NationStates Jolt Archive

Is it true that Southerners (US) tip poorly? I've been reading a website, www.stainedapron.com, where waiters and waitresses post stories about their business, and the consensus seems to be that Southerners don't tip or don't tip well.

I have heard that its customary not to tip as much as we do in the northeast in other areas.

I was in a Charlie Brown's a few weeks ago and saw the bill had a 20% gratuity already added because we had a party of 8 or more.

I was pissed off-a "gratuity" is just that- its given voluntarily if you're please with service. As it was, I was happy with the service, so I paid the exact amount of the bill only with a credit card, after changing the amount.
I then gave our waitress a 25% cash tip in her hand when she cameto take the bill back.

You cant bill me for the gratuity. I wont pay it and you probably wont see me again.

I have heard that its customary not to tip as much as we do in the northeast in other areas.

I was in a Charlie Brown's a few weeks ago and saw the bill had a 20% gratuity already added because we had a party of 8 or more.

I was pissed off-a "gratuity" is just that- its given voluntarily if you're please with service. As it was, I was happy with the service, so I paid the exact amount of the bill only with a credit card, after changing the amount.
I then gave our waitress a 25% cash tip in her hand when she cameto take the bill back.

You cant bill me for the gratuity. I wont pay it and you probably wont see me again.
I agree with you on the mandatory gratuity thing. I'm a pretty good tipper. Especially with bartenders. But my tip is my way of showing appreciation VOLUNTARILY. It shouldn't be factored into the bill for me before hand.

I have heard that its customary not to tip as much as we do in the northeast in other areas.

I was in a Charlie Brown's a few weeks ago and saw the bill had a 20% gratuity already added because we had a party of 8 or more.

I was pissed off-a "gratuity" is just that- its given voluntarily if you're please with service. As it was, I was happy with the service, so I paid the exact amount of the bill only with a credit card, after changing the amount.
I then gave our waitress a 25% cash tip in her hand when she cameto take the bill back.

You cant bill me for the gratuity. I wont pay it and you probably wont see me again.
Well, large groups tend to either tip poorly or completely forget to tip...hence why it gets added in
southerners do tend to tip less well, as do europeans because of a different system

You cant bill me for the gratuity. I wont pay it and you probably wont see me again.

Most restaurants have that policy and it's usually written clearly on the menu.

The reason is because you're taking a lot more of the server's time and extra tables with a large party and, thus, preventing him/her from getting otherwise tips.

Tips are part of a server's pay. Servers only make 2.13 an hour starting (on average) and that's way less than minimum wage.

Anyone who doesn't tip is evil and should be banned from eating out.

I agree with you on the mandatory gratuity thing. I'm a pretty good tipper. Especially with bartenders. But my tip is my way of showing appreciation VOLUNTARILY. It shouldn't be factored into the bill for me before hand.

Me too-I like to tip for good service. If its an established place, it can also ensure future good service. At my favorite places, I always get a table.

I also think that when the madatory gratuity is automatically added to the bill, the establishment is glomming that money and the server likely is getting less. that defeats the purpose of the tip.

In a related matter- I always tip the individual mechanic that works on my car. This morning, one of my door latches on my car broke-I had to tie the door shut and headed there without an appointment-I couldnt get it to work.
The mechanic came out into the parking lot and fixed it in a few minutes, refusing to bill me or take a tip. He was happy to do it-I was back on my way with a pain in the ass problem fixed in minutes.

So-you dont have to tip, but aside from the good will, it might serve you well in the future.

Most restaurants have that policy and it's usually written clearly on the menu.

The reason is because you're taking a lot more of the server's time and extra tables with a large party and, thus, preventing him/her from getting otherwise tips.

Tips are part of a server's pay. Servers only make 2.13 an hour starting (on average) and that's way less than minimum wage.

Anyone who doesn't tip is evil and should be banned from eating out.


You misunderstood me- I wont pay the establishment this gratuity-I DO tip the wait person. I tip better than most and thats well known where I go.
I've also made it known in similar threads in here.
I always tip well and have never forgotten.

last month, I had a lock replaced at my house on a french door- it was a special lock not available in a store, so I couldnt do it myself.
I hired a locksmith- he came, we talked while he did it in about 15 minutes.
I gave him a $25.00 tip in cash. He couldnt believe it .

You misunderstood me- I wont pay the establishment this gratuity-I DO tip the wait person. I tip better than most and thats well known where I go.
I've also made it known in similar threads in here.
I always tip well and have never forgotten.

last month, I had a lock replaced at my house on a french door- it was a special lock not available in a store, so I couldnt do it myself.
I hired a locksmith- he came, we talked while he did it in about 15 minutes.
I gave him a $25.00 tip in cash. He couldnt believe it .
The establishment isn't getting the tip, the server is, no matter if it's added to your bill or not. It's just that large parties tend to fuck over waitstaff (pardon my french), and they simply got tired of putting up with it.

The establishment isn't getting the tip, the server is, no matter if it's added to your bill or not. It's just that large parties tend to fuck over waitstaff (pardon my french), and they simply got tired of putting up with it.

If that is actually the case, then I agree with it.

I personally know that most waiters and waitresses do a difficult, but good job. I've witnessed the super picky people, the downright unreasonable they sometimes have to deal with. And I know they are paying bills too.
And I'll add that no large party I've been a part of has ever screwed a waiter out of a tip. I'll be happy to uphold that tradition.

Anyone who doesn't tip is evil and should be banned from eating out.


