place with $40 entrees.

Special occasions, of course. However, I have a hard time tipping less for fabulous service at Swiss Chalet (for example) than subpar service at a 5-star restaurant solely due to our standards of tipping a certain percentage of the bill.

If you tip 20% for super service on a $30 bill, that's $6 and the server is happy. Cuz you splurged on the tip!

If you received crappy service and tip 5% on a $120 bill, that's still $6 but the server gets angry and thinks you're cheap. Gee, was I cheap for buying a $120 meal??

We can't seem to fix this problem.

[bembol]

Cheap or Generous...is what it comes down to...!!!


I gave $20 tip...the bill was $80...this was during Holidays

[Decius]

Oh I forgot to mention something. My rating scale can sometimes be skewed by the hottness of the waitress.

[JeVartan]

Cheap or Generous...is what it comes down to...!!!


I gave $20 tip...the bill was $80...this was during Holidays


A tip of 25%. That is nothing unusual.

[neemofish]

Don't forget tips are supposed to be before tax and not including drinks...

[Takada]

I know it's supposed to be before tax, but not including drinks? :confused:

[siriuslea]

Keep in mind, that you get what you pay for.

Perhaps you are not a regular customer anywhere but if you are and you 'don't tip on food', you will not receive good service, you will always be the last person to get served. Believe me servers remember those who don't tip.

You can say this person should just do their job without prejudice but you are taking up a table that a tipping person could be sitting at. If you were a sales person and you sold something where one person would pay double the price as another voluntarily... which person would you serve first?

[wolf30]

this is part of the job dude
if you don't like it, and not accepting it, find another job
from your words, so you mean waitress should accept sexual harrassment?
WTF, not just waitresses, any woman should stand up when it happens,
as i said before, if u dun't want to take risk, dun do this job, find another job,
so from ur discussion, is that mean if i don't give tips, then i should get in jail or something? as some of the guys said, no service no tips. Some guys above saying i shouldn't go out eat, whatever, i don't pay tips for food service, period.

I totally agree with you. Its not like they are forced to be waiters or waitresses. If they don't get paid minimum wage they can always complain to the employee board or whatever its called. Its not the customer's fault they get paid so low. Why should the customers be forced to tip even if the service is horrible? Why should waiters and waitresses get tips and not other people who work? Do you tip the newspaper boy or the mailman for bringing your mail? Their bringing something to you just like a waiter would. Do you tip the garbage man or how about the salesperson at the department store for bringing in the shoe size you requested? Tipping should be optional. Hey I had a crappy summer job in the past stuffing flyers for people and was paid like $7.15 a hr, did I get a tip? I wasn't required to pick up the flyers from the skids and open them up, my only job was to put the flyers together. The point is waiters and waitresses shouldn't act like Bit#@es just because a customer didn't leave them a huge tip. If they want to choose and service other customers and ignoring you, just call the manager and complain to them . I don't know who invented this **** about giving at least 10-15% tip. So if a customer's bill is like $1000. you saying he should tip $100-150? thats ridiculous. If I don't tip the minimum I should stay home eh? Well if I didn't purchase food from the restaurant well guess what? the waiters and waitresses wouldn't even have their jobs. So I think they should be thanking the customer instead of bashing them.

[Hybrid88]

Both you and buy a gift are clueless kids.

1) They do not have a 'salary' and
2) They do not get paid minimum wage like everyone else. They actually get paid lower (they have a lower minimum hourly wage because they are servers) and the tips is to supplement that lower hourly wage.

Once you kids grow up you will understand why you tip



I totally agree with you. Its not like they are forced to be waiters or waitresses. If they don't get paid minimum wage they can always complain to the employee board or whatever its called. Its not the customer's fault they get paid so low. Why should the customers be forced to tip even if the service is horrible? Why should waiters and waitresses get tips and not other people who work? Do you tip the newspaper boy or the mailman for bringing your mail? Their bringing something to you just like a waiter would. Do you tip the garbage man or how about the salesperson at the department store for bringing in the shoe size you requested? Tipping should be optional. Hey I had a crappy summer job in the past stuffing flyers for people and was paid like $7.15 a hr, did I get a tip? I wasn't required to pick up the flyers from the skids and open them up, my only job was to put the flyers together. The point is waiters and waitresses shouldn't act like Bit#@es just because a customer didn't leave them a huge tip. If they want to choose and service other customers and ignoring you, just call the manager and complain to them . I don't know who invented this **** about giving at least 10-15% tip. So if a customer's bill is like $1000. you saying he should tip $100-150? thats ridiculous. If I don't tip the minimum I should stay home eh? Well if I didn't purchase food from the restaurant well guess what? the waiters and waitresses wouldn't even have their jobs. So I think they should be thanking the customer instead of bashing them.

