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6
Diner Starts Debate After Waiter Rejects $25 Tip: “Tipping Culture Has Gotten Out Of Hand”
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Tipping culture can be very different depending on which part of the world you look at. In some places, like Japan, it is seen as unnecessary or even disrespectful, as excellent service is considered part of the job. In others, it’s expected.
But even there, Reddit user Koiguy94 believes there has to be a limit. In a recent post on r/stories, they described a visit to a restaurant that made them wonder at which point gratuity becomes extortion.
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This person had a nice diner with their friends, and the gang paid almost $200 for it
Image credits: Lala Azizli / unsplash (not the actual photo)
They left a $25 tip for the service, but the waiter refused it because it was too small of a tip
Image credits: Jessie McCall / unsplash (not the actual photo)
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As the post went viral, its author acknowledged that the culture is very nuanced
Image credits: Koiguy94
Six in ten Americans believe there’s at least one aspect in which the tipping culture is broken
A 2024 survey from Bankrate found that 59% of Americans view at least one aspect of tipping negatively, agreeing with the the following statements:
- 37 percent believe businesses should pay their employees better, rather than relying so much on tips;
- 35 percent believe that tipping culture has gotten out of control;
- 34 percent are annoyed about the pre-entered tip screens they encounter at coffee shops, food trucks and elsewhere;
- 14 percent would be willing to pay higher prices in order to do away with tipping;
- 11 percent are confused about who and how much to tip.
Older generations like baby boomers and Gen Xers have more negative attitudes about tipping—with 72% and 62%, respectively, having at least one negative view—than younger generations, like millennials and Gen Zers (51% and 45% of whom had at least one negative take).
The quality of service is still the biggest factor for the majority of tippers, the survey found, with 64% of people saying they size their gratuity according to it, while just 10% say they always tip the same amount, regardless of how good or bad the staff is.
Another problem is that “Customers are being asked to tip at the more traditional service encounters [and] also app-based services, ride-share and delivery apps. This gives the perception that tipping is everywhere, which does seem the case,” said Tim Self, an assistant professor of hospitality at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee.
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“Ultimately, it comes down to the consumer making that choice and I think more people will get comfortable saying ‘no.’”
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Image credits: Lala Azizli / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Many people were as appalled by the server’s behavior as the client
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But some didn’t agree with them
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What do you think ?
Virgil Blue 1 month ago
Its amazing that instead of joining hands and demanding fair pay with no tips Americans want to die om the hill of people being shamed into 25% tips just because your bosses like making you squabble and grovel for handouts.
ZGutr 1 month ago
And as also mentioned above .... WHY getting more paid for bringing out 5 steaks than for 5 burgers? ( the next step will be angry waiters for folk ordering a cold beer instead of a bottle Champaign )
Load More Replies...
Uncommon Boston Premium 4 weeks ago
A fine dining establishment is usually more labor intensive. More setup and prep. Servers in better restaurants prepare food at the table, serve fine wines, and need to follow stricter etiquette. The level of service is higher, standards higher. It isn't the same job.
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago (edited)
You don't have to like it, but unless you have worked in a variety of food and beverage businesses, you may not fully understand how it works. I have worked as a bartender in a rough and tough steel worker bar in Pittsburgh and as a bartender at a fine dinning establishment at a luxury resort in Colorado. I made enough in both to support myself. The jobs were completely different. One was serving mostly beer, the other was expensive mixed drinks. The service, prep work, and responsibilities were different. If you haven't done the work, don't pass judgement.
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago
Both times I lived with multiple roommates, didn't own a car, and lived cheaply. Fine when I was under 30. I couldn't afford more.
Phobrek 1 month ago (edited)
Here In Massachusetts we had a ballot initiative in the election to slowly raise minimum wage for wait staff, to give them a living wage without having to rely on tips. I voted for it, but only about a third of everyone else did. So no progress is being made.
Uncommon Boston Premium 4 weeks ago (edited)
Minimum wage, even $15 an hour, isn't a living wage. Tips are how servers pay their bills. In states where the legislation passed, often tips are now split between all employees. And the servers need a second job.
