What, No Tip? Service Charge Faces Struggle at Restaurants - Page 2

Onkel Neal · 09-09-09, 11:00 AM

Quote:

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 · 09-09-09, 11:09 AM

Quote:

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.

August · 09-09-09, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

The size of the tip is commensurate with the service given. If the server needs to be constantly asked to fill the drinks on the table or does not bring all that was ordered the tip will be 15% of the bill. If they are really bad the tip is much lower thatn 15%. If the server is excellent and or goes above and beyond, the the tip is much greater than 15% of the bill. I do not tip anyone but the folks in the restaurants. So, tipping is not getting out of hand in my part of the forest.

That's pretty much how I go about it, with the one exception that i'll often give a breakfast waitress a tip equal to the entire meals bill. Only bar waitresses work harder and they're much better compensated than breakfast servers.

After all 15% of a $6 buck meal ain't all that much compensation for dealing with a bunch of people before they have their coffee.

mookiemookie · 09-09-09, 11:11 AM

Quote:

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.

Schroeder · 09-09-09, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Problem in having the tip built into the bill is the server can do whatever they want and still get paid. That is awful. Like anyone else, they need to work for their money.

And having it not built into the bill means that the server might work for free. That isn't just either is it? You got served and that is what you have to pay for (if you didn't get served at all you don't pay anything).

Quote:

Sluffing around and dragging butt is not the type of waiter I need.

How long would such a waiter do that before getting kicked out by the restaurant owner?
The tip is not the only motivation for good service.

SteamWake · 09-09-09, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schroeder

How long would such a waiter do that before getting kicked out by the restaurant owner?
The tip is not the only motivation for good service.

Well it helps keep the managements payroll down for one thing.

The 'average' consumer knows when the servers are 'mailing it in" and respond accordingly.

AVGWarhawk · 09-09-09, 11:40 AM

Quote:

And having it not built into the bill means that the server might work for free. That isn't just either is it? You got served and that is what you have to pay for (if you didn't get served at all you don't pay anything).

So in your world having to constantly ask for drinks or not getting what was ordered is ok for a tip? I can see that you saying, 'you got served' is how you justify the tip. It is called service not 'you got served'. Like any other service, everyone expects good service...not just served. Cops serve you warrants. Waiter provided a service. You show up with your thumb in my soup a tip of any great value is not forthcoming.

mookiemookie · 09-09-09, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

You show up with your thumb in my soup a tip of any great value is not forthcoming.

*Insert SH5 joke here*

Thomen · 09-09-09, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

So in your world having to constantly ask for drinks or not getting what was ordered is ok for a tip? I can see that you saying, 'you got served' is how you justify the tip. It is called service not 'you got served'. Like any other service, everyone expects good service...not just served. Cops serve you warrants. Waiter provided a service. You show up with your thumb in my soup a tip of any great value is not forthcoming.

Well, you show up with your thumb in my soup, the soup goes back and the manager is called. In many cases that means a nice discount or a free meal.

Thomen · 09-09-09, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

*Insert SH5 joke here*

AVGWarhawk · 09-09-09, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

*Insert SH5 joke here*

No soup for you!

AVGWarhawk · 09-09-09, 11:47 AM

Quote:

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?

Yeah but that is two fold Neal. How much of the tip is declared on the tax each April?

Shearwater · 09-09-09, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Problem in having the tip built into the bill is the server can do whatever they want and still get paid. That is awful. Like anyone else, they need to work for their money. Sluffing around and dragging butt is not the type of waiter I need.

Last Friday, I was out with a friend and had a couple of beers, at least that was the plan. We went to our usual pub and waited for the waitress. It was warm and we were sitting outside, but she didn't even bother to look (I could see her inside). After about half an hour, I went inside and said that we'd like to order ...

Needless to say, I didn't tip her. I guess she is/was new (don't come home that often anymore), and as I said, the service is usually good. The other waitress knows in advance what each of us is going to order, so we only have to confirm her suggestions.

Quote:

Here, you must realize that the way it is set up, the restaurant only pays the server $2.35 an hour.

I didn't really know it was so little, but then again I guess it's a different system in the US. I usually just round up the bill to the nearest even number, so tips are usually around 50 cents when I just have a couple of beers. Even tips for a dinner with several persons hardly exceed 4 or 5 euros , and I don't think that's stingy.
So if you really want to punish bad service, your only way is not to go there anymore.

mookiemookie · 09-09-09, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

Yeah but that is two fold Neal. How much of the tip is declared on the tax each April?

By law, servers are supposed to report all of their tips on taxes. Since many do not, the IRS set up the ATIP program in 2006 which, amongst other things, says that servers are to claim that they were tipped 10% of their sales each day. Now, a businesses participation in the ATIP system is voluntary, but in actuality most participate since non-participation increases their chances of being audited.

So if a waiter or waitress brings home less than 10% of their sales in a day in tips, they actually lose out since they're paying taxes based on the assumption they did. Essentially being taxed on money they never made.

SteamWake · 09-09-09, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

but in actuality most participate since non-participation increases their chances of being audited.

Yup by your good friends at the IRS taxation through intimidation.