[wolf30]

what are you talking about? There's alot of restaurants that pay at least minimum wages. Heck you can even work at mcdonalds and get $7.15 for fulltime. So if you get paid below minimum wage why don't you go work at your local fast food chain.BTW getting paid below minimum wage is illegal in Canada or was that in Ontario? I don't see what all the fuzz is about. If you don't get paid enough get another job. Simple as that. Its not like thats the only place you can work. Its not like they are the only people who get paid very little. If I have to pay certain amounts on my tips or even tip at all if the service is crap then I should be tipping everyone who earns very little income. Why should waiters and waiteses get tips and not others? Is it fair to others like salespeople or the mailman they don't get tips. Don't force it down the customers throats. I assume you used to work at a restaurant?

[15-20_God]

Once you kids grow up you will understand why you tip

its different for some ppl when their main source of income is mommy's purse. they'll get in once they're old enough to remove their lips from mommy's teet.

[15-20_God]

what are you talking about? There's alot of restaurants that pay at least minimum wages. Heck you can even work at mcdonalds and get $7.15 for fulltime. So if you get paid below minimum wage why don't you go work at your local fast food chain.BTW getting paid below minimum wage is illegal in Canada or was that in Ontario? I don't see what all the fuzz is about. If you don't get paid enough get another job. Simple as that. Its not like thats the only place you can work. Its not like they are the only people who get paid very little. If I have to pay certain amounts on my tips or even tip at all if the service is crap then I should be tipping everyone who earns very little income. Why should waiters and waiteses get tips and not others? Is it fair to others like salespeople or the mailman they don't get tips. Don't force it down the customers throats. I assume you used to work at a restaurant?

your culinary expertise and etiquette (or lack thereof) is brilliantly evident. my suggestion to you is stick to places where you can order a meal by selecting a number if you are opposed to tipping.

[Marymoocows]

Tipping is quite simple, you're paying for the service.

Waiters and Waitress are actors and are payed based on their performance. You don't really care what role or what the actors are doing along as it's entertaining thus makes you happy true? Most actors where once Waiters/Waitress since it's a act that they peform for a small audience several times a day.

Tipping: (if it's chinese restaurants then it's usally 10% total bill good or bad)
Poor to Horrible Service 10% or less
Average or Decent Service 15%
Excellent and Above 20%+

How to Calculate Tip: (based on casual restaurants)
It's based on your total bill. For some it's quite complicated so lets break it down. It's your food+drinks+taxes. Yes it's not before tax, some cheap person invented that. ~Oh course if it's expensive wine/drinks you don't need to tip on that~

Good Service is sorta a strange term, since it's not the service that you offer that increases your tip. :confused:
:arrow: Its based more on how happy or content the people you serve are. Just be friendly and easy going. Remember it's a blue collar job not white collar which means you need to have a positive attitude and look happy all the time. Don't try and act sophisticated and be a ghost(unseen) since you'll seem stuck up and unfriendly, you'll also get bored too.

So if the food is Excellent and the service was soso you'll get a good tip.
If the food was terrible and/or took forever but the service was great your tip will suffer.
Customers at a table arguing amongst themselves with great food and service = suffering Tip.

The only way to keep customers happy is really by cheering them up. Chitchat/Jokes, just make people feel that they are special. Then they actually won't care so much on service or the food. They'll be coming for the atmosphere and friendliness.

Good Waiters/Waitress should have High EIQ (emotional intelligents) letting them know when to back off or approach which helps them deal with each type of person. Just remember you're a diplomat. You need to find a middle ground between the kitchen and customers, making both :)

One more note, if your server gets angry for poor tips or none, he shouldn't even call himself/herself a server. Shows the True skill of a good vs bad server. Sadly it's a dying profession. People tend to look outwards rather then inside.