Angie May 1 month ago
Every server I know says they make well more than the $15ish dollars an hour they'd make doing most other entry level jobs, and WAY more than if they were paid minimum wage. They don't *want* to get rid of tipping culture because they come out on top more often than not.
Uncommon Boston Premium 4 weeks ago
Since $15/hour isn't a living wage, do you expect servers to get a second job?
ValdaDeDieu 3 weeks ago (edited)
That's a blatant lie. For one thing, $15/hour JUST GOT PASSED in the United States. Most establishments paying $15 an hour limit workers to part time -.i.e. less than 40 hours. Restaurants workers- unless part of a large chain or franchise and sometimes even then, get paid LESS than $15/hour. Stop coming on here and lying. Just say you're the kind of person who doesn't care about others - at least you're being honest in this instance. I've never worked as a server; I am an author - but I know I cannot guarantee I'd ever do it without slapping some rude, silly person. So I don't do it. And I tip well. Because I am a f*****g decent human being. And make no mistake - I am PROUD of being a decent human f*****g being.
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago (edited)
Current minimum wage for tipped wait staff is about $2.00/hour. Yes employers schedule workers to work less hours to avoid paying for benefits -- health insurance and vacations. That is nationwide problem, all industries for hourly employees.
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago
Correct!! Minimum wage must be closer to a living wage. Many people believe minimum wage is only for jobs high schoolers want, not understanding there are people who have worked for minimum wage plus a few dollars in raises their whole lives, how is that fair? Others think it more than enough to live on. Look at rents where you live, public transportation, consider utilities and other expenses. Before you ask an entire industry to take paycut so they can't afford to support themselves, consider how you would feel?
ValdaDeDieu 3 weeks ago
This is the sort of condescending comment that sounds like it makes sense, yet is absolutely gibberish to anyone actually living in - and invested in living in - the United States - and knows how things work here.
Beachbum 4 weeks ago
Servers don’t want to do away with tips as most make really good money waiting tables, especially at high end restaurants. I know someone who made more money as a bartender than as a high risk nurse (with advanced degrees) in a big hospital.
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago (edited)
Like the 'cheating welfare moms' people seem to prefer to look at the minority of servers who make a very good living. @Tom Brincefield you are right many don't make a decent living. I thought i was well paid when I worked food and beverage, but i had multiple roommates and lived cheaply. Having a child was impossible.
iseefractals 3 weeks ago
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After trey parker and matt stone had the soft opening of Casa Bonita, they saw that people hated tipping, and waitstaff was never ever happy so they'd just pay them a flat rate of $25/hr, and ban tipping outright. What did the waitstaff have to say? "NO! NOT ENOUGH! we'd make more money with tips!" So they upped the pay rate to $30....and the waitstaff still are not happy about it, because of course they're not when they could be getting a 25/30/40% cut of the order prices. They don't want a fair wage, they want a deluded wage.
ValdaDeDieu 4 weeks ago
I hope their party was blacklisted. BESIDES the fact that waitstaff is NOT paid fairly, and therefore depend on tips, $197 worth of food for multiple people is A LOT of work. If you can't afford to tip fairly, then don't eat out. Be a f*****g human being. If the service was just mediocre to decent, I tip exactly 15%. Better than decent, I tip more. I'd forego dessert before I cheat someone of their tip! That karma follows you. Bad attitude/service, I leave the food and the restaurant. PLEASE TIP WORKERS, they're human beings doing a job neither you nor I want.
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago
@ValdaDeDieu -- I assume you will be voted down for explaining how the food and beverage wage system works. I wonder how many of the people who voted me down live on one minimum wage job. If you haven't supported yourself on minimum wage you shouldn't ask others to accept that wage. I am sure most servers would prefer a living wage, their hourly wage is about $2/hour, but minimum wage isn't the answer.
ValdaDeDieu 3 weeks ago
Precisely. It's odd to me that anyone would feel that way about another human being. Yes, the system sucks - but until we fix it, let;s not cause more suffering with what we have.
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago
Blaming and punishing workers because you don't like the price structure is insane. It isn't their fault and they can't do anything about it. Working in a restaurant is exhausting, physical work under pressure. Those of us who have done the work understand.
