General Discussion

KansDem

(28,498 posts)

70. "Servers know which regulars tip and which ones don't."

Thu Jul 5, 2012, 10:48 AM

Jul 2012

There's a restaurant I've been going to for years. I like the "breakfast burrito" and like to drown in with salsa. Well, a couple of years ago the owner wanted to cut expenses a bit and started having his servers bring the salsa in a small, plastic cup (they used to bring it in a large, ceramic bowl). Anyway, one of the servers brought me the "new and improved" portion of salsa, but also the larger bowl as well. She knew I liked a lot of salsa. I usually tipped 20% and would leave $2 for the $10 meal (including coffee or tea), but this time I left an extra dollar.

Well, word must have got around the restaurant because everytime I go in to eat and order the breakfast burrito, I get the bigger bowl of salsa, and I tip $3.

It's a break even scenario, though. I'm given the "senior's discount" (10%) although I'm not quite a senior yet, so I figure I save a dollar on my meal which I add to the tip on the table!

It's a "win-win" for all!

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My co-worker lectured me on rudeness of a large tip [View all] Liberal_in_LA Jul 2012 OP

Anyone who has ever worked as a server in a restaurant knows SoutherDem Jul 2012 #1

I leave larger than 20% sometimes. Certainly hope I wasn't "Degrading" anyone Liberal_in_LA Jul 2012 #2

You weren't. The coworker referenced in the letter made that up to justify her stinginess. yardwork Jul 2012 #47

If I leave a 15% tip it means the service was crappy LynneSin Jul 2012 #84

I was standing outside a London hotel, when my cab drove up, an American couple asked to share Liberal_in_LA Jul 2012 #102

Agreed. I have never left less than 20% no matter how bad the service was. The main reason Booster Jul 2012 #3

Me, too, for a couple of reasons. JaneQPublic Jul 2012 #5

You have some excellent karma awaiting you and I applaud your spirit! - n/t coalition_unwilling Jul 2012 #21

Thanks! But it's also because the math is easier for 20% ;-) (nt) JaneQPublic Jul 2012 #49

lol That's one of my main reasons also. Booster Jul 2012 #74

Definitely a bit easier than 15% or some other fraction. Because 25% is coalition_unwilling Jul 2012 #88

I always did too. Then I became a server to earn some extra cash a few years back and then stevenleser Jul 2012 #112

I've heard comments... Scootaloo Jul 2012 #11

I always ask the question of those people: if all servers "got real jobs", who would wait on them? NYC Liberal Jul 2012 #23

The mind boggles Scootaloo Jul 2012 #26

I lasted 3 weeks as a waitress Warpy Jul 2012 #12

"Co-irker!!" I love it! nt MADem Jul 2012 #25

Me too. stuntcat Jul 2012 #89

When I eat out I leave one forth to one third of the bill as a tip. They work hard roguevalley Jul 2012 #15

Always leave at least 20%, but often wonder if the server actually gets the full tip. Fla Dem Jul 2012 #41

Usually the wait staff keep their tips -- BUT obamanut2012 Jul 2012 #52

I've never worked in a restaurant where we pooled tips. antigone382 Jul 2012 #98

I did 3 months as a waiter nearly 30 years ago and now that I can afford it, 20% is starting..... Rowdyboy Jul 2012 #4

Minimum wage is $2.13 per hour for restaurant workers, is it not? Manifestor_of_Light Jul 2012 #6

+100 Liberal_in_LA Jul 2012 #8

Which is why foreigners are such awful tippers... Scootaloo Jul 2012 #9

Foreigners don't understand the American tipping system. MADem Jul 2012 #27

I think most understand it very well obamanut2012 Jul 2012 #55

Your friends are faulty then quakerboy Jul 2012 #148

Then I guess lots of other people's friends are "faulty," too obamanut2012 Jul 2012 #157

This is true quakerboy Jul 2012 #160

I'll have to keep this in mind laundry_queen Jul 2012 #68

It's commonly called a "waitress wage". xmas74 Jul 2012 #90

That's not actually true in CA, they have to pay minimum wage. Sirveri Jul 2012 #133

That's the federal wage. xmas74 Jul 2012 #159

Right, I think CA is 8$/hr. Point is the same though. Sirveri Jul 2012 #162

Problem is quite often xmas74 Jul 2012 #163

20% is standard Scootaloo Jul 2012 #122

But I'll bet... WinstonSmith4740 Jul 2012 #145

Is it standard, or should it be standard? quakerboy Jul 2012 #149

We still have a grocery store here (an IGA) but its just cheaper for us with our limited budget cstanleytech Jul 2012 #10

Catfish isn't a "trash fish" obamanut2012 Jul 2012 #54

I'll second that. I've never heard catfish called "trash fish" before. Arkansas Granny Jul 2012 #58