I agree here- If you dont/wont tip for good service, stick to fast food places. Dont make someone work for you, that expects a tip when its reasonable and customary,then stiff them

Don't know about how everyone tips, but if service is good, then I tip, it's that simple (and I tend to tip fairly well).



Tips are part of a server's pay. Servers only make 2.13 an hour starting (on average) and that's way less than minimum wage.

But surely that's wrong. The tip is a means of someone to say thanks to the waiter/waitress etc for good service. Requiring the tip to make up for the pay of the server means that which ever business gets out of paying proper wages and the payee pays twice (once for whatever goods and then for the wages of the server).

Don't know about how everyone tips, but if service is good, then I tip, it's that simple (and I tend to tip fairly well).


But surely that's wrong. The tip is a means of someone to say thanks to the waiter/waitress etc for good service. Requiring the tip to make up for the pay of the server means that which ever business gets out of paying proper wages and the payee pays twice (once for whatever goods and then for the wages of the server).
A tip of 20% is for average service. Poor service gets a lower tip or none at all if the waiter truly sucks. Good service deserves a tip greater than 20%. That's my rule of thumb, your results may vary. BTW, if you don't tip, don't go to that particular restaurant again.

Drink tips, I try to hit the bartender with a dollar per drink, and a couple of extra dollars if he's fast and mixes strong.

Don't know about how everyone tips, but if service is good, then I tip, it's that simple (and I tend to tip fairly well).


But surely that's wrong. The tip is a means of someone to say thanks to the waiter/waitress etc for good service. Requiring the tip to make up for the pay of the server means that which ever business gets out of paying proper wages and the payee pays twice (once for whatever goods and then for the wages of the server).
Depends. Where are you from? For even the poorest service, a 10% tip is still expected, good service 15%, excelent services, 20%. This is expected, and included as part of a waitpersons pay (and is taxed as such).

A tip of 20% is for average service. Poor service gets a lower tip or none at all if the waiter truly sucks. Good service deserves a tip greater than 20%. That's my rule of thumb, your results may vary. BTW, if you don't tip, don't go to that particular restaurant again.

Drink tips, I try to hit the bartender with a dollar per drink, and a couple of extra dollars if he's fast and mixes strong.
better drink tip. Hit him up with 2 or 3 dollars on the first drink. You'll get better service for the rest of the night, even if the tips drop off.
Most places don't really allow "strong" drinks...we have set pours, and so employers know how many drinks they should get out of a bottle. Even if I give a drink on the house, I still have to ring it through for inventory and counts.
although, I will sometimes pour a bit heavy for the first few drinks (alcohol lubricates the pocket) and then cut back for their last drinks. Also lets them sober up a bit before they leave and reduces my liability.

better drink tip. Hit him up with 2 or 3 dollars on the first drink. You'll get better service for the rest of the night, even if the tips drop off.
Most places don't really allow "strong" drinks...we have set pours, and so employers know how many drinks they should get out of a bottle. Even if I give a drink on the house, I still have to ring it through for inventory and counts.
although, I will sometimes pour a bit heavy for the first few drinks (alcohol lubricates the pocket) and then cut back for their last drinks. Also lets them sober up a bit before they leave and reduces my liability.
The places I drink aren't so anal with the booze. But then I'm a blue collar kind of guy and I drink in blue collar kinds of bars.

Depends. Where are you from? For even the poorest service, a 10% tip is still expected, good service 15%, excelent services, 20%. This is expected, and included as part of a waitpersons pay (and is taxed as such).
From the UK. The person is paid (generally minimum wage) and then tips are on top of that. Actually including tips as part of the pay, and then taxing it as such just seems wrong as there is no guarantee that a tip will be given, even if it should be because it is exactly that, a gratuity, a supplement, but not part of the pay.

From the UK. The person is paid (generally minimum wage) and then tips are on top of that. Actually including tips as part of the pay, and then taxing it as such just seems wrong as there is no guarantee that a tip will be given, even if it should be because it is exactly that, a gratuity, a supplement, but not part of the pay.
ahh...theres the difference. Europe pays wait staff a living wage, and tips are a gift. Americans hate serving europeans for this very reason, and europeans love serving americans. You are essentially guarenteed a tip in America of atleast 15%. When a european eats here, you are lucky to get 2 or 3%, where as americans in europe will still tip 15-20%. just different systems

The places I drink aren't so anal with the booze. But then I'm a blue collar kind of guy and I drink in blue collar kinds of bars.Ahh...Mass and CT both still have blue laws and are pretty strict with alcohol regulation, so even our "blue colar" bars tend to be a bit more anal than those in Jersey. Boston can't even give away empties without manager concent (like Grey Goose bottles that some people collect, or a johnny walker blue bottle) because it has to be counted properly against tabs.

ahh...theres the difference. Europe pays wait staff a living wage, and tips are a gift. Americans hate serving europeans for this very reason, and europeans love serving americans. You are essentially guarenteed a tip in America of atleast 15%. When a european eats here, you are lucky to get 2 or 3%, where as americans in europe will still tip 15-20%. just different systems

Really?

I always thought 10% was the average over here (UK).

Also, I have never known about the expectation to tip bar staff for drink. Is that just an American thing, or did I miss a memo :confused:

ahh...theres the difference. Europe pays wait staff a living wage, and tips are a gift. Americans hate serving europeans for this very reason, and europeans love serving americans. You are essentially guarenteed a tip in America of atleast 15%. When a european eats here, you are lucky to get 2 or 3%, where as americans in europe will still tip 15-20%. just different systems.
Now I have to speak up for us Europeans. I can't imagine there are that many people still around who don't know about the difference in tipping in the US.

