Two questions to throw out regarding tipping..and yes, I did my time in the restaurant and always tip, but...
What does everyone think about the common practice at counter service places giving you a credit card slip with a space for a tip? In other words, asking for a tip for somebody who does little more than take your order, and asking for it before any service is rendered?
And-I noticed one dining spot in SOWAL now adds 15% to your order for gratuity even if you are dining alone. You can tip more if you want, but you have no choice regarding the 15%. (Actually, 16%;-) ) What does everyone think about this?
30A Skunkape30A SkunkapeSkunkyBackatown Seagrove10,329 postsJoined View profileMessageSkunky
30A SkunkapeSkunkyBackatown Seagrove10,329 postsJoined View profileMessageSkunky10,513 views
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Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertTwo questions to throw out regarding tipping..and yes, I did my time in the restaurant and always tip, but...Well, by the added 1%, we can guess that the restaurant is located in Seaside. For me, it depends on the restaurant. I don't like being asked for a tip before service is given, and typically, I will not tip on the card if that is the case, but will tip with cash after dining.
What does everyone think about the common practice at counter service places giving you a credit card slip with a space for a tip? In other words, asking for a tip for somebody who does little more than take your order, and asking for it before any service is rendered?
And-I noticed one dining spot in SOWAL now adds 15% to your order for gratuity even if you are dining alone. You can tip more if you want, but you have no choice regarding the 15%. (Actually, 16%;-) ) What does everyone think about this?
As for the 15% automated, I don't have a problem tipping 15% as long as the service was somewhat decent. If I was completely dissatisfied, with the service, I might demand that they remove the "gratuity" from my bill. I rarely tip less than 20% and tip as much as 50% in some cases, like at bars. Counter service (other than bar) typically gets my change and maybe a dollar bill.
BTW, that 1% additional tax in Seaside, to the best of my knowledge, is optional, and they will remove it for your purchases, only upon request. They add it as the default. The stores used to post that info in the window of the stores.
Edited
John RJohn Rneeds to get out moreConflictinator6,782 postsJoined View profileMessageneeds to get out more
John Rneeds to get out moreConflictinator6,782 postsJoined View profileMessageneeds to get out morethe 1% is Seaside is not tax, it is an Arts and Entertainment surcharge.
DuneAHHDuneAHHBeach FanaticPt Washington - west ;)3,072 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
DuneAHHBeach FanaticPt Washington - west ;)3,072 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticAs for the 15% automated, I don't have a problem tipping 15% as long as the service was somewhat decent. If I was completely dissatisfied, with the service, I might demand that they remove the "gratuity" from my bill. I rarely tip less than 20% and tip as much as 50% in some cases, like at bars. Counter service (other than bar) typically gets my change and maybe a dollar bill.
I pretty much follow SJ's 20%+ tipping philosophy. Perhaps the reason some restaurants have instituted automatic tipping is because the wait staff consistently (unjustifiably) get stiffed on tips? I don't KNOW this to be the case ... just thinking that may be the reason.
seaside2seaside2Beach FanaticAll over the place785 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
seaside2Beach FanaticAll over the place785 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticWe use 20% as a standard now and more for small tabs like a quick bar drink. I will cut the tip for poor service and usually leave a buck or two for counter service if they are reasonably nice.
What irritates me more than anything is the practice of printing on the bottom of the ticket what a 15%, 20%, 25%, and yes even a 30% tip calculates to be. Do those idiots think that I can't calculate a tip? It makes me want to give them a 2 cent tip and walk.
Sorry about the rant:bang: :bang: :bang:
What irritates me more than anything is the practice of printing on the bottom of the ticket what a 15%, 20%, 25%, and yes even a 30% tip calculates to be. Do those idiots think that I can't calculate a tip? It makes me want to give them a 2 cent tip and walk.
Sorry about the rant:bang: :bang: :bang:
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertWhat irritates me more than anything is the practice of printing on the bottom of the ticket what a 15%, 20%, 25%, and yes even a 30% tip calculates to be. Do those idiots think that I can't calculate a tip? It makes me want to give them a 2 cent tip and walk.
You would be surprised at the large number of people who cannot do this math.
Ocean LoverOcean LoverbeanBuckeye Country9,491 postsJoined View profileMessagebean
Ocean LoverbeanBuckeye Country9,491 postsJoined View profileMessagebeanWe use 20% as a standard now and more for small tabs like a quick bar drink. I will cut the tip for poor service and usually leave a buck or two for counter service if they are reasonably nice.
