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And therein is the problem - tax evasion, at least on the business' side. Puts the burden on the server, because if I recall, tips are taxed somewhat higher than regular salary. There's also the fact you're getting stiffed on Social Security.
If you want to take that stance - which I think is too far right leaning - then make sure you never pay with a credit card, because a lot of places will just assume the tip on the card regardless of whether you authorize it.
That's never happened to me. Unless it's a large tip, I usually leave cash.
Most restaurants in other western countries, Europe especially, do not encourage tipping and try their best to pay fair wages.
Many employees and customers there argue that this is a better model.
That is true though for example in Germany, they will take a small tip if you give it to them. They will not ask.
But on the other hand, from my experience, a lot of restaurants in Europe will be very reluctant to give you free water. They expect you to order the drink. Usually there is no free bread or appetizer either. So at the end it kind of balances out.
I personally think that only high end, fancy restaurants should require tips. If a "restaurant" is a glorified McDonalds with table service, such as Friendly's, then it is ridiculous for them to expect tips.
I've heard that the tip jars on the counter are there for people who call in their orders because taking orders over the phone takes away from the cashier's other duties. However, I never tip at the counter if I'm taking a to-go order. I rarely call in pickup orders anyway. I also don't go to Sonic locations that expect tips. I'm not tipping carhops. If every Sonic location had a drive-thru, I would use that.
Yeah, but Friendly's has table service. Just because the food is awful doesn't mean that you shouldn't tip. I tip very generously at places which serve inexpensive food. The waitress--they're usually female there--is doing just as much work as the person who works at the fancy bistro across the street. Why does the person who works at the arugula, goat cheese restaurant deserve a much larger tip? Because they were lucky enough to get a job there?
Yeah, but Friendly's has table service. Just because the food is awful doesn't mean that you shouldn't tip. I tip very generously at places which serve inexpensive food. The waitress--they're usually female there--is doing just as much work as the person who works at the fancy bistro across the street. Why does the person who works at the arugula, goat cheese restaurant deserve a much larger tip? Because they were lucky enough to get a job there?
You raised another important point showing how nonsensical tipping is. Scenario:
Customer #1 orders the $20.00 chicken meal and a soda with a couple of refills, for a total meal price of 22.50. 20% tip would be about $4.50.
Customer #2, same restaurant, orders the $48.00 steak meal with 3 cocktails that are $12.00 each, for a total meal price of $84.00. 20% tip = $17.00
The server does the same work for each of these customers: serves one meal, brings 3 drinks, and probably checks on the customer once or twice. Why should the cost of the customers' meals affect how much money the server earns?
You raised another important point showing how nonsensical tipping is. Scenario:
Customer #1 orders the $20.00 chicken meal and a soda with a couple of refills, for a total meal price of 22.50. 20% tip would be about $4.50.
Customer #2, same restaurant, orders the $48.00 steak meal with 3 cocktails that are $12.00 each, for a total meal price of $84.00. 20% tip = $17.00
The server does the same work for each of these customers: serves one meal, brings 3 drinks, and probably checks on the customer once or twice. Why should the cost of the customers' meals affect how much money the server earns?
Customer #1 is likely getting less checks by the server than Customer #2 is because it is more upscale by pricing. Customer #1 seems to be at a run of the nil chain restaurant, maybe a mom and pop.
Customer #1 is likely getting less checks by the server than Customer #2 is because it is more upscale by pricing. Customer #1 seems to be at a run of the nil chain restaurant, maybe a mom and pop.
In my scenario, I said it was the same restaurant. (a realistic scenario as many restaurants have a wide range of entree prices.) The servers are doing the same amount of work whether the customer orders lower or higher priced entrees and drinks. So please explain why you believe their tips should vastly differ?
You raised another important point showing how nonsensical tipping is. Scenario:
Customer #1 orders the $20.00 chicken meal and a soda with a couple of refills, for a total meal price of 22.50. 20% tip would be about $4.50.
Customer #2, same restaurant, orders the $48.00 steak meal with 3 cocktails that are $12.00 each, for a total meal price of $84.00. 20% tip = $17.00
The server does the same work for each of these customers: serves one meal, brings 3 drinks, and probably checks on the customer once or twice. Why should the cost of the customers' meals affect how much money the server earns?
And therein is the problem with assumptive tip thresholds. They don't make sense.
Tips should always be discretionary AND the amount of the tip directly proportional to the service level. I will always encourage servers to go above and beyond; earn that money and I'm happy to give it to you.
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