Just my Two Cents


-Cheers

[pandaharo]

I tip between 10-20% depending on the service and my mood.

[iRon(V)oNKeY]

Tips are directly proportional to the level of service that I get. It's not about being cheap. Don't argue with the conditions that waitresses go through, since they know what to expect when singing on the dotted line. You can probably name alot more jobs that have worser working conditions, and remember, some people don't even have jobs. My only rule is I treat them like human beings and I expect they treat me the same, no matter what the tip.

If you floor me, sure I'll tip you like theres no tommorrow. A tip howerver is not mandatory. Even if you don't tip, you still expect the person to treat you morally. Generally, I tip 10%. 15% for outstanding.

[Hybrid88]

wolf30 I suggest you really stop replying or the very least stop making false statements. There are different minimum wages for different jobs and one of them is being a server/waiter. A fast food place like McDonalds does not equate to a restuarant with full service.


what are you talking about? There's alot of restaurants that pay at least minimum wages. Heck you can even work at mcdonalds and get $7.15 for fulltime. So if you get paid below minimum wage why don't you go work at your local fast food chain.BTW getting paid below minimum wage is illegal in Canada or was that in Ontario? I don't see what all the fuzz is about. If you don't get paid enough get another job. Simple as that. Its not like thats the only place you can work. Its not like they are the only people who get paid very little. If I have to pay certain amounts on my tips or even tip at all if the service is crap then I should be tipping everyone who earns very little income. Why should waiters and waiteses get tips and not others? Is it fair to others like salespeople or the mailman they don't get tips. Don't force it down the customers throats. I assume you used to work at a restaurant?

[actuary]

It's nice once in awhile to make someone's day.

I was just about to say the same thing. I give a lot in tips, not because its the norm, but because I like to.

I remember a few months back I tipped my maid $100. I could tell it really made a difference for her. And that made me feel good.

[TotallyKiller]

Things to remember:

1) If you leave no tip, it just cost the server money to serve you. Servers usually have to tip the house based on their sales. If your bill was $100 and I have to tip out 5% and you left me no tip, I still have to give the house $5.

2) The server didn't cook your food. If it sucks, but the server has done all they can to try and fix it, then your tip should be for "over and above service" and be between 15-20%. If the food sucks that bad, don't come back.

3) If you have a coupon, or something was free, you calculate the tip based on the PRE-DISCOUNT price. They still served you $50 worth, so just because your Entertainment book coupon made it $35, don't use that in your tip calculation.

4) If you sat there nursing a tea, or you had a $4 meal but sat for a couple of hours, you should tip based on the time as well. If the place was packed and you just cost the server two other seatings because wanted to sip your hot water and lemon, then 15-20% no longer cuts it.

5) If you brought kids and fed them Cheerios that they hurled to the floor, or worse, if you gave them Spaghetti-Os.... Make sure you tip them for the work they have to do after you leave too.

6) If the bill is split, make sure everyone actually gives a decent tip. No matter how many people say "I gave like $10 more than I should have" the final total is always <10%. Always.

7) Leaving a penny is a slap in the face. Make sure they actually deserved it. Oh, and don't ever plan on returning to that place. Once you make a move like that, you'll be remembered forever there.

[teknoluv]

Rule of thumbs: make sure you don't tip less than 10%, because that would be very obvious to the servers*, unless of course they are not good, and as mentioned previously by others, you don't plan on going there at least for a long while.

* E.g. Your bill: $21.50 - if you tip $2.00, the server will notice AT ONCE that it's less than 10% (simple math); so make it $2.20 (just 20 cents more), and it will take forever to calculate your tipping percentage. LOL!

[TotallyKiller]

Rule of thumbs: make sure you don't tip less than 10%, because that would be very obvious to the servers*, unless of course they are not good, and as mentioned previously by others, you don't plan on going there at least for a long while.

* E.g. Your bill: $21.50 - if you tip $2.00, the server will notice AT ONCE that it's less than 10% (simple math); so make it $2.20 (just 20 cents more), and it will take forever to calculate your tipping percentage. LOL!


Servers and bartenders are amazing at calculating percentages. They'll notice that the 20cents is still just over 10% instantly. And you'll be treated accordingly.

[Alvito]

How do you calculate 20% of a bill that comes to like 154.58 in your mind? Do you bring a calculator?
One time when going out we tipped and then the host made us tip more. They shouldn't do that and we won't come back.

divide by 5. 30.91 roughly.

