STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

dixiegirl · BCBG

How much do you tip?

CarrieS · Marc Jacobs

I usually just tip 10%, since it's the easiest to figure out right away. If the service stellar, then at least 15%-20%. If it was horrible, probably still 10% since I'd feel bad; Could be slightly less though, if it really sucked big time.

Now that I'm thinking about it, I probably tip slightly more than 10%, just because I like a nice, even number to record in Quicken (for my checking account balance).

Lilykind · Hermes

My father waited tables to get through college and he taught me to tip generously because he's very sympathetic towards wait staff. I didn't understand quite where he came from until I waited tables myself for a semester my sophomore year of college. You get treated terribly for low pay and you can only hope to get good tips to make up for it. My BF also worked as a busboy when he was in HS, so now when we go out, we freuqently tip 15 - 18% at lunch and 18 - 20% at dinner.

And I too have been apalled that people think it's ok to leave a $2 tip on an $80 check...

Andrea Julia · Coach

20% unless the service was horrible. I don't mean if the food takes too long or if they accidentally bring out the wrong thing; I mean if the server was snotty or inattentive or forgot a few things. I once had a server make us move our table after we already received our food because some VIP people wanted it. She didn't even comp a round of drinks or an appetizer. She was utterly unapologetic about it. My one friend and I wanted to leave her $0, but our other friend made us leave at least 10%. Even talking about it now, I still wish we had fought the one friend on that and left her nothing.

theotherjess · Chanel

Usually 20%, because it's easy to figure out and I don't spend a lot at restaurants so I figure I might as well spend an extra $2-3 and help somebody out.

Claudia · Gucci

16.5%

Maddie · Coach

I usually tip 20%+. If a server was bad I'll tip less but never less than 10%. I guess if someone was offensive or something I wouldn't tip, but that's never happened.

jacL · Coach

I tip 15-20% but closer to 20. I have tipped 10% for really bad or rude service, but that is rare, and to make a point that I was not happy with my dining experience at all. I have a real problem with people who tip too low, to the point where I won't eat out with certain people, or if I have to, I will ask for my own check.

Hermione · Kate Spade

i tip 20% for good/standard service and up to 30% if it was really good. if the check is smaller and they did a good job i might leave 50% ($5 on a $10 check)

when i waited tables (for 7 years), I would have been wondering what the heck was wrong with my service if i got less than 15% but i expected 20% (not snotty about it, but figured that was what i earned)

one thing that alot of people don't know is that servers don't get to keep all their $$

usually there is 2-3% to the bar - of the servers SALES not their tips - so if someone doesn't tip me, i'm not only not making money, but paying to wait on then, also 1-2% to a door person and another 1-2% to the busser or food runner. this is all required and then often the busser will expect more anyway.

the thing is, if i'm only getting 10%, i really probably only see a 3% tip after all my tipouts.

i will say that if i get bad service, i will leave around 10% and often will tell the waiter why.

bumblebee · Coach

i usually tip 20%, and if the service was great, a bit more. if the service was bad, i will do 15%, but honestly i think i would feel too guilty leaving any less than that. i worked as a waitress in high school and was appalled at the rudeness of people who sometimes wouldn't even tip at all. or would give me $5 for a table of 12 that ran up a bill over several hundred dollars.

i have even bigger gratitude for the people who deliver food to my house or office--they always get around 30%--i'm not sure why--i think i'm just so thankful that i didn't have to go anywhere!

atlgirl · Gucci

20% is standard for me; more if service is really fab. 10% if the server just can't be bothered to be even basically polite - meaning, acts bored or annoyed that they have to wait on me/us, never ever checks back throughout the whole meal, takes a looooong time to bring the check - stuff like that, IMO isn't *quite* acceptable as a server. Usually it's a combination of these things that make me tip less. It's rare that I will leave no tip at all (though it has happened); that would have to be supremely rude service.

My understanding since high school (so for the past 20 years) has been that the standard serving tip is 15%. Here's a link to a site that covers most tipping specifications - some of which I didn't even realize:

What and When to tip

erin · Chanel

always 15-20%. more if the service was exceptional.

