Thursday, August 09, 2018

Your Turn

How much do you tip servers?

64 comments:

Former CNN Anchor Candy Crowley said...

Never date cross-eyed people. They are always seeing someone on the side.

Glow W said...

20-22%.

How much do you tip at take out?

rinaisrad said...

20%. Less with poor service

Ophelia said...

The system I always use is 20% for dine in service, 15% for delivery service, and 10% for take out.

And adjust accordingly for exceptionally good or bad service.

sandybrook said...

20-30%

Sara, Making It Work said...

Usually 20%. Sometimes more, rarely less.
It's other tipping situations I have trouble with.

Boo said...

18% to 20%. Nothing for take out.

nonyabusiness said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
LooksLikeCRicci said...

20%. More if the service is top-notch.

Boo said...

I had no idea that 20% is the new standard. I'll have to raise my stakes.

nonyabusiness said...

We tip way over 20% usually. Most we will ever tip is $150 max.

Cat said...

Just enough to keep them off balance.

ktotheooter said...

20% Standard.
25% Excellent.
$2 Per beer if I'm just drinking at the bar.
10% VERY rarely when I receive truly terrible service.

nonyabusiness said...

Scratch that, tipped $200 once when the bill was $600, which was over 20%.

MsDrtMover said...

At least 20%...sometimes more, sometimes less. Depends on the service and their attitude.

Do Tell said...

at least 20%, usually a little extra. If it's really crummy service, 10 - 15%.

Hopefully most people can delineate between bad restaurant policy and bad food and what is or isn't the waiter's fault. My brother reduced a waiter's tip when he was told the restaurant was starting to charge an extra 7% for anyone using a credit card. I was appalled when my mom told me that.

Simon said...

At least 20%

.robert said...

Why tip for take-out? Those are not below the minimum wage employees relying on tips who are preparing the food . For delivery 20%, sit down 20% to 25%, if the service is bad I tell them so and never go back to that particular establishment.

Carol said...

I used to be a waitress. 25-30 inside
8-10 for pizza delivery

J said...

20% unless they fuck up big time.

Although it's a ridiculous system here in the states. Servers should get paid an ordinary wage, and customers shouldn't feel compelled to pay more than the billed amount.

Tricia13 said...

Usually 25 %.... unless not great and then still 20.. just how I am and wasnin that world a bit . Actually have ended relationships/ dates over people who mistreat servers or undertip.
It’s a nasty nasty character flaw I want nonpart of

cheesegrater15 said...

20%

If I'm ordering from GruGrubhub or some app I'll tip 15% the first time, but then 20% after.

hhstarr said...

To for take out- it depends on who is putting your order together. If it is Olive Garden and you go to their Togo area, they are paid minimum wage. If you go to a mom and pop local restaurant and a waitress has to put your order together, she makes under $3 an hour with out tips (depends on the state). And if she has to put it together, that means she is taxed on the order from her meager wages. She is spending her time checking that the order is correct, giving silverware, napkins, and bagging it up. On less than $3 an hour. I know this as my 17 year old daughter waitresses at a diner and this was what she had to do. So I always tip on take out and always tip waiters well over $20, to make up for people who stuff them, which happens more than you think, even on good service.

riffer73 said...

15% of the pre tax total. If the service has been particularly good, more, sometimes much more.

A little more also for those guys at the ball game who have to walk up and down stairs all day so I don't have to :)

Kathryn said...

Always at least 20%.

gauloise said...

I am in Europe, and here the business owner pays the wages of workers.

i can understand tipping for a sit down dinner, but do you really give someone 10% just for ringing up and handing you your order at a takeout? So if you get a muffin at Starbucks, you give them 10% extra? Or 2$ just to hand you a bottle of beer? It seems like you have to give a lot of extra money for not much "service", just people doing the bare basics of their job.

I am not criticizing the US culture, it just doesn't make much sense to me, it is like some kind of penalty you have to pay so the owner can underpay the workers, and keep more money for themselves.

gauloise said...

Also, here, the taxes are included in the prices everywhere. The US is confusing how the total price is a mystery until you check out, and then with the tips on top of it, It makes it hard to budget.

IanPhlegming said...

20% on the pre-tax total.

15% if service wasn't that good but not unprofessional.

I have tipped 10% or less when service has been unprofessional, but that's rare.

I do not tip on takeout.

Rob Horine said...

Nothing. I buy a server so I can work on the web easier. Why tip your own computer?

Ophelia said...

I don't tip takeout if it's at Starbucks or a small item like that. It's if it's a full dinner from a restaurant. I used to work take out at one and it's a lot more than ringing up the order and handing it over. They're usually also in charge of collecting the food, checking for accuracy, getting recooks when it's wrong, collecting sides and condiments, silverware etc.

Rob Horine said...

Seriously now.

Sit down restuants, 10-20%. Depending on the service. For totally shitty service, I leave about 50 pennies. It sends a message.