Uncommon Boston Premium 4 weeks ago
Funny. My boyfriend drives Lyft. He drives many waiters and bartenders. None tip.
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago (edited)
It is difficult to make a living driving. UBER cheats their employees, sometimes keeps part of the tips, they break promises, and ignore special fare offers. Some of the more entitled customers are horrible. They curse, throw drinks, and refuse to follow the law. Then they call the company and complain. Driving in the more expensive parts of Cape Cod can be a nightmare, but the pay is good. Otherwise the money isn't great and there is lots of unpaid time of sitting between rides. Drivers who live off their wages work long hours. My boyfriend is an Elite driver in an extra large luxury vehicle. He was the top earner in Rhode Island. He worked during the pandemic -- masks and disinfecting the car between customers. He is handicapped and needs flexibility, there aren't many jobs he can do. The car has karaoke and disco lights. People love driving with him. Like waiting tables, the industry probably looks better from the outside. After paying a lot for a ride, do people not tip because the company should pay more. Do you blame the driver for the wage scale?
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago (edited)
@Agat It is interesting! My boyfriend went into a bar where one of his customers worked. He said, "I will tip you like you tip me." She was thrilled, until she saw her tip -- $0. He told the manager who was disgusted with his staff. I was agreeing with you.
Vidas Zlioba 1 month ago
That's partially because a portion of the employees who rely on tips oppose the notion of what you think is "fair pay with no tips." Who willingly votes themselves a pay cut?
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago
Who would willingly agree not to make enough to live on? The problem is how low minimum wage is. If servers were offered enough money to support themselves I would agree with many of you. Everyone is complaining about the situation and punishing the servers who didn't create the system. You vote me down because the truth sucks. What about pressuring restaurants to structure how they pay differently? Not going out to eat in protest? Finding / creating new better paying jobs for restaurant employees and other underpaid people? Vote for increases in minimum wage. Unless you work for minimum wage, don't ask others to do what you don't.
Uncommon Boston Premium 4 weeks ago
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Going out to eat is a choice. Currently in the US, the cost of going out to eat includes a tip of approximately 15%. It is how the restaurant industry works. Changing the wage structure of an entire business category is a major undertaking. $15/ hour isn't enough, which is why there are tip jars everywhere. If you can afford to only work one job, most likely you are earning more than minimum wage. It is unlikely you know how difficult it is to make ends meet when making minimum wage.
Load More Replies... Agat 4 weeks ago
People wouldn't have this problem if not for the percentage basis of the tip. As someone here said, bringing out three steaks doesn't require more effort than bringing out three burgers. And yet, instead of agreeing on a certain amount, they decided on a percentage. How is that fair to the customers? If the argument is that they make too little per hour then shouldn't the tip be based on what they ask to be paid per hour?
ValdaDeDieu 3 weeks ago (edited)
Well, Uncommon, I haven't seen you here before, but we're both being voted down for being thoughtful human beings apparently. So let me introduce myself. I am an author, have never worked as a waitress. Let me f*****g congratulate you on being a f*****g kind-hearted person as I pat myself on the back. Polished diamonds are valuable and rare.
Agat 3 weeks ago
Not in the same restaurant, it's not. If I go to a fancy place, should I tip more for pasta than for a salad? Does that really make sense in your opinion? And do those fancy, elegant waiters really earn below minimal wage, not enough to live? Or do those places pay much better, like everywhere else?
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago
We like to eat at more nicer places. Standard entrees are usually more than $35, but there are usually a few items under $20. We drink water and don't order extras. 15% of our bill is probably a fraction of what other tables tips are. Our meal requires less service, it only one course. We follow the standard procedure in restaurants. Tips have been part of dinning out in the US for decades.
ValdaDeDieu 3 weeks ago
Recently The Hubs and I went to our fave restaurant. I told him in advance our budge was $100. This means, we eat up to $80 worth of food and drinks so we can leave a $20 tip. We factor in the tip BEFORE we decide on what we're going to order. We had a bread basket, then blue-crab stuffed something appetizers; I had fish entree, he had steak; he had a Long-Island iced-tea; I had Singapore Sling or something like that.
