270 responses so far ↓

• #1   Can't believe it,

  I always go for 20% in the hopes of the next patron getting better service because of a better tip. People really need a guide for this?!?!

  Mar 10, 2008 at 5:25 pm   rating: +2  
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  • #1.1   E

    Of course people need a guide for this. In many other countries service is included and people tip 5 to 10% (if at all) in appreciation of good service. People from those countries may not know that in the US tipping 10% is stiffing the waiter/waitress, rather than being generous.

    Mar 10, 2008 at 10:44 pm   rating: +1  
     

  • #1.2   Nicolas

    This is very uncommon to leave a tip in France. That’s why our waiters love you americans so much :p

    Mar 11, 2008 at 8:04 am   rating: +1  
     

  • #1.3   Open English

    kind of like paying it forward? good concept, I wish everyone was that considerate

    Mar 12, 2008 at 4:38 pm   rating: 0  
     

  • #1.4   Strangelove

    Tipping is uncommon in countries where everything is included in the price you pay. It’s logical.

    Apr 6, 2008 at 5:26 am   rating: +2  
     
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• #2   Uncle Hunty

  Wow, we give shit service and still expect 10 percent?

  We lucky customers aren’t worthy to be served by such gods of the plate transportation industry.

  Mar 10, 2008 at 5:27 pm   rating: +11  
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  • #2.1   raiseyourglass

    The sign says-
    <10%
    Less than 10% is shit depending on the average bill.

    Mar 10, 2008 at 7:15 pm   rating: +1  
     

  • #2.2   raiseyourglass

    Weird it tried to post 2x sorry…

    Mar 10, 2008 at 7:15 pm   rating: 0  
     

  • #2.3   long time waiter

    Hey Uncle! 10% or less is what the waiter has to claim on their sales. therefore if you leave nothing you are actually costing your waiter money. Think about that next time you go out to eat cheapskate!

    Mar 11, 2008 at 10:12 am   rating: +1  
     

  • #2.4   RP

    It is impossible to “cost the waiter money”. Your employer is required by law to bring your pay up to the normal minimum wage when tips fail to make up for the lower base pay.

    Any waitstaff that’s making less than the normal minimum wage because their employer isn’t making that adjustment needs to make a complaint to the proper authorities because that is against the law.

    Mar 11, 2008 at 11:02 am   rating: +5  
     

  • #2.5   lilol

    Yeah that doesn’t work, most places would rather see you quit than pay you more hourly. It’s not like servers have a union they can report problems to.
    Same goes for if a table walks out on their bill, the server is responsible for paying for their customers’ dine and dash.

    Mar 11, 2008 at 3:14 pm   rating: +1  
     

  • #2.6   kate

    Are Americans being tricked into waiting tables? The crappy hourly wage thing is part of the deal; if you would rather have a job making steady money at a slightly higher hourly rate without the motivation of tips, quit bitching and get out of the service industry.

    People doing hard manual labor don’t get extra cash for kissing ass or whistling while they work. Be grateful that you do and get over yourself.

    Mar 11, 2008 at 3:50 pm   rating: +13  
     

  • #2.7   Tanya

    plate transportation?

    Let’s not forget connecting with the guests, making the experience enjoyable, making sure there are no allergies and taking special time to read each person, as if they are the only table being served.

    When really you can have more than 5 tables at once, glassware to take to the bar, food and drinks to be run, garbages to be changed, cutlery to be polished and rolled, and everything else it takes to keep the building running.

    We get low wage because the GOVERNMENT expects you to tip. 10% is what we have to claim on our taxes. We end up losing money out of our own pockets if people don’t tip. Imagine that! PAYING to serve cheap assholes who waste your time and table for upwards of 2 hours, all the while making demands and acting as if their refill diet coke is the most pressing issue in the world.

    Server =/= servant.

    Mar 12, 2008 at 10:07 pm   rating: +1  
     

  • #2.8   RP

    When I said “proper authorities” I was thinking more along the lines of The Department of Labor or whatever government entity goes after businesses for breaking the law. However, forming a union isn’t a bad idea if you think it will help get these issues resolved.

    Mar 13, 2008 at 12:45 pm   rating: +1  
     

  • #2.9   angela

    “Think about that next time you go out to eat cheapskate!”