I can certainly see how tips from Europeans will be more towards the 15% (or even 10%) end of the scale than towards the 20%, but 2% or 3%? They'd have to be REALLY ignorant to do that, i.e. never even looked at a travel guide.

I myself am definitely guilty of sticking pretty much exactly to the 15% when I'm in the US, simply because I can never believe how insanely expensive things get with tips that size.

When you think about it, it's rather incredible that US restaurants actually get the patrons to subsidize their businesses.
Just think about the difference in wage expenditures of a restaurant owner in Europe vs. the US - insane.

Really?

I always thought 10% was the average over here (UK).

Also, I have never known about the expectation to tip bar staff for drink. Is that just an American thing, or did I miss a memo :confused:
A few french families who were in the area were talking to me and some coworkers and said that anything above 5% was very high...it might have just been their town, but I do know most europeans we get tip low.

And for bar service, I don't know if its strictly american or not, but I expect to make about a dollar a drink (depending on venue, cover charge, etc.) If in america, and at a bar, and you want halfway decent service, tip. If you're happy with sitting there being ignored, then don't. But where there are 10 people lined up waiting for service, I'm going to the one who's taken best care of me that night.


Now I have to speak up for us Europeans. I can't imagine there are that many people still around who don't know about the difference in tipping in the US.

I can certainly see how tips from Europeans will be more towards the 15% (or even 10%) end of the scale than towards the 20%, but 2% or 3%? They'd have to be REALLY ignorant to do that, i.e. never even looked at a travel guide.

I myself am definitely guilty of sticking pretty much exactly to the 15% when I'm in the US, simply because I can never believe how insanely expensive things get with tips that size.

When you think about it, it's rather incredible that US restaurants actually get the patrons to subsidize their businesses.
Just think about the difference in wage expenditures of a restaurant owner in Europe vs. the US - insane.
I'm just going by personal experience. As I said above, the family said 5% would be very high. they also were here for a family thing, and so probably never looked at a travel guide.

15% is okay. Not great, but better than some people do (sadly). But if I wait tables, then yes, I expect 15%. It may seem cocky and arrogant, but I will be pissed if I get less. I work hard and get paid poorly. Americans know that tips make up the majority of a servers pay, and therefore, I damn well better get my 15% unless I was really bad (And I will admit that I have forgotten tables on busy nights, or just really messed up an order...in those cases, I apologize alot and do whatever I can to fix it and really don't expect a tip at all)

I'd never tip less than 15% unless the service was just horrible. Then I've been known to stiff the waitress. My usual tip is 20%. Unless I'm broke, but I try not to eat out if I can't afford a decent tip. I consider it part of the meal's expense.

I'd never tip less than 15% unless the service was just horrible. Then I've been known to stiff the waitress. My usual tip is 20%. Unless I'm broke, but I try not to eat out if I can't afford a decent tip. I consider it part of the meal's expense.
That is the view people should take. If you can't tip properly, then do not go out. Cook your own meal, or go to McDonalds, but don't take up my table for an hour and a half when I could have someone who will actually make it worth my time. (from server perspective)

Oddly, even in states with blue laws, there is no age limit at a bar...bartenders will make this up because a 6 year old sitting at the bar is taking up a seat that someone over 21 would otherwise sit in. They will buy an alcoholic drink, which is more expensive and gets a better tip. the 6 year old might have a coke, which wont get anything. Just a bit of fun bartender secrets.

I'm just going by personal experience. As I said above, the family said 5% would be very high. they also were here for a family thing, and so probably never looked at a travel guide.

15% is okay. Not great, but better than some people do (sadly). But if I wait tables, then yes, I expect 15%. It may seem cocky and arrogant, but I will be pissed if I get less. I work hard and get paid poorly. Americans know that tips make up the majority of a servers pay, and therefore, I damn well better get my 15% unless I was really bad (And I will admit that I have forgotten tables on busy nights, or just really messed up an order...in those cases, I apologize alot and do whatever I can to fix it and really don't expect a tip at all)
Hmm, I just thought (and calculated) a bit, and it turns out I usually tip about 8% (i.e. what I would call "generous rounding up"). That's actually often a bit more than what my friends tip. But I should stay that we're students (yuppies will probably tip more, one would hope) and this is mostly in pubs and cafés, not in "real" restaurants (we don't really have many of the same kind of "eating places" that you have, i.e. the chain things like Tony Roma's or Chi-Chi's).

But yeah, seeing how things are different in the US, I wouldn't say you're arrogant and cocky - if a 15% tip is practically inofficially mandatory & expected, then that's what you should get (unless you screw up).

It's just really, really weird for foreigners to encounter something called "tip" that's not really a tip at all, but basically an automatically included service charge.

Hmm, I just thought (and calculated) a bit, and it turns out I usually tip about 8% (i.e. what I would call "generous rounding up"). That's actually often a bit more than what my friends tip. But I should stay that we're students (yuppies will probably tip more, one would hope) and this is mostly in pubs and cafés, not in "real" restaurants (we don't really have many of the same kind of "eating places" that you have, i.e. the chain things like Tony Roma's or Chi-Chi's).

But yeah, seeing how things are different in the US, I wouldn't say you're arrogant and cocky - if a 15% tip is practically inofficially mandatory & expected, then that's what you should get (unless you screw up).

It's just really, really weird for foreigners to encounter something called "tip" that's not really a tip at all, but basically an automatically included service charge.