Pizza delivery, it depends if they have a delivery charge. If they do, nothing! If there is no delivery charge, about $2-3.

Mhdz said...

20ish, usually round up from the total and leave 20 percent of that. More if the service is outstanding, less if it sucks.

hothotheat said...

20%, $0 for take out.

Trapped said...

20-25% I truly understand that tips is how they make their money.
I waited tables in college in the late 70’s and I was making 70-100$ a night.
The key to be a good waitress is know the menu, have something for the kids to do before the meals come
I would go in the kitchen and get the fries they were going to toss in the garbage and put 10 on a plate for the child.
I had coloring book and crayons to give them something to do.
My parents ran a teenage club growing up, so serving others was nothing new to me
And last but not least be courteous to your customers..

gauloise said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
mud said...

i tip a lot and if service is bad i try to determine if it's the server's fault or the kitchen's. i've been a waitress before and the kitchen can screw you right out of your tips and do it with a smile on their face. i always tip way too much for everyone. i've had a lot of crappy jobs and i know how it feels to not get enough money.

AlleyKat said...

20% always cash into the servers own hand. They work hard for not a lot of pay and dealing with the public is not easy...they deserve a little thank you

gauloise said...

@Ophelia that makes sense, so then takeaway or delivery is about the same tip. I guess I just thought takeaway would be less cause it is more inconvenient

VeeBee said...

20% minimum, usually closer to 25%. 10% if service is awful.
For a small order, like $10-$20, I tip at least $5.

MiaIrish said...

20% minimum....15% if the service is not so great.

I have been known to tip 50% for exceptional service.

summer said...

Rarely do they deserve 20% lol. I wish I got tips at my job.

Colleen said...

I’m a sever. I make $2.14 an hour. I bust My ass to make sure that you have a pleasant dining experience. I rely on those tips bc my pay checks are $20. Stop being a cheap ass hole and tip your servers or don’t go out to eat.

.robert said...

@gauloise, the problem with our taxes is the State AND local municipalities can have their own taxes. In my case the State has a 1% sales tax and the county has a 6% tax for a 7% total. Some cities can add a tax on too for further complication. Since we have no income tax it is not that bad per se, but there are always more taxes from various things hat eat away at that advantage. And yes, the whole tipping thing is so restaurant owners can pay slave wages and yet some still try to steal tip money for their own use.

Bitchysoisse said...

15%, nothing for takeout, and I never order delivery. If the service is bad, I also decide whether the problem is the server or the kitchen and deduct accordingly. 50% deduction for dirty silverware. And when I go to what I call "illusion of service" restaurants that put absolutely no condiments on the tables and make you beg for everything as simple as sugar for your coffee or extra napkins in a place known for its BBQ (looking at you, Outback) I tip poorly and never go back. If I walk in a restaurant and see a little tablet balanced on the edge of the table (like Olive Garden) I nope right out of there because restaurants that use those tablets are ALWAYS illusion of service restaurants. Finally, if a restaurant has the audacity to add a tip directly to my bill, I never go back and will tell whoever is ringing up my bill that the policy is the reason I'm never coming back.

My significant other complains that I tip too much as well, tipping is a hazardous minefield.

SarahElizabeth said...

20% dine-in, 10-15% for delivery, 0% for takeout. I get that takeout is more than just ringing up an order, but I'm supposed to tip you for boxing my food and putting it in a bag? And making sure I have some napkins and silverware? These are basic job functions to me. I get that servers and underpaid, but in the case of takeout I don't look at it like I'm getting served. I look at it like I ordered food from an establishment and am going to pick it up.

Honestly, sometimes things are just part of the job. If I'm not sitting down and getting served or having my food delivered to me, I'm not going to tip.

HeatherBee said...

Being a service industry vet, I tip no less than 20%. If the service is bad, I’m more understanding than most. Also, a lot of places will direct to-go orders to the bar, which then counts as part of their sales which they have to claim. So, no tip means it’s costing them money because they get taxed on that.

Unknown said...

Between 20% and 25%. Very rarely less than 20%, and only when the service is absolutely horrible.

Stevie Nixed said...

Zero. I live in Belgium. Service is included. However I do tip occasionally. It freaks out some bec it's uncommon. Shrug. My dad used to dj/bartend and would tip all the time when I was a kid. It just rubbed off on me, I guess.

Diana said...

20%. Usually always. My son - who is a college student - works at Cracker B currently. It is a total ripoff. Paid ~$2 / hour. People there do NOT tip much at all. $4 on a $60 check Lots of older folks who just don't tip, and as they pay at the register they don't have to worry about looking the server in the eye when they hand over their check to process. They blame the server when the kitchen gets behind. AND CB will cut their hours if they don't turn in their tips - their thought is that if you don't turn in 'decent' tips - you must not be doing a good job. Therefore, we will cut your hours. On top of that, there are times that they won't give you tables and they have you wrapping silverware etc. For $2 / hour. I told him to NOT quit - find another job - and then quit. And then I'm reporting them to the wage and hour authorities. If they aren't given tables, etc., they should be paid at least min wage. It makes me so angry... I told him get a job at a place like the ones his Dad and I go to. I tip 20% or more, even if the food is late, etc., as I know that it is not the fault of the server. They cannot control the kitchen. And, TBH, the older OLDER generation in many cases still operate under the belief that the standard tip is $1 per person sitting at the table :(

Liv said...