NCshopper · Hermes

Generally about 20%, unless the service was stellar (and I'd tip more) or horrible, and I'd tip less.

I think what you make in tips depends a LOT on the type of restaurant you work at and the city that you're in.

tri_sarah_tops · Marc Jacobs

I always leave at least 20%, even if the service wasn't the great. If the service is horrible, I'll still leave 15%. If the service is awesome, I'll leave more, depending upon the price of the meal. Like Sephorablue said, if the bill is small I'll sometimes leave 50%.

I waited tables at a truckstop for about four years (when I was in high school), making about $1.50 an hour, plus tips. Usually I'd only make about $1 a table, and I understand what a hard and demanding job serving really is, so I try to be generous.

laken1 · Hermes

I used to be a waitress so I feel your pain! I always double my tax & round up. Turns out to be about 18 - 19% usually - just because I am too lazy to figure the math & it's easier that way. I will never leave less than 15%, but my husband has left $1 when the waitress really really screwed up by charging our debit card someone else's bill & caused us to OVERDRAFT ($214 bill as opposed to our $32 & it took both amounts, of course) - I was mortified at the time, but that really was unforgivable.

ETA: I also agree that I very rarely have terrible service & if the food is screwed up or whatever I get it resolved as opposed to taking that out on the tip. As long as they are nice & respectful, there isn't much I won't forgive when it comes to tipping time.

-- Edited by laken1 at 10:16, 2005-11-21

kenzie · Chanel

I was a server all thru college and even if the service is crappy, I still tip 18%. Usually, I tip between 20-25% percent if the service was good. For outstanding service, I tip 30% and like others have said, if the bill is really small, I'll tip 50%.

I, too, am appalled by some people's tipping habits. And even if I think the service wasn't that great, it isn't always the server's fault. You never know what's going on with the kitchen, either.

tara t · Marc Jacobs

i was a server & bartender all thru high school & college and still sometimes do it now.

if the service is fine, a 10% tip is not enough. it's insulting.

i almost think that 15% is a bit too little.

20% should be standard now, and if the service is excellent, more.

and by no means am i wealthy, so if someone says "i can't afford to leave a 15-20% tip" or "thats too much to leave, all the server did was take my order and bring me a drink" please don't eat out or try waiting tables for a few months.

not trying to start a big ST tiff. this is just something that bugs me to death.

Elle · Hermes

I guess I have a bit of a different perspective on this. Now granted, I have never been a server, and frankly I'm horrified at the wages .... $2.13 and hour !!! How exactly is that legal, can anybody tell me?

Anyway, I absolutely agree that waiting tables is a grueling job. BUT, I also feel that waitstaff needs to earn their tips. TIP technically stands for To Insure Promptness. If a waiter is doing a crappy-ass job, it shouldn't be my responsibility to pay his rent - at least make an effort, ya know? It bugs me that they would expect a 20% tip for doing a bad job! There are some lazy ones out there that really do expect that something for nothing, and they're ruining the whold tipping phenomenon for good waiters/waitresses. If a good tip is always expected, what is the incentive to give good service ?

I'm sure all of you former and current waitresses were good at your jobs and deserved every penny of your 20%, but didn't you all have at least one slacker co-worker who made the same in tips as you for doing nothing? Didn't it piss you off?

I've left a nickel for a particularly retched waitress once, but usually we follow the double-tax-round-up rule. We actually bought a drink for a particularly awesome waitress once, in addition to her tip.

-- Edited by LMonet at 10:49, 2005-11-21

tara t · Marc Jacobs

LMonet, i agree with you too. i guess i was basing my opinion on myself who knows that you have to be nice and effecient to earn your tip.

if a server tells you to shut up and spits in your food, i agree complain and leave a crappy tip.

but if a server brings you out your meal and it tastes like crap, it's not his or her fault and i think a tip should be based on how your crappy meal was dealt with.

erin · Chanel

also i want to add that in actuality, i would prefer the tipping system be eliminated and workers just paid better by the businesses they work for.