Tipping Etiquette

[Vivi22]

My tip etiquette: I tip based on how much I think the person getting it deserves it.

I actually tip very well(Like if I ordered something for 7 dollars, I usually give like 5 dollar tips.) And it bothers me that people get out little tip calculators to do the math for them.

Just tip based on how much you think they deserve for the job they did.

This basically. I'll give what I think is fair, and if someone does an awesome job, they'll get more than my usual. I'm always up in the air on what to tip people who give atrocious service though. Some would say nothing, but I almost feel like leaving some stupidly small amount like a quarter is more of a slap in the face for those times when you really want to be an asshole about it. I actually did that once too, but was subverted by one of the friends I was dining with left more because she felt bad that I was only tipping a quarter. I'm not sure what there was to feel bad about though after the guy skipped me in the drink orders, and was about to skip me again when taking our meal orders if I hadn't spoken up as he turned to walk away.

 

[BlackStar42]

Here in the UK, whenever I eat with friends we usually each chuck in an extra couple of quid, usually adds up to about a tenner.

 

[Robert Ewing]

In Britain we don't really need to tip. But it's a nice thing to do in a restraunt. If that is the case, I tip based on how good the service was, which in all likelihood was shit.

 

[Woodsey]

I'm a Brit: I'd tip if they gave a particularly good service. Employers should be paying their salary, they shouldn't be left to scrounge for tips. (Although I'm sure such a ludicrous suggestion is routinely labelled Socialist propaganda in the US.)

 

[Paladin2905]

I'm in the US, and have worked tables before. I usually start at the 15% figure, then adjust up or down depending on the service. The only thing outside the service I'll adjust for is actually my own party; I used to take some fraternity groups out to restaurants and if they were really nasty to the wait staff I'd up the tip some in apology. However, if the wait staff was ever nasty or rude that would cut the tip at least in half. Had it happen too, where the waitress would start lecturing us about "if you guys are sharing beers i'll have to kick you out" before we'd even ordered food. She did not receive a nice tip.

 

[spartan231490]

I tip based on 2 things: quality of service, and how close my bill was to an even $5 mark. If a reasonable size tip will get me to an even $5 mark, that's what I tip, if it's too low or too high I just end up leaving it at an even dollar. If the service was completely unremarkable, I go about 15%, if the service was ok, and the person was friendly, I tip 20%. If the service was really good, I go up to 30% or a little more. If the service was poor, but it either wasn't that bad, or if it was somehow understandable, I tip about 10%, maybe 15% if it really isn't her fault. If the service was absolute crap, I usually leave just enough of a tip to make it to the next even dollar.

I don't really go to any restaurants like you describe. If I did, I would probably not leave a tip, or leave a very small tip, under 10%. I suspect that the people there receive full paychecks, not like servers in sit-down restaurants who only get paid like $3 an hour and the rest is tips.

 

[Muspelheim]

In the socialist dictatorships of the North (if Glenn Beck is to be believed), tipping really isn't a thing. Although I do tend to leave some of the change behind if I feel like they should have it. Also, if there is a little coin jar or something on the bar, I usually slip some change in there. More so depending on if the bartender was cute.

 

[Idlemessiah]

I don't like places that have compulsary tipping, as in it states on the menu that you MUST give a 15% tip. Most of Europe does it and it's catching on in the UK.

If I tip, it's because I enjoyed myself. The food was good, the waiting was good, the restaurant was nice, all that.
I won't tip if I could have made a better meal myself.

Basically, tipping should be optional; a tip is a little extra "thank you for the nice meal", not what some places disguise as a food tax.

 

[PieceOfEden]

Well depending on the size of the order and/or restuarant, I usually tip 10% or the change I would receive(if the bill is expensive)

 

[Vigilante 989]

I share the same philosophy for tipping as Mr. Pink in Reservoir Dogs.

 

[shadu957]

really interesting

here tipping just isnt a "thing"

is tipping somthing thats "needed" over there as opoased to here?

I believe the reason why tipping is so important is because, in america, waiters are paid abysmal amounts for what they do, so they tend to rely on tips to survive. I'm pretty sure that, At least in the UK, wages are a bit better, but also there is a service charge with your meal in most restaurants which goes to the waiter. But yes it is generally considered a nice thing to do just to show your appreciation.

 

[Irridium]

I tip well. All the time. Had a friend who was a waiter, hearing him tell stories of his job... I'm surprised more waiters/waitresses don't end up going on killing sprees. Though he might have exaggerated a bit...

really interesting

here tipping just isnt a "thing"

is tipping somthing thats "needed" over there as opoased to here?

Yep. Tips are how waiters/waitresses make most of their money here in the US.

In Sweden there is no tip at all... So... I don't. Not even when I travel. Why should I give them more money? They are already payed for their work. If the waiter is good, the food is good and everything is good... Then they are doing their job, nothing more and do not deserve anything extra.

