Restaurant tipping: pre-tax or post-tax?

[Nyima]

Frankly, I don't tip >_> However, when a waiter/tress provides what I'd consider a good "service," (attentive, prompt, etc.) I''d be more than forthcoming to "reward" their "work," but I ain't obligated.

I totally agree with this statement. The only reason I tip is because I don't want to look like an asshole since tipping has become so expected. I don't see why I should have to tip someone who is simply doing their job I pay for my food and that should go towards the business to pay their employees.

Now if someone were to go above and beyond what their job calls for then by all means heres a tip for doing an awesome job.

[Correction]

People tip their barbers? wtf?

The barber I go to owns the shop and pays himself out of the day's takings. The fuck does he need with a tip?

[Intense]

I spent $65 to get my hair cut, and I always give her $15 tip just because I pay in cash and its earier to give her 4 $20s than make change. Also, I always go to the same lady.

[Gregorio]

Frankly, I don't tip >_> However, when a waiter/tress provides what I'd consider a good "service," (attentive, prompt, etc.) I''d be more than forthcoming to "reward" their "work," but I ain't obligated.

I totally agree with this statement. The only reason I tip is because I don't want to look like an asshole since tipping has become so expected. I don't see why I should have to tip someone who is simply doing their job I pay for my food and that should go towards the business to pay their employees.

Now if someone were to go above and beyond what their job calls for then by all means heres a tip for doing an awesome job.

You realize that the vast majority of servers make $2.50 or less, right? And that is taxed so much that ever 2 weeks the checks (or at least mine) comes to about $60. You should have to tip someone who's "simply doing their job" because their pay is jack shit. It doesn't exactly take much to go "above and beyond" $2 an hour.

Or would you rather servers get a steady wage? Suddenly the $15 steak costs $20, your drinks aren't getting filled, and the server cares about your happiness about as much as the kid flipping your burger at McDonalds.

[archibaldcrane]

Or would you rather servers get a steady wage? Suddenly the $15 steak costs $20, your drinks aren't getting filled, and the server cares about your happiness about as much as the kid flipping your burger at McDonalds.

Honestly, yes I'd prefer it. Lack of tipping doesn't seem to prevent EVERYONE ELSE IN THE UNIVERSE from doing their jobs, I don't see why waiters and bartenders would stop doing their jobs either.

[Gregorio]

I'm incredibly old-fashioned in that don't tip based on calculations. I tip based on how well the service was and I eyeball it according to the bill.

What he said. Just because I bought a $100 meal doesn't mean you're worth a $15 tip.

(it's amazing how fast the bill goes up when you're a wine connoisseur with a taste for seafood)

A few other people have already said it, but regardless of how much you leave me on that bill, the waiter still has to tip out 3/4 people from it based on their sales, as well as legally claim 10% at the end of the shift. So while that the waiter may have done the same amount of work bringing out your expensive seafood dinner as your friends $5 soup, the government and restaurant business don't see it that way.

And to whoever mentioned the waiter has to move their arm for an extra $3 because of the desserts...at least at my restaurant (Chili's), we have to prepare the desserts ourselves, which can be a real pain in the ass when you have 4 desserts to prepare on top of getting soups, running food, and greeting/taking care of any of your other tables.

[Gregorio]

Or would you rather servers get a steady wage? Suddenly the $15 steak costs $20, your drinks aren't getting filled, and the server cares about your happiness about as much as the kid flipping your burger at McDonalds.

Honestly, yes I'd prefer it. Lack of tipping doesn't seem to prevent EVERYONE ELSE IN THE UNIVERSE from doing their jobs, I don't see why waiters and bartenders would stop doing their jobs either.

Because if you think I (or most other servers) would treat my tables nearly as nice as I do now (especially the annoying bitchy ones) for a guaranteed wage instead of having to wait on them hand and foot and take all their shit with a smile all the while hoping they leave me an extra dollar or two so I can pay my bills on time...you're insane.

[archibaldcrane]

Or would you rather servers get a steady wage? Suddenly the $15 steak costs $20, your drinks aren't getting filled, and the server cares about your happiness about as much as the kid flipping your burger at McDonalds.

Honestly, yes I'd prefer it. Lack of tipping doesn't seem to prevent EVERYONE ELSE IN THE UNIVERSE from doing their jobs, I don't see why waiters and bartenders would stop doing their jobs either.

Because if you think I (or most other servers) would treat my tables nearly as nice as I do now (especially the annoying bitchy ones) for a guaranteed wage instead of having to wait on them hand and foot and take all their shit with a smile you're insane.

You shouldn't feel like you "have to" treat incredibly bitchy tables well, honestly. They know you have to suck their cocks because you are their bitch, since they control the tip flow. Get a wage, and you have some of your power back.

I don't go to a restaurant to be entertained by a waiter - I just want food. Tips allow both sides of the equation to act like sub-human beings - the waiters are fake as fuck because they want your money, the customers are assholes because "they pay for this service damnit!" I'm constantly going out with groups of people, and the 15 minute conversation about the bill after each one is often the most unpleasant part of it. Take tipping out of the equation and make the food cost a little more and I'd be perfectly happy.

[Khamsin]

Or would you rather servers get a steady wage? Suddenly the $15 steak costs $20, your drinks aren't getting filled, and the server cares about your happiness about as much as the kid flipping your burger at McDonalds.

That's how it works in Washington, where everyone gets minimum wage ($8.07) before tips. You aren't allowed to count tips against someone's wages.