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago (edited)
Dinner on turkey day. Splurge! $38 buffet, no extras or drinks but free water. With tax and tip, total about $90.Budget $100.
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago (edited)
Waiters at high end restaurants make a lot of money. I think most servers make more than minimum wage. Changing from tips to minimum wage is a pay cut. A small percentage of waiters make big money. Jobs at high end restaurants aren't easy to get and there are less of these jobs. People don't quit often. . Lots of experience is required. Usually all new hires start as a bus boy and wait to be promoted. When the entree is over $60 it is assumed the tips will be higher.
iseefractals 3 weeks ago
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The point here....is that any kind of standardized expectation of tip, regardless of price....is insane. There was a post a few years ago from a guy who went out, by himself on his birthday and treated himself to a very expensive glass of scotch, like $300 a pour expensive. The labor involved in that exchange was maybe 30 seconds, at most. For which this guy tipped the bartender $40 (which works out to an hourly rate of $4,800) And the bartender gave him s**t, saying the expected tip is 25%, or ya know $75 (an hourly rate of $9,000) for pouring ONE F*****G DRINK. The peanut gallery was very supportive of the irate bartender. While sane people understand that pouring a $5 shot in a glass is the same amount of labor as pouring a $300 shot in a glass. YOU do not get to dictate your perceived value to the customer, and this out of control trend of "i deserve 25/30/40% the price of your meal because i carried food that someone else made, and spent 5 minutes TOTAL interacting with you"
ValdaDeDieu 3 weeks ago
You're talking as if "bringing 3 steaks" is the ONLY thing the waitstaff does - or has to remember; or that you're the only customer. Don't they have to convey - and remember - how you want your steak done? What sides you want with them? Your drink order? Take your plates? Bring you beverages? Seat you in her section, take your order, convey it to the kitchen, bring it on time, see you have drinks, replenish as needed, do all that - not just for you, but for 3, 4, 5 other parties, ON HER FEET, for 8 hours or more a day? You sound really blase for a person who's never held that job, which indicates a rather linear-type perspective. You must be a perfect joy for those waitresses and service people...ahem, I meant your 'servants'...
marcelo D. 1 month ago
The people that don't agree with OP are so brainwashed. "a tip of 15% is expected", by whom? Doing a job gives you the expectancy of a salary, not money from patrons. Since they decided to give you extra free money, for a job they didn't hire you to do, shut up and take it, or leave it, but you got no right to "expect" more money from anyone. Want more money, go to your employer and ask for a raise.
Praea Kitten 4 weeks ago
Plus whoever it was that said a $20 tip on a $60 bill is part of the problem. That's a 33% tip!!!!
Load More Replies... Uncommon Boston Premium 4 weeks ago
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
A tip is considered part of the cost of going out to dinner. A waiter splits their tips with the bartender and bus staff. Their wages count on tips as well. Unfortunately the way restaurant finances currently work, tips are needed to pay staff. It is part of the cost of eating out in the US. You may not like the system, but don't take it out on restaurant employees. They did not create the tip culture, but their salary is based on the assumption they will earn tips. Waiter usually make only a few dollars an hour without tips. More than 15% requires better than average service.
Virgil Blue 1 month ago
Its amazing that instead of joining hands and demanding fair pay with no tips Americans want to die om the hill of people being shamed into 25% tips just because your bosses like making you squabble and grovel for handouts.
ZGutr 1 month ago
And as also mentioned above .... WHY getting more paid for bringing out 5 steaks than for 5 burgers? ( the next step will be angry waiters for folk ordering a cold beer instead of a bottle Champaign )
Load More Replies... Uncommon Boston Premium 4 weeks ago
A fine dining establishment is usually more labor intensive. More setup and prep. Servers in better restaurants prepare food at the table, serve fine wines, and need to follow stricter etiquette. The level of service is higher, standards higher. It isn't the same job.
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago (edited)
You don't have to like it, but unless you have worked in a variety of food and beverage businesses, you may not fully understand how it works. I have worked as a bartender in a rough and tough steel worker bar in Pittsburgh and as a bartender at a fine dinning establishment at a luxury resort in Colorado. I made enough in both to support myself. The jobs were completely different. One was serving mostly beer, the other was expensive mixed drinks. The service, prep work, and responsibilities were different. If you haven't done the work, don't pass judgement.
