As a Single Breakfast Diner What Should I Tip? - without going overboard and without appearing cheap?

[tastingyou]

I go out for breakfast most mornings - usually for the 7am opening bell. I generally go to one of Coras, Sunset Grill or Wimpys . The bill almost always runs somewhere between $12 and $16 with bottomless coffee. The waitress comes to take my order , to bring my order , to obtain payment and to bring the coffee initially and to top it up 3 or 4 times. In other words 6 or 7 trips to my table. Service requirements are equal whether I spend $11 or $16 so I really do not consider the amount of the bill [ in this case ] when determining a reasonable tip. Lets face it, at the hour that I go none of these places is overly busy and none of these waitresses are getting rich. Early morning breakfast waitressing is not exactly the top rung in the service for tips profession . The service is generally decent and the girls are friendly for the most part. A couple of the waitresses I tip $3 instead of $2 because they are friendlier and more personable.

BTW although I always pay by credit card I almost always tip in cash.

$2 tip - is this a reasonable tip or on the light side ?

$3 tip - is this reasonably generous ?

$5 tip - is this generous or over the top. ?

thanks for your opinions, since I know you guys are used to tipping

 

[K Douglas]

Unless service is shitty I tip at least 15% and more often 18%. So on say a $15 bill I'd tip $2.50-$2.75.

 

[Chris2020]

I go out for breakfast most mornings - usually for the 7am opening bell. I generally go to one of Coras, Sunset Grill or Wimpys . The bill almost always runs somewhere between $12 and $16 with bottomless coffee. The waitress comes to take my order , to bring my order , to obtain payment and to bring the coffee initially and to top it up 3 or 4 times. In other words 6 or 7 trips to my table. Service requirements are equal whether I spend $11 or $16 so I really do not consider the amount when determining a reasonable tip. Lets face it, at the hour that I go none of these places is overly busy and none of these waitresses are getting rich. Early morning breakfast waitressing is not exactly the top rung in the service for tips profession . The service is generally decent and the girls are friendly for the most part. A couple of the waitresses I tip $3 instead of $2 because they are friendlier and more personable.

$2 tip - is this a reasonable tip or on the light side ?

$3 tip - is this reasonably generous ?

$5 tip - is this generous or over the top. ?

thanks for your opinions, since I know you guys are used to tipping

If you’re paying in cash if it’s more around $16 I tip the $20 and not worry about it.

if it’s closer to $12, I tip $15.

if it’s somewhere in the middle then do $3.

if you‘re paying by card I just do 20% and not worry about it.

ultimately if you’re an easy patron and go frequently, they rather get a consistent 20% tip from you. Then a big family with a lot of work and they end up tipping 15%.

 

[EddieBrock1500]

3-5 dollars contingent if it’s closer to 10 or 15 You should be fine in that range.

 

[SchlongConery]

Aside from the actual tip, a sincere, non-creepy compliment goes a long way towards brightening someone's day!

Some things I say are:

"I can imagine how tough it is to get up so early to make sure you're here early enough to get my breakfast, I want to tell you that I really appreciate it. And respect your work ethic!"

"Man, I can't imagine having to deal with grumpy people in the morning..nice to see you are keeping a smile on your face. Makes my day off to a good start!"

Anything, something more specific and genuine. But never flirty or creepy. Just be nice and recognize and thank them for something positive you notice. A sincere compliment about their work being appreciated goes a lot further than an extra buck.

 

[Butler1000]

So as a former server look at it this way. Breakfast servers work hard. Usually harder than dinner. For much smaller bills.

I tip stardard amounts on most meals, but over tip a couple a bucks on Breakfast. Because that extra buck or two won't break you, but it goes a long way to morale to a server.

5 bucks on a breaky is yes generous. But in a good way. And that, btw is for good service. Don't reward shitty service. 3 bucks on 12 the same.

 

[Butler1000]

Aside from the actual tip, a sincere, non-creepy compliment goes a long way towards brightening someone's day!

Some things I say are:

"I can imagine how tough it is to get up so early to make sure you're here early enough to get my breakfast, I want to tell you that I really appreciate it. And respect your work ethic!"

"Man, I can't imagine having to deal with grumpy people in the morning..nice to see you are keeping a smile on your face. Makes my day off to a good start!"

Anything, something more specific and genuine. But never flirty or creepy. Just be nice and recognize and thank them for something positive you notice. A sincere compliment about their work being appreciated goes a lot further than an extra buck.

Um, ya......trust me a simple thank you and the extra cash is MUCH MORE APPRECIATED.

Its like when occasional Christians used to leave prayer cards instead of tips on the tray. I'd just laugh, but man the gall.

 

[SchlongConery]

Um, ya......trust me a simple thank you and the extra cash is MUCH MORE APPRECIATED.

Its like when occasional Christians used to leave prayer cards instead of tips on the tray. I'd just laugh, but man the gall.

