Gratuity or Tipping at a Restaurant?

[Ckroush]

Leave your tip based upon the percentage NOT INCLUDING taxes.

You shouldn't pay an extra few bucks just because the city wants to nickel and dime you to pay for public services that don't work.

[CharlottePirateFan]

Originally Posted by kelsie

Funny how this topic came up today. Last night we went to our favorite Steakhouse in Greenville, NC. We both had a $5.00 coupon and a 10% off card. When our checks came we both calculated what the checks would have been before the discounts and we tipped 20% on that amount. 20% is the norm now. While we were doing this the manager who we know very well came over to our table and told us another couple came up to him and praised their server so much and even told him that they wanted her again when they come back. their bill was $67.07. They left her .93 cents. The young girl was crying and she is putting herself through ECU. This behavior is deplorable and we see it happen way too much. I have said this on another forum, if you can't afford the tip or don't want to tip, stay home and eat.

Tell me about it. I waited tables at Parker's BBQ in Greenville for 3 years during college. Lets just say tips were not good there. And I didnt even expect them to be great tips or anything. Pretty much everything is already cooked. If you would just make $1 per person you would usually do OK since you could wait on so many people in 1 night.

[himain]

Yup, Kelsie I can relate. I just simply grab it off the table and go up to them and tell them they left their change. When they tell me its my tip, I simply say "You keep it". I've seen it done to many of my coworkers as well.

I agree 100% with the statement that if you can't afford the tip or don't want to, then don't eat out. I see so many people come into my restaurant and try to nickel and dime me as if I control the pricing. Quick answer to that, don't eat out!!

[lovebrentwood]

Egads. How do you find time to eat?

Originally Posted by vegasknight

It is unfortunate that we allow the restaurant industry that must screw their employees on wages and hold society accountable for paying their employees. Since we do, I developed a system I follow while dining out.(which I do between 150 and 200 times a year as I am a road warrior)

I start with a maximum tip of 33%. Each time I have to "flag" a waiter/waitress down(instead of making eye contact) to request something, 10% is subtracted the first time, and the tip automatically goes to 10% total if it happens again. Lack of attention to details subtracts percentage points 2 at a time. They can add percentage points, up to the 33% max, by the manner in which I observe them treating others(if it is noticed) and how they perform under "stressful" situations such as food improperly cooked, dropped food, wrong orders, etc.

Additionally, if I noticed exemplary service, I will put a token 10% tip on the credit card, and make the balance in cash.(with the knowledge that some restaurants report the tips as wages, when they know about them)

THIS IS A SERVICE BUSINESS, IF YOUR PERFORMANCE IS LESS THAN STELLAR EXPECT TO BE COMPENSATED ACCORDINGLY. IF YOU DON'T ENJOY TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE, CHANGE JOBS.