Do you tip at restaurants? Why or why not?

Question

MrOracle · Accepted Answer

If you are in the US, and you are eating at a full-service restaurant (i. e., they come to the table to take your order, and they bring you out your food), you are EXPECTED to tip 15%, and above-average service is 20% (or more if you're generous). Tipping below 15% is only acceptable when the waitstaff has done a poor job - ignored you, been difficult, forgot things after being asked multiple times, etc. Basically, if you can't afford to tip at a full-service restaurant, then you can't afford to eat there.

For those who live in other countries and don't understand how this works, I will explain: wait staff at restaurants are paid WELL BELOW minimum wage, and the menu prices are also lower overall, because the waitstaff is expected to make most of their money via tips. Why do we have this system, instead of the restaurant charging more on the menu and paying the wait staff higher wages directly? Simple: the tipping system heavily motivates the wait staff to provide EXCELLENT service, and builds in a mechanism to reward those who do, and harshly penalize those who don't. The result is that the average level of service in the US is higher than anywhere else in the world, but it only costs a little more than it would if we eliminated tipping.

Why is that? Simple: the tipping system allows servers to make more money than they could if they were being paid a flat wage, even if that flat wage was pretty good - but ONLY if they provide good service. This motivates servers to deliver great service, but more importantly, it motivates the BEST servers to remain servers - because they make pretty good money doing so - rather than having the best servers quit and find some other job. It also weeds out the lousy servers, who can't make enough money to sustain the job. The system rewards the winners and spits out the losers overall.

Remember: the restaurant is paying out much less in wages to the servers, and so they lower the prices accordingly - meaning the menu prices are lower in the first place. If tipping were eliminated, not only would service suffer, but you'd see menu prices go up 12-15% across the board at full service restaurants, so you wouldn't save much if anything at all.

in my opinion, I think every person should have to work in food service for a year. People who haven't tend to have no idea what a difficult job it can be, or understand the small margins a restaurant operates on (which is why 25% of all restaurants fail in their first year in business, and 70% fail in their first 5 years). Having to interact with the public, who are often rude, impatient, or outright difficult with servers and other employees, would be very eye-opening, and I think we'd see a huge improvement in both servers and customers.

MCheetah · Accepted Answer

F*ck no!  And I've already explained why before.   The short version is, American tipping culture is retarded, tipping worsens the problem of just not paying wait staff a fair wage, and I'm not going to f*cking waste money on some low-skill, rude worker doing the bare minimum of their job, not spitting in my food, and bringing food from point A to point B, having done a collective total of about three minutes worth of work in talking to me. I've also said I used to avoid ever dining out at restaurants in the US  because  of how much I abhor tipping culture. I'd literally rather cook at home or go to a fast food place, than be socially obligated to give some high-school dropout asshole $20 for doing next to nothing, because "reasons. Honestly, I think people who tip are stupid. Or phony. Or both. And yes, I know that applies to most of America.

BlueScorpio · Accepted Answer

Yes I do, I acknowledge their hard work and know they are everyday people like me just trying to make ends meet. I believe in tipping good waiters and waitresses who are friendly and attentive to customers needs. My mother has always been a generous tipper so I got it from her, it's a way of saying thank for their service and for servicing you. If she gets a bad one who is rude and never comes to the table the. She won't tip.

God loves a generous giver, Christ gave to us so we should give to others and learn not to be overly selfish/greedy. If you can go out and afford to eat instead staying home to cook a nice meal, then you can tip.

TrueConfection · Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Aside from the server working their butt off hoping for a better than average tip, the government EXPECTS them to earn 15% of their  total sales  in tips and taxes them accordingly (since there is no way to prove exactly how much cash they did or didn't get). In some states, it's legal for employers to count the  expected tips  amount toward the minimum wage. For example; A state with $7.00/hr minimum wage might pay their wait staff just $2.00/hr and expect they will earn at least $5.00/hr in tips.

OlderAndWiser · Answer

Usually between 15% and 20% of the subtotal, unless the service was substandard.

melanieeeB · Answer

Yeah but here most people just round up the bill or add 1-2€ to it

Apple1996 · Answer

Most of the time yes but sometimes I'm low on money and can't really afford to

WhiteSteve · Answer

Absolutely. Tipping is just kind of a social contract in America, or at least in my state. Waitstaff only make $2.63 an hour, at least as of ten years ago when I was in the restaurant business, maybe it’s up slightly, but it’s always like 20-25% of minimum wage. Should the restaurants have to pay full wages? I think so, but then my $15 meal is going to be a $20 meal, so I’m paying either way. Only the cheapest of assholes try to pull moves where they essentially grade their server’s performance (and really, their overall experience, which sucks, because the server suffers when maybe the cook screwed up, or just circumstances beyond the server’s control).

