Depends on the service. Sometimes it's about 10% or 3 bucks, whichever is more. Soemtimes it's as much as $10. But that requires great service.
My mom was a waitress in a high end restaurant so she always tells me to tip at the going rate. It's usually between 15 to 20% depending on the service and the type of place I am dining at.
I generally tip 10%-15%, but then again I don't go out much either. Can't really afford to eat out and then also tip on top of it.
18%-20% is pretty standard these days. I will tip 25% if the service is outstanding. And I'm not afraid to admit my own sexism here--I will tip a good-looking waitress more than a less-attractive one or a male. Especially if she flirts with me. Even if I'm dining with my wife. - - - Updated - - - If you tip 5% you should eat at home.
That's why I like tipping--it's like a base salary+commission. If you work hard and are good at your job you should make more than some slob who does the bare minimum. I know a guy who makes $1000/week as a waiter in Aspen. And he only works 3 days/wk.. But he can pair just the perfect port for your chocolate lava cake and makes you feel like you're the only ones in the restaurant even if he has five tables...
People used to be raised to keep slaves so your point is its custom and tradition well that is not enough for me to tip. If people are not happy with the wages they agreed to then organize and fight for better treatment any state and the Federal government can set a proper minimum wage say eliminate the tipped wage for the normal minimum wage or even more. The IRS can also tax differently such income it would just require some effort. If employees are apathetic to their lot its not my problem. Those that set a fee for a service just need to charge a bit more so a tip would be made irrelevant. My only legal obligation is to pay for my food or the service provided no more and no less. I'm a Busker and only earn gratuities and I'm fine with what I get every quarter or dollar is welcomed but I don't have a boss and cannot set a fee for my performing no one has to leave me anything its a free choice, that is the way it should be.
You should probably eat at home. You are correct that you don't have a legal obligation to leave a tip. But that doesn't absolve you from being a (*)(*)(*)(*)stick, a total (*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*), and a complete tool. Also, if you DO eat in restaurants, don't go to the same one twice... unless youlike people spitting in your food.
I hate the concept of tipping. We don't tip our janitors, our garbage men, our teachers, our bus drivers, or our grocery store check out ladies, why should we tip our waiters and waitresses? Social conventions should not be blindly followed. I don't own a resturant and I am not your employer, why do I give you money? I think I will just donate, for example, $10 to the American Cancer Society in my waiter's name instead of giving out "tips." Charities need to start making forms which allow people to do that.
Wow, just read through this really interesting blog/article about the history of the tipping system in the US and what it has become now. Very relevant to the topic here! http://wiserwaitress.com/the-menu/the-tip-system/
The Florida minimum wage for tipped employees is $4.65 per hour, higher then the federal minimum wage for tipped employees of $2.13 per hour. The Florida tipped wage applies to employees like waitresses, waiters, bartenders, valets, and other service employees who earn more then $30 in tips a month. Including tips and cash wages, all tipped employees must still earn at least the Florida Minimum Wage of $7.79 per hour. If a Florida employee does not earn at least $7.79 including tips in any given hour of work, their employer must make up the difference in cash. In short I voted for the Constitutional Amendment in the state raising the minimum wage and would have gladly or would agree as a voter to give all workers the current $7.79 an hour if it came up. But under state law they all must make the minimum wage regardless of tips, and the base rate is noticeably higher than the Federal minimum. Now there is issues with tip outs that is a restaurant policy and servers and others should fight that. As for tip credit which is a legal policy form a PAC as an industry the tipped workers are a big one and change that with lobbying and other options. I have no issue tipping as an additional gratuity for very good service but tipping automatically 18-22% which is the norm it seems aimed for when the workers don't try to better their situation is crazy to me if they don't care why should I? I don't mind adding something extra but it should not be expected or needed. And if so more than around 10% would be unlikely, if the service was great I might round a tip up say on a $15 check I would leave $2. The base age is higher so that has to be considered also the server is earning more per hour so tipping is less important.
They have taxes deducted for the bill whether they are tipped or not, so if the service is terrible, like the table isn't ready no silverware, having to chase them down to get drinks refreshed etc... let them pay the taxes. Other than that 10-20% depending on how good a service they give, and almost always about 16%. You figure they wait on several tables at a time so they are making a killing if they are getting 20-25%, and I just don't see any wait staff working that hard lately. The tip you get depends on the service, it isn't or should it be mandatory but only a dick doesn't tip, or tips less than 10%
According to most people here on this thread I've been under tipping. Or maybe they're in on it with her?
At minimum I do 10%, but it really depends on the service. If the service is excellent they will receive much higher than just 10% or 20%.