What irritates me more than anything is the practice of printing on the bottom of the ticket what a 15%, 20%, 25%, and yes even a 30% tip calculates to be. Do those idiots think that I can't calculate a tip? It makes me want to give them a 2 cent tip and walk.
Sorry about the rant:bang: :bang: :bang:
Hmm, haven't experienced this. Not sure I would like it either...it's 4th grade math! Surely if you aren't smarter than a 5th grader, you can still do this!:roll:
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertHmm, haven't experienced this. Not sure I would like it either...it's 4th grade math! Surely if you aren't smarter than a 5th grader, you can still do this!:roll:Apparently, you guys have not seen the tip card which they actually sell :funn: in stationery stores. Reciept paper will often have the tip percentages printed on the back. Some people just don't do math, and never will.
JdargJdargSoWal Expert18,040 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
JdargSoWal Expert18,040 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertI pretty much follow SJ's 20%+ tipping philosophy. Perhaps the reason some restaurants have instituted automatic tipping is because the wait staff consistently (unjustifiably) get stiffed on tips? I don't KNOW this to be the case ... just thinking that may be the reason.
I am wondering if the tip is automatically included because of the counter service situation. Maybe many customers assume it is like a fast food counter and do not tip, so the staff doesn't make any money. If that is the case, maybe this could be tracked somehow and their hourly rate adjusted to compensate for inconsistant tips.:idontno:
Also, do servers and bartenders still make far less than minimum wage? It has been a long time since I have been in the game, so I don't know the current hourly pay. Maybe if more people knew the hourly rate paid to restaurant staffers, they would tip better.
greenroomsurfergreenroomsurferBeach FanaticWhere Free Speech Is Allowed1,824 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
greenroomsurferBeach FanaticWhere Free Speech Is Allowed1,824 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticHere's a tip, don't spill your drink! Sorry i't had to be done.:floor: :floor: :floor:
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scooterbug44scooterbug44SoWal ExpertSowal16,706 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
scooterbug44SoWal ExpertSowal16,706 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertI always assumed the preprinted slip w/ tip space for counter service was because they used a standard format register or also had table service so it doesn't bother me - I just draw a line through it.
I do NOT like the automatic 15% gratuity. I think it (like communism) doesn't encourage good service. Often it hurts the server as most people would have tipped more, but now the bill already has it added on.
As for the receipts w/ preprinted amounts, I am constantly amazed at how many people can't do math - even the easy scooterbug method of move the decimal point over 1 and double the amount for a 20% tip! Then there are the people too drunk to figure it out.......
I do NOT like the automatic 15% gratuity. I think it (like communism) doesn't encourage good service. Often it hurts the server as most people would have tipped more, but now the bill already has it added on.
As for the receipts w/ preprinted amounts, I am constantly amazed at how many people can't do math - even the easy scooterbug method of move the decimal point over 1 and double the amount for a 20% tip! Then there are the people too drunk to figure it out.......
John RJohn Rneeds to get out moreConflictinator6,782 postsJoined View profileMessageneeds to get out more
John Rneeds to get out moreConflictinator6,782 postsJoined View profileMessageneeds to get out morethis guy expects tips for people looking at his pets: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18390655/
JdargJdargSoWal Expert18,040 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
JdargSoWal Expert18,040 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertHere's a tip, don't spill your drink! Sorry i't had to be done.:floor: :floor: :floor:
When I bartended, a rather tipsy guy leaned over my bar and said "Honey, I have a tip for you. Never touch a burning cat."
WTF???:idontno:
rapunzelrapunzelBeach FanaticPoint Washington2,514 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
rapunzelBeach FanaticPoint Washington2,514 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticI hate that the staff at the place that has automated the 15% gratuity were probably getting stiffed, but I have to say I think it has had an adverse effect on the service. It took us about 10 minutes to get someone to take our order. As we sat there and chatted with them a bit, the service improved greatly. We even left an additional gratuity on the line for that purpose -- yes, they automatically calculate the 15%, then provide a line for you to add more. Yes, I'd like to have my cake and eat it too, please. 😀
Luckily, the concept of this place is so good that it makes it worth putting up with the tipping policy and the consequences...we'll just have to become regulars so we get consistently good service.
Luckily, the concept of this place is so good that it makes it worth putting up with the tipping policy and the consequences...we'll just have to become regulars so we get consistently good service.
pdapdaBeach Comber5 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Comber
The pre-printed tip percentage on the bottom of your credit card slip comes from the credit card companies. They get 3% of every charge.... including a servers tip. So when your are tipping 20 % the server is actually getting 17% (This is why I try to tip cash even when paying with my card) getting the server a larger tip gets the credit card companies a larger tip. It is their way of upping profits on every charge at every restaurant around the company.