    How about you think about the lousy tips before you CHOOSE TO WORK IN A RESTAURANT.

    “It’s not like servers have a union they can report problems to.”

    There are labor laws. It’s not like if you don’t work in a union you are screwed. Don’t be a dumbass, look up the laws. They are there for your protection. Don’t be lazy, file a report.

    “Let’s not forget connecting with the guests, making the experience enjoyable, making sure there are no allergies and taking special time to read each person, as if they are the only table being served.”

    In a perfect world, I don’t even realize I have a waiter. No talking or bullshit smalltalk or trying to ask me a question when I have a mouth full of food or I’m deep in conversation. If at the end of my meal, everything went smoothly and my courses progressed seamlessly and on time and my glass was never empty, then yes, you deserve a big fat tip.

    Mar 14, 2008 at 3:10 pm   rating: +16  
     

  • #2.10   ghrelin

    hey angela. i was gonna try and exercise some “choice” by trying for a personal assistance job with paris hilton. but are you hiring? you are so much more the real deal! and by real deal i mean ignorant privilege.

    seriously though, are you in marketing or something? cuz clearly you sport a world view that is excellent for filtering out reality.

    “labour laws.” em. ..yeah. they are sooo good for enabling income levels way below the poverty line! and that’s what i’d like to call a choice contingent scenario! keep it really angie, keep it real.

    Mar 27, 2008 at 10:30 pm   rating: 0  
     

  • #2.11   Smartie Pants

    Tanya:
    I have never had a waiter ask me about allergies, or anything of that sort. And I have never had or seen a waiter “connect” with the guests, other than by MAYBE asking how their day is. When I usually feel a waiter has earned a good tip, it’s simply because they were polite and friendly… which honestly is not asking too much, and in EVERY service job you have to do that. Like a cashier? Like a bank teller? Do you tip them? No!! I’m sorry, but it’s usually people that are unqualified for other jobs that become waiters/waitresses so why do you expect so much?!

    Apr 2, 2008 at 3:04 am   rating: +10  
     

  • #2.12   Reaper621

    RP, what are you basing these outrageous remarks on? Restaurants don’t have to come up with the difference if your tips don’t make minimum wage. And tell me what problems unions ever solved for the past 5 or 6 decades.

    ghrelin, don’t talk out of your ass. The poverty line is an arbitrary measure of some average yearly spenditure figure, excluding some and including other items. The “Standard of Living” includes a lot more luxury than you think.

    Mar 1, 2009 at 8:34 pm   rating: 0  
     

  • #2.13   Suzi

    Just so you know, I’m a waiter and at least 15% of the waiters have a college degree in all fields, business, English, nursing, biology, etc. and another 25% are in school. More than those are single mothers, including two widows who have to have flexible hours in order to take care of their children.

    Choices are usually limited when you need a flexible schedule. I also know more than one waitress that has a MFA or MA. So please, don’t be so condescending about “qualifications”.

    And btw, few people would treat bank tellers the way they feel they can treat servers.

    I agree with your own preferences when dining out, but many others have different preferences, including small chat, etc. And guess what? People expect you to know somehow what exactly they want and then tip you on that. And guess what else? Waiters remember bad tippers.

    Also, I have seen many, many, many people fail at waiting tables. Including MBAs.

    Jun 12, 2009 at 7:34 pm   rating: +1  
     
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• #3   Sarah

  They were doing so well until 10%. Here’s the real guide:

  10%: Your service sucked, but I don’t want to be a jerk , so I’ll leave you slightly less than 15% and hope you don’t figure it out.

  OR:

  Moving a decimal place is the extent of my mathematical skills. Sorry.

  5%: Your service sucked, but I don’t want to be a jerk. However, I am also cheap. I can’t blame it on my math skills, because halving 10% takes almost as much effort as calculating 15%.

  A Penny: Look at me, I’m an asshole!

  Mar 10, 2008 at 5:35 pm   rating: +6  
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  • #3.1   tk.

    “5%: Your service sucked, but I don’t want to be a jerk. However, I am also cheap.”

    Sometimes the service isn’t worthy of a tip that’s more than a rounding error. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’re cheap.