Yeah, I'm a student too, and we always go to a diner nearby...Once we left a 2 cent tip (all the money we had), but promised the guy next time we had him we would make it up. we made good on our promise.
It often comes off as being racist or stereotyping, but when I see a man in a business suit come in, I know I'll get a good tip. If I see a group of students come in, I know I'll get shorted and have to worry about a dine and dash.

My rule is if you sit at a table or have to put your name on a list, then tip. If it is counter service or "fast food", then no tip.


Bar service...be nice to your bartender, and they'll be nice to you:p

Tips are part of a server's pay. Servers only make 2.13 an hour starting (on average) and that's way less than minimum wage.

Anyone who doesn't tip is evil and should be banned from eating out.
Sucks to be a waiter in the US then.

Nobody here really tips much, maybe a quid or two, because waiters get at least minimum wage anyway.

Sucks to be a waiter in the US then.

Nobody here really tips much, maybe a quid or two, because waiters get at least minimum wage anyway.
actually, it's pretty nice...I guess it evens out, but I can walk away from a 5 hour shift with a couple hundred dollars.

that said, I can also walk away with maybe $20. Depends on the night, how busy, who comes, etc.

actually, it's pretty nice...I guess it evens out, but I can walk away from a 5 hour shift with a couple hundred dollars.

that said, I can also walk away with maybe $20. Depends on the night, how busy, who comes, etc.
Well that's kind of my point, the pay isn't reliable.

Whereas here you would still get your wage (at least minimum wage) whether if the place is dead or packed out, and if it's busy you get a bit extra from the tips.

...
But where there are 10 people lined up waiting for service, I'm going to the one who's taken best care of me that night....


This one place tried doing that to me once. I lined up at the bar, some dude stood next to me less than 30 seconds after i got there, he got served, some dude replaced him, and he started to get served before i interrupted. All this took about 5-10 minutes.

I ended up only tipping 10% because of the fact that service was lousy all night. shoulda tipped less because of that.

So question for you, do bartenders just not serve ppl who start tabs? Or do they need to see the money first?

My brother works in the summer as a waiter, so I understand the importance of being a good tipper. That said, I have had my brother wait on me, and since he's my brother, I left him an awesome tip...there were three of us and we left him about a 33% tip. That and when my fiancee go to a nice restaurant on Lake Erie are the only time I tip THAT well...I still remember the look on my waitress's face the other year when we went there for our anniversary. I had what had to be the best tilapia under the sun, and since it was our anniversary, dessert was on the house (we're not married, but we had been dating for a year...we omitted that part and just said it was our anniversary.) Our bill came to about $47, and the B&B we stayed at gave us a voucher for $40 at that place. So all we owed was $7. I handed the waitress a $20 and told her to keep the change. I nearly dropped her jaw.

Most of the time I try to stay within 15-20%, partially because I am accustomed to good service and partially because I believe in being a good tipper. My fiancee always gets on my case for tipping too much; I generally ignore her.

Also, I wonder if there really is a difference in how people tip depending on region. I noticed how pleasant servers are in Tennessee and Georgia, at least in my experience. At least that's as compared to here in Ohio, where service is spotty. You could get an awesome waiter one night and then go out again and get someone who's rude, inattentive, and warrants not only a shitty tip but a chat with the manager. Maybe Southerners have a higher expectation of wait staff than Northerners do.

I'm not a Southerner, but I currently reside in the South... and I tip pretty well (usually around 20%).

I think it's mostly old people ("Grandpa, the value of a quarter has gone down quite a bit since 1955!") and a-holes who tip poorly.

I tip, I used to be a waitress. I don't tip 20% to everyone, I don't even tip everyone though. If you don't get my food right, you are rude to my kids, you mess up my husband's meal........no tip for you, and no following me out to the parking lot to "remind me" that I didn't tip isn't going to help out your case any at all. (yes, this has happened to me more than once) I don't tip if when you are taking care of the check you ask "do you need any change" that's like asking "how much are you going to tip me?" geez, people you say "I will be right back with your change" then you need to be sure to bring me something back I can tip with, if my check is 25.00 and I pay with a $50.00, you bring me back a ten 2 fives, and 5 ones. If you don't you are getting a $5.00 tip, because I am not leaving a $20 tip for a $25 meal (okay I have before, but it should be my choice, not a necessity)

[/rant]

I tip, I used to be a waitress. I don't tip 20% to everyone, I don't even tip everyone though. If you don't get my food right, you are rude to my kids, you mess up my husband's meal........no tip for you, ...


is it really a waitperson's fault that the food wasn't made to specification? (can understand not tipping for being rude, or at least tipping only a little)

not at all

I have a bit of a problem with tipping. Not so much with restaurants, but more with bars and such. It seems that the bartenders or waitresses think a tip is absolutely required. No tip = treat you like crap.

Why exactly? Sure, in a restaurant I'll tip a good 15-20% if the service is even halfway decent.

What about at a bar? Most drinks around here are less than $5. Do I leave $1? That's 20+%. For one drink. That means over the course of the night I may be paying some guy $10-15 for pouring a drink. Is it that difficult? Is bartending such an acquired skill that they should be paid $1 for maybe 2 minutes of work?