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago
Both times I lived with multiple roommates, didn't own a car, and lived cheaply. Fine when I was under 30. I couldn't afford more.
Phobrek 1 month ago (edited)
Here In Massachusetts we had a ballot initiative in the election to slowly raise minimum wage for wait staff, to give them a living wage without having to rely on tips. I voted for it, but only about a third of everyone else did. So no progress is being made.
Uncommon Boston Premium 4 weeks ago (edited)
Minimum wage, even $15 an hour, isn't a living wage. Tips are how servers pay their bills. In states where the legislation passed, often tips are now split between all employees. And the servers need a second job.
Angie May 1 month ago
Every server I know says they make well more than the $15ish dollars an hour they'd make doing most other entry level jobs, and WAY more than if they were paid minimum wage. They don't *want* to get rid of tipping culture because they come out on top more often than not.
Uncommon Boston Premium 4 weeks ago
Since $15/hour isn't a living wage, do you expect servers to get a second job?
ValdaDeDieu 3 weeks ago (edited)
That's a blatant lie. For one thing, $15/hour JUST GOT PASSED in the United States. Most establishments paying $15 an hour limit workers to part time -.i.e. less than 40 hours. Restaurants workers- unless part of a large chain or franchise and sometimes even then, get paid LESS than $15/hour. Stop coming on here and lying. Just say you're the kind of person who doesn't care about others - at least you're being honest in this instance. I've never worked as a server; I am an author - but I know I cannot guarantee I'd ever do it without slapping some rude, silly person. So I don't do it. And I tip well. Because I am a f*****g decent human being. And make no mistake - I am PROUD of being a decent human f*****g being.
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago (edited)
Current minimum wage for tipped wait staff is about $2.00/hour. Yes employers schedule workers to work less hours to avoid paying for benefits -- health insurance and vacations. That is nationwide problem, all industries for hourly employees.
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago
Correct!! Minimum wage must be closer to a living wage. Many people believe minimum wage is only for jobs high schoolers want, not understanding there are people who have worked for minimum wage plus a few dollars in raises their whole lives, how is that fair? Others think it more than enough to live on. Look at rents where you live, public transportation, consider utilities and other expenses. Before you ask an entire industry to take paycut so they can't afford to support themselves, consider how you would feel?
ValdaDeDieu 3 weeks ago
This is the sort of condescending comment that sounds like it makes sense, yet is absolutely gibberish to anyone actually living in - and invested in living in - the United States - and knows how things work here.
Beachbum 4 weeks ago
Servers don’t want to do away with tips as most make really good money waiting tables, especially at high end restaurants. I know someone who made more money as a bartender than as a high risk nurse (with advanced degrees) in a big hospital.
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago (edited)
Like the 'cheating welfare moms' people seem to prefer to look at the minority of servers who make a very good living. @Tom Brincefield you are right many don't make a decent living. I thought i was well paid when I worked food and beverage, but i had multiple roommates and lived cheaply. Having a child was impossible.
iseefractals 3 weeks ago
Community Member • points
posts
comments
upvotes
After trey parker and matt stone had the soft opening of Casa Bonita, they saw that people hated tipping, and waitstaff was never ever happy so they'd just pay them a flat rate of $25/hr, and ban tipping outright. What did the waitstaff have to say? "NO! NOT ENOUGH! we'd make more money with tips!" So they upped the pay rate to $30....and the waitstaff still are not happy about it, because of course they're not when they could be getting a 25/30/40% cut of the order prices. They don't want a fair wage, they want a deluded wage.
ValdaDeDieu 4 weeks ago
I hope their party was blacklisted. BESIDES the fact that waitstaff is NOT paid fairly, and therefore depend on tips, $197 worth of food for multiple people is A LOT of work. If you can't afford to tip fairly, then don't eat out. Be a f*****g human being. If the service was just mediocre to decent, I tip exactly 15%. Better than decent, I tip more. I'd forego dessert before I cheat someone of their tip! That karma follows you. Bad attitude/service, I leave the food and the restaurant. PLEASE TIP WORKERS, they're human beings doing a job neither you nor I want.