    Being nice doesn’t cost the server anything extra (unless you count unpaid tips).

    Mar 10, 2008 at 5:40 pm   rating: +2  
     

  • #3.2   gambrinus

    I’ve done a penny before. It was very satisfying. The server was a jerk.

    Stiffing them might leave them thinking it’s a mistake. A penny makes the statement, ‘No really, fuck you.’

    Mar 12, 2008 at 9:58 am   rating: +19  
     
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• #4   nothanks

  I tip a minimum of 50% and a majority of the time tip 100%

  I feel that by me tipping well, even if the service is bad, it may make the day better for the server and potentially make it better for another patron.

  Mar 10, 2008 at 5:42 pm   rating: 0  
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  • #4.1   Canthz_B

    I pay twice the sticker price for cars in hopes the next guy gets a good deal.

    Mar 10, 2008 at 6:31 pm   rating: +21  
     

  • #4.2   anglophile

    I tip the grocery store checker so the people standing in line behind me get checked out faster. I’m generous that way.

    Mar 10, 2008 at 6:45 pm   rating: +12  
     

  • #4.3   GVI

    I tip the electric company 150% because I know they will collect them all and a family less fortunate will have free electricity.

    Mar 10, 2008 at 6:49 pm   rating: +19  
     

  • #4.4   Troy McClure

    I tithe 35% instead of 10%, because I don’t just want to get into Heaven once, I want to be able to come & go. (Tuesday evenings I’ve got poker with the boys in Hell.)

    Mar 10, 2008 at 7:00 pm   rating: +28  
     

  • #4.5   amazon

    I tip the IRS 30% of my salary!

    Oh wait, is it a tip when it’s mandatory?

    Mar 10, 2008 at 7:52 pm   rating: +15  
     

  • #4.6   Writerrejected

    I slip the dental hygienist some tongue every chance I get. Does that count?

    Mar 10, 2008 at 8:57 pm   rating: +14  
     

  • #4.7   WhatACunt

    CanthzB: The person is tipping the wait staff not overpaying for the food you twat. Your family hates you.

    Mar 10, 2008 at 9:08 pm   rating: 0  
     

  • #4.8   anglophile

    Wow, way to both completely miss the point of a funny comment AND live up to your user name. Impressive debut! I look forward to further pearls of wisdom dropping from your lips, WAC.

    Mar 10, 2008 at 9:13 pm   rating: +15  
     

  • #4.9   WhatACunt

    anglophile: If you read more of CanthzB’s comments you will see that this person isn’t joking. Rather, she’s a completely mediocre person. I’m glad you’re impressed. The only pearl I give is a pearl necklace… (not jewelry)

    Mar 10, 2008 at 9:37 pm   rating: 0  
     

  • #4.10   anglophile

    Are you suggesting I should read more of the site before commenting? In order to get to understand the humor of various regular commenters? What a good idea!

    Mar 10, 2008 at 9:39 pm   rating: +15  
     

  • #4.11   Canthz_B

    Yes, Cunt…it is the wait staff that is being tipped…that is an undeniable fact. That being said, may I point out that the wait staff is tipped based upon their ability to please the customer?
    At the very least, their ability to refrain from giving the customer a bad experience.
    You will not see me anywhere here say that I do not tip, am against tipping or anything of the sort. By the same token you will not see me saying that a gratuity is deserved as a matter of due course.
    See how I did that without calling you vulgar names?

    And “she’s” a “he”. Learn the site.

    Mar 10, 2008 at 10:11 pm   rating: +15  
     

  • #4.12   bellabeastie

    CB – you didn’t even need to glorify that idiot with a response. (Very nicely crafted, however).

    I’ve found that sometimes if you ignore an itch it will just go away.

    Mar 11, 2008 at 7:29 am   rating: +4  
     

  • #4.13   Canthz_B

    Thanks bella…and I was doing so well at holding my tongue for the past few months too!

    Back to my breathing exercises!

    Mar 11, 2008 at 7:57 am   rating: +1  
     

  • #4.14   Numinous

    Oh please, don’t hold back.

    It’s always so much more fun when you have at it with total abandon.

