What, No Tip? Service Charge Faces Struggle at Restaurants

[Skybird]

I have always rejected "rules" for tipping, or seing them as a mandatory and/or polite thing. When the service was just okay, I give a small or medium tip, depending on the mood I'm in. If the service really got my positive attention, I give a generous tip.

And if I was unsatisfied or pissed, I give none. and I don't care a bit whether or not that is according to local traditions or economic structures in which expected tips have been substracted from regular loans - which is especially sick a system, imo.

A restaurant that takes no tips but raises prices by a hefty 20% in general, would see me moving in huge circles around it (not that I went to restaurants often. Longer time ago I have worked in a kitchen myself for some weeks when I was at university. Since then I have no more appetite to eat in restaurants. If you want quality meals - prepare them yourself, don't trust on restaurants and foreign people preparing the meal hidden from your eyes).

[Dowly]

Ow boy, I wouldnt even go to a restaurant with that name.

[Fincuan]

Originally Posted by Dowly

Ow boy, I wouldnt even go to a restaurant with that name.

Lmao

Apparently they haven't consulted any Finns before deciding on the name...

[RickC Sniper]

My base is 15%. I give more if the service is great, less if I feel they didn't earn it by being prompt or attentive enough.

I hate the concept of tips, period but I have a son who works weekends at a hotel\restaurant and he works damn hard for what he gets.

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by RickC Sniper

I hate the concept of tips, period but I have a son who works weekends at a hotel\restaurant and he works damn hard for what he gets.

Agreed. I'd gladly welcome the whole system being scrapped and the tip being added into the menu price and have the wait staff paid a living wage instead of their $4900 a year "salary".

[antikristuseke]

I only tip if the service is good, but generaly dont go to places where people wait on me.

[Onkel Neal]

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

Agreed. I'd gladly welcome the whole system being scrapped and the tip being added into the menu price and have the wait staff paid a living wage instead of their $4900 a year "salary".

Agreed, that would be my preference. Then if you left a dollar tip for great service, it would mean something besides "Here, I hope this helps you avoid starvation".

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

Agreed. I'd gladly welcome the whole system being scrapped and the tip being added into the menu price and have the wait staff paid a living wage instead of their $4900 a year "salary".

So what is the living wage you are talking about and is that the living wage cap? Perhaps a low wage is best because it allows people to get out of their feebleness and actually succeed. Individuality and low wages promote success.

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by CastleBravo

Individuality and low wages promote success.

You have got to be the most elaborate troll I've ever seen. I have to believe that as it's the only way I can fit my mind around such completely stupid statements such as this.

[Aramike]

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

Agreed. I'd gladly welcome the whole system being scrapped and the tip being added into the menu price and have the wait staff paid a living wage instead of their $4900 a year "salary".

I disagree. I have no problem with the Service Industry being compensated (and therefore judged) directly by the people they serve.

My philosophy about any job is simple: don't like it? Do something else.

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by Aramike

I disagree. I have no problem with the Service Industry being compensated (and therefore judged) directly by the people they serve.

My philosophy about any job is simple: don't like it? Do something else.

If everyone in the service industry did something else, there would be nobody left in the service industry.

[Thomen]

Originally Posted by Skybird

I have always rejected "rules" for tipping, or seing them as a mandatory and/or polite thing. When the service was just okay, I give a small or medium tip, depending on the mood I'm in. If the service really got my positive attention, I give a generous tip.

And if I was unsatisfied or pissed, I give none. and I don't care a bit whether or not that is according to local traditions or economic structures in which expected tips have been substracted from regular loans - which is especially sick a system, imo.

A restaurant that takes no tips but raises prices by a hefty 20% in general, would see me moving in huge circles around it (not that I went to restaurants often. Longer time ago I have worked in a kitchen myself for some weeks when I was at university. Since then I have no more appetite to eat in restaurants. If you want quality meals - prepare them yourself, don't trust on restaurants and foreign people preparing the meal hidden from your eyes).

Well.. don't forget: In Germany, this 'service fee' is allready included in the price on the menu. However, I do still tip if it is appropriate and according to the service.

[Onkel Neal]

Originally Posted by Thomen

Well.. don't forget: In Germany, this 'service fee' is allready included in the price on the menu. However, I do still tip if it is appropriate and according to the service.

Good point. Are the prices in your area already adjusted for wait service?

Here, you must realize that the way it is set up, the restaurant only pays the server $2.35 an hour. (I do not endorse this scheme at all) If you do not tip at all, he is working at slave wages. How about all you "help the people" types, can you stiff the server just because he doesn't refill your tea as quickly as you wish?

[Thomen]

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

Good point. Are the prices in your area already adjusted for wait service?

Here, you must realize that the way it is set up, the restaurant only pays the server $2.35 an hour. (I do not endorse this scheme at all) If you do not tip at all, he is working at slave wages. How about all you "help the people" types, can you stiff the server just because he doesn't refill your tea as quickly as you wish?

If the server is bad, you don't tip. Many servers, though, still seem to think that tipping is mandatory.. hehe

Servers do not make that much in Germany either, mind you. Depending on the Restaurant, most of your income is based on sales commission.

Also, if I remember correctly, here in the US if you put the tip on the bill, with lets say your credit card, it will get taxed.

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

Here, you must realize that the way it is set up, the restaurant only pays the server $2.35 an hour. (I do not endorse this scheme at all) If you do not tip at all, he is working at slave wages. How about all you "help the people" types, can you stiff the server just because he doesn't refill your tea as quickly as you wish?

You can, but you will end up costing the server money. The IRS assumes that waiters are tipped 10% on every table and are taxed accordingly.

I tip 20% if the service was pleasant. If there were some hiccups, I'll tip 10-15%. I remember tipping a waitress a nickel before, but that was completely disastrous service.