Um, ya..

I already tip well because I know this is how these workers make a living. And having dated several servers in my life they tell me they really appreciate kind words and nice customers.. And having been a very good employer, one of the most important factors in employee satisfaction and engagement is feeling that what they do makes a difference.

But just like a tip, expressing a gratuity is appreciated by most normal humans. Being a stingy curmudgeon runs deeper than your wallet.

You do you pal, and I'll do me.

 

[dchoye]

15-20% is my standard. Done less if the service was poor than expected

 

[bazokajoe]

Depends. People won't like this but I'll tip more if it's a family run business instead of the chain restaurants.
So I usually tip the equivalent of the tax for chains, a little more for a family run business.

 

[Kautilya]

Since you said 12 to 16, I would tip 3 bucks on the 12, for a total of 15. And 4 bucks on the 16, to round it out at 20. At such a low check, I wouldn't count percentages per se.

 

[The Oracle]

Mr. Pink has some points on this...

 

[Butler1000]

Um, ya..

I already tip well because I know this is how these workers make a living. And having dated several servers in my life they tell me they really appreciate kind words and nice customers.. And having been a very good employer, one of the most important factors in employee satisfaction and engagement is feeling that what they do makes a difference.

But just like a tip, expressing a gratuity is appreciated by most normal humans. Being a stingy curmudgeon runs deeper than your wallet.

You do you pal, and I'll do me.

Then you are a rare one. Because my real world experience serving over 20 years, in every level from a biker owned local to french service dining, from buffet to chains, was the more vocal the compliments, the cheaper the tip, to attempt to make up for their stinginess. I've had high praise heaped upon me until the bill for a large party came with auto-gratuity, then suddenly I wasn't so good. Both sexes extolling my virtues with leaving 8%. And didn't matter about their socioeconomic level. All levels, same general pattern.

Meanwhile the quieter ones with a thank you leaving some jaw droppers. And many many saying nothing but dropping above industry standards.

Ask the SP's here if they don't run into the same thing.

 

[SchlongConery]

Then you are a rare one. Because my real world experience serving over 20 years, in every level from a biker owned local to french service dining, from buffet to chains, was the more vocal the compliments, the cheaper the tip, to attempt to make up for their stinginess. I've had high praise heaped upon me until the bill for a large party came with auto-gratuity, then suddenly I wasn't so good. Both sexes extolling my virtues with leaving 8%. And didn't matter about their socioeconomic level. All levels, same general pattern.

Meanwhile the quieter ones with a thank you leaving some jaw droppers. And many many saying nothing but dropping above industry standards.

Ask the SP's here if they don't run into the same thing.

I'm not disputing your personal experience working as a waiter. I can understand why you have become so bitter in general as the public and food service employers tend not to respect service staff.

I'm simply saying that in my personal experience, a few kind words towards someone has always been well received. And while I do understand and accept the reality of a "tip" having become a mandatory surcharge on any sort of food service, I've not had a single server ever say "thank you" for their tip. And I tip 20% as a standard, sometimes 25% if the service was attentive. Indifference is the worst form of ingratitude.

 

[jeff2]

$ 3.00 sounds ok unless they are doing something like getting your coffee reheated in the microwave.
Been to the Sunset Grill on Yonge Street. Wondered about the Coras on Carlton but have never been. Never been to WIMPYS I believe.
I read about a company called WIMPYS and it means We Intend to Make Profits Every Year. Can't remember if that is this restaurant chain or some other WIMPYs.

 

[Butler1000]

I'm not disputing your personal experience working as a waiter. I can understand why you have become so bitter in general as the public and food service employers tend not to respect service staff.

I'm simply saying that in my personal experience, a few kind words towards someone has always been well received. And while I do understand and accept the reality of a "tip" having become a mandatory surcharge on any sort of food service, I've not had a single server ever say "thank you" for their tip. And I tip 20% as a standard, sometimes 25% if the service was attentive. Indifference is the worst form of ingratitude.

Bitter? No. I had a very long run before getting my present gig. And had long employment stretches with a few. I aged out really. Those hard floors take a toll. As does late nights, attendant drinking culture(cripes did my drinking drop off).

Really? You never recieved thank yous? Cripes I used to do it for really good tips for guys on obvious first dates to help a bro. As well as good corporate payers on parties, regulars. And more.

And I, when ever possible, wished people a great evening, my table or not, on their way out. But I get it. The servers are really not as good now. I can tell the difference between a slammed server and a bad one. I watched as section sizes were cut. We were expected when I started to handle 6 tables minimum. That has actually dropped to 3 now as servers were cheap. But it really has affected training . Add in the pandemic and loss of institutional knowledge, both on the floor, and on the line, and it has added up to service levels that suck compared to 20 years ago.

But sure, absolutely continue to compliment servers. I did appreciate them too. But in reality they only meant something with the cash to back it up. And any server will tell you the same.

