General Discussion

hunter

(40,637 posts)

18. My wife and I always leave 20% or more.

Sun Apr 23, 2017, 01:27 PM

Apr 2017

If service is bad it's rarely the fault of the server, and if it is, maybe they're just having a bad day (a sick kid at home, overdue rent, car problems, etc...) If the server does something completely over-the-top awful (racism, f-bomb insults, etc.,) then you talk to the manager. Simply "ignoring" you doesn't count as bad service if the place is obviously under-staffed. A single person can only do so much when they have too many tables to look after.

My wife and I both had these sorts of jobs when we were young. For a time, my sister was the stereotypical actor waiting for her big break in Hollywood, playing bit parts and working as a waitress in a well known diner. Wow, does she have stories...

It would be a wonderful thing if we had universal health care, free education, and jobs that paid comfortable living wages. It would be a wonderful thing if this sort of work was respected by all.

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Please always tip at least 15%, regardless of the service. [View all] athena Apr 2017 OP

My minimum tip in restaurants is 20%. MineralMan Apr 2017 #1

same for me MM...👍🏼 spanone Apr 2017 #3

The last time my wife and I went out, MineralMan Apr 2017 #10

Bravo!!!! spanone Apr 2017 #13

Well, it was fun, too. MineralMan Apr 2017 #14

I was a waitress in Manhattan (the Village) in the 70's. It was moonscape Apr 2017 #109

Exactly! Good for you! athena Apr 2017 #9

Ditto. I have a sibling in the restaurant biz - tipping is so important Justice Apr 2017 #71

Ditto. 50 Shades Of Blue Apr 2017 #85

I have also gone to 20% wryter2000 Apr 2017 #103

I have too because it is easier to figure. Jim Beard Apr 2017 #157

Me too Bettie Apr 2017 #108

Post removed Post removed Apr 2017 #128

Hmm... MineralMan Apr 2017 #145

That's how my husband and I do it! Pacifist Patriot Apr 2017 #167

K&R mcar Apr 2017 #2

Agreed TEB Apr 2017 #4

In today's low wage economy I give at least 20%- it means much more to them than it does to me wishstar Apr 2017 #5

For me, it also depends if it is a low $ per item menu. If the bill is going to be twenty bucks Jim Beard Apr 2017 #158

In fact, 15 is bare minimum fun n serious Apr 2017 #6

Right. These days, 15% suggests you were not completely happy. athena Apr 2017 #12

"Delighted" or not, I don't think I'm going to leave 25% of my bill as a tip. And my mother was a WinkyDink Apr 2017 #25

I worked as a waitress. We ALWAYS leave 25%. I know what it's like to work in food service anneboleyn Apr 2017 #92

I tip at lest 20% and more if the service is good. Demsrule86 Apr 2017 #7

It's a very tough job. athena Apr 2017 #24

Yes it is a very tough job...and if it is the kitchen and you can tell usually. Demsrule86 Apr 2017 #100

I've seen so-called progressives saying otherwise. nt LexVegas Apr 2017 #8

15% means I tolerated your bad service. Atman Apr 2017 #11

Suppose your server is a he? pangaia Apr 2017 #83

Then I edit my post. Atman Apr 2017 #166

Recommended. H2O Man Apr 2017 #15

Huge congratulations about your son. panader0 Apr 2017 #96

Light heavyweight. H2O Man Apr 2017 #98

I think that employers should have to pay living wages to all employees Horse with no Name Apr 2017 #16

I don't disagree about restaurants crazycatlady Apr 2017 #17

Did you miss where I said "I always tip well"? Horse with no Name Apr 2017 #20

I concur - Ms. Toad Apr 2017 #34

Totally Horse with no Name Apr 2017 #39

My wife and I always leave 20% or more. hunter Apr 2017 #18

The only reason I do not tip on purpose is because they were nasty and rude. Doreen Apr 2017 #19

