Question: How Do You Tip Your Waiter/Waitress?

[RTR91]

Do you tip based on service or based on a standard percentage of the total amount?

I always go with a percentage of the amount unless the service is just pathetic like I had a few times this weekend. Just curious as to what you big spenders do when you go out.

 

[RVTIDER]

Mine is based completely on the service.

 

[willie52]

Service then percentage. You can provide good service or you can get tipped a penney, their choice. I usually hit the 20% mark if it's good service.

 

[seebell]

Do you tip based on service or based on a standard percentage of the total amount?

I always go with a percentage of the amount unless the service is just pathetic like I had a few times this weekend. Just curious as to what you big spenders do when you go out.

I'm like you. I always try to tip about 20%. But we don't go out much.

 

[RTR91]

Service then percentage. You can provide good service or you can get tipped a penney, their choice. I usually hit the 20% mark if it's good service.

That is the proper description for me. Once the person has provide quality service, I will then tip based on around 20% of the total.

 

[DiamondDust]

15-20% regardless... if they go above and beyond or don't do thing to annoy me (Unnecessary chatter/calling me buddy or dude or man or something other than sir/etc.), I'll quickly up it.

 

[Tide1986]

I generally tip 20% or more. I even tip food delivery persons at least 20%. However, I do not tip at all if I pick up my own food. If a restaurant server is not reasonably attentive, I'll usually drop down to around 15%.

 

[exiledNms]

Short answer: generously!

Longer answer: start w/ percentage, & adjust for the service---IF (it's an important if!)--the service is clearly attributable to the server. Under-cook food, different sides than ordered, etc., are often not the server's fault. In that case, speak to the mgr. Don't punish the server for things that aren't his/her fault.

Again my short answer: generously! (said the Father of one paying her bills as a server... )

 

[Mamacalled]

If they are good looking.........

 

[TideEngineer08]

I usually tip 25 to 30% for good service. I've heard that the tip isn't just distributed to the server; it's distributed to the entire cooking staff as well. So I tip based on the whole deal, and if it's good, then I'll tip 25 to 30%. If the price of my meal is fairly low, I'll go higher on the tip.

Delivery people get 15 to 20%. That's probably on the high side, but it's just me and the wife and we don't eat out all the time.

Now if service is poor, then the tip starts getting docked. But, it all depends, just like exiledNms said. I try to be forgiving and understanding.

 

[bama_wayne1]

Most of the time I go with the 20% standard assuming the service is good and the server amicable, but I do have a soft spot for people if it looks like they are having a tough time and occasionally go beyond that percentage. Especially if it is someone handicapped or something (not that I am trying to stereotype) I might go as high sa 50%. In cases like that I usually feel a pull from the Lord. I know that may sound weird or crazy but I am an average kind of guy blessed beyond measure and desire to give back. But I would not like to havae someone try to extract money through taxes or whatever other form they might invent.

 

[bamanut_aj]

I'll double the tax for doing their job. Then I'll add for 'above and beyond', or deduct for 'why did I even need you?'

 

[MegaVars]

If they are good looking.........

Heh....you goin' broke at Hooters.

 

[RTR91]

I've heard that the tip isn't just distributed to the server; it's distributed to the entire cooking staff as well.

I think that depends on the place. Different rules for different places.

Heh....you goin' broke at Hooters.

I went to high school with a girl that now works at Hooters. From looking at the pictures she posts on Facebook, no one would go broke at her location.

 

[MegaVars]

I went to high school with a girl that now works at Hooters. From looking at the pictures she posts on Facebook, no one would go broke at her location.

You obviously don't know MC's cull factor.

 

[Bodhisattva]

Unless the service is just so bad that my evening out is ruined, I probably tip in the 20% - 40% range with a $5 minimum.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

Unless the service is just so bad that my evening out is ruined, I probably tip in the 20% - 40% range with a $5 minimum.

same for me

 

[BradtheImpaler]

Generally 20%, and if the service is great, round up from there and maybe even add a buck or two. If I feel that the service was lacking, I might drop down to 15%.

If it's abysmal service, I'll leave nothing, except a detailed account of why on the receipt. Only done that once, but it was absolutely justified.

 

[CrimsonNagus]

Most of the time I go with the 20% standard assuming the service is good...

I always thought 10% was standard, years ago I was told 15% was standard and now you say 20% is standard... who decides what is standard and why does it keep going up? I don't see the need of increasing the %, 15% today is a lot more then 15% 20 years ago because the price of the food has gone up. 15% is the most I will do (sorry, that is still the standard in my book) but usually it falls between 10-15% (nothing for poor service).

Sorry, I'm bitter about tipping and I hate doing it. I wish the food service industry would change its mentality and pay these people better so 20, 30 and 40% tips aren't expected from paying customers, that's getting ridiculous.

 

[Jessica4Bama]

I don't tip based on percentages. They would usually end up getting less that way. I tip based on how well they did. We usually leave $10+ if they are good.