[Decius]

2) The server didn't cook your food. If it sucks, but the server has done all they can to try and fix it, then your tip should be for "over and above service" and be between 15-20%. If the food sucks that bad, don't come back.

This I completely concur with. I went to The Keg (first mistake, lol) and ordered their special with an Ahahi Tuna Steak w/ Rice Pilaf (second mistake). The first time I recieved my dish the Tuna was cooked right through. I specified to the waitress that I wanted it just seared (like Ahahi Tuna SHOULD be done). The second I recieved it, it was a little more rare but still cooked pretty well through. I didn't risk sending it back a second time, should I get the spit special. The waitress all throughout this ordeal was bery courteous and helpful. I tipped based on that (15% I do believe), but told her that the cook should probably learn how to cook Tuna properly should they want to make this a regular dish.

[Alvito]

get 3 or 4 friends, tip the cow, and run !!!!!!!!!1

[CSR]

We went to a Italiian restuarant and nowhere on the menu did it say gradtuities would be calculated into our bill.

When the bill came, there was the usualy print out Drinks + meals, then in HAND WRITING, they put 15% gradtuities... wtfff... they expected us not to tip and added it on for us.. is that even allowed?

[TotallyKiller]

We went to a Italiian restuarant and nowhere on the menu did it say gradtuities would be calculated into our bill.

When the bill came, there was the usualy print out Drinks + meals, then in HAND WRITING, they put 15% gradtuities... wtfff... they expected us not to tip and added it on for us.. is that even allowed?


No. If it's not stated on the menu or told to you when you sit or when you take the reservation, then you are not required to pay it. Not in this country anyway.

[TotallyKiller]

I know it's supposed to be before tax, but not including drinks? :confused:


Yeah, that makes no sense. Why not for drinks? In many cases, that's the largest part of the bill. If your bill is $50 in food and $50 in drinks you just tip on the food? Also the drinks are often the most labour as they are the item that requires the server to return to your table the most.

I wouldn't recommend following this advice anywhere where you either:

1) have respect for the staff
2) plan on ever returning

[wolf30]

your culinary expertise and etiquette (or lack thereof) is brilliantly evident. my suggestion to you is stick to places where you can order a meal by selecting a number if you are opposed to tipping.

Maybe you should stick to riding a bicycle because you didn't tip the gas station employees.

[cheeseshredder]

Servers should think of a tip as a tip, not a mandatory charge. Repeating the horrible conditions attached to the job doesn't make that attitude acceptable. Surprising, but you guys don't have the hardest job in the world.
Do we tip flight attendants or cabin crews?

I know a lot of servers who make a TON of money, especially on holidays.

As someone else stated above, more expensive dish = more expensive meal? That's a major flaw in the system. Oh.. and how is it right that servers usually get tipped more than pizza delivery people. Honestly, delivery people have a tougher job, have to pay for their own stuff, and travel farther.

[calvinmun]

I think its a mandatory 10% , hell some places like buffets automatically charge you tax and TIP.

[alanbrenton]

At least in Las Vegas according to the National Post, servers and valet attendants make up to US$120,000.

[GraysonG]