As a business owner you can call them to have them reprogram your print out, but it takes time and is a pain in the buttinski.
As for counter tipping... it is the same receipt used at the tables, if I like the service I will throw them a couple of bucks, but a tip is not expected.
As a business owner you can call them to have them reprogram your print out, but it takes time and is a pain in the buttinski.
As for counter tipping... it is the same receipt used at the tables, if I like the service I will throw them a couple of bucks, but a tip is not expected.
scooterbug44scooterbug44SoWal ExpertSowal16,706 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
scooterbug44SoWal ExpertSowal16,706 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertWith the exception of some notorious cheapskates, I have never heard that there is a general problem in this area with people not being tipped for good service. Could someone refute/reinforce this?
I get frustrated with people expecting tips for doing what I see as their job. I don't see a difference between McDonalds and Starbucks, but Starbucks has a tip jar. At both franchised places you order at a counter off a menu on the wall and eat it there or to go.
On a related topic - remember that if you get a discount, freebies, etc you should tip based on the amount it would have cost if you hadn't gotten the discount - not just the amount at the bottom of the slip. I think a lot of people forget that one.
I get frustrated with people expecting tips for doing what I see as their job. I don't see a difference between McDonalds and Starbucks, but Starbucks has a tip jar. At both franchised places you order at a counter off a menu on the wall and eat it there or to go.
On a related topic - remember that if you get a discount, freebies, etc you should tip based on the amount it would have cost if you hadn't gotten the discount - not just the amount at the bottom of the slip. I think a lot of people forget that one.
JCJCBeach LoverGrayton, Mallet Bayou, B'ham170 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Lover
JCBeach LoverGrayton, Mallet Bayou, B'ham170 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach LoverI always assumed the preprinted slip w/ tip space for counter service was because they used a standard format register or also had table service so it doesn't bother me - I just draw a line through it.
I do NOT like the automatic 15% gratuity. I think it (like communism) doesn't encourage good service. Often it hurts the server as most people would have tipped more, but now the bill already has it added on.
As for the receipts w/ preprinted amounts, I am constantly amazed at how many people can't do math - even the easy scooterbug method of move the decimal point over 1 and double the amount for a 20% tip! Then there are the people too drunk to figure it out.......
Main Entry: gra?tu?ity
Pronunciation: gr&-'t?-&-tE, -'ty?-
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ities
: something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service; especially : TIP
I agree the automatic 15% gratuity doesn't encourage good service. It hurts the server because I will always leave more than 15% with decent service ... unless it's automatically added. If it's automatically added service must be exceptionally good for me to add more.
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertIf you think tips are not expected, you have never worked in the food service industry. Servers would not be working for minimum wage and less if tips were not expected. Even the IRS expects you to tip and the gov't has laws of lower wages for tipped jobs, again, expecting your gratuity. Find me a ten year old who would be willing to put up with all of the b.s. that a server has to put up with, for mininum wage. You cannot find one, much less an adult who has to pay for a home, car, kids, etc. At full service restaurants, a tip of 15% is an expected minimum, and if you tip less than 20%, servers will wonder why you are so cheap.
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scooterbug44scooterbug44SoWal ExpertSowal16,706 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
scooterbug44SoWal ExpertSowal16,706 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal ExpertI'm not talking about waitstaff, bartenders etc. at full service restaurants. I know tips are factored into their wages and they most certainly earn them (and then some).
I was referring to people who think they automatically deserve a tip for substandard work (extra or exceptional effort should always be rewarded) or doing their basic job description and whose wages/salary do NOT factor in tips. Hence the McD's vs. Starbucks example.
I was referring to people who think they automatically deserve a tip for substandard work (extra or exceptional effort should always be rewarded) or doing their basic job description and whose wages/salary do NOT factor in tips. Hence the McD's vs. Starbucks example.
DuneAHHDuneAHHBeach FanaticPt Washington - west ;)3,072 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
DuneAHHBeach FanaticPt Washington - west ;)3,072 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticAlso, do servers and bartenders still make far less than minimum wage? It has been a long time since I have been in the game, so I don't know the current hourly pay. Maybe if more people knew the hourly rate paid to restaurant staffers, they would tip better.
I'm also interested in knowing the answer to jdarg's question? I have just assumed that's still the way of things. Anyway...that's the story we continue to tell our dear sweet generous parents who delight in treating out at restaurants, yet continue to leave embarrassingly chintzy tips (i.e.$5 tips for $100 checks).
If I was the owner of the Chinese restaurant my parents have been going to for 50 years I would SERIOUSLY consider adding an automatic tip:blush:
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