 

[jimidean2011]

Mr. Pink has some points on this...

I truly fucking hate that its become this obligation. It's supposed to be voluntary but it's not. If you don't tip you're a piece of shit. It's seriously unfair to the consumer and I totally applaud the restaurants that are doing away with the practice. Life is expensive enough as it is and having to add 20% to already inflated meal prices excludes a lot of people from enjoying a meal at a restaurant in these times of financial turbulence. It's supposed to be the thought that counts but if you tip $1 on a $20 bill the server would be disgusted.

 

[SchlongConery]

Bitter? No. I had a very long run before getting my present gig. And had long employment stretches with a few. I aged out really. Those hard floors take a toll. As does late nights, attendant drinking culture(cripes did my drinking drop off).

Really? You never recieved thank yous? Cripes I used to do it for really good tips for guys on obvious first dates to help a bro. As well as good corporate payers on parties, regulars. And more.

And I, when ever possible, wished people a great evening, my table or not, on their way out. But I get it. The servers are really not as good now. I can tell the difference between a slammed server and a bad one. I watched as section sizes were cut. We were expected when I started to handle 6 tables minimum. That has actually dropped to 3 now as servers were cheap. But it really has affected training . Add in the pandemic and loss of institutional knowledge, both on the floor, and on the line, and it has added up to service levels that suck compared to 20 years ago.

But sure, absolutely continue to compliment servers. I did appreciate them too. But in reality they only meant something with the cash to back it up. And any server will tell you the same.

Actually now that you put the time context into it, it would be unfair for me to say that I have never been thanked for tipping. I am more thinking of the past few years where I admit to becoming a bit resentful of "the machine" being programmed with an 18% MINIMUM tip... and that being a tip of 18% of the tax too. And at seemingly at every fast food place too.

I am conflicted on tipping in that it is really no longer a gratuity or acknowledgement of good service. It is simply allowing business to offload their labour onto customers in the form of an obligatory surcharge. Effectively seizing and splitting the tips according to a formula amongst the back of the house, and even Managers and owners sometimes. I find it highly unethical.

But I tip nonetheless because I know the system would have the server have to subsidize my meal with his/her paying to "tip out" the payola the restaurant owner forces the server to pay out.

 

[Butler1000]

Actually now that you put the time context into it, it would be unfair for me to say that I have never been thanked for tipping. I am more thinking of the past few years where I admit to becoming a bit resentful of "the machine" being programmed with an 18% MINIMUM tip... and that being a tip of 18% of the tax too. And at seemingly at every fast food place too.

I am conflicted on tipping in that it is really no longer a gratuity or acknowledgement of good service. It is simply allowing business to offload their labour onto customers in the form of an obligatory surcharge. Effectively seizing and splitting the tips according to a formula amongst the back of the house, and even Managers and owners sometimes. I find it highly unethical.

But I tip nonetheless because I know the system would have the server have to subsidize my meal with his/her paying to "tip out" the payola the restaurant owner forces the server to pay out.

Fyi. Its illegal for owners to collect tips for themselves. Where I worked either we tipped out directly, or the tip pool was run by employees. Usually head hostess, a manager and a third rep.

And I was, as a server, absolutely fine with tipping out hostesses, bartenders, bussers, food runners, and cooks. It was Usually in the 3-4% range but I also made them work for it. Any laziness was met with my ire. And working as a bartender we would usually run one bartender on service(me) and the hot girls in the wood. Hell back in the 80's I would tell the girls to dress the part. And put up with the dudes to pull in the cash

Formula(based on before tax sales) was usually 1% bar, 1% host/busser and 1% to the line. So average say on a $1200 sales out was 36 bucks in tip pool. But I would make 170 say. So thats 130 net. For maybe 5 hours. With wage call it 35-40 per hour on a Saturday. Lunch three hours, make about 25 per hour. That included side duties and clean up. And this was in the late 80's early 90's.

Now, not sure what average sales are but the tip average has absolutely gone up. 15% was the previoys standard, now its 20. And higher food prices.

Its one of the reasons I don't go out much. The dining experience is just so much less now. I prefer to hit a few high end places now and pay out the 250 plus for two than 150 for mediocrity regularily. Even the food has quality has dropped. Over salted and sauced, overcooking.

 

[NotADcotor]

It used to be 10 to 15% when I was growing up, then it became 15, now it seems 20 to 25%

Fuck that shit. I do 15%. There is utterly no reason for the percentage to have gone up. If shit has become more expensive, than the 15% would go up by the same amount. People gotta start to learn to stand up for themselves. Tipping at a fucking buffet and take out and even Subway asking [and getting it]. Nope, not playing that game.

I think it was at the Keg, minimum was 18 percent, I manually entered 15 and was very tempted to leave 0 because fuck them, that's why. I know it isn't the waitress's fault, but she does benefit from it and complaining to management will do sweet fuck all.