Tipping, how do you guys tip your servers when you go out to eat?

[Vulcan]

Isn't the difference in culture amazing, here in NZ its actually considered a bit rude too tip. Most people are embarassed somewhat by receiving tips - they consider they should strive to do a good job anyway. The only excepts are tourist spots with a lot of exposure to americans where they get a bit greedy.

[Mustaine]

i take total, and give 5 for every 20. round up when in between

in a bar, depending on how the first few drinks are and how the service is $1 per drink.

lousy service (wait to be served longer than others) or way weak drinks gets whatever change from bills ($3.50 drink gets 50¢)

[DREDIOCK]

Tips go by service. and how much money I have.

The better  the service. the better the tip. I've gone as high as 40% for really good service.

Really bad service. I've gone as low as a penny

[lasersailor184]

I don't think I've ever tipped so low.  

The lowest I've tipped was 5% or so.  It wasn't because it was bad service, it was because that's all I had.  I felt so bad afterwards.

[cpxxx]

In the states I always tipped the first couple of drinks. It always results in fast service even when busy for the next couple of drinks. I rarely bother tipping in Irish pubs. In one or two of them the barmen short change or overcharge you when they think you are too P***ed to notice. Believe me I'm never that far gone.

To be honest you rarely get bad service these days. So you end up taking it for granted. In restaurants it's about 10% but my wife likes to give more. But when you're paying 70 or 80 Euro for a meal that soon adds up.
I've heard in New York that the minimum is about 15% or even 20%. Less than that and they practically call the cops.
 

You don't always get tipped for good service. My sister worked in a Greek restaurant in New York during her time as an illegal alien. Apart from from arguing with the Greek owner in front of the customers. She used to verbally abuse customers, (in a jokey way).  Quite feisty, my sister. That actually generated huge tips from the New Yorker customers who liked her style.  She hated European customers (ironically) because they were lousy tippers. Called them 'Eurotrash'.

[Skydancer]

I usualy give em money!

[Sandman]

Originally posted by Wotan
Tipping? I agree with Mr. Pink...

[FiLtH]

My wife figures that stuff whe nwe go out. But if  Ihappen to be alone, I tend to give to much if the service was good. A 5 dollar tip for a 10 dollar meal is common. My wife would shoot me.  But usually we go about 15%.

[storch]

25% and we dine out frequently and tend to be regulars.  this pays off when the place is full, believe me you are known and will be promptly seated.

[eagl]

For dinner, I start at 10% and go up or down from there depending on service.  I sometimes have trouble swallowing if I don't have something to drink, so when my glass empties I simply can't eat until I get a refill.  If I have to quit eating because they haven't bothered to come by, the tip starts decreasing.  If I never have to wonder if they're going to stop by to see how we're doing or offer another water refill, the tip goes up.

At the bar, I start at 25% and try not to worry about it although once when I'd had a little too much, I put $20 down on a tall rum and coke and walked away from the change.  Oops.  It's easier to be cool and popular enough that other people buy your drinks for you, so you only have to tip once when it's your turn to demonstrate your generosity by buying everyone in sight a round.

[DREDIOCK]

Originally posted by lasersailor184
I don't think I've ever tipped so low.  

The lowest I've tipped was 5% or so.  It wasn't because it was bad service, it was because that's all I had.  I felt so bad afterwards.

Pancakes, Western omlet With bacon and homefries.

Took forever to get waitress to take the order. then did so with an impatient and not so friendly attitude.
Had to ask waitress  for coffe while I wa swaiting. Coffee tasted like it was brewed about a week ago.

Half hour  later meal arrives...ICE cold.
Eventually got the attention of the waitress who upon hearing the complaint sighed,rolled her eyes and toook the meal away promising to come back with a new one.

10 min later the meal arrives again. Same exact dish I just sent back. I could tell by the corner of the omlette that was cut off only reheated I am assuming in a microwave.

Too hungry to argue and at this point starting to be pressed for time myself I ate it. Bacon overcooked. pancakes undercooked and the eggs had more the consistancy of soft rubber then any omlet Ive ever had before.
Toast was so dry I wouldnt eat it

but hey the OJ was pretty good.
and for that I left a penny

[Nash]

I tip 20% (that's the standard now, aint it?)

I keep that consistent - good service or bad. I mean, we all have crappy days. And some days we're just not as on the ball as on other days.

Tips are now factored into the service industry worker's salary, so if they don't get a tip - it's basically like a cut in an already meager paycheck. My livelihood doesn't fluctuate depending on what my mood ring or horoscope indicates, nevermind my smile, speed and ass..... and I reckon it should be the same for the grunts (essentially) that happen to be serving me.

So I'll tip them 20% no matter what.... but if my sense is that the bad service is part of the "culture" there, then I just won't be back.

[lasersailor184]

Yes, nash is correct (I meant to bring it up).


Most waiters and waitresses earn below minimum wage.  It is assumed that they will make extra money from the tips.

[GtoRA2]

Originally posted by Nash
I tip 20% (that's the standard now, aint it?)

 

The only people I know who think 20% is standard are people who were servers of some kind. I do not think it is standard.

I give 20% if the service is good fairly often, but ONLY if it is good.

[GtoRA2]

Originally posted by lasersailor184
Yes, nash is correct (I meant to bring it up).


Most waiters and waitresses earn below minimum wage.  It is assumed that they will make extra money from the tips.

Well then they should do a very good job to earn more then the standard 15%

If they suck they don't deserve ****, its called a tip for a reason.