General Discussion

kracer20

(199 posts)

7. I don't believe in the 20% tip.

Mon Jan 28, 2013, 10:30 PM

Jan 2013

I'm guessing that the wait staff at a chain like Dennys or Applebees gets paid roughly the same as some of the higher end restaurants. If my meal is a $7 breakfast, or $14 entree at one of the chains and I get decent service, I typically leave between 4-5 dollars (well above 20%. If I eat at a fancy place (not my cup of tea) and have a $30 meal, I would typically leave 4-5 dollars.

Same service provided at both places equals the same tip in my book. Percentages don't work out for me based on meal prices.

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The disappearing 20% TIP! (3700 votes for tip integrity) [View all] Omaha Steve Jan 2013 OP

Unfucking believable! I allways tip at least 20% and then round up. OffWithTheirHeads Jan 2013 #1

We do too, but we make sure to hand cash to the wait person vs. paying it w/the meal. Doremus Jan 2013 #3

Noted! OffWithTheirHeads Jan 2013 #10

Yes! silverweb Jan 2013 #85

I don't believe in the 20% tip. kracer20 Jan 2013 #7

Both servers are making $2.13/hour a la izquierda Jan 2013 #16

Higher end restaurants have servers vastly more Lucky Luciano Jan 2013 #18

Yep OriginalGeek Jan 2013 #72

Percentages are everything Ter Jan 2013 #21

On top of that, servers have to claim a percentage of sales as taxable income. Kencorburn Jan 2013 #51

it's not like Santa. Sheesh. bettyellen Jan 2013 #30

I wouldn't eat at the fancy place twice, then union_maid Jan 2013 #45

In a low-end restaurant table turnover is tblue37 Jan 2013 #46

I am this close to advocating the passage of a law WolverineDG Jan 2013 #61

Many of us have. Those of us who have waited tblue37 Jan 2013 #91

You do know that the IRS snags 8% of the tab & calls it "income" WolverineDG Jan 2013 #60

That problem should be addressed MattBaggins Jan 2013 #71

This message was self-deleted by its author kysrsoze Jan 2013 #62

At the higher end facilities, the wait staff have to tip out bartenders, bus boys etc. Dustlawyer Jan 2013 #87

I read this post yesterday, and it has stuck with me. Curmudgeoness Jan 2013 #90

If you are going through hard times and are short on cash MattBaggins Jan 2013 #43

If you can't afford the tip gollygee Jan 2013 #47

I hear that a lot from some of MattBaggins Jan 2013 #49

It's part of the cost of the meal gollygee Jan 2013 #64

No it is not part of the cost MattBaggins Jan 2013 #68

IMO 15 to 20% is fine gollygee Jan 2013 #69

When I was younger I followed 2 different heads of parties out to their cars because they Maraya1969 Jan 2013 #93

From the workers' point of view, yes union_maid Jan 2013 #56

No MattBaggins Jan 2013 #58

If none of them are willing to pay that, you're in trouble. caseymoz Jan 2013 #79

Did you see someplace where I said everybody should do what I do? OffWithTheirHeads Jan 2013 #77

grocery store, fast food, etc. CreekDog Jan 2013 #97

I appreciate your help MattBaggins Jan 2013 #98

Can we sign the petition or any petition for these people? Maraya1969 Jan 2013 #92

I can't freaking believe the hotels keep the dayum tips that is utter bullshit Heather MC Jan 2013 #2

Working in advertising and the music businesses, I've been to functions rocktivity Jan 2013 #4

You gotta be kidding me. Sheldon Cooper Jan 2013 #5

I wish I could feign surprise... Moostache Jan 2013 #52

The solution to this isn't to have us tip and pay that charge dsc Jan 2013 #6

+1 JVS Jan 2013 #28

Like I said in a previous post. I think if I ever find out that the waiter does not get the tip Maraya1969 Jan 2013 #94

Is this only the case in San Antonio? Curmudgeoness Jan 2013 #8

If That is the Case Someone Should Bring Down the Law On Them AndyTiedye Jan 2013 #20