It seems pretty obvious by some of the replies that some of you have never worked in a restaurant before. We actually get paid hourly and not a salary to work at the restaurant. As well please don't forget that we usually make only minimum wage to work there. People at McDonalds make more than we do because we do make tips. You have to understand that not everyone can work in the service industry as they don't have the disposition nor the patience for it. Being a server requires that you are constantly smiling and being cheerful regardless of how rude customers are. We have to put up with being called names, being told we are slow and useless and shouldn't work there. It also seems that many patrons don't care how busy the restaurant is, they are #1 and should be treated better and faster than all other customers. It annoys me when a customer sees that the restaurant is completely full, people are waiting inline at the front, we are scurrying all over the place and still give a poor tip because they felt the service wasn't excellent. Excuse me for busting my balls trying to please everyone. It also frustrates me to see that some customers need to take out problems of food quality on the servers. Don't forget...we didn't cook the food for you. We also have to tip out to the kitchen, bartender, hostess, and bussers. We don't make all the 10% you give us. We are lucky to make half of that. On your $100 bill you gave 10% ($10), we only get to keep $5 of that. I can understand that poor service will get a poor tip. I agree with that, but why do some people insist on coming in to a restaurant and undertip or not tip at all. Furthermore, I work at a very upscale Japanese restaurant that cost more than 1 million dollars to build, and people seem to assume that because it is an asian restaurant they don't have to tip as much. The quality of our food is excellent as well as we fly in fresh fish from Japan weekly. I can understand if a restaurant is to set automatic gratuity amounts for larger groups but they must tell you about it in advance. Just last week I had 6 people come in and spent $350 dollars on food and drinks. They were the first of only 2 tables I had at that time so I know the service wasn't bad. They tipped me $5!!! That means I have to pay the kitchen etc. $15 out of my own pocket to cover for them being cheap. I don't get paid much to begin with and when I have to pay to serve a customer I would rather kick the customers out and not have them come again. If you are that cheap go to McDonalds or a fast food restaurant so you don't have to tip. Stay out of our restaurants. Sorry to rant about this but it really bugs me to see people that think tipping is voluntary and we should not expect anything. News for you people that think this way...go to a restaurant that doesn't require tip and see what kind of service you are going to get. If you expect to get your drinks refilled, get asked about the quality of your food and do this with a smile, and still don't want to tip, you are going to be in for a big surprise!! Okay I'm done ranting...thanks for your time.

[dmatthew]

Sorry to move away from the topic somewhat

But which jap restaurant is this? I've been dying for good japanese food here in toronto but can't seem to really find any that is up to par with the jap food I eat in Asia and in vancouver! You describe the place you work as pretty decent at the least!

thanks!

[GraysonG]

Sorry to disappoint you but it's in Edmonton. It is a great place and has been around since 1972. The oldest Japanese restaurant in Alberta. Again sorry to disappoint!

[Hybrid88]

Maybe you should stick to riding a bicycle because you didn't tip the gas station employees.

Hey wolf30 you are at it again. Your responses and comments make it really evident that - forget it. Just read the thread and replies and one day you will say "Ahhh... I get it now."

[Spor 13]

Depends on the restaurant..

Most chinese restaurants (EDIT: I'm talking bout places like Congee Wong)...they get 10% max...since most just split the tip between all servers and there's not much service other than bringing me my food and bill

Restaurants where its one server serving you, I always give a least 15% if not more. I guess being a server at one time, makes you appreciate it more. Servers don't make THAT much. When I was working at a restuarant, which was before Ontario raised min. wages and its still lower than normal min. wages now, I was getting $5.95/hr+tips. The tips truly make your salary.

[callous]

What should i do about restaurants that add a mandatory 10% service charge, then deduct 10-15% off the bill as an on-going promotion?

[dmatthew]

Sorry to disappoint you but it's in Edmonton. It is a great place and has been around since 1972. The oldest Japanese restaurant in Alberta. Again sorry to disappoint!

haha darn
oh well
my search continues!

[TrevorK]

It seems pretty obvious by some of the replies that some of you have never worked in a restaurant before. We actually get paid hourly and not a salary to work at the restaurant. As well please don't forget that we usually make only minimum wage to work there. People at McDonalds make more than we do because we do make tips. You have to understand that not everyone can work in the service industry as they don't have the disposition nor the patience for it. Being a server requires that you are constantly smiling and being cheerful regardless of how rude customers are. We have to put up with being called names, being told we are slow and useless and shouldn't work there. It also seems that many patrons don't care how busy the restaurant is, they are #1 and should be treated better and faster than all other customers. It annoys me when a customer sees that the restaurant is completely full, people are waiting inline at the front, we are scurrying all over the place and still give a poor tip because they felt the service wasn't excellent. Excuse me for busting my balls trying to please everyone. It also frustrates me to see that some customers need to take out problems of food quality on the servers. Don't forget...we didn't cook the food for you. We also have to tip out to the kitchen, bartender, hostess, and bussers. We don't make all the 10% you give us. We are lucky to make half of that. On your $100 bill you gave 10% ($10), we only get to keep $5 of that. I can understand that poor service will get a poor tip. I agree with that, but why do some people insist on coming in to a restaurant and undertip or not tip at all. Furthermore, I work at a very upscale Japanese restaurant that cost more than 1 million dollars to build, and people seem to assume that because it is an asian restaurant they don't have to tip as much. The quality of our food is excellent as well as we fly in fresh fish from Japan weekly. I can understand if a restaurant is to set automatic gratuity amounts for larger groups but they must tell you about it in advance. Just last week I had 6 people come in and spent $350 dollars on food and drinks. They were the first of only 2 tables I had at that time so I know the service wasn't bad. They tipped me $5!!! That means I have to pay the kitchen etc. $15 out of my own pocket to cover for them being cheap. I don't get paid much to begin with and when I have to pay to serve a customer I would rather kick the customers out and not have them come again. If you are that cheap go to McDonalds or a fast food restaurant so you don't have to tip. Stay out of our restaurants. Sorry to rant about this but it really bugs me to see people that think tipping is voluntary and we should not expect anything. News for you people that think this way...go to a restaurant that doesn't require tip and see what kind of service you are going to get. If you expect to get your drinks refilled, get asked about the quality of your food and do this with a smile, and still don't want to tip, you are going to be in for a big surprise!! Okay I'm done ranting...thanks for your time.