    (you can apply that advice to any “it” you choose)

    Mar 11, 2008 at 1:44 pm   rating: +1  
     

  • #4.15   Rachael

    I agree that part of our job is to allow the guest to have a good time, but there are some people YOU CANNOT please, no matter what you do. No matter how many times you refil that drink, or fetch them the ketchup/more dressing/6 and a half more lemon wedges…No matter how hard you smile as they wave or (god forbid) whistle you over while you’re at a another table. You may find it a bit more difficult to hold your tongue when it’s happening in your face as opposed to on the computer.

    We do work for tips and it IS based on our service but an asshole is an asshole. We deal with things you’d never think of (i.e. returning a $26 steak b/c they asked for it spilt and the kitchen cut it in the wrong direction). So unless you’ve worked in a restaurant and have had to deal with this, please don’t act like you understand.

    I do choose to work in the restaurant b/c I enjoy it, but it’s rude and cheap people (who act like they’re doing YOU a favor by coming in) that make it difficult.

    Mar 13, 2008 at 10:17 am   rating: +1  
     

  • #4.16   Numinous

    Come on. Those assholes are the exception, not the rule. If I don’t tip generously, it’s because I never even got one drink refill. If I give them 10% or less, it’s because they never checked back at all, gave attitude, or completely ignored a simple request (ie, Can I have some mayo please?)

    And, for the record, when we order breakfast we always tip more because breakfast is always soooo cheap and that waitress worked at least as hard as she would have with a steak dinner.

    Mar 14, 2008 at 7:28 am   rating: +6  
     
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• #5   Writerrejected

  How *do* you actually say “you suck and I hate you,” in French, I wonder. Anyone?

  Mar 10, 2008 at 5:43 pm   rating: 0  
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  • #5.1   nothanks

    vous sucez et je vous déteste

    Mar 10, 2008 at 5:45 pm   rating: +2  
     

  • #5.2   secondsout

    Just go to any restaurant in France and let the server know you’re American, and I’m sure you’ll get the answer to this question.

    Mar 10, 2008 at 8:24 pm   rating: +10  
     

  • #5.3   Writerrejected

    Vous sucez! I like it…

    Mar 10, 2008 at 8:55 pm   rating: 0  
     

  • #5.4   MJaz

    OK kiddies – you had your French lesson – now German:

    There is no real equivalent to “you suck” in German, but the phrase “du bist scheisse und ich hasse dich” means roughly the same. (you are shit and I hate you).

    Alternatively you can use “leck mich am arsch – ich hasse dich” which means “lick my ass, I hate you.”

    Mar 12, 2008 at 9:55 am   rating: +2  
     

  • #5.5   JonasParker

    Or in the Québec version: “T’es ben platte, je te haïs!”

    Mar 12, 2008 at 1:50 pm   rating: 0  
     

  • #5.6   frogette

    (#5.1 nothanks ) – I feel I have to intervene here. “Vous sucez” means “you suck” in the BJ kind of sense. The closest equivalent I can find to” you suck” in the sense of “you’re a pain in the neck” is “tu crains”

    I confirm that in France the tip is generally included in the global price, so tipping is a mark of appreciation for a good service and not a due, and that if you tip, 10 to 15% is considered acceptable (with nuances depending on the place and on the amount spent).
    Not a reason for not tipping appropriately abroad of course.

    Mar 18, 2008 at 5:59 am   rating: +1  
     
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• #6   yaya

  Since when is a patron required to tip more than 15%?
  I am sorry your employer pays you peanuts, but you can’t expect every patron to make up the difference over the standard 15%.

  Mar 10, 2008 at 5:50 pm   rating: +6  
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  • #6.1   Duck

    I hate you. Please continue to eat from the frozen food section.

    Mar 10, 2008 at 9:59 pm   rating: +5  
     

  • #6.2   long time waiter

    15% was the standard 5 to 10 years ago. there is a thing called inflation which goes along with tipping standards.

    Mar 11, 2008 at 10:20 am   rating: +3  
     

  • #6.3   anglophile

    Interesting concept, long time waiter. But you see, with inflation, the cost of the meal is now higher than it was 5 to 10 years ago, so therefore, the standard 15% is now more money than it was 5 to 10 years ago. If inflation keeps going up, by your method, diners will soon be expected to tip 50% or 70%. Something about that seems illogical, can’t quite put my finger on it….