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago
@ValdaDeDieu -- I assume you will be voted down for explaining how the food and beverage wage system works. I wonder how many of the people who voted me down live on one minimum wage job. If you haven't supported yourself on minimum wage you shouldn't ask others to accept that wage. I am sure most servers would prefer a living wage, their hourly wage is about $2/hour, but minimum wage isn't the answer.
ValdaDeDieu 3 weeks ago
Precisely. It's odd to me that anyone would feel that way about another human being. Yes, the system sucks - but until we fix it, let;s not cause more suffering with what we have.
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago
Blaming and punishing workers because you don't like the price structure is insane. It isn't their fault and they can't do anything about it. Working in a restaurant is exhausting, physical work under pressure. Those of us who have done the work understand.
Uncommon Boston Premium 4 weeks ago
Funny. My boyfriend drives Lyft. He drives many waiters and bartenders. None tip.
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago (edited)
It is difficult to make a living driving. UBER cheats their employees, sometimes keeps part of the tips, they break promises, and ignore special fare offers. Some of the more entitled customers are horrible. They curse, throw drinks, and refuse to follow the law. Then they call the company and complain. Driving in the more expensive parts of Cape Cod can be a nightmare, but the pay is good. Otherwise the money isn't great and there is lots of unpaid time of sitting between rides. Drivers who live off their wages work long hours. My boyfriend is an Elite driver in an extra large luxury vehicle. He was the top earner in Rhode Island. He worked during the pandemic -- masks and disinfecting the car between customers. He is handicapped and needs flexibility, there aren't many jobs he can do. The car has karaoke and disco lights. People love driving with him. Like waiting tables, the industry probably looks better from the outside. After paying a lot for a ride, do people not tip because the company should pay more. Do you blame the driver for the wage scale?
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago (edited)
@Agat It is interesting! My boyfriend went into a bar where one of his customers worked. He said, "I will tip you like you tip me." She was thrilled, until she saw her tip -- $0. He told the manager who was disgusted with his staff. I was agreeing with you.
Vidas Zlioba 1 month ago
That's partially because a portion of the employees who rely on tips oppose the notion of what you think is "fair pay with no tips." Who willingly votes themselves a pay cut?
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago
Who would willingly agree not to make enough to live on? The problem is how low minimum wage is. If servers were offered enough money to support themselves I would agree with many of you. Everyone is complaining about the situation and punishing the servers who didn't create the system. You vote me down because the truth sucks. What about pressuring restaurants to structure how they pay differently? Not going out to eat in protest? Finding / creating new better paying jobs for restaurant employees and other underpaid people? Vote for increases in minimum wage. Unless you work for minimum wage, don't ask others to do what you don't.
Uncommon Boston Premium 4 weeks ago
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Going out to eat is a choice. Currently in the US, the cost of going out to eat includes a tip of approximately 15%. It is how the restaurant industry works. Changing the wage structure of an entire business category is a major undertaking. $15/ hour isn't enough, which is why there are tip jars everywhere. If you can afford to only work one job, most likely you are earning more than minimum wage. It is unlikely you know how difficult it is to make ends meet when making minimum wage.
Load More Replies... Agat 4 weeks ago
People wouldn't have this problem if not for the percentage basis of the tip. As someone here said, bringing out three steaks doesn't require more effort than bringing out three burgers. And yet, instead of agreeing on a certain amount, they decided on a percentage. How is that fair to the customers? If the argument is that they make too little per hour then shouldn't the tip be based on what they ask to be paid per hour?
ValdaDeDieu 3 weeks ago (edited)
Well, Uncommon, I haven't seen you here before, but we're both being voted down for being thoughtful human beings apparently. So let me introduce myself. I am an author, have never worked as a waitress. Let me f*****g congratulate you on being a f*****g kind-hearted person as I pat myself on the back. Polished diamonds are valuable and rare.