Back to my original point. Even people on this thread have said they'll ignore you at the bar if someone is tipping better. Isn't this the definition of a bribe? I won't serve you unless you pay me a gratuity(or kickback).

is it really a waitperson's fault that the food wasn't made to specification? (can understand not tipping for being rude, or at least tipping only a little)
absolutely. If I order a hamburger no bun, explain to them that my daughter will get very sick if there is a bun on her plate, and then re-explain that she can't have a bun at all, and they bring me a hamburger with a bun, I want it fixed, immediatly, I keep the hamburger while they fix it, because I know if I don't they will go back and take of the bun and bring it to me, which is unacceptable. If they roll their eyes, try to say I didn't order it that way, ask if I can just "take it off" or say that they can't fix it without charging extra.....NO TIP. In fact, I might just leave right then and go eat somewhere else.

When you are a waiter you work for tips, you need to make sure that your customer is happy, if the cook screws up you make him fix it, it's your tip he is screwing with, if something isn't right you fix it, no questions asked, if you screwed up you appologize and fix it.........you are in a SERVICE job, don't you think you should actually provide service?

absolutely. If I order a hamburger no bun
what... you're daughter allergic to bread? that's gotta suck.

, explain to them that my daughter will get very sick if there is a bun on her plate, and then re-explain that she can't have a bun at all, and they bring me a hamburger with a bun, I want it fixed, immediatly
this sounds like it recently happened...

, I keep the hamburger while they fix it, because I know if I don't they will go back and take of the bun and bring it to me, which is unacceptable.
how do you know? because that's what YOU used to do? :P

If they roll their eyes, try to say I didn't order it that way, ask if I can just "take it off" or say that they can't fix it without charging extra.....NO TIP. In fact, I might just leave right then and go eat somewhere else. yah, i agree w/ this. if you've always ordered it a certain way, then they try to say you didn't, and then they get all bitchy about it. bitch slap them w/ no tip, or leave.

When you are a waiter you work for tips, you need to make sure that your customer is happy, if the cook screws up you make him fix it, it's your tip he is screwing with, if something isn't right you fix it, no questions asked, if you screwed up you appologize and fix it
no doubt, but there's no reason for a customer to be rude about it if it's a mistake.
.........you are in a SERVICE job, don't you think you should actually provide service?
i was in a customer service job. People are rude. It makes people not want to help them. If i ever get to the point to where i would have to be a waiter, and some customer was rude to me, i wouldn't be expecting a tip no matter how good my service was to them beyond that point, so i would have subpar service to said customer for the rest of the evening.

woah...this is what happens when I go to eat...
This one place tried doing that to me once. I lined up at the bar, some dude stood next to me less than 30 seconds after i got there, he got served, some dude replaced him, and he started to get served before i interrupted. All this took about 5-10 minutes.

I ended up only tipping 10% because of the fact that service was lousy all night. shoulda tipped less because of that.

So question for you, do bartenders just not serve ppl who start tabs? Or do they need to see the money first?
Depends on the place. If I'm working a sports bar, I will probably run a tab, and it wont be as busy. At a night club, where the bar is 5-10 people deep on all sides, there are no tabs. I expect to be paid per drink, and tipped appropriatly (I don't really expect a dollar per drink, and I know who my "tippers" are..they will get slightly faster and more plesant service. I also know who won't give me a cent. I'm not gonna serve them over someone I know will give me money. You pay for what you get. Now, I won't ignore anyone...I will work hard to get my tip. But there are times when you really just don't see everyone there and are working like hell to keep up. I try to be fair as much as I can...but 2 people there at the same time, I'm going to my money customer first. If you are rude, then screw you. I don't need your money, and you will be the last person I serve for the rest of the night. And yes, I will remember your face.

I tip, I used to be a waitress. I don't tip 20% to everyone, I don't even tip everyone though. If you don't get my food right, you are rude to my kids, you mess up my husband's meal........no tip for you, and no following me out to the parking lot to "remind me" that I didn't tip isn't going to help out your case any at all. (yes, this has happened to me more than once) I don't tip if when you are taking care of the check you ask "do you need any change" that's like asking "how much are you going to tip me?" geez, people you say "I will be right back with your change" then you need to be sure to bring me something back I can tip with, if my check is 25.00 and I pay with a $50.00, you bring me back a ten 2 fives, and 5 ones. If you don't you are getting a $5.00 tip, because I am not leaving a $20 tip for a $25 meal (okay I have before, but it should be my choice, not a necessity)
A waitperson should always say "I'll bring you your change", and that change should always be given in ammounts that a) don't overload the person (no $20 in singles...) and b) gives the opportunity to tip (no $20 in a bill either). I would give a 10, a 5, and 5 ones. Tipping, despite being expected, is not needed. I am curious how you would react to me tho, smunkee. Let's say I forgot your table on a very busy night, or messed up your kids order, but when I realized I was wrong, I apologized profusely and did everything I could to fix it...would that still result in a lower tip, or would you be somewhat forgiving? What if it was on a less busy night?

Astraeus]What about at a bar? Most drinks around here are less than $5. Do I leave $1? That's 20+%. For one drink. That means over the course of the night I may be paying some guy $10-15 for pouring a drink. Is it that difficult? Is bartending such an acquired skill that they should be paid $1 for maybe 2 minutes of work?

Back to my original point. Even people on this thread have said they'll ignore you at the bar if someone is tipping better. Isn't this the definition of a bribe? I won't serve you unless you pay me a gratuity(or kickback).
You don't want to tip for a drink? Get a bottle of liquor and drink at home. You came to my bar, and I damn well expect a tip. I paid $440 for my training, and that was heavily discounted. And yes, it is very hard work. If you leave my bar and get into an accident, and I was the last person to serve you, I can lose my job, get sued, pay fines, or be arrested.
I'm not saying definatly a dollar per drink...if you're drinking a draft beer or something simple (say, a rum and coke), then no, I'm not expecting a huge tip. If you are drinking a martini, damn right you best be tipping. I suggest trying to aim for about 15% over the course of the evening, same as you would any other wait person. Like I said, you aren't just paying for the alcohol...you can do that on your own. You're paying for the service.