And yet the dining experience here is reasonable and not too overpriced. Then again, I don't know how much stuff costs elsewhere. If I go to Applebee's, their angus bacon cheeseburger is about $8, if that's any basis for comparison. What's an Applebee's angus bacon cheeseburger cost in a state where they allow you to count tips against someone's wages?

Likewise, two large 2 topping pizzas from Dominos with the 2x Tuesday deal is about $20 including delivery, if anyone has a comparison for the same Dominos deal in another state.

[Jimmayus]

to the guy who asked about tipping chefs: what we do is the waitresses who work the bar (2 for us) take 20% of whatever you tip each, and 60% goes back to the bar chefs, who split it accordingly. I'm sure its a bit like that wherever you go, so just tip as you see fit

[Blarg]

For those who have worked in the business, what did your $/hr end up being after a night of serving?

[Remyo]

I work @ a Ruby Tuesday

Tell your company that your chips have way too much salt on them.

Sorry we use whale semen to salt them, that's why they are so salty.


lol j/k. they are fried and salted at the restaurant you go to, they aren't premade. Likely you're getting the bottom of the bin, so ask for fresh chips with only a little salt.

[sekaran]

I usually tip 2xTax.. so thats pre-tax. If service/food was incredible, I'll go up to 30%, but never more.

[Fryte]

To all you people who don't tip your bartenders well, you're not being very smart.

When I go out to a bar, I buy one drink. Tip 20 dollars. 2 hours later when I'm good and shit-faced, I don't even have a tab.

As for the guy who said "do you remember every single person who stiffed you?" Yes, yes I do. And all his "Tanqueray + tonics" turn into a splash of 2 dollar/liter gin with a shit ton of tonic the next time he comes in and he's getting ignored until everyone else is happy. One or two assholes might slip by, but I'll sure as shit remember them the second time.

As for servers, they have a lot of other stuff to do that you don't see besides grab food and bring it from place A to place B.

Any one who tips under 15% for any reason is a cheap asshole. If your server sucks, complain to the manager so they can be fired. Not tipping them doesn't accomplish anything. Simple as that.

[Saphirea]

I've worked as a line cook and an expo.

I've seen the movie "Waiting"

I've performed some of the same things that happen in that movie while working when servers would come back in the Kitchen and tell me about tables.

I tip between 20 and 30% and treat the servers well.


Where I worked servers made 2.15 an hour. Tipped out to Expo's and Bus each and every night.

[Khamsin]

If your server sucks, complain to the manager so they can be fired. Not tipping them doesn't accomplish anything.

Although in some cases, the service isn't bad enough that you want them fired, so in that case, not tipping just makes it cheaper for yourself as well as being nice to the server by not getting them fired.

[Einherjar]

Tips are totally based on service, they get paid a wage for bringing your food to the table. If they're slow, rude, terrible, or unfriendly I'll pay my bill and leave. If they do a good job then they have earned a good tip for a job well done. I tip before tax, because it's 13% here, but I don't really have a set %, I just look at how much my food was and figure what's a fair tip.

For delivery drivers it depends, I never factor their gas in because when I delivered I took 6% of bills to cover gas (was what we all did) and I think all places ought to, if yours doesn't, go s9omewhere new. Also depends on they speed of delivery, over an hour for pizza that's only luke warm will send you packing with nothing.

[Anyway]

I'm not gonna lie, to whoever asked, during the summer I make good money. But this is a nice restaurant on the water (literally) and we can get pretty busy. Plus expensive ass menu full of seafood. 2-300 is very possible sometimes. Generally 1-2 though. But you feel it afterwards, you're just stressed as fuck, then everyone gets drunk or high after work.

And to that person who asked about remembering the nontippers, surprisingly yes. I do remember a good amount of them, I can't possibly remember all of them, but I've definitely had a table a 2nd time and totally made their visit shitty.

[Jimmayus]

I remember my first bad tipper, and they are why I'll never serve Koreans again when its close to closing time.

we close at 10:30 on weekdays, and I was late shift which is not usually a problem because most sane people come before 10. However, lo and behold at 10:15 this group comes in. Knowing enough Japanese to at least carry on most kinds of conversations, I know they're not Japanese, which is usually a good thing because Japanese people like to order appetizer-size dishes over the course of a few hours instead of a meal up front. These guys were not that type.

So we have what's called a party tray which is like 50 pieces of sushi (assorted rolls/salmon etc.) for 70 bucks, and it comes with complimentary edamame. They order this and a round (or 3) of drinks. Chefs hurry to get it done, I serve them (it's now 15 minutes past closing time). One of them has the balls to suggest they should all get free miso soup along with it. That doesn't make any goddamn sense, but I say nothing and smile and nod. 20 minutes later, they're done. But those Koreans are sly little bastards; one of them has had a Japanese friend point out that, in a Japanese newspaper for Dallas, it says you can get a student discount if you bring your id or w/e; I know they're not Japanese, which is what the promo is secretly for, but yeah I give them the discount because they mentioned it.

120$ tab after discount, 4$ tip. They left almost a goddamn hour after I'm required to close.

If you're one of those groups of people who think you're cool for doing things like this, you're not, so please stay home.

to be on topic: I make 2.25/hour from wages, nothing is more awesome than having a paycheck for negative 10 dollars (they tax off tips so if I make bank it goes low like that)

On the plus side, waitering is freakin' awesome; I'm 19 and made 5,000$ this summer

[archibaldcrane]

Any of you in tipping positions have a hard time with racist impulses on the job? I know when I was delivering pizzas, if the door opened and a black guy was standing there a part of my brain just said "...fuck" - not because of pre-conceived notions, but just the repeated shafting over and over.