Outside of the south, it really is. Chan790 Jul 2012 #64

If that's the case, then I feel sorry for y'all. The catfish we get around here is delicious. Arkansas Granny Jul 2012 #75

A person really has to know how to cook it right xmas74 Jul 2012 #91

Most catfish Go Vols Jul 2012 #96

They are bottom feeders are they not? Manifestor_of_Light Jul 2012 #108

I'm used to someone catching it xmas74 Jul 2012 #127

In some States, yes, in others no. Here in Oregon, they get minimum wage of $8.80 an hour Bluenorthwest Jul 2012 #66

And restaurant prices are no higher in Oregon than in other states Lydia Leftcoast Jul 2012 #71

Just as an FYI catfish is a really great fish LynneSin Jul 2012 #85

I leave what I can afford cstanleytech Jul 2012 #7

If you should question this, I recently found one answer that will dispel all doubts. calimary Jul 2012 #13

good link. Going to check it out. thanks. Liberal_in_LA Jul 2012 #105

How much (or do you) tip for counter service? woodsprite Jul 2012 #14

When I go to the coffeeshop, Delphinus Jul 2012 #36

I go to Dunkins a couple times a day Marrah_G Jul 2012 #40

I leave a buck in the jar. 2, if my kid has taken her sweet time ordering.... msanthrope Jul 2012 #61

My son worked as a server for a xxqqqzme Jul 2012 #16

I hope the kicker when to jail Liberal_in_LA Jul 2012 #107

I often tip 10% to 15% on the card customerserviceguy Jul 2012 #152

Tipping in Japan or leaving gratuity is often viewed as being rude. ErikJ Jul 2012 #17

I think before traveling to any country you should understand tipping policies LynneSin Jul 2012 #86

I worked as a server for MANY years. toddwv Jul 2012 #18

"Servers know which regulars tip and which ones don't." KansDem Jul 2012 #70

I know someone who was a waitress and worked bar who liked the job but not the pay Spitfire of ATJ Jul 2012 #19

I do the same. Phlem Jul 2012 #20

10% can John Robinson Jul 2012 #22

How very cheap a tip that is. nt MADem Jul 2012 #24

Why? DiverDave Jul 2012 #30

. Iggo Jul 2012 #72

ty, and notice the DiverDave Jul 2012 #97

Rule of thumb, tight wad... Javaman Jul 2012 #87

I hope your reputation for generosity precedes you wherever you go. kestrel91316 Jul 2012 #92

If you can't afford 5% more, SHOULD you even be eating out? Kinda ir-re$pon$ible don't you think? patrice Jul 2012 #116

I'd really be in trouble then madokie Jul 2012 #28

20% to start... a la izquierda Jul 2012 #29

Agree. patrice Jul 2012 #118

I start with 20% Sherman A1 Jul 2012 #31

I start at 20% etherealtruth Jul 2012 #32

Apparently I've been "degrading" waitpersons for decades JHB Jul 2012 #33

My husband's father used to say, "If you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to go out". canoeist52 Jul 2012 #34

Agree with Delphinus Jul 2012 #37

+1 JHB Jul 2012 #59

Agree. I'll stay home if I cannot xxqqqzme Jul 2012 #121

My mom waitressed - and I also start at 20%. nt TBF Jul 2012 #35

"Rude" to leave a large tip? Not in the real world. trixicopper Jul 2012 #38

Welcome to DU! Lisa0825 Jul 2012 #135

I hate the concept of tips. Sirveri Jul 2012 #39

yes. It baffles me that people here don't have a broader bbgrunt Jul 2012 #119

When I heard that someone was claiming the waitress would be denigrated by a large tip, I started to Texas Lawyer Jul 2012 #129

I gotta H2O Man Jul 2012 #42

It's none of her f**king business. nt bemildred Jul 2012 #43

I'm lazy, so it's always at least 20%. Buns_of_Fire Jul 2012 #44

Here's my system. I round up, drop a zero to get 10%, then double it. yardwork Jul 2012 #50

Yep, that works, too! (Even though I notice you introduced some advanced cipherin', there.) Buns_of_Fire Jul 2012 #67

I kinda do that, too... Phentex Jul 2012 #78

It is ok to ask fellow diners what might be an appropriate tip. It is not ok to lecture someone yellowcanine Jul 2012 #45

My theory: The criticism that people issue at others is most fitting for the person criticizing KurtNYC Jul 2012 #46

Reservoir Dogs - Mr. Pink Doesn't Tip (explicit language warning) demwing Jul 2012 #48

15% is the minimum demwing Jul 2012 #51

I always leave at least 20%... vi5 Jul 2012 #53

If you really love the food, tip the kitchen too. greymattermom Jul 2012 #56

One of my favorite chefs when he opened his new restaurant... Chan790 Jul 2012 #62