My feeling is: show up expecting to tip 20%. If you’re really dissatisfied, maybe I can live with 15%. Exceptional service gets 25-30%. But if the thought of trying to save a few bucks by cooking up reasons why your service wasn’t good enough, holy shit, there aren’t many worse types of people in the world in the arena of social misdemeanors. HUGE dick move to cheap out on a tip, I almost hate going out to eat with friends because I lose respect for bad tippers, lmao. I’m usually throwing more money down as we’re leaving because I don’t always trust the others to take care of the waitstaff.

Dinklex3 · Answer

In the U. S yes (I don't in Korea) because they're actually providing a service (checking up on me, refills, moving plates, answering all my questions and engaging with my friends/family). Funny thing is that they're just doing their job. I wish the whole tipping thing would be over and restaurants/companies would just pay their employees properly instead of requiring us to do it.

What I hate and don't understand is tipping for "pick up" or "carside pickup". Also doordash making people tip before you even get your food. I'm originally from Upstate Ny and we'd give nice tips for delivery in winter because all the lake effect. But normal weather, ordering food thats like $25 bucks and demanding a $10 tip? Can't justify it so my family just orders straight from the restaurant (with their OWN delivery drivers) or they just go and pick it up. When I was in Alaska I always picked up my own food.

Carhartt · Answer

An old scruffy gold miner goes into a restaurant. None of the waitstaff wants to wait on him, but one of them drew the short straw. The miner gets crappy service, but still leaves a hundred dollar gold coin as a tip.

The next day the miner goes back to the same restaurant, and he's treated like a king. He got the best service on the planet. But this time he left a penny as a tip.

Waiter: Hey, yesterday we gave you shitty service, and you tipped a hundred bucks! And today we gave you great service, and you only tipped a penny!

Scruffy: Let me explain... The penny was for the crappy service I got yesterday, and the one hundred bucks was for the great service I got today.

Yes I tip, even though it's an idiotic concept. The concept isn't the fault of the worker.

The craziest part is, TIPS is an acronym.

"To Insure Proper Service."

Bethany22 · Answer

I do if I can't escape the screen on the debit machine, but if I pay with cash, then no. Restaurants are too expensive as it is, and since the waitors aren't as friendly with me outside the restaurant, I feel like I don't have to be that nice to them yet

Red-Blaze · Answer

Depends
I ask the waiter how it works in the place
If its one it just becomes part of there pay I nowmally dont, if they get it for them self/shared bonus to all wofkers I do
Sometimes will try to get the waiter to recived him self regardless of policy

Adaeva · Answer

I never tip because, I never pay, unless it is a fast food place, but my parents always do. When I'm older and pay to eat at restaurants, I will tip because that is expected and because I don't believe I will need the money for tips. If, in the unlikely event, I'm ever in the situation where I'm almost desperate for money, I probably would not tip.

Amy10223 · Answer

Yes, I do. I do it because in some states, servers do not receive a salary. So I always tip, because it is how they make a living, basically. They share their tips along with other servers. I have two nieces who were once waitresses in NJ, and they did not receiove a weekly salary; their money came from tips alone. In some countries, such as Spain or Japan, it is not customary to tip, unless you were really satisfied with the service.

Sour-rose · Answer

No. Go ahead and send my spicy mexican food with re-re-re-refried beans if you don't like it.

Most waiters I encounter is like how many dudes I encounter; the same as the last.

(not all of them tho, @charliefretz329, @Still-alive, @NathanDavis ;) <3 )

Weapon77 · Answer

Yes, since that's the social convention, but I wish it weren't the case. I don't love thrwoing an extra 15-20% onto what I just paid for the food. It would be nice if servers were just paid more to begin with. They don't tip in Japan and other countries, and it works just fine. But I'm afraid we are too used to it to get away from it unless a law is passed or something.

TroyDT2 · Answer

It is pretty much part of the custom in the United States. I do so unless the service sucks AND it is demonstrably the server's fault, but with allowances if he or she is new. A lot of times slow service in a restaurant is because cheap ass managers refuse to bring in enough staff, so when I see my waiter or waitress struggling to cover far more than a reasonable number of tables I do not penalize the server. But I will probably say something to management.

SecretsofKB · Answer

Yes!! So I dated a server when I was in college and my current partner worked in that industry when she was in college and hearing their horror stories was enough to make me want to tip!

Looksnicholas · Answer

If there's a tip jar, sure in the past I have put coins or dollar bills into it, totally. Lately or since Covid pandemic, haven't really nor seen it since world went no more cash and into just paying by card or paying debit credit etc

Chazmatazz269 · Answer

Yes. It’s customary in the US, and i come from a place where servers and bartenders make less than minimum wage. They’d be homeless and starving if people didn’t tip. Also, i appreciate good service. Tipping ensures that better than not tipping.

nolabels · Answer

Yes.