    And by the way, before you flame me, let me just state that my standard tip is 20%, and I have only once in my life given below 15%. The service was really bad.

    Mar 11, 2008 at 10:38 am   rating: +11  
     

  • #6.4   sarcastic monkey

    I call BS (that stands for Big Sucker). If you tip more than 15%, the waiter may love you, but you’ve paid too much.

    Mar 11, 2008 at 10:42 am   rating: +1  
     

  • #6.5   tc

    umm yeah… for those of you who don’t understand math, the “%” takes care of that.

    Mar 11, 2008 at 10:44 am   rating: +1  
     

  • #6.6   anglophile

    You calling BS on me, sarcastic monkey? It’s just that I’m too lazy to do the 15% math. Mental arithmetic is not my strong suit.

    Mar 11, 2008 at 10:44 am   rating: +1  
     

  • #6.7   tc

    and I lost the race to anglophile

    Mar 11, 2008 at 10:45 am   rating: +1  
     

  • #6.8   GhostWriter

    Yes, but if the base pay that servers get remains low and doesn’t rise at the same rate of inflation, then tipping percentages should increase to make up for it.

    In other words, if half of your hourly wage remains fixed at $3, the other half that rises with inflation doesn’t fully make up for it.

    Mar 11, 2008 at 11:05 am   rating: 0  
     

  • #6.9   Canthz_B

    Not if the pay the patrons is also remaining fixed and is losing ground to inflation, GW.
    Raises have been few and far between for a great many people of late.
    The average worker has much less buying power today than they had 10 years ago and does not have access to tips to “make up for it”.
    Well, unless they take a second job waiting tables a few nights a week.

    Mar 11, 2008 at 12:06 pm   rating: +1  
     

  • #6.10   AllCourt

    I think long-time waiter was commenting that the tipping norm has inflated over time, though i agree with anglophile that this will logically have to stop at some point. I remember my grandmother tipping in the 10-12% range when I was growing up, but I don’t know anyone who is that low nowadays.

    Mar 11, 2008 at 12:52 pm   rating: 0  
     

  • #6.11   cre8tivewmn

    You can’t expect patrons to know how well the employees at each individual restaurant are paid. We have to base a tip on something, and at least you can be sure the owner will constantly raise the prices of his meals, so tips will increase over time as well.

    The whole underpayment of food service workers stinks, in my opinion, and no, I never worked in food service.

    Mar 11, 2008 at 4:42 pm   rating: +2  
     

  • #6.12   Suzi

    It’s very recently changed to 20%, at least here in AR, though it may have done so quicker else where. I don’t dislike people who tip 15% b/c that is true but generally I get 20%. Listen if I sell 300 I still don’t even make 6o b/c of tipouts, so really let’s not act as though waiters are overpaid.

    No one’s going to give you the stinkeye for 15%, but yes, tipping practices change.

    Jun 12, 2009 at 7:43 pm   rating: 0  
     
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• #7   anglophile

  Go ahead, blame the foreigners if you want. But you know it’s really the locals stiffing you. Damn hippies!

  Mar 10, 2008 at 5:57 pm   rating: +9  
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• #8   Troy McClure

  This system is broken & one of the things I like the least about visiting the US. “We’re only going to pay you half as much as we should, & rely on your customers’ whims for the remainder. So keep that smile plastered across your face! And a bit of cleavage might not go astray.” Creepy? Or a good business nodel, to be emulated by other up-and-coming industries?

  Mar 10, 2008 at 6:11 pm   rating: +9  
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  • #8.1   amazon

    I think Troy is onto something. We should be able to tip doctors and nurses to make sure we get top notch medical care, and let the riff-raff get what’s leftover!

    Mar 10, 2008 at 8:00 pm   rating: +2  
     

  • #8.2   Canthz_B

    Nah…they already get tipped well…they bill full price whether you get well or not!! LOL

    Mar 10, 2008 at 8:36 pm   rating: +1  
     

  • #8.3   Mystic

    If I tip a cow, does it make the beef better?

    Mar 10, 2008 at 11:16 pm   rating: +3  
     

  • #8.4   Troy McClure

    Definitely. It tenderises it.

    Mar 10, 2008 at 11:38 pm   rating: