Is 15% tip decent enough in LA? (income, taxes, live)

[highlanderfil]

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

But I also demand "service", as minimum strikes up "small talks" with them so if nothing else they earn their tips. I used to flirt with waitresses but now da wife is next to me so I behave better now. I still joke around with them though.

Funny how these things differ person to person. My ideal waiter/waitress comes quickly, takes the order without forgetting any small details, shows up once through a meal to check that everything is going well and to refill drinks (because, really, how much watered-down Coke or tap water can I drink?), brings the check quickly and maybe smiles once or twice. Small talk actively discouraged. I'm at the restaurant to eat (presumably) good food that I can't cook at home and to share the time with my wife/parents/friends. No need for other participants.

[jm1982]

I'll usually do 16 percent as a minimum even if they aren't too good .
I'll go up depending on the level of service though .

[ryanms3030]

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

I worked as a waiter during my high school and college years, and a couple of summer driving NYC yellow cab, so I tend to tip better. Typically 20% or more.


But I also demand "service", as minimum strikes up "small talks" with them so if nothing else they earn their tips. I used to flirt with waitresses but now da wife is next to me so I behave better now. I still joke around with them though.

fyi waitresses aren't strippers

[ryanms3030]

Originally Posted by highlanderfil

Funny how these things differ person to person. My ideal waiter/waitress comes quickly, takes the order without forgetting any small details, shows up once through a meal to check that everything is going well and to refill drinks (because, really, how much watered-down Coke or tap water can I drink?), brings the check quickly and maybe smiles once or twice. Small talk actively discouraged. I'm at the restaurant to eat (presumably) good food that I can't cook at home and to share the time with my wife/parents/friends. No need for other participants.

I completely agree. I have been known to walk out of a restaurant if my waiter isn't at my table within 90 seconds of being seated. I went to a chain restaurant last week in my suburban neighborhood. My waiter was a young guy who was extremely nice and polite but he came to our table at least 15 times while we were there (no exaggeration). And even with all that touchy feely niceness it took almost 30 minutes to get served and about 20 minutes to get the check after we asked for it. This is a casual family restaurant where I would like to be in and out in under 30 mins but I was there for over an hour with a toddler who was going crazy after sitting for more then 10 minutes.

But my biggest pet peeve is the waiter/waitress that thinks it's cool to sit down at your table with you while they are taking your order. Your not my friend and you are on the clock so get up and act like a professional. If I owned or managed a restaurant I would instantly fire any waiter that I saw sitting at a customers's table

[highlanderfil]

Originally Posted by ryanms3030

But my biggest pet peeve is the waiter/waitress that thinks it's cool to sit down at your table with you while they are taking your order. Your not my friend and you are on the clock so get up and act like a professional. If I owned or managed a restaurant I would instantly fire any waiter that I saw sitting at a customers's table

I've thankfully never had that happen. I don't think I'd be able to maintain proper decorum in this situation out of sheer surprise. And nobody likes the reaction to their actions to rise to the level of "uh, wtf are you doing"?

[jm1982]

Originally Posted by ryanms3030

I completely agree. I have been known to walk out of a restaurant if my waiter isn't at my table within 90 seconds of being seated. I went to a chain restaurant last week in my suburban neighborhood. My waiter was a young guy who was extremely nice and polite but he came to our table at least 15 times while we were there (no exaggeration). And even with all that touchy feely niceness it took almost 30 minutes to get served and about 20 minutes to get the check after we asked for it. This is a casual family restaurant where I would like to be in and out in under 30 mins but I was there for over an hour with a toddler who was going crazy after sitting for more then 10 minutes.

But my biggest pet peeve is the waiter/waitress that thinks it's cool to sit down at your table with you while they are taking your order. Your not my friend and you are on the clock so get up and act like a professional. If I owned or managed a restaurant I would instantly fire any waiter that I saw sitting at a customers's table

That seems rare in L.A where they sit down to take your order . I have seen it before but can't remember where .

[tan clutch]

As as occasional LA tourist I've been wondering about this...I come from a state with the server wage, which is two or three bucks or whatever--tipping is absolutely necessary in New Jersey, and I usually go with 25% and round up to the next dollar. But in LA, or California in general, the conventions have to be different, right? Tipping is supposed to cover the difference between server wage and minimum wage but if you're already making at least the minimum...

[Chowhound]

15 to 20 percent is perfectly fine.

[ryanms3030]

Originally Posted by tan clutch

As as occasional LA tourist I've been wondering about this...I come from a state with the server wage, which is two or three bucks or whatever--tipping is absolutely necessary in New Jersey, and I usually go with 25% and round up to the next dollar. But in LA, or California in general, the conventions have to be different, right? Tipping is supposed to cover the difference between server wage and minimum wage but if you're already making at least the minimum...

Supposed to. So tipping should probably be 0%. Why tip waiters but not tip cashier at McDonald's or Walmart if they get paid the same?

[LuvSouthOC]

I do 15 to 20 percent because it's a societal norm. However, I detest the concept of tipping and it really is just a form of corruption. People should be paid for their work by their employees who in turn should charge enough to cover the employees' costs. End tipping.