And it isn't that I wont serve you...but if you come up around the same time as a good tipper, I'm going to him first. I already know he's going to pay me, and the happier he is, the more he'll pay. Satisfy your best customers first. It isn't something that is outside the realm of common sense. If you were serving and knew person A is going to give you 20% consistantly, and person B might give you 5%, who are you going to serve more/better?

i was in a customer service job. People are rude. It makes people not want to help them. If i ever get to the point to where i would have to be a waiter, and some customer was rude to me, i wouldn't be expecting a tip no matter how good my service was to them beyond that point, so i would have subpar service to said customer for the rest of the evening.
Exactly. I will work hard to get a tip out of everyone...but at some point, it just stops being worth it. Yes, I am serving you, but I am by no means your servant. You treat me like crap, screw it. It is worth the $20 less to make you suffer right along with me.

I, being a southerner (well, not really, southwesterner), tip rather heavily. I once accidentaly tipped 40%. But I didn't mind, I liked the guy, and it wasn't much. :D I hardly ever go below 20%, they'd have to really screw up for me to tip less than 20.

I, being a southerner (well, not really, southwesterner), tip rather heavily. I once accidentaly tipped 40%. But I didn't mind, I liked the guy, and it wasn't much. :D I hardly ever go below 20%, they'd have to really screw up for me to tip less than 20.
um...if you're ever in the Boston area, I know of a great bar you could hit up...they have the best bartender ever, if I do say so myself ;)

ahh...theres the difference. Europe pays wait staff a living wage, and tips are a gift. Americans hate serving europeans for this very reason, and europeans love serving americans. You are essentially guarenteed a tip in America of atleast 15%. When a european eats here, you are lucky to get 2 or 3%, where as americans in europe will still tip 15-20%. just different systems
In Canada wait staff also get paid at least minimum, but people still tip like Americans. Prolly because in most TV shows, people are American and see typical American tips. We are used to seeing this and learn that this is what is expected.

I tip near the tax (14%). Quite often I take the tax then round up to the nearest dollar.

To clear it up, Southerners tip well. Rednecks do not. True Southerners have class and tip very very well. Unfortunately, we have an abundance of the latter.

Is it true that Southerners (US) tip poorly? I've been reading a website, www.stainedapron.com, where waiters and waitresses post stories about their business, and the consensus seems to be that Southerners don't tip or don't tip well.

just another reason to hate the south. kidding.

I am curious how you would react to me tho, smunkee. Let's say I forgot your table on a very busy night, or messed up your kids order, but when I realized I was wrong, I apologized profusely and did everything I could to fix it...would that still result in a lower tip, or would you be somewhat forgiving? What if it was on a less busy night?
busy doesn't phase me. I don't want to hear excuses. If you screw up and realize it and appologize and fix it, you get a tip. I hate hearing excuses period (yes, even from my kids) if I never hear the "magic 3" again I would be a happy girl. You want to know the magic 3?

1) It's my first day (week, dinner shift, ect.)
2) I have too many people in my section
3) we are understaffed.

I don't care. Probably a combo of I used to manage a restraunt and I was a waitress for 6 years, being the reasons why I don't care.

I don't like excuses. What I do like is
" gee, I am really sorry that we screwed that up, I will go fix it right now, is there anything else I can get you while you wait?"

The only time this Southerner doesn't tip below 20 percent is when I get a bill that has the 15 percent added in. Then I give them exactly what they ask for. On the credit card, anyway. I usually slip the server a five or ten dollar bill as I leave. I figure the kids that are doing that job can use the money.

In Canada wait staff also get paid at least minimum, but people still tip like Americans. Prolly because in most TV shows, people are American and see typical American tips. We are used to seeing this and learn that this is what is expected.

I tip near the tax (14%). Quite often I take the tax then round up to the nearest dollar.
that's it. I'm moving to Canada.

busy doesn't phase me. I don't want to hear excuses. If you screw up and realize it and appologize and fix it, you get a tip. I hate hearing excuses period (yes, even from my kids) if I never hear the "magic 3" again I would be a happy girl. You want to know the magic 3?

1) It's my first day (week, dinner shift, ect.)
2) I have too many people in my section
3) we are understaffed.

I don't care. Probably a combo of I used to manage a restraunt and I was a waitress for 6 years, being the reasons why I don't care.

I don't like excuses. What I do like is
" gee, I am really sorry that we screwed that up, I will go fix it right now, is there anything else I can get you while you wait?"
I think we would get along well. I never use excuses, but when I am in the customer position, I'm usually much more forgiving if it is clearly a busy night or if the person is clearly new. Not if the person uses it as an excuse, but if they are really working hard, and sorry for whatever they messed up, I'll just brush it off and tell them not to worry.
I also don't think I've ever sent anything back, even if it is completely wrong...I just feel bad and have no reason why I can't just eat something. Never gotten something totally wrong, but sometimes I order with extra- or no- whathaveyou, and I don't get it. No health need, and so I don't really care.

here is where to learn what not to do. http://www.bitterwaitress.com/

I tip based on good service or how hard the wait(ress) is TRYing. Reward effort, not service.