How about supporting a minimum wage that's a living wage! ZX86 Apr 2017 #21

Nice post, Mr. Pink. Orrex Apr 2017 #26

I'm not against tipping. ZX86 Apr 2017 #46

You'd be hard pressed to find someone on DU who's opposed to a living wage Orrex Apr 2017 #57

I agree. ALL Americas workers should 'at least' get Federal minimum wage. Exceptions are wrong. Sunlei Apr 2017 #69

You are absolutely right that it is better to fight for a living wage. kcr Apr 2017 #151

15 dollar minimum wage is not a livable wage and many small businesses cannot afford more and still still_one Apr 2017 #37

If you can't run a business with out ripping off your workers ZX86 Apr 2017 #52

I take it you don't like to tip, and also have never run a small restaurant. Just because you want still_one Apr 2017 #55

No you are wrong. Very wrong. ZX86 Apr 2017 #91

Funny how that works... Orrex Apr 2017 #77

Thank you! ZX86 Apr 2017 #99

Anyone that considers a voluntary donation as a part of the salary Egnever Apr 2017 #141

I guess that the IRS doesn't have a real understanding about wages then still_one Apr 2017 #142

Are you trying to imply the IRS standing on tips is realistic? Egnever Apr 2017 #160

First of all I never said what the IRS does is realistic, fair, or anything else. still_one Apr 2017 #163

The law is what it is. Undertipping because you think the law is bad is hypocritical. athena Apr 2017 #38

Again. I'm not against tipping. ZX86 Apr 2017 #63

OK. I misunderstood. athena Apr 2017 #105

Thanks for understanding. ZX86 Apr 2017 #112

And shocking. I knew they made a little less but that's ridiculous lostnfound Apr 2017 #129

Thank YOU! smirkymonkey Apr 2017 #22

I've had to learn this lesson myself. athena Apr 2017 #32

Yes, funny how many people use the excuse "Well, maybe the service wasn't very good." smirkymonkey Apr 2017 #146

Tips were unusual and for exceptional service in the UK Yonnie3 Apr 2017 #23

Thank you so much for posting this. emulatorloo Apr 2017 #27

Tippng is insulting in a few cultures / countries. BSdetect Apr 2017 #28

In case I wasn't clear, I am talking specifically about the U.S. athena Apr 2017 #30

Husband and I always tip 20-30% minimum, you just have to factor it into your meal cost Kimchijeon Apr 2017 #29

We always tip 20% or more. Kittycow Apr 2017 #35

I tip a minimum of 20%, but you are wrong if the service is bad you should still tip? still_one Apr 2017 #31

I always tip st least 20%. phylny Apr 2017 #33

Thank you for separating this from the thread that seemed designed Ms. Toad Apr 2017 #36

I disagree with you. athena Apr 2017 #40

What does who you supported in the primary have to do with tipping? Ms. Toad Apr 2017 #43

It is meant to bring people together. athena Apr 2017 #45

I'm not making about "my beloved candidate" Ms. Toad Apr 2017 #123

Post removed Post removed Apr 2017 #41

It must be nice to be someone who never makes mistakes. athena Apr 2017 #49

"Stop lying"? You sound like you've a personal grudge going on here. What's with that? uppityperson Apr 2017 #50

Calm down. Good Lord. Kittycow Apr 2017 #59

Well known troll crazycatlady Apr 2017 #66

Oh thanks. Kittycow Apr 2017 #76

google the screen name crazycatlady Apr 2017 #78

Yeah I did right after your initial reply. Kittycow Apr 2017 #86

Damn I remember someone with that name from Babycenter. EllieBC Apr 2017 #139

same person crazycatlady Apr 2017 #140

More likely ranch dressing with some mozzarella sticks. tammywammy Apr 2017 #144

Found it! EllieBC Apr 2017 #164

That was so weird. athena Apr 2017 #79

It seems very strange that you've had so many bad experiences with wait staff. pnwmom Apr 2017 #72

