Tipping Trouble

[Gruesome]

I accet that I am a generous tipper and I don't expect everybody else to be like me, but when I see them drop $2 on a $30+ tab, thats well under 10% and I think thats wrong. I've never been a server but I've dated a couple and I know it can be damned hard work. I do my best to be a good customer and a good tipper because I just think it's the right thing to do. Hell, the last time I went to my favorite restaurant they screwed up my order, but since what they brought me looked (and was) mighty tasty, I kept it and said don't worry about it. Now, I was SLIGHTLY miffed that they didn't do anything to "make it right" but I absolutely did tell the guy not to worry about it, so it's a wash. I'll go back without hesitation...but I'll order more clearly next time.

OK, that was an odd tangent....anyway, my life has been blessed and I think it's a damn awful thing to hoard the blessings so I tip well, assuming the server isn't a complete ass. PLus, if you play your cards right, being a good tipper can pay off. The bartender at a place I used to go to almost every week would comp me a beer and I'd give him a nice fat tip. The extra tip was less than the cost of a beer, so we both win! I miss that place...and we are off on another tangent...

The family in question is in much the same financial situation as myself so they don't have the poverty excuse. And they are as American as I am so they know (or should know) how to tip. And I know they go out to eat ALL the time, so they are stiffing servers left and right. We don't go out to eat together so much anymore so I guess it's not a big deal and I wanted to rant more than solve a problem.

Squirrel!

[KymmyKyller]

I look at tipping this way: Come prepared with at least a 50% tip. If I cannot afford to give a large tip like this, I will not go out merely because I go by this, "If you can afford to eat out, you can afford to leave a good tip." I've tipped a full 50% only once and my normal range is between 25-30%; however, it's up to the server. I get treated badly, I'll give a bad/no tip.

[EricKei]

I used to wait, too... the thing is, I always found a small tip (10% or less) to be more insulting than no tip...As I saw it:

- No tip = cheapskate or maybe they forgot. Move on with life

- Bad tip = what did I screw up? If the answer is "nothing", grumble and move on with life

I tip accordingly, and I agree wholeheartedly with the "If I cannot afford to tip, I cannot really afford to eat out" notion.

[gremcint]

Well (and I'm going off memory here), the minimum wage for workers in "tipped" positions is ~ 1/4 the minimum wage for other positions, because it is expected that the workers will be getting tipped.

always thought that was dumb, (not tipping the mimimum wage thing)

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Well, Fufu, to sloppily quote Dave Barry, "a guy who is nice to you but not nice to the waiter is not a nice guy."

Consider that your guy is on his best behavior with you. And his best behavior is embarassing at best.

If he undertips, then make up the difference in front of him. Or insist on covering the entire tip. Gauge his reaction to this and proceed from there.

[Broomjockey]

if I've misconstrued or misunderstood something, please tell me.

I think YOU are in the wrong here.

I don't know if the standard is different in America,

I'll tell you. You don't know the standard, but you're telling someone they're wrong. And then everyone picked up the ball and ran with it. Shame, really. Thread closed.