I lived in the south for awhile I dont know about them being less then on par tippers--I mean I really just dont know.
Part of that stigma might come from the fact most southern states are part of the Poverty belt and income grossly smaller down there then in the North east for instance. But you know--feck 'em right--then should do it anyway.

I tip based on service and effort.
If you are trying really hard and still sucking ....find a new job. I dont want to hear about that being mean, that is the way every job I have eve had has worked...if arent good, get out.

No if it a night where they are swamped.....I expect less---people are busy and I am the center of the universe.....but the service I receive had been be good.

I do however tip a minimum 20% when I do, if I do.
I leave two dollars if the service bad.
There are just certain things I expect, if you cant live on 2.13 an hour.....go to Taco Bell they pay 7.50----My wife worked as waitress and bartender and would regularly recieve over a hundred dollars a night.

I have tipped 70% of a bill for impressive service....it is simlpy a matter of circumstance.....no waitress is just entitled to a tip.

Oh, and I tip other peoples waitresses if I see them doing a superior job.

God only asks for a tithe of 10%, yet I'm supposed to give 15 or even 20% to a server? What makes them more deserving than God?

:D

I have heard that its customary not to tip as much as we do in the northeast in other areas.

I was in a Charlie Brown's a few weeks ago and saw the bill had a 20% gratuity already added because we had a party of 8 or more.

I was pissed off-a "gratuity" is just that- its given voluntarily if you're please with service. As it was, I was happy with the service, so I paid the exact amount of the bill only with a credit card, after changing the amount.
I then gave our waitress a 25% cash tip in her hand when she cameto take the bill back.

You cant bill me for the gratuity. I wont pay it and you probably wont see me again.
20%??? 25%????? WTF, over?

What ever happened to 15% ????? :eek:

God only asks for a tithe of 10%, yet I'm supposed to give 15 or even 20% to a server? What makes them more deserving than God?

:D
Um ... they do actual, like ... work??? :p

Eutrusca, 15% is a perfectly fine tip.

I try to tip when I feel the service merits that.

15% is really a guide and has never been considered a 'good' tip.

Simply if you tip less then that, your just a cheap bastard who has no knowledge of social manners, if you were trying to be kind to the server.


But 15% is fine.

God only asks for a tithe of 10%, yet I'm supposed to give 15 or even 20% to a server? What makes them more deserving than God?

:D
I suppose because 10% of the entire universe is a bit bigger than 20% of a steak and chips. :p

I don't mind tipping, but I hate it when they put a service charge with the bill and bring a tipping plate over as well.

God only asks for a tithe of 10%, yet I'm supposed to give 15 or even 20% to a server? What makes them more deserving than God?

:D
Go feck yourself.

Eutrusca, 15% is a perfectly fine tip.

I try to tip when I feel the service merits that.

15% is really a guide and has never been considered a 'good' tip.

Simply if you tip less then that, your just a cheap bastard who has no knowledge of social manners, if you were trying to be kind to the server.

But 15% is fine.
So I've been giving less that a "good" tip for what ... 30 some-odd years now?? :eek:

My wife was a waitress several times in her life and always told me that a tip of 15% was a decent tip when the service was good. If I ever tip more than 15% she scowls at me. ;)

So I've been giving less that a "good" tip for what ... 30 some-odd years now?? :eek:

My wife was a waitress several times in her life and always told me that a tip of 15% was a decent tip when the service was good. If I ever tip more than 15% she scowls at me. ;)
While my response in your other thread is one thing.
Never piss of your wife, no matter how pretty the waitress is ;) .
And really the rules of etiquette have changed, but 15% is a good tip if they are used to getting shafted.
I just try to do more where I see more, and 20% is now considered the mark, by most people.

Does anyone tip people other than waitstaff? It annoys some of my family that I do (but my family is def. not who I want to model my behavior after so I don't care) I tip my hair stylist, the person who does my pedicure, the car hop at Sonic (but only if it's rainy or I order food, or she does something above and beyond, like brings out extra napkins when I order ice cream for my kids)

Does anyone tip people other than waitstaff? It annoys some of my family that I do (but my family is def. not who I want to model my behavior after so I don't care) I tip my hair stylist, the person who does my pedicure, the car hop at Sonic (but only if it's rainy or I order food, or she does something above and beyond, like brings out extra napkins when I order ice cream for my kids)
I tip anyone who seems to be either partially or totally dependent on tips for their income and who does a reasonably good job. I never have, however, tipped either my manicurist or my pedicurist ... they don't make me pretty enough! :p

God only asks for a tithe of 10%, yet I'm supposed to give 15 or even 20% to a server? What makes them more deserving than God?

:D
Has god ever delivered a pitcher of beer and some hot wings right to your table?

I tip anyone who seems to be either partially or totally dependent on tips for their income and who does a reasonably good job. I never have, however, tipped either my manicurist or my pedicurist ... they don't make me pretty enough! :p
:D okay, what about the guy who carries your groceries to your car for you? If I buy $300 in groceries and he takes them out for me, puts them in the back of my Jeep all pretty and everything, I give him some $$ extra. I give him a lot more if it's raining or snowing or whatever.

20%??? 25%????? WTF, over?

What ever happened to 15% ????? :eek:
It might be a New Jersey thing. My friends and I always consider 20% standard.