I don't claim to know how tipping actually became part of restaurant workers' wages, but it is.

I remember forgetting to tip once years ago. The memory still occasionally haunts me. I feel like I walked out without paying.

exitseven · Answer

Yes, usually 20% if the service is good. The waitstaff works hard and should get a tip if they do a good job. After Covid I still left a good tip becase they were really shorthanded and trhe waitress had to service an insane number of tables.

RavVid · Answer

Its not a common thing to do in Australia though if there is superlative service we might. In north America I know it is expected because the pay is not so good.

Aerissa_Jade · Answer

Always, if service is mundane, maybe 8 to 10%... if service sucks, 0% if service rocks, been known to tip $50 dollars or more.

inkyvampire · Answer

Always! I’m very familiar with how hard it is to serve the public. Appreciation goes a long way.

AviatorTom · Answer

Yes, I always tip at restaurants. In my area, I know several servers and what their hourly wage is, they rely on tips to make a living.

call_me_scar · Answer

Of course and as a restaurant worker yes we do talk about you if u don't tip and will damage your crap if u leave it but if u tip your stuff will be safe

katiesmuff · Answer

Yes I do because that is thought to be part of your servers salary in the US anyway.

Kori1236 · Answer

Yup. 15-20% depending on the restaurant. Sometimes more again depending on the restaurant.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

If I'm given great service from the waitress, I will give her a small tip, but that's all.

Nikki1989 · Answer

Thankfully, I don't have to do that anymore.

nawtee_me · Answer

yes I do even if the waiter/waitress wasn't that attentive. The may be having a bad day and maybe can't meet their bills; the money would help. 15% to 20% is fair

Koalamate · Answer

i  work in a restaurant in Australia tipping doesn't exist.

Fireguy17 · Answer

I do, but the tip is based on service, not just because you should tip.

Anonymous · Answer

I never liked that concept , it's richmens bullshit created. You are tipping a guy to do his job for which gets salary and he will then serve you next time on how much you tip.

krin_m · Answer

Yes, i do. Almost always unless the service was exceptionally bad. Waiting on people is not an easy job so I like to show my appreciation for good service!

MysticDevice · Answer

Always. And in cash. So the government can't tax it.

clampfan101 · Answer

If I felt I had plenty extra and the waiter/waitress was particularly nice.

Fuentes · Answer

Yeah but low cause if they want a bigger tip blame the extra taxes I have to pay for the meal.

OddBeMe · Answer

Yes. Anti-Buscemi.

littlelily04 · Answer

Yes! I used to work in a restaurant myself and I know how much it affects a person 💕

CuriousMufuxka · Answer

If there is waiting staff, yes. I've worked those jobs and understand that's the meat of their income. Also.. Tip your pizza drivers everyone!

sixsixsix · Answer

Yes I always tip but how much depends on the waitress or waiter, because if I have to ask for refill then it's $1 per person

admles · Answer

Because we don't tip here in Australia as a general rule, and don't want that brought here. We pay people a decent wage instead.

moonpie89 · Answer

Always like %20 or more if I really liked the service

joeldalton · Answer

I do, unless I'm expected to do the majority of work done by a server.

Sparkie460 · Answer

If the service was good I'll leave the average tip. If it was exceptional I'll leave a better tip

Anonymous · Answer

Always! Because I'm not a cheap a**hole. ... OK, I'm cheap, but not an a**hole... OK, I'm an a**hole, but I still tip. 🤣

domenico07 · Answer

Yes, because waiters & waitresses make next to nothing

Fromdusktilldawn · Answer

Nah here in Europe they have a fixed salary. Some people still do it though.

Anonymous · Answer

I don't go to restaurants so i don't feel like having to tip. I'm low on money.

SassyAussieAddy · Answer

Based on the quality of my experience yes.

USLegionary · Answer

Yes. Amount depending service give

Guy13 · Answer

Yes and in accordance to service received.

bubblegunnn · Answer

Lol no, we dont do this in my country

ArrowheadSW · Answer

Yes I do. Usually 15-20%.

Avicenna · Answer

Yes, that’s only fair to the servers

JustiReno · Answer

When I sit down usually 10-15

douride2 · Answer

If the service is good I do.

CallmeTheKnight · Answer

Yes. Because I want to

pizzalovershouse · Answer

I don't eat out price has gotten to inflated

LemiaOfThunder · Answer

Yes If they give good service

Likes2drive · Answer

I always do, about 18 % or more

art84 · Answer

$1 at the least for the waitress

Do you tip at restaurants? Why or why not?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Do you tip at restaurants? Why or why not?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.