Hey, Waiter! Just How Much Extra Do You Really Expect?

[Gerald]

“Do you need change?”

Originally Posted by linked article

Funny you should ask, because I just gave you a $10 bill, and my latte and raspberry scone came to $5.75. As much as I think you’re pleasing to look at, and you do magical things with frothy milk, I just don’t see your services commanding a 70-plus percent premium over the market rate for my breakfast.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/20...really-expect/

[Castout]

Don't you have service charge?! No tips with included service charge on the bill.

[antikristuseke]

I just dont go to places where people wait on me, i find it uncomfortable.

[mookiemookie]

This guy comes across like a raging douchenozzle. The service isn't included in the menu price, just pay your bill and tip the man/woman and be on your way. Don't go out to eat or drink if you can't afford or don't want to tip.

[Castout]

Originally Posted by antikristuseke

I just dont go to places where people wait on me, i find it uncomfortable.

For service and hospitality and humility you have to give my countrymen a big thumb.

Couple times when we parked our humble car in the mall the parking officers(don't know what else to call them) whose job is to assist in people parking would open the door for us. No we were not in the lobby we just parked in the mall's parking building. I felt very uncomfortable each time. I didn't have the courage to tell him don't though. Yeah they were probably hoping for tips but still I don't think working people should engage in that kind of unneeded humbling hospitality unless it's their job and they are in the hospitality industry such as hotel and tourism. People should have dignity at work and being humble for too much is unnecessary. In fact people should have pride in their work that they commit themselves to strive for better and high level of performance but I don't think putting themselves below ordinary people is really necessary and making people uncomfortable too.

[Rockstar]

Why does somebody working at a coffee shop expect to receive a tip and the person sorting trash for the same minimum wages doesn't? If the fella at the recycling center can support himself and his lifestyle without tips why can't this waiter? I mean if they think they are that deserving of more money. Then why don't they find another job instead of soaking off the customer for shoddy service?

[Gerald]

Many people in different countries, are dependent on the tip and in some countries, individuals pay tax on it, even if he or she receives no tip, so it is for me a course to give the tip, unless an extremely abnormal occurs....

[Armistead]

A few weeks ago I ordered PU from Denny's. Even if I pick it up I give the girl that boxes it up a few dollars as a tip. I tipped her and went to the counter to pay and realised I was missing a $100 bill...to pay for the food.

I asked the girl and she said I didn't give her that. She finally pulled all her money out and it was stuck perfectly to the back on a dollar bill. The kicker is...then she didn't want to give it back....The manager made her, but geesh.

[Spike88]

We're supposed to tip people at coffee shops?

Actually, thinking about it, I have seen the "tip" part on the Card receipts, always leave it 0.00. Same thing applies with burger joints/pizza places where I don't get waited on.

I honestly believe the only people who should get tips are actual waiters in actual restaurants(as they do get paid a lower Minimum wage). And delivery drivers.

Although the article does seem to be nitpicking about the gratuity added to large parties. Usually, at the restaurants I go to, the added gratuity is 10% or less. That's 11% less than what I was taught was "right" to give.


Offtopic, but I once did see a "Tip" part on a receipt for a gas station. I ignored it.

[Feuer Frei!]

I have managed restaurants of all levels here in Australia, over the course of 13 or so years, from 5-star exclusive restaurants to currently managing a "bistro-style" food outlet.
In Australia it is not "obligatory" to tip, nor is it compulsory, however, a tip is given if the customer deems that he or she has been given service that they would otherwise not have expected, or that the "server" at the time went out of their way to "exceed the customer's expectations".
I stress the exceed the customer's expectations, for that is what really sets the minimum service given and service that invites a reward if you will from the customer, saying that you have exceeded their expectations.

It seems that, and this is from my extensive experience in a service industry that, the more "exclusive" or high-standard a establishment is, the more likelyhood that a tip is given. Of course the service must match the "outer appearances" of a establishment to warrant this.
In short, i tip, wether it be in a "lowly cafe", or be it in a 5 star establishment, because i was given not just service but, exceeding my expectations type of service...

I have always wondered if Australia were to adopt a pay structure similar to that of the U.S. in that hospitality service staff were only paid a small amount per hour, and relied so heavily upon tips or gratuities to make up the rest of their pay each week...
I would hazard a guess that a lot of food outlets would improve their service standards ten-fold, for there are a lot of places that offer mediocre service standards at best.

[antikristuseke]

I make barely above minimum wage (about 3 usd an hour) and I make ends meet, life here is only marginally less expensive than in more western nations. The I cant make it without tips argument falls on deaf ears in most cases where tiping is concerned with me.

[Rockstar]

I have always wondered if Australia were to adopt a pay structure similar to that of the U.S. in that hospitality service staff were only paid a small amount per hour, and relied so heavily upon tips or gratuities to make up the rest of their pay each week...
I would hazard a guess that a lot of food outlets would improve their service standards ten-fold, for there are a lot of places that offer mediocre service standards at best.

Maybe, however as a customer here in the U.S. I get the impression I am expected to fork over a tip regardless of the quality of service. Fer cryin' outloud even drive thrus have a tip jar sitting in the window.

Don't get me wrong I do take note of service and compensate accordingly. But I refuse to tip because someones thinks they don't get paid enough. If that's the reason then they should quit and seek employment elsewhere.

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

Maybe, however as a customer here in the U.S. I get the impression I am expected to fork over a tip regardless of the quality of service. Fer cryin' outloud even drive thrus have a tip jar sitting in the window.

Don't get me wrong I do take note of service and compensate accordingly. But I refuse to tip because someones thinks they don't get paid enough. If that's the reason then they should quit and seek employment elsewhere.

If every waiter quit and got a job elsewhere, who would wait tables? Some people, especially in this job environment, cannot get another job. Waiters make $2.13 an hour, as they are expected to make up the rest in tips.

I agree with you that everyone with their hand out doesn't deserve a tip. I cross out the tip section of the receipt at my local sandwich shop where I get takeaway lunch. But an actual waiter or bartender? 20% standard. Less if they screw up, more if I feel like they did a good job.

If someone can't afford to tip or has some kind of ethical stance against it, then they should stay at home.

[Onkel Neal]

I have to agree with Mookie. The main reason I tip wait service is I know their pay is about $2.25 an hour without tips. I don't like the system. I would be happier if they got paid at least minimum wage, and then tips. But the reality is, part of their pay comes directly from me and I can't stiff a guy who is waiting on me.

I have my favorite haunts to eat at: Dot's, Emma's Tex Mex Grill, Busy Bee. The waitresses there know and love me, cause I take care of them. A happy waiter/waitress is part of the dining experience.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

Waiters make $2.13 an hour, as they are expected to make up the rest in tips.

And they have to file taxes based on expected tips, not what they actually get.

I agree with you that everyone with their hand out doesn't deserve a tip. I cross out the tip section of the receipt at my local sandwich shop where I get takeaway lunch. But an actual waiter or bartender? 20% standard. Less if they screw up, more if I feel like they did a good job.

I also hate the 'tip jars' on the counter at just about every fast food place I frequent.

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

I have my favorite haunts to eat at: Dot's, Emma's Tex Mex Grill, Busy Bee. The waitresses there know and love me, cause I take care of them. A happy waiter/waitress is part of the dining experience.

After our Thursday 'Game Nights' we always go to the same Denny's. The night waiter there likes us and takes good care of us, and we make sure he is amply rewarded for his excellent service.