:D okay, what about the guy who carries your groceries to your car for you? If I buy $300 in groceries and he takes them out for me, puts them in the back of my Jeep all pretty and everything, I give him some $$ extra. I give him a lot more if it's raining or snowing or whatever.
That's not a practice here. I've never had anyone even so much as offer to carry out my groceries. :p

Does anyone tip people other than waitstaff? It annoys some of my family that I do (but my family is def. not who I want to model my behavior after so I don't care) I tip my hair stylist, the person who does my pedicure, the car hop at Sonic (but only if it's rainy or I order food, or she does something above and beyond, like brings out extra napkins when I order ice cream for my kids)
I tip my barber and I tip the girls at the strip clubs.

That's not a practice here. I've never had anyone even so much as offer to carry out my groceries. :p

Down here in the south we have a chain which still does that.... Ukrops.... They still employ bag-persons whose job it is to wheel your groceries out for you, and load your vehicle.

It might be a New Jersey thing. My friends and I always consider 20% standard.
I suspect this is where the perception that Southerners tip less comes from. It just rubs me the wrong way to tip almost a quarter of the price of a meal to the server. Must be the way I was raised, eh? :p

Down here in the south we have a chain which still does that.... Ukrops.... They still employ bag-persons whose job it is to wheel your groceries out for you, and load your vehicle.
[ points at the "Location" line under his name ] More "South" than which it is difficult to get! :p

That's not a practice here. I've never had anyone even so much as offer to carry out my groceries. :p
really? The bag boys here do it, they only offer for my husband when he has more than 4 bags, or when he has the kids with him, but they offer for me all the time, I bought a bag of cotton balls once and they offered to carry it out.....

anyway, yeah, other than the big stores (like Sam's) the bag boy carries your groceries out and puts them in your car.

Down here in the south we have a chain which still does that.... Ukrops.... They still employ bag-persons whose job it is to wheel your groceries out for you, and load your vehicle.
i find that strange... as with people pumping gas for you at some places. weird. (to me)

but the question here is whether you have those crazy paper bags for groceries or plastic ones with handles... in the movies its always the former, at least


though to answer the question (i'm southern..... british..) nah i don't tend to tip. restaurants sometimes when the service is good or i'm feeling generous, but often you don't have the ability to on these new chip & pin machines.

woah...this is what happens when I go to eat...

Depends on the place. If I'm working a sports bar, I will probably run a tab, and it wont be as busy. At a night club, where the bar is 5-10 people deep on all sides, there are no tabs. I expect to be paid per drink, and tipped appropriatly (I don't really expect a dollar per drink, and I know who my "tippers" are..they will get slightly faster and more plesant service. I also know who won't give me a cent. I'm not gonna serve them over someone I know will give me money. You pay for what you get. Now, I won't ignore anyone...I will work hard to get my tip. But there are times when you really just don't see everyone there and are working like hell to keep up. I try to be fair as much as I can...but 2 people there at the same time, I'm going to my money customer first. If you are rude, then screw you. I don't need your money, and you will be the last person I serve for the rest of the night. And yes, I will remember your face.
It was a pool hall, and it was moderately busy. Not slammed, but pretty steady. However, the bar tenders felt they had enough time to stand around and chat idly(sp) amongst each other ignoring the patrons at the bar. And i felt i was flat out ignored, that's why i interrupted.
I guess that it's the american mentality goes as far as seeing tips up front. They forget everything. However, if i have great service, i tip well over 20%, if it's pisspoor, my tip shows that. No matter if i have a tab or not. I would think as a server, with someone who starts a tab, they should be expecting a big tip at the end and server everyone equally... but then, i guess not. (hard to express my thoughts today)

I suspect this is where the perception that Southerners tip less comes from. It just rubs me the wrong way to tip almost a quarter of the price of a meal to the server. Must be the way I was raised, eh? :p
Grandpa?!

I tip my tattooist, piercer. I go to a barber shop, so tips aren't really customary...

It was a pool hall, and it was moderately busy. Not slammed, but pretty steady. However, the bar tenders felt they had enough time to stand around and chat idly(sp) amongst each other ignoring the patrons at the bar. And i felt i was flat out ignored, that's why i interrupted.
I guess that it's the american mentality goes as far as seeing tips up front. They forget everything. However, if i have great service, i tip well over 20%, if it's pisspoor, my tip shows that. No matter if i have a tab or not. I would think as a server, with someone who starts a tab, they should be expecting a big tip at the end and server everyone equally... but then, i guess not. (hard to express my thoughts today)
huh...I usually don't have the chance to talk to other bartenders really if there is a steady crowd. I think the most I'll say is "behind you" or "____'s out"...so in your case, I would say you were right. A good tip just gets your face remembered...having the bartender remember your face and something positive will get you better service.
Where I usually sub in doesn't run tabs, but yeah. Typically, if someone is running a tab, then they're going to be getting alot of drinks, and so a decent tip will follow. But alot of places around here have stopped running tabs (people pulled too many dine-and-dash's)
Alot of it really depends on what type of place it is.

I live in the US south, and I tip well. I think most people confuse "southern" with "redneck". Redneck is generally equivalent to working class and poorly educated, so they are much more likely to leave a smaller tip- because they have less money.

When rednecks travel, they take their undereducated accents with them, and give the nice southern folk a bad name.

i find that strange... as with people pumping gas for you at some places. weird. (to me)

but the question here is whether you have those crazy paper bags for groceries or plastic ones with handles... in the movies its always the former, at least


though to answer the question (i'm southern..... british..) nah i don't tend to tip. restaurants sometimes when the service is good or i'm feeling generous, but often you don't have the ability to on these new chip & pin machines.

How about paper bags with handles? Ukrops and Kroger both use those.