In many restaurants the servers are required to pass on a percentage of the tips to the kitchen. yellowcanine Jul 2012 #115

Your co-worker is a jerk Bettie Jul 2012 #57

I have never worked in a tip bearing job, Not Me Jul 2012 #60

awesome story. Tip for people staying in hotels - try to find your housekeeper and tip her Liberal_in_LA Jul 2012 #100

I remember my mom telling my grandmother to tip the hotel maid. Manifestor_of_Light Jul 2012 #111

When it comes to tipping time I always round up. 1-Old-Man Jul 2012 #63

Wow. They'll come up with anything to justify their stinginess. CrispyQ Jul 2012 #65

Your coworker's a cheap-ass bastard. Iggo Jul 2012 #69

Yep. That's really all there is to this one. (nt) Posteritatis Jul 2012 #95

I waited tables through high school and college reflection Jul 2012 #73

I've heard that men tip more when with a date Liberal_in_LA Jul 2012 #103

Geez, "Generous" needed to ask Dear Abby? Gormy Cuss Jul 2012 #76

I like your style reflection Jul 2012 #77

I need to memorize this!... Phentex Jul 2012 #82

Isn't it weird when some one scolds you for being generous? Gormy Cuss Jul 2012 #132

Honey you hold your head high and don't be afraid to leave a good tip if you can afford to. southernyankeebelle Jul 2012 #79

I usually drink water at restaurants, and thus leave 25% or so Doctor_J Jul 2012 #80

Most recently I took my parents out for dinner for my dad's birthday Woody Woodpecker Jul 2012 #81

You can leave a large tip any time you damn well please. aquart Jul 2012 #83

As a former Server and Bar-tender, I'm so glad ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2012 #93

I didn't know that ... I will tip in cash from now on ... littlewolf Jul 2012 #104

And when you do ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2012 #110

ok here is a question ... littlewolf Jul 2012 #124

Maybe ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2012 #126

I believe that the IRS has clamped down on that quakerboy Jul 2012 #151

This is true ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2012 #155

thanks for this..... dhill926 Jul 2012 #138

I would be curious quakerboy Jul 2012 #150

Actually ... 1StrongBlackMan Jul 2012 #156

Who cares what the other person says. jonthebru Jul 2012 #94

Even 40 years ago I ohheckyeah Jul 2012 #99

Newsflash, your coworker is a stingy asshole. n/t Egalitarian Thug Jul 2012 #101

I normal service is 15 pct. littlewolf Jul 2012 #106

Ask the co-worker what minimum wage is & when was the last time they worked for it. nt patrice Jul 2012 #109

Ask the co-worker how many hours s/he has to work to make rent/mortgage or car payment. patrice Jul 2012 #113

and what effect that amount of time might have upon quality of family life. nt patrice Jul 2012 #114

If you can't afford to eat out (and tip) bring a lunch 4th law of robotics Jul 2012 #117

I tip large in bars TrogL Jul 2012 #120

Dayum, the coworker had the nerve to go threre. DCKit Jul 2012 #123

$5 minimum Rabid_Rabbit Jul 2012 #125

I hate waitresses and try to degrade them at every opportunity hughee99 Jul 2012 #128

Ha! Brits are like that too. My cousin, a Londoner, was EMBARASSED by my tipping in a pub. PassingFair Jul 2012 #137

Indiana has 7% sales tax left is right Jul 2012 #130

I don't go out to eat unless I can leave a LARGE tip Th1onein Jul 2012 #131

Just call her Mr. Pink. tclambert Jul 2012 #134

As a 61 year old waiter I can't say that I have never had a tip large enough to insult me. marble falls Jul 2012 #136

As a server, and someone who depends on tips... WillParkinson Jul 2012 #139

I recently spent several days with girlfriends I've known for >50 years. We were in DC. mnhtnbb Jul 2012 #140

My wife and I are big tippers. My uncle, brother, and two good friends - all quite wealthy - NRaleighLiberal Jul 2012 #141

With republicans it is all about selfishness. n/t Hotler Jul 2012 #142

"What is it about being served that makes people forget their manners?" tpsbmam Jul 2012 #143

good find. going to read the whole thing Liberal_in_LA Jul 2012 #161

I rarely tip below 20% and usually more - and I always try to leave the tip in cash dflprincess Jul 2012 #144

I put myself through college waiting tables.... Walk away Jul 2012 #146

20% for waiter/waitress. Almost like a robot. I don't want to think about it at all. limpyhobbler Jul 2012 #147

Searvers rely on tips to survive. liberal N proud Jul 2012 #153

"She even said it "degrades" the server. " This is the old degrades the recipient argument used retread Jul 2012 #154

During the time of my life that my 2nd job was waiting on tables, LWolf Jul 2012 #158