Gratuity or Tipping at a Restaurant? (income, price, move)

[the 7 oh 4]

What is your thought.

I was raised that you tip at least 15% minimum even if your service is just OK or even under par. Of course tip much more if the service is excellent! We are huge tippers if the service is excellent. I know what they make and they have to tip the bartenders, person who cleans the table...etc!

What do you think?

[Charley]

I'll always leave at least 15% unless the service is horrendous, and then I'll decrease it accordingly. In places where I eat regularly, I leave between 15% and 20% depending on service. It's hard to leave nothing because I know that the wait staff income is dependent upon tips, so the service really needs to be awful for me to lower it much beyond the 15%

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by the 7 oh 4

What is your thought.

I was raised that you tip at least 15% minimum even if your service is just OK or even under par. Of course tip much more if the service is excellent!

What do you think?

If I am unhappy with service, I tell the manager during the meal. I don't wait til the end to penalize someone. I expect good service and so if I am not getting it, I want someone to address the issue while I am there.

I don't stiff waiters. Minimum tip is 15% but usually I tip 20% and if the bill is small (like $15) and I like the waiter and he/she has been very attentive, I may leave him/her $5.

[Charlottean]

20% all the time, even at the nice places.

I'm with Anifani, if the service is bad I let them know right up front.

[the 7 oh 4]

Reason I ask is that we went out to eat with some friends to Frankie's on Morehead St Wednesday night. Our waitress was very nice but new and slow. The other couple with us didn't tip cause they said service was slow and she was new and the price of the menu includes gratuity. Most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

I was floored! We left like 50% tip to cover their short fall. Needless to say we will NEVER go out to eat with them again! I was embarassed. they were not!

[NewBeginnings12]

I am pretty much 20% or more all the way.....

I used to be a waitress, and I will never forget it!

[baybook]

Tips are not required. They are for excellent service. Also, when did 15% become the minimum? I am in my late 30's. 10% has always been a baseline and ou can move up from there.

I tend to over tip... but it peeves me that there is an expectation about tipping. My tip is an extra - not an entitlement.

[the 7 oh 4]

Everyone is different. I tip 15% minimum and it goes up from there. If I do not have to ask for anything (water or refill...etc) they will get 25%. Just the way I was raised.

[QC Misfit]

if my drink never runs dry I tip 20-25% if i have to ask for a refill it goes down from there.

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by the 7 oh 4

Reason I ask is that we went out to eat with some friends to Frankie's on Morehead St Wednesday night. Our waitress was very nice but new and slow. The other couple with us didn't tip cause they said service was slow and she was new and the price of the menu includes gratuity. Most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

I was floored! We left like 50% tip to cover their short fall. Needless to say we will NEVER go out to eat with them again! I was embarassed. they were not!

Oh, boy, I know exactly what you mean! I have even known people who would work hard at "finding fault" so they didn't have to leave a tip - or severely reduce it! OH yeah. That kind of attitude is troubling to me and has cooled friendships . . . if you can't afford to tip, don't go out to eat. Just my opinion and others may disagree but protocol is protocol and one is expected to tip here in the USA.