Tips for waiters/waitresses

[FS87LT]

Few of us really realize what happens to the tip we might leave, after we are on our way elsewhere. Nor that the wait staff is paid so low, with tips making up "the difference" for a good initial wage. If the wait staff was paid as much as a fast food employee or a grocery store stock clerk, then we'd be paying more for those outside meals and fewer would be partaking of them. So the restaurant makes their money off of the food and the waiter/waitress is supposed to make money of "the service at the restaurant", so everybody makes money in the process.

There are some chain restaurants I've been to where it is obvious that for some of the wait staff, it's their first job like this and they have NOT been trained to do it well, which can also mean they have little confidence in what they are doing. Service suffers over time and the restaurants closed due to bad management. Probably management which only worries about money or keeping their cook happy. If a manager takes care of the "front end", keeps the back end running efficiently (which can be obvious to the customers), the front end should carry the back end nicely.

I feel sorry for the poorly-trained wait staff and will still leave them a decent tip. Then not return in the future.

Like others, I transitioned into drive-thru meals during COVID, as I look at "food" as a utility item rather than otherwise. Which means why should I pay $15.00 for a hamburger and drink and a restaurant rather than $8.50 at McDonalds, plus get it quicker (and usually with a smile)? I really liked a Bonus Jack and small drink for less that $5.00, while it lasted! Then I've just got to remember to clean out the car!

Y'all enjoy!
FS87LT

 

[BonzoHansen]

i hate doing math in my head so if i have to I just do 20% of final bill if service was good. When the receipt does math for me (ie 15% is x, 20% is y, etc), I'll generally use the 20%, maybe rounding up so its an even final amount (i like $125 better than $123.98). If there are no drinks i typically try to adjust up a little - for no reason except personal choice, in my family 3 of the 4 of us always get water. But the server isn't doing any less work to get us waters.

A high bill doesn't change my method. Although dropping an extra $1 or whatever on a low bill i guess tips the % up.

If a few extra $$ is hard on me I shouldn't be at a restaurant.

 

[FS87LT]

25% is alot when the bill is high. I’m not cheap, but tips are not automatic and it’s come to be expected these days without putting the work into it. I don’t really go off a percentage…for example if I buy an $11 meal, I’ll likely round up to $15. If it’s a $60 meal, I might only leave $10. That’s still pretty good to get $10 plus the wage plus if they have other tables in the same hour. My daughter worked at a restaurant and it wasn’t uncommon to make over $100 in tips in 4-5 hours on a Friday or Sat.

Yes, that can happen, hopefully more times than not. But you also have to realize that not every night can be "a weekend night with high traffic at a popular location". As good as the good nights might be, the lesser nights can be the opposite. Who might cover the bill for somebody who "walked" (for whatever reason)?

 

[bfmgoalie]

Tips are never tax free. They are taxed off a percentage of what they should have received. At the end of the shift you have to report tips and there is a mathematical formula based on total tickets/checks/bill you have to use. If you made over that you can hide some of it but if you are under that's tough luck. The sever then has to "tip out" the buss boys and other staff further reducing their "take home" Almost as big of a scam as flat rate.

I gave her $31 yesterday. Bill was $114. Twenty in her "pocket" and she reports an $11 tip.

 

[bfmgoalie]

Seeing as you're also in our great state of NY i just double the tax (8%) and go up or down from there, depending on the service.

Going to Dinosaurs' on Wednesday!

 

[badazz81z28]

Yes, that can happen, hopefully more times than not. But you also have to realize that not every night can be "a weekend night with high traffic at a popular location". As good as the good nights might be, the lesser nights can be the opposite. Who might cover the bill for somebody who "walked" (for whatever reason)?

Don’t get me wrong, but being a waitress shouldn’t be a career either. It’s like McDonald’s workers thinking they need salary wages as college graduates. These are entry level jobs. Higher end restaurants are probably the exception.

 

[bfmgoalie]

I don't see any way to come up with $11 if you tip 20%. Math was different when I went to school.

I haven't worried about tipping since Covid 3 years ago because I haven't eaten in a restaraunt in those 3 years.

Satirical wit is very effective in responses. And restaurant is spelled the way I listed it in this response. Different when I went to school.

 

[tom3]

Wife and I have pretty much given up on eating out, small portions, mediocre and cold food, usually lax service, absurd prices. We generally (used to) go to family type restaurants. One exception around here is Steak and Shake. They have the system down pat, really good food on their limited menu, affordable if maybe a bit higher priced for a burger joint. Place is CLEAN - unlike a lot of big name places.

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

Don’t get me wrong, but being a waitress shouldn’t be a career either.

And why do you think you're qualified to tell people how to live their lives? That comes off extremely pious and not only is that not your decision to make, but also not relevant on how much to tip. Almost as bad as the dude a few years back making tipping decisions on if the pizza guy met his grooming standards or not.

 

[bfmgoalie]

Wife and I have pretty much given up on eating out, small portions, mediocre and cold food, usually lax service, absurd prices. We generally (used to) go to family type restaurants. One exception around here is Steak and Shake. They have the system down pat, really good food on their limited menu, affordable if maybe a bit higher priced for a burger joint. Place is CLEAN - unlike a lot of big name places.

The restaurant I was at yesterday used to be a somewhat wild biker bar. Haven't been there since the early 80s. I started to describe the place to one of the employees what the place used to be like. She asked "when was that?" I gave her an approximate year and her response - I wasn't born then. I didn't know what to expect when I walked in. It was purchased about 15 years ago and changed to the restaurant. Italian - it was very good.

I like the small family places. I live right near Saratoga, NY an uppity up place. Uncomfortable when I go to most restaurants there. I only go to one now. Very relaxing and good food.

Then there's my sis. Just for an example - she lives a little northeast of Atlanta. We went to this place when I was there for the holidays. She told me I have to dress appropriately. Jeans and a t-shirt just wasn't going to do it. When we walked in, I was drawn back immediately. Four, yes four waiters for 3 people. When the menus were handed out, I looked at the prices and I just couldn't believe it! When the bill was dropped off, including tip was $1K. Thank God I love junk food places.