Rarely less than 25%.

$5 for pizza delivery, even if there's delivery charge.

$2 for take out.

Eating out is a luxury that most waitstaff can't afford.

mooshki said...

30%. Gotta help make up for the assholes.

mooshki said...

And not tipping for take-out also makes you an asshole.

Scandi Sanskrit said...

Eh. Varies. Anything from a simple roundup (if it’s reasonable based on the nominals) to 100% but never over 100% because that just makes people uncomfortable.

If I’m a repeat customer never over 40–50% because it makes it super awkward for the owner of the establishment the next time I come around (I learned this the hard way—my social skills suck so bad man WTF).

And this is sort of asshole-ish, but I will tip hairdressers extra if they don’t ask me personal questions. I try to bring a book anyway, usually they get the hint.

Also I’m more likely to give more if I can give it directly to the service person. If it’s a “tipping box” at the till, I’ll just give pennies because I don’t trust what the company’s going to do with it.

If a delivery courrier guy (you know the ones on motorbikes that you order by app) that I know I’ll never meet again, I might tip super extra in special cases because even if he looks shocked when I say, “keep the change” he’ll never see me again so who cares if it’s awkward for a few seconds.

I recently learned that it’s considered rude to tip in Japan (if you’re a foreigner, maybe they’ll politely refuse—but maybe if you’re Japanese and they think you should know better, they’ll be offended at the gesture).

Stupidpervs said...

Too much most times ..I've tipped 15 bucks on 30 buck meal at waffle house ..they love me and my orders always awesome lol

Stupidpervs said...

On the other hand I worked at a Mexican Restaurant where the prices were kinda high and I would get people who would bring 8 people when they get their check at the first of the month and buy 15.00 drinks I had to make and leave me 5 bucks after breaking themselves on the food and bar tab..and they ran people's ass off so that's why I tip beyond the 15-20% average .to make up for others being greedy after making a waitress kill herself making over priced drinks and plying them with free salsa and chips ...I no longer wait tables due to lack of dealing with others b.s.

Sd Auntie said...

20 percent. It really good, a little more. Shitty service 15.

Bubbles said...

Depends on the service but never tip at a take out. I don't eat fast food but couldn't imagine going to McD's or Popeyes and tipping.

I'm with you Gauloise. I've been ready to move back to Europe where they actually pay living wages and don't leave it up to the diners to support their staff, and we won't even bring up the health coverage and paid vacations.

GentleBreeze said...

20%. Restaurant, salon, taxi. No tip for take out or Starbies. Can't defend/explain American tipping - just has always been. Don't wanna tip? Don't go out to eat.

Unknown said...

I don't go to places where there are tips. Like I'll go to a convenience store or something. But I can't do percentage problems. I'm not good at math and I get stuck on very simple problems because I have dyscalculia. That's like math dyslexia. And believe me I've been through the wringer trying to help myself with that. I just settled on the fact that I cannot into math very well.

If I take a cab the guy gets $2. That's all I can afford. Typically everyone would get exactly what I can afford. Which cannot be more than $1-$2. I'm sorry. Please understand. I cannot manage any more but I understand that you need money too.

Anonymous said...



I had major stomach surgery to save my life.
My job at the time was server.
Heavy trays + recent abdominal surgery= Agony.
I don't go to restaurants anymore

Tazer said...

Typically you don't tip servers as you could really damage the HDD platters if they are spinning at the time. If you power them off first then you could, but I don't know what you'd get out of it.

Sagan said...

$20 per $100 - so that's what (takes off shoes to count) 20%? That's for food.

Car valet and luggage is usually a $10 spot when I check in/drop off, and $20 when I leave/check out.

Airline porter/skycap get $20 for just me, or $50 if there's more than 2 big cases to lug around.

Hotel housekeeping is $10/day for a single room, or $25 for a suite.

SW said...

I went to a restaurant in Washington about a year and a half ago where they paid the servers a large wage and no tipping was allowed! I loved this concept and hope more restaurants adopt this type of policy. Restaurants have one of the highest turnover ratios in business and that would help keep talented staff employed. I used to wait tables in college and rarely tip below 20%. Takeout and buffet 10%.

gail said...

I'm from NZ and we don't tip here. When I went to the States I happily tipped and had no problem doing it as the service was usually excellent. We went to one place however, from memory a cafe in Caesars Palace, Vegas, for breakfast. Our server was terrible, I'd say there was nothing positive about the experience = in this case we didn't leave a tip. My honest question, why would you tip anything at all for terrible service??

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