It was a copy/paste off of a Reddit rant of her's. Kittycow Apr 2017 #95

Because I'm math deficient, so I usually tip 20% MrScorpio Apr 2017 #42

That's what I do, as well, although I'm not math deficient. athena Apr 2017 #44

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2017 #47

I was a waitress and I disagree with this thread. usedtobedemgurl Apr 2017 #48

Points well taken. But . . . matt819 Apr 2017 #70

To err is human. To empathize is also human. athena Apr 2017 #74

Everything you said - right here. I have 18 years in the pnwest Apr 2017 #102

I think you meant to reply to the post I replied to, not to my post. athena Apr 2017 #107

I was a waitress, and we never leave less then 25% (post above). Most customers blame anneboleyn Apr 2017 #93

Just about every other job, people get paid even when they make mistakes and have bad days. kcr Apr 2017 #155

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2017 #51

If you're not a voter and don't care about politics, DU is not the place for you. athena Apr 2017 #53

Do enjoy your stay here. mac56 Apr 2017 #56

I look forward to years of positive contributions by that poster. Orrex Apr 2017 #60

If you google the username and tipping tammywammy Apr 2017 #73

I rarely go out to eat but I think it is the law to tip 15% in NYC. hrmjustin Apr 2017 #54

There is no law in NYC on tipping. former9thward Apr 2017 #195

Done matt819 Apr 2017 #57

My rule is $5 or 20% whatever is more. airplaneman Apr 2017 #61

Ah, good point. If I get one beer at a bar, I'm not going to leave JUST 20%. EOM Grown2Hate Apr 2017 #65

I tip at least $1 per drink at the bar crazycatlady Apr 2017 #115

100% agreed. I do hate to see that business get away with paying a paltry $2.13 an hour for Grown2Hate Apr 2017 #62

By the way, I always used to note when our kitchen ran slow..... usedtobedemgurl Apr 2017 #64

Sorry but if a waiter or waitress can't do the simplest things askyagerz Apr 2017 #67

I tip 20-30 percent depending on the service. I've done a lot of work in food service Luciferous Apr 2017 #68

Actually, tipping is political in some ways matt819 Apr 2017 #75

That is very well explained! athena Apr 2017 #90

I used to wait tables in college so we tip a minimum of 20 percent. redstatebluegirl Apr 2017 #80

When I was a waitress LittleGirl Apr 2017 #81

What a horrible story! athena Apr 2017 #94

Well, that was 30 yrs AGO LittleGirl Apr 2017 #143

Service has to be downright hostile and it has to be clearly the server's fault Warpy Apr 2017 #82

K & R 50 Shades Of Blue Apr 2017 #84

Went out to dinner last evening.. mountain grammy Apr 2017 #87

I tip 10% when its takeout. aikoaiko Apr 2017 #88

Both my husband and I, at times have depended on tips Runningdawg Apr 2017 #89

I wish I could afford to eat out more than once a year. OnlinePoker Apr 2017 #97

$5 dollar minimum... lame54 Apr 2017 #101

The one thing I do know with my 20+years experience in waiting. Dealing with the public YOHABLO Apr 2017 #104

My spouse and I don't dress well, but we tip well. athena Apr 2017 #111

The expression on the waitress face yesterday spoke volumes liberal N proud Apr 2017 #106

I generally tip 20% Even at Lunch bitterross Apr 2017 #110

how about in California where minimum wage is required ? JI7 Apr 2017 #113

I don't know. I wonder if there are DUers who work as servers in California? athena Apr 2017 #114

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2017 #116

I'm supposed to believe a man's personal opinion over actual statistics? athena Apr 2017 #118

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2017 #121

Not all statistics are manipulated. athena Apr 2017 #126

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2017 #133

I'll probably get flak for this NobodyHere Apr 2017 #117

What? athena Apr 2017 #119

Doh! NobodyHere Apr 2017 #120

LOL. athena Apr 2017 #122

We're a 20% tipper madokie Apr 2017 #124

We tip a minimum of 15% of bill before alcohol and taxes Freethinker65 Apr 2017 #125