It sounds like your beef should be with the management, who forces you to tip out of your pocket no matter what you receive, who appears to understaff the restaurant and who does not care about quality control in the kitchen.

If all these problems are rectified the amount of tips will go up and your stress will go down. If you keep these problems, you can't expect tips to go up.


To the consumer, the tip is based on the experience within the restaurant. You as a waiter are at the front end of this, but you're held responsible for it all. If you can not see this, then you're obviously only looking at it from one side.

[McLaren]

How come we don't have to tip for people that work at McD's? They are doing the same thing as Wait staff, they are serving food... it's a double standard.

[Emancipated]

Is Quebec the only Province with a mandatory tip law? I was there a few years ago and they said it was. Or they lied.

[TrevorK]

How come we don't have to tip for people that work at McD's? They are doing the same thing as Wait staff, they are serving food... it's a double standard.

First off, I agree it's a double standard.

However, there are many places in North America where the waiters/waitresses do not get minimum wage. Further, the restaurant provides an experience to the clients, whether it's McD's or a high-end restaurant. Because of the atmosphere, ambiance, etc... of a high-end restaurant the patrons feel good, and tipping the wait staff makes them feel good, as if they are rewarding them for an entertaining evening.

Tipping has now turned into a societal norm. Whether you agree with it or not is regardless, it is an expected behaviour in our society at this point. Most people probably feel compelled (Guilted is another word) these days to tip, rather than doing so out of the generousity of their heart.

[cheeseshredder]

It seems pretty obvious by some of the replies that some of you have never worked in a restaurant before. We actually get paid hourly and not a salary to work at the restaurant. As well please don't forget that we usually make only minimum wage to work there. People at McDonalds make more than we do because we do make tips. You have to understand that not everyone can work in the service industry as they don't have the disposition nor the patience for it. Being a server requires that you are constantly smiling and being cheerful regardless of how rude customers are. We have to put up with being called names, being told we are slow and useless and shouldn't work there. It also seems that many patrons don't care how busy the restaurant is, they are #1 and should be treated better and faster than all other customers. It annoys me when a customer sees that the restaurant is completely full, people are waiting inline at the front, we are scurrying all over the place and still give a poor tip because they felt the service wasn't excellent. Excuse me for busting my balls trying to please everyone. It also frustrates me to see that some customers need to take out problems of food quality on the servers. Don't forget...we didn't cook the food for you. We also have to tip out to the kitchen, bartender, hostess, and bussers. We don't make all the 10% you give us. We are lucky to make half of that. On your $100 bill you gave 10% ($10), we only get to keep $5 of that. I can understand that poor service will get a poor tip. I agree with that, but why do some people insist on coming in to a restaurant and undertip or not tip at all. Furthermore, I work at a very upscale Japanese restaurant that cost more than 1 million dollars to build, and people seem to assume that because it is an asian restaurant they don't have to tip as much. The quality of our food is excellent as well as we fly in fresh fish from Japan weekly. I can understand if a restaurant is to set automatic gratuity amounts for larger groups but they must tell you about it in advance. Just last week I had 6 people come in and spent $350 dollars on food and drinks. They were the first of only 2 tables I had at that time so I know the service wasn't bad. They tipped me $5!!! That means I have to pay the kitchen etc. $15 out of my own pocket to cover for them being cheap. I don't get paid much to begin with and when I have to pay to serve a customer I would rather kick the customers out and not have them come again. If you are that cheap go to McDonalds or a fast food restaurant so you don't have to tip. Stay out of our restaurants. Sorry to rant about this but it really bugs me to see people that think tipping is voluntary and we should not expect anything. News for you people that think this way...go to a restaurant that doesn't require tip and see what kind of service you are going to get. If you expect to get your drinks refilled, get asked about the quality of your food and do this with a smile, and still don't want to tip, you are going to be in for a big surprise!! Okay I'm done ranting...thanks for your time.