Agat 3 weeks ago
Not in the same restaurant, it's not. If I go to a fancy place, should I tip more for pasta than for a salad? Does that really make sense in your opinion? And do those fancy, elegant waiters really earn below minimal wage, not enough to live? Or do those places pay much better, like everywhere else?
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago
We like to eat at more nicer places. Standard entrees are usually more than $35, but there are usually a few items under $20. We drink water and don't order extras. 15% of our bill is probably a fraction of what other tables tips are. Our meal requires less service, it only one course. We follow the standard procedure in restaurants. Tips have been part of dinning out in the US for decades.
ValdaDeDieu 3 weeks ago
Recently The Hubs and I went to our fave restaurant. I told him in advance our budge was $100. This means, we eat up to $80 worth of food and drinks so we can leave a $20 tip. We factor in the tip BEFORE we decide on what we're going to order. We had a bread basket, then blue-crab stuffed something appetizers; I had fish entree, he had steak; he had a Long-Island iced-tea; I had Singapore Sling or something like that.
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago (edited)
Dinner on turkey day. Splurge! $38 buffet, no extras or drinks but free water. With tax and tip, total about $90.Budget $100.
Uncommon Boston Premium 3 weeks ago (edited)
Waiters at high end restaurants make a lot of money. I think most servers make more than minimum wage. Changing from tips to minimum wage is a pay cut. A small percentage of waiters make big money. Jobs at high end restaurants aren't easy to get and there are less of these jobs. People don't quit often. . Lots of experience is required. Usually all new hires start as a bus boy and wait to be promoted. When the entree is over $60 it is assumed the tips will be higher.
iseefractals 3 weeks ago
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The point here....is that any kind of standardized expectation of tip, regardless of price....is insane. There was a post a few years ago from a guy who went out, by himself on his birthday and treated himself to a very expensive glass of scotch, like $300 a pour expensive. The labor involved in that exchange was maybe 30 seconds, at most. For which this guy tipped the bartender $40 (which works out to an hourly rate of $4,800) And the bartender gave him s**t, saying the expected tip is 25%, or ya know $75 (an hourly rate of $9,000) for pouring ONE F*****G DRINK. The peanut gallery was very supportive of the irate bartender. While sane people understand that pouring a $5 shot in a glass is the same amount of labor as pouring a $300 shot in a glass. YOU do not get to dictate your perceived value to the customer, and this out of control trend of "i deserve 25/30/40% the price of your meal because i carried food that someone else made, and spent 5 minutes TOTAL interacting with you"
ValdaDeDieu 3 weeks ago
You're talking as if "bringing 3 steaks" is the ONLY thing the waitstaff does - or has to remember; or that you're the only customer. Don't they have to convey - and remember - how you want your steak done? What sides you want with them? Your drink order? Take your plates? Bring you beverages? Seat you in her section, take your order, convey it to the kitchen, bring it on time, see you have drinks, replenish as needed, do all that - not just for you, but for 3, 4, 5 other parties, ON HER FEET, for 8 hours or more a day? You sound really blase for a person who's never held that job, which indicates a rather linear-type perspective. You must be a perfect joy for those waitresses and service people...ahem, I meant your 'servants'...
marcelo D. 1 month ago
The people that don't agree with OP are so brainwashed. "a tip of 15% is expected", by whom? Doing a job gives you the expectancy of a salary, not money from patrons. Since they decided to give you extra free money, for a job they didn't hire you to do, shut up and take it, or leave it, but you got no right to "expect" more money from anyone. Want more money, go to your employer and ask for a raise.
Praea Kitten 4 weeks ago
Plus whoever it was that said a $20 tip on a $60 bill is part of the problem. That's a 33% tip!!!!
Load More Replies... Uncommon Boston Premium 4 weeks ago
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A tip is considered part of the cost of going out to dinner. A waiter splits their tips with the bartender and bus staff. Their wages count on tips as well. Unfortunately the way restaurant finances currently work, tips are needed to pay staff. It is part of the cost of eating out in the US. You may not like the system, but don't take it out on restaurant employees. They did not create the tip culture, but their salary is based on the assumption they will earn tips. Waiter usually make only a few dollars an hour without tips. More than 15% requires better than average service.
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