We haven't had a conversation about tipping in awhile

[RoJoHen]

The whole system really is kind of ridiculous, and in general, "bad tips" and "good tips" usually average out, so overall it's not really a big deal. I've been in the industry for a long time now as server, bartender, and now manager, so I tip like a crazy person. 30-40% is usually my standard...because I just tend to keep throwing cash down on the table.

Last week my roommate (also a server/bartender) and I went to Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch. Our bill was around $30, and between the two of us we ended up leaving the guy a $13 tip for bringing us wings and a beer. As we left, we discussed how stupid that was, but we were both totally okay with doing it.

[J. Allen]

RoJoHen wrote:

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The whole system really is kind of ridiculous, and in general, "bad tips" and "good tips" usually average out, so overall it's not really a big deal. I've been in the industry for a long time now as server, bartender, and now manager, so I tip like a crazy person. 30-40% is usually my standard...because I just tend to keep throwing cash down on the table.

Last week my roommate (also a server/bartender) and I went to Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch. Our bill was around $30, and between the two of us we ended up leaving the guy a $13 tip for bringing us wings and a beer. As we left, we discussed how stupid that was, but we were both totally okay with doing it.

Yep. For me, it would have been $6, before my friend added in his tip. Not bad for tossing a beer and some wings my way (in my opinion)!

[Carcazoid]

The low per hour wage is based on the assumption that employees receive gratuities, and is an incentive for the employee to provide exceptional service.

I've noticed the quality of service decrease with each new generation (for lack of a better term) of young people. "Millenials" in general are the worst, especially about interrupting conversations. Every time a server in a restaurant interrupts me or my wife, the amount of the tip goes down. I'm not even factoring in (yet) the tendency to hint for us to vacate by leaving the check before we've finished eating. This has become the rule rather than the exception.

I rarely if ever fail to tip, but the amount is directly related to the quality of service. It's not my fault these people don't get good tips. It's theirs.

[Colonel Green]

Carcazoid wrote:

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I'm not even factoring in (yet) the tendency to hint for us to vacate by leaving the check before we've finished eating. This has become the rule rather than the exception.

I have the opposite problem! It drives me nuts when the server comes and clears our plates and then leaves us sitting there waiting for the bill for 10 minutes, especially if it's lunch as I'm usually in a hurry.

About a minute after the last plate is removed from my table, little tip meter appears in my head and starts to drop at an increasing rate.

[RoJoHen]

For what it's worth, some restaurants train their servers to drop the check early. It's supposed to be "more convenient" in case the customer is in a hurry.

[Roger Wilco]

That must be an American thing too. I literally can't recall a single time a waiter has brought me the check before being asked for it anywhere I've been in Europe.

[RoJoHen]

It's usually a lunchtime practice because most people only get an hour break and need to get back to work. It makes it easier for people to get in and out if they have their check right away.

[Kestra]

Alidar Warlock wrote:

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Hence the reason I posted the first picture. For me, the question is always "what could the server have done more?" If the answer is that they couldn't really have done much, a high-end tip is fair. If you have actual complaints, a lower tip is perfectly valid. But a lower tip shouldn't be an excuse to save money.

But you can't have it all. I mean, some people are not going to agree with you about tipping. They are not legally obligated to pay that money, it's not built in to the price of the food, so you're not always going to get it.

You mentioned how getting a low tip or not getting a tip would make you wonder what you did wrong. In that situation, you should actually be happy to have a receipt like the one posted because it tells you that there is nothing you did wrong. The issue is that the customer believes that not tipping is a way to save money.

Should I be writing out my complaints with the server every time I give them less than a 20% tip? Have a discussion with them at the table? Talk to the manager? I can't imagine doing any of those things unless there is a significant problem, not just "lousy service." I also think that most people want to complain, not be given constructive advice. It's not limited to servers, it's just the way people are in general. We'd rather complain about how something is unfair rather than take steps to correct it or put in the effort to improve ourselves.

[Ood Sigma]

I, for one, am glad when the bill gets dropped off early. The only time I feel like I'm being rushed out is when they attempt to take your plate when there's still food on it, or when you've just taken the last bite. Dropping the bill off early gives me time to prepare my credit card and examine the charges for errors. Nothing's worse than getting the bill and realizing you have about 5 seconds to look at it or else the waiter's going to leave and not come back for 5-10 minutes.

[Kestra]

I like when they drop the bill off fairly early and just say "no rush" or something like that.

[Kegg]

This is why I eat fast food.

That and it's cheap.

[RoJoHen]

Kegg wrote:

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This is why I eat fast food.

That and it's cheap.

I would hope that most people who go out to eat do it to spend time with their friends and family. It's no fun doing that in the dining room of McDonalds.

[Kegg]

RoJoHen wrote:

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I would hope that most people who go out to eat do it to spend time with their friends and family. It's no fun doing that in the dining room of McDonalds.

Hey so long as someone else foots the bill I'm game.

Most times though I eat out because I'm nowhere near where I live and I need a bite in-between doing whatever it is I do.

[Tora Ziyal]

Kreacher wrote:

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I had an annoying experience at a new restaurant near me.... Also, if you ask for separate checks, they make you pay before the meal. What?!

This was kind of buried in my first post, and I'm still curious... Has anyone else run into this policy anywhere?

[RoJoHen]

That doesn't make a lick of sense to me.