20% tip is too generous for CA's minimum wage waitstaff (credit card, wages)

[nmnita]

What so many on here are missing is: no one is trying to say we should not or do not tip: we are asking if 20% should be the standard if the server is making $9 an hour? I tip according to the service, everyone should lold. Wait people that expect a certain % should change their thinking and people who do not think they need to tip at all should as well. But I haven't seen many people on here question tipping, just how much? BTW, for those who do not travel out of the country much, let me clue you in: many countries, even in Europe are adding service charges automatically to checks. That is another word for tipping, no matter how you see it and the policy is going to continue.

[BroadwayDiva]

Originally Posted by AJT123

Also, 90% of the time, servers can spot the non-tippers the second they sit down. We're not stupid. Don't tip, then don't wonder what that flim is floating in your water.

Out of curiosity, how do you "spot" them?

[oldtrader]

I don't believe in a flat 15% or 20% tip for servers.

I believe in tipping according to the quality of the service. Some are only worth a 5% tip at the most. Some are worth 10%, 15%, and 20%. My wife and I have gone as high as 50% for exceptional service.

I remember one time in a Chinese restaurant. I asked the waitress 3 times to bring me a glass of water. She kept saying she would get it, but never did. When she brought the bill, was the 3rd time I asked for water. No water again. They had very paper place mats. I turned one over and took out a felt tip pen I always carried, and wrote, NO WATER--NO TIP in great big letters.

As we paid when leaving, she ran to our table to get her tip. I have never seen such a angry looking waitress as she was when she saw the note. I pointed it out to the owner who was taking our money, and told her why. She told me she was glad I did it, and she was going to give that waitress her third warning for not taking care of her customers and if she got another complaint that one was gone.

Twice in my 84 years, I have given the big insult of a 2 cent tip, to let them know how unhappy I was with them. Top level service, my wife insists on more than a 20% tip. Problem is, we don't get 20% quality service too often. To many just do the minimum and have a surly attitude doing that. Those do not get a 20% tip and that is for sure.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by oldtrader

I don't believe in a flat 15% or 20% tip for servers.

I believe in tipping according to the quality of the service. Some are only worth a 5% tip at the most. Some are worth 10%, 15%, and 20%. My wife and I have gone as high as 50% for exceptional service.

I remember one time in a Chinese restaurant. I asked the waitress 3 times to bring me a glass of water. She kept saying she would get it, but never did. When she brought the bill, was the 3rd time I asked for water. No water again. They had very paper place mats. I turned one over and took out a felt tip pen I always carried, and wrote, NO WATER--NO TIP in great big letters.

As we paid when leaving, she ran to our table to get her tip. I have never seen such a angry looking waitress as she was when she saw the note. I pointed it out to the owner who was taking our money, and told her why. She told me she was glad I did it, and she was going to give that waitress her third warning for not taking care of her customers and if she got another complaint that one was gone.

Twice in my 84 years, I have given the big insult of a 2 cent tip, to let them know how unhappy I was with them. Top level service, my wife insists on more than a 20% tip. Problem is, we don't get 20% quality service too often. To many just do the minimum and have a surly attitude doing that. Those do not get a 20% tip and that is for sure.

sounds like you and I come from the same school only a few years apart. We usually do tip about 20% but I have to say, as salaries increse for servers, I am inclined to cut back a little and yes, from time to time we go over the 20%. I play bridge every Tues at our American Legion hall. Our waitress (we have lunch) is a volunteer working for no salary. She waits on us from 10am until about 1pm; brings us water, coffee, makes sure our meals are just like we ordered. If anything isn't just right she takes it back and gets us what we want: I am not the only one that leaves her closer to 30%. My parents taught me to tip even when I was just a kid. I would go, with a friend to Newberries or Woolworths and eat at the counter when I was in highschool. I always tipped 10% which was standard then. I say always, that is as long as the wait person had a smile and was working. and yes, I have left no tip on rare occassions, but I always have told the manager why.

[botticelli]

Just tipping 15% based on pre-tax bill is enough if the service is satisfactory.

I wouldn't pay more unless it is just rounding up or the server really went out of his way to help me.

I fail to see how their salary matters. As a customer I simply don't care. It is the business between the waiter and his boss.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by botticelli

Just tipping 15% based on pre-tax bill is enough if the service is satisfactory.

I wouldn't pay more unless it is just rounding up or the server really went out of his way to help me.

I fail to see how their salary matters. As a customer I simply don't care. It is the business between the waiter and his boss.

You bring up a good point, except I do see where the salary does make some difference. Many of us have always considered the tip, while for good service, is part of the wait persons salary. If the salary goes up, the need for tips does go down. The based of pre tax is something many people do not consider. I am inclined just to tip without taking the tax into consideration; Hubby always tips based on pre tax. Which is the correct way I will add.

[shooting4life]

Originally Posted by nmnita

You bring up a good point, except I do see where the salary does make some difference. Many of us have always considered the tip, while for good service, is part of the wait persons salary. If the salary goes up, the need for tips does go down. The based of pre tax is something many people do not consider. I am inclined just to tip without taking the tax into consideration; Hubby always tips based on pre tax. Which is the correct way I will add.

Not to mention that a raise in minimum wage will also come with a raise in food prices leading to a larger tip.

[botticelli]

Originally Posted by nmnita

You bring up a good point, except I do see where the salary does make some difference. Many of us have always considered the tip, while for good service, is part of the wait persons salary. If the salary goes up, the need for tips does go down. The based of pre tax is something many people do not consider. I am inclined just to tip without taking the tax into consideration; Hubby always tips based on pre tax. Which is the correct way I will add.

If one considers their salary then you need to do it consistently.

For example when one receives good service from the minimum wage bank cashier or shop assistant at Gap, does he tip them?

Plus how do you how much the waiter is paid? We don't know.

[botticelli]

Originally Posted by shooting4life

Not to mention that a raise in minimum wage will also come with a raise in food prices leading to a larger tip.

tipping based on the food bill makes little sense IMO.

Does it take more effort to bring a $40 steak and asparagus than a $10 burger and fries? I fail to see how bringing the former should deserve four times the tip.

Also I hesitate to tip on wine price. If I order a $50 bottle of wine, I am not gonna give the server $8 for just bringing it and opening it for me, which takes 30 seconds. I myself don't make $8 in 30 seconds.

[V8 Vega]

At $15 a hour all tips stop.