General Discussion

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)

62. I always overtip. Servers, cabbies, etc.

Thu Feb 7, 2013, 08:48 PM

Feb 2013

Especially servers. I even tip for take out and delivery 20%. That might be a bit excessive, but I know they work hard for a living and I figure that if I patronize a place often they will take good care of me when I keep going back so it's not completely altruistic.

I was a server during the summers in college and I really appreciated it when people tipped well. I understand how difficult it can be to get by when you are shortchanged or times are slow. They get taxed on their sales whether they actually make the tips or not, so I figure it is up to some of us to make up for some of the cheap assholes that routinely shortchange them.

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Tip Your Server and Save the World [View all] WilliamPitt Feb 2013 OP

Agreed x100! Servers take the brunt for everything in the restaurant.... we can do it Feb 2013 #1

whenever I start complaining about my job, I remind myself of wait-staff phantom power Feb 2013 #2

Thanks, Will; apparently the reminder is needed. babylonsister Feb 2013 #3

I always do tip the wait staff Sherman A1 Feb 2013 #4

Everyone should have to work as narnian60 Feb 2013 #5

Almost any job that involved serving the general public would do. SheilaT Feb 2013 #14

How can ANYONE tip their server less than 20% in the US? valerief Feb 2013 #6

I usually overtip (25%) for breakfast and lunch badtoworse Feb 2013 #7

The subminimum wage for waitstaff needs to be raised, too Lars39 Feb 2013 #8

It needs to be eliminated. Gormy Cuss Feb 2013 #11

I agree. Lars39 Feb 2013 #15

It's a very difficult job mokawanis Feb 2013 #9

Message auto-removed johnnie quick Feb 2013 #10

Being the type of person who has worked in the service industry, this resonated with me. Lone_Star_Dem Feb 2013 #12

Been there. Done that. And got out as soon as I could. JDPriestly Feb 2013 #13

I remember going postal.... AnneD Feb 2013 #16

The word needs to get out more in those locations. About the truth on wages for food servers. LiberalFighter Feb 2013 #24

Tipping is fundamentally classist; holdover from slavery? ErikJ Feb 2013 #17

(facepalm) WilliamPitt Feb 2013 #18

And we are their enablers ErikJ Feb 2013 #19

So screw the wage slaves to make your point? WilliamPitt Feb 2013 #21

I always tip 10-15% ErikJ Feb 2013 #25

A 10% tip is shameful. Matariki Feb 2013 #37

Tip inflation;10% then 15 now 20. How about 50% and NO wage for servers? ErikJ Feb 2013 #38

15% has always been the standard Matariki Feb 2013 #40

When I was in college back in the Ice Age, 10% was the expected tip. hedgehog Feb 2013 #55

When was that, if you don't mind me asking? Matariki Feb 2013 #57

It was the early 70's in Buffalo. The cost of tipping tends to rise first hedgehog Feb 2013 #59

I waitressed in a mid-sized east coast town. Also a small seaport town in New England Matariki Feb 2013 #63

No, it hasn't always been the standard. Gormy Cuss Feb 2013 #66

I agree Matariki Feb 2013 #72

In some states, there is no server subminimum. Gormy Cuss Feb 2013 #73

Remnant of slave culture ErikJ Feb 2013 #76

That is an interesting theory Gormy Cuss Feb 2013 #86

Yes we are -- but not by tipping. Gormy Cuss Feb 2013 #22

Giving tips to waitpersons is not enabling anyone. The problem is with the restaurants. rhett o rick Feb 2013 #64

Hate to tell you but the rich snobs are not good tippers as a general rule. They EXPECT appleannie1 Feb 2013 #36

Completely true in my experience OriginalGeek Feb 2013 #56

That's the toughest job I ever had stuntcat Feb 2013 #20

One of you all time bests! David Zephyr Feb 2013 #23

great editorial TeamPooka Feb 2013 #26

Dont forget your hotel maid DJ13 Feb 2013 #27

I did not discover that until recently..... AnneD Feb 2013 #31

I agree, that would be best for everyone DJ13 Feb 2013 #32

I always tip at least 20% octoberlib Feb 2013 #28

K & R. Excellent article. Arkansas Granny Feb 2013 #29

I have never worked as a waitress; I'm too damn clumsy, for starters. PDJane Feb 2013 #30

I'll go one even better... AnneD Feb 2013 #33

I know that too; a former friend let me walk out without paying the ticket at Rhodes. PDJane Feb 2013 #43

Most righteous. I'm sharing everywhere. Thanks! :) n/t OneGrassRoot Feb 2013 #34

Perhaps it's time for a food service UNION Matariki Feb 2013 #35

my sister in law was a waitress for many years hfojvt Feb 2013 #39

It depends on where a person works Matariki Feb 2013 #41

Dang... 4_TN_TITANS Feb 2013 #42

Both my wife and my son spent years waiting tables, needless to say we are a tipping family 1-Old-Man Feb 2013 #44

I worked in a service job. timdog44 Feb 2013 #45

This message was self-deleted by its author Daniel537 Feb 2013 #68

Honestly? America's tipping culture is deeply fucked up. Spider Jerusalem Feb 2013 #46

Well... WilliamPitt Feb 2013 #47

My perspective here is somewhat informed by the fact that I've lived in the UK for several years Spider Jerusalem Feb 2013 #48

I tipped a bartender a pound in Britain once. WilliamPitt Feb 2013 #49

I always tip at least 20%, usually more...tip food delivery people the same. forestpath Feb 2013 #50

I waited tables in high school. AndyA Feb 2013 #51

I always tip my servers but... DAVEDCHICAGO Feb 2013 #52

Ur preaching to the choir here man,,, always 20pct or higher benld74 Feb 2013 #53

Great article and so needed. n/t Sekhmets Daughter Feb 2013 #54

Why does the server at Denny's get tipped so much less than the server at Jean Georges? hedgehog Feb 2013 #58

I wish they would just pay waitstaff a LIVING wage and get rid of the fucking tipping shit. madinmaryland Feb 2013 #60

AMEN DAVEDCHICAGO Feb 2013 #61

I always overtip. Servers, cabbies, etc. smirkymonkey Feb 2013 #62

I overtip... Iggo Feb 2013 #65

This message was self-deleted by its author Daniel537 Feb 2013 #67

We're all victims. WilliamPitt Feb 2013 #69

Can't tip? Stay home. Iggo Feb 2013 #70

So do I WilliamPitt Feb 2013 #71

I used to fall asleep leaning against the front door once I was inside. Brutal work. I tip 20-30% nt Mnemosyne Feb 2013 #74

A musical accompaniment to Will's post Jim Lane Feb 2013 #75

MADE MY WHOLE DAY WilliamPitt Feb 2013 #82

Check this out: Matariki Feb 2013 #77

I always leave a good tip, or I stay the hell at home. In_The_Wind Feb 2013 #78

20%????? Macoy51 Feb 2013 #79

I've given more that 20% many times. In_The_Wind Feb 2013 #81

Urge your friends to look for a better place michigandem58 Feb 2013 #80

This was my single mom's 2nd job, LWolf Feb 2013 #83

My mom, too. Iggo Feb 2013 #84

That's her. LWolf Feb 2013 #87

Go Mom! Iggo Feb 2013 #88

Tip or stay the fuck home and eat! lonestarnot Feb 2013 #85