The fact that you have to pay the kitchen $15 is your boss' fault, not the customers. Who makes you pay more than tip you actually get?

See it as if the customer is your boss, and the tip is your wage. Some bosses are harder to impress and some are cheap. Deal with it, some people will undertip, some won't even tip at all... Those in the occupation shouldn't complain about that. The job is hard yes, but THERE ARE HARDER JOBS that don't get tips at all. Some servers make a LOT due to the popularity of the restaurant. Weren't there people buying shifts from other people due to the amount of tips made in one night?

[CoolEddie]

To clear up a few issues:

1) In most of Europe tipping is not the norm not to mention mandatory tipping. I've lived in several of the countries over the years but some countries do have weird things. For instance in Italy and Spain, you will find prices varies depending if you sit at the bar, at a table or on the patio. You would find mandatory tipping in Italy though, usually they'll give you some appetizers (nuts or bread) and charge you for them. You'd be lucky to get 10% except from who we would call the "suckers" from Canada and USA.

2) People who work in retail go through the same things servers do and do not recieve a tip. They deal with a lot of bitchy people and often it is not their fault if an item is out of stock, the lines at the cash registers are too long, etc. They are working as fast as they can and as best as they can. As for wages, they are usually just at minimum as well. They have to put up with the exact same crap. Ever tipped a person who took out your groceries or tv to your car? What about the janitor (or salesman) who had to clean up after you smashed a jar of pickels on the floor let alone pay for it (refering to the person who used the example of bringing Cherrio's to the restaurant). Any example you can think of in the restaurant business you can almost find something similar in retail maybe without the tip outs.

I've worked in a lot of different types of jobs in the hospitality industry which includes retail, server, bartender, concierge, bell boy, and grocery store. To be honest, I don't think servers deserve to be tipped so much more than other people doing the same type of work.

So what do people think about tipping when you are eating a buffet at a restaurant with a menu and a exclusive buffet place where service is really not required.

[Fallen_Paladin]

Well, I think it's important that people realize that when you tip, you shouldn't neccessarily be tipping a certain percentage. That's why this 10%, 15%, 20% thing doesn't really work. Though 15% is a nice rule of thumb for a good tip and can be easily determined by doubling up the taxes.

Tips are given for service. How much work they do and how well they do it. Obviously if you go to an expensive restaurant, order $100 worth of food, and the server just brings you your meal and drinks and doesn't continue to monitor you occasionally or ask if everything is to your liking ect... then they haven't really done their job (on the other hand, if they keep doing that, it can get really annoying really fast). Even for an expensive $100 meal though most servers would be happy for just $10, not $15+. Also keep in mind how many people are in your party. Obviously 4 or more people require much more attention then 1 or 2, and thus the tip should reflect this. Actually, I find it rather hard to justify a tipping 15% for an expensive meal for 2 people when I consider the fact that a server at less expensive restaurants may serve more people which total the same, but only get the same 15% that another server who does less work made.

And don't be afraid to not tip if the occasion deems fit. If they've miswritten your order, then it's thier fault, and for that, a lesser or even no tip may be justified. Don't cause a commotion and demand to speak with the manager, mistakes happen. If this was a very serious matter however, and they're not very apologetic or sympathetic, do of course feel free to talk to the manager, but make sure you do it in private or on the phone. Don't be yelling at the manager from the table, you'll only draw attention and make yourself look like an ass.

Before I get flamed and called a cheapskate, I have worked in the restaurant buisiness before, know people who work in it, has a father who use to own one, and work with people in the restaurant buisiness.
Also, IMO opinion, and many of my friends, I'm an overly generous tipper.

[st7860]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tipping