However if the waiter would for example... Dance (Karamelldansen ftw!) for me in exchange for money, I would gladly tip them for what the dance is worth.

The thing is though, in the US at least, a waiter/waitress' salary is way below minimum wage (the lowest amount of money an employer can pay you). At least it was when my friend still worked as a waiter. Back then minimum was about $7/hour, and his pay was about $3/hour. The tips are the majority of their pay. Things might have changed, but I'm pretty sure tipping is their main source for money.

 

[SquallTheBlade]

I just don't get tipping at all. Here in Finland we don't do it.
Yeah I guess it would be nice to give the waitress some extra for good work, BUT what then if you don't have cash? Or right amount of cash? Maybe you have too big bills to just some change? I usually just use my credit card everywhere anyway.

 

[Flames66]

I will never tip based on some pre-determined percentage. I'll tip based on the service I've received and weather it was above and beyond. Waiters and waitresses are already paid to provide a minimum standard of service. If they go above and beyond that standard, they then deserve to be rewarded for it.

I do pretty much the same thing. I don't eat in places where tipping would be expected very often and when I do I find that the food is so ludicrously overpriced that I don't anyway. If the food is that expensive, they can afford to pay their staff properly. If someone did far more than they were already paid to do, I might consider telling them to keep the change, but that would require an exceptional level of service.

 

[Jonluw]

I hate going abroad to countries where tipping is a custom for this reason.
It just such a horribly annoying system.

I'll certainly tip someone if they do something truly extraordinary, but to this day I've never seen that happen.

 

[Wushu Panda]

I will never tip based on some pre-determined percentage. I'll tip based on the service I've received and weather it was above and beyond. Waiters and waitresses are already paid to provide a minimum standard of service. If they go above and beyond that standard, they then deserve to be rewarded for it.

are you saying you dont even give a standard amount for the service you get?

sure they're suppose to provide a standard service, but keep in mind they have to deal with shitheads and rude people. ive worked in food service, people can be intolerable. sure i carefully watch how the server acts and performs, but i try to never stiff the poor people.

 

[Plinglebob]

I'm a Brit and I will only tip if its been exceptional service or I'm part of a large group as I accept that's more work and disruption for them. Otherwise I see it as rewarding them for doing what they are being paid to do.

 

[Diddy_Mao]

I honestly don't understand the tipping etiquette myself and if I'm being perfectly honest I hate that I have to do it.
Don't get we wrong, I tip in pretty much every expected situation and I tip well.

I do it because with the hours I keep I understand that the folks serving me are working one of the shittiest customer service jobs in the world and although I've never worked for tips, I've had shitty CS jobs before and I refuse to add to anyone's stress in that field of work.

In a Restaurant I get the idea. I sit down, relax and the waiter/waitress (Waitron?) does most of the work. They take my order they bring me my food, refill my drinks and wait until I have my mouth full to ask if I need anything else...all the standard food service industry stuff.

And for that I'm expected to pay an additional gratuity for the service provided.

I still don't like that I'm expected to pay extra largely because I know that if I don't my server doesn't get to pay their bills but I'm not really picky about it.

In a bar I can also understand the mentality.
I sit down and the bar back pours my beer and Whisky, regularly buses my empty glasses and in general makes sure I'm taken care of. Now because of the nature of the establishment I can't just kick back 4 drinks and then drive home, the barkeep is pretty much stuck with me for a couple hours.

So yeah I tip, on average about $2.00 per drink to make it worth his while to put up with me.

What I don't understand is tipping in a coffee shop.
In most of the coffee shops I've been to, once I get my drink I'll probably never speak to the barrista again unless I decide I want another coffee or one of their sandwiches.

I don't order anything particularly frou frou or complicated. The most thought that goes into my order is whether or not I need room to add cream. On the odd chance I order food I know full well that nobody in the store prepared any of it.

So what exactly am I tipping for in this situation?

 

[OneCatch]

In Britain, tipping isn't so prolific because everyone makes minimum wage. For a decent meal out (they take you to your table then come take your order and bring it to you etc), I'd tip about 10-15% depending on service. Unless it was shite, in which case I would go between 0-10%

For the place described in the OP, I wouldn't tip because it sounds more like a cafe or pub lunch. You tip for the service; if you are doing it yourself, you don't need to. I wouldn't tip for a buffet lunch, or coffee, or takeaway either.

That said, I'd always tip in the US (or elsewhere), because you don't have a minimum wage there, which seems really stupid to me, but there you go - culture differences!

Also, I always tip cash so I know the person who actually did the work gets the money (and that the company doesn't use it to top up to minimum wage or any crap like that)

 

[Zack Alklazaris]

It all depends on how they treat me. I have not tipped at all (they forgot that we even ordered) and I've tipped 400% they were very nice, treated me very well, and they were hot.

You do have to keep in mind many of these people survive on these tips. So if your going to tip low you better have a damn good reason.