I dont like the tipping system Mosby Apr 2017 #127

No argument there. But the system is the way it is, and we have to live with that. athena Apr 2017 #132

Exactly. still_one Apr 2017 #135

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2017 #137

The way to not just live with it is to go elsewhere Major Nikon Apr 2017 #193

When minimum wage goes to $15 in 2021, I'll stop tipping n/t taught_me_patience Apr 2017 #130

you are being sarcastic, right? still_one Apr 2017 #134

i always tip generously.. once i forgot..... samnsara Apr 2017 #131

Everyone makes mistakes. athena Apr 2017 #147

Having worked for tips, I almost always tip more than 20%. Although, don't eat out often. Hoyt Apr 2017 #136

I worked many years janlyn Apr 2017 #138

Appreciate the spirit of this post but I reject absoutes fescuerescue Apr 2017 #148

This is what I disagree with. athena Apr 2017 #149

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2017 #159

Oh I disagree Egnever Apr 2017 #161

Oh I did talk to the management fescuerescue Apr 2017 #165

And then they might get fired RhodeIslandOne Apr 2017 #175

I hate this system. Just pay people right and get rid of tipping altogether AgadorSparticus Apr 2017 #150

Why not both? n/m RhodeIslandOne Apr 2017 #176

Because tipping is a pain in the butt. Most places around the world don't tip like we do. AgadorSparticus Apr 2017 #184

The OP is absolutely correct and here's why: kcr Apr 2017 #152

That seems reasonable, mostly.... Adrahil Apr 2017 #169

Great. Then they don't get paid. But they're still employed, at their job serving you. kcr Apr 2017 #171

Here's the thing... Adrahil Apr 2017 #172

Okay then. Points for honesty that you're ok with withholding wages n/t kcr Apr 2017 #185

Sure I am if.... Adrahil Apr 2017 #188

20% is standard for me. argyl Apr 2017 #153

Of course Volstagg Apr 2017 #154

Usually tip 20%, but.... Adrahil Apr 2017 #156

And when the servers get "side jobs" delegated to them...their pay is the 2-something an hour only rainbow4321 Apr 2017 #162

I tip 3000% regardless of service maxsolomon Apr 2017 #168

Why is does being Texasgal Apr 2017 #170

Agreed Gothmog Apr 2017 #173

I am a generous tipper RhodeIslandOne Apr 2017 #174

20% - 25% usually. Will go down to 15% for truly bad service, but no lower. tonyt53 Apr 2017 #177

I'm a balloon twister TlalocW Apr 2017 #178

I usually tip over 20%, but I was a waitress long enough to know when it's bad service or just Lisa0825 Apr 2017 #179

We do get the red out Apr 2017 #180

I start at 20% and will only go to 15% if the server does something nadine_mn Apr 2017 #181

My husband worked as a bus boy when he was young, we ALWAYS tip 20% or more now. a kennedy Apr 2017 #182

k$R yortsed snacilbuper Apr 2017 #183

At least 20% rounded up because it's easy to calculate ecstatic Apr 2017 #186

Tipping just pushes the burden of paying the workers a livable salary on the customer qdouble Apr 2017 #187

That is not only facile and self-serving but also illogical. athena Apr 2017 #189

Then they should charge the appropriate prices for their products. It's called false advertising. qdouble Apr 2017 #190

I always tip at least 15% for the exact reasons you outlined. n/t Zing Zing Zingbah Apr 2017 #191

I START tipping @ 15%. . . Service workers make SHITTY money, and it's criminal BigDemVoter Apr 2017 #192

As others have mentioned I also tip pizza delivery drivers well. alphafemale Apr 2017 #194

I tip 20% for almost everything BUT Drahthaardogs Apr 2017 #196