That is intensely sleazy of any hotel that does that. Matariki Jan 2013 #9

It's typical hotel practice. GoneOffShore Jan 2013 #14

SFGate has an article about the 4% Healthy SF tax adieu Jan 2013 #11

so....what exactly is that money for? Skittles Jan 2013 #12

I would guess so they can pretend their prices are cheaper than they really are. Incitatus Jan 2013 #40

This is an Old Practice On the Road Jan 2013 #13

I AM A 20%-ER leftyohiolib Jan 2013 #15

I've seen this before... davidn3600 Jan 2013 #17

so when I tip the maid at a hotel dsc Jan 2013 #78

Im not saying its true with all hotels or even true today davidn3600 Jan 2013 #88

This issue isn't just in large chain hotels and restaurants. go west young man Jan 2013 #19

You're misrepresenting what the server "tip out" is theKed Jan 2013 #23

You see the problem is in real life I'm a chef I'm making currently $14.50 an hour Arcanetrance Jan 2013 #35

Most chefs/cooks theKed Jan 2013 #54

I know that all don't make this Arcanetrance Jan 2013 #55

I agree it's not high enough...not anywhere. theKed Jan 2013 #66

Why should people who are making minimum wage or above get a "tip out"... Spider Jerusalem Jan 2013 #36

Yes, it's because a lot of the chain restaurants NewJeffCT Jan 2013 #41

I may be a tin foiler MattBaggins Jan 2013 #73

We tipped out 40 years ago, too union_maid Jan 2013 #48

I worked in the kitchen of a restaurant in 1974. MicaelS Jan 2013 #57

Maybe the restaurant industry SHOULD be decimated. Gormy Cuss Jan 2013 #82

I have a nephew who works at a dinner theater SheilaT Jan 2013 #22

Ya know what would be neat? quakerboy Jan 2013 #24

Yep. nt redqueen Jan 2013 #75

banquet joints here in chicago do this, also. mopinko Jan 2013 #25

This is so wrong, it's stealing from the servers and wait staff. mountain grammy Jan 2013 #26

Tipping is a disease . . . MrModerate Jan 2013 #27

15% used to be the normal... awoke_in_2003 Jan 2013 #29

It actually sounds like fraud. reformist2 Jan 2013 #31

The real solution is to require employers to pay more than, what, $2.13 an hour. Spider Jerusalem Jan 2013 #32

I always leave 20% Mdterp01 Jan 2013 #33

Thank you for the great comments Omaha Steve Jan 2013 #34

K&R 99Forever Jan 2013 #37

Fucking disgusting. Incitatus Jan 2013 #38

So that 20% service fee is just the hotel robbing the customers and their own employees? tclambert Jan 2013 #39

And of course, because they are 'tipped' workers Lifelong Protester Jan 2013 #42

O/T re: your sig line image Cal Carpenter Jan 2013 #44

It is on our rent list Omaha Steve Jan 2013 #67

Pizza joints are doing this hustle too. backscatter712 Jan 2013 #50

I think I might ask the pizza delivery person how much they get per delivery and cross Maraya1969 Jan 2013 #95

That tip doesn't just go to the waiter...it is shared with the busboys, bartenders and barbacks too TeamPooka Jan 2013 #53

So let me see if I understand this... MicaelS Jan 2013 #59

The 20% extra on the bill is supposed to cover the tips that YOUR GUESTS would pay rocktivity Jan 2013 #83

What a scam. Thanks for helping expose this ripoff. nt SunSeeker Jan 2013 #63

They tried that gratuity charge here for a couple of years..... Uben Jan 2013 #65

Oh JustAnotherGen Jan 2013 #70

I think you're ok. DaveJ Jan 2013 #76

I would not have assumed "service charge" meant tip. DaveJ Jan 2013 #74

I would assume so given that I'd already be paying $85.00 to $135.00 per guest. (I looked it up.) Luminous Animal Jan 2013 #84

That's the going rate for banquets unfortunately DaveJ Jan 2013 #89

I always leave a good tip, WHEN CRABS ROAR Jan 2013 #80

Actually, I think customers should take action. caseymoz Jan 2013 #81

It's not a tip if the business takes it. It's a fee. gtar100 Jan 2013 #86

I am glad to see people here saying that waitstaff should be paid a living wage madinmaryland Jan 2013 #96