Tipping Etiquette

[Adrenaline]

What's the proper tipping etiquette?

We know that 15% is standard for good service, 10% is standard for subpar service, and 20% is standard for exceptional service, but are there times when you tip less or more than that?

We know that you have to tip the waitress at the restaurant, the bartender at the pub or club, the barber, the taxi driver, and the doorman at the hotel, but where else should tips be going?

On Saturday night I went to a restaurant and had the cutest/hottest/prettiest waitress in the world. She was about 5'1", with beautiful blonde curly hair, and incredible tanned skin. She was so cute, so nice, and made the whole evening a pleasure, so I tipped her 40%, that's right kids, 40%!

About a month ago I went to a Japanese all you can eat place (you know, the ones that pop up 3 or 4 times a day all over the city), the service was beyond horrible. I got one sushi roll in the span of an hour, everything else I ordered never came. I then proceeded to order again, and half an hour later a miso soup came. I asked for the manager, told him that this is ridiculous, he offered me a 10% discount, I paid then left, and needless to say I didn't leave a tip.

Let's hear your tipping stories!

 

[Riley.Royal]

There is also tipping for SP since we do provide a service.

 

[stinkynuts]

Biggest tip I left was $100 for a $20 meal. I have also left $20 tips for meals costing less. I am generous when I receive excellent, genuine service.

However, for really lousy service I don't tip at all. Oh, wait, that's not true. Once, I left a penny tip for really bad service. I didn't want the waitress to think that I simply forgot to tip.

 

[Adrenaline]

There is also tipping for SP since we do provide a service.

I think a line has to be drawn somewhere. For example, doctors provide a service, but I don't believe they should be receiving a tip. The guy at Subway who makes your sandwich provides a service, but I don't think he should necessarily be tipped. Lawyers, dentists, nurses, mechanics etc. etc. also provide a service, and a tip is not requested or expected. When an SP makes $250+ per hour, I don't think a tip is necessary. A tip is meant to supplement service workers who make below minimum wage, not those who make more per hour than the average CEO.

 

[punter]

Unless the service is very poor, I always tip 10%. It makes the math easier. I have never tipped an SP.

 

[Toke]

What's the proper tipping etiquette?

We know that 15% is standard for good service, 10% is standard for subpar service, and 20% is standard for exceptional service, but are there times when you tip less or more than that?

We know that you have to tip the waitress at the restaurant, the bartender at the pub or club, the barber, the taxi driver, and the doorman at the hotel, but where else should tips be going?

On Saturday night I went to a restaurant and had the cutest/hottest/prettiest waitress in the world. She was about 5'1", with beautiful blonde curly hair, and incredible tanned skin. She was so cute, so nice, and made the whole evening a pleasure, so I tipped her 40%, that's right kids, 40%!

About a month ago I went to a Japanese all you can eat place (you know, the ones that pop up 3 or 4 times a day all over the city), the service was beyond horrible. I got one sushi roll in the span of an hour, everything else I ordered never came. I then proceeded to order again, and half an hour later a miso soup came. I asked for the manager, told him that this is ridiculous, he offered me a 10% discount, I paid then left, and needless to say I didn't leave a tip.

Let's hear your tipping stories!

As a former member of the hospitality industry, the above is correct. While I never expected 40% tips, I was more than happy getting 15-20% for good service. While that was nice, and appreciated, you'd be surprised about how many people tip well below 15-points for good to great service. I just looked at it as how things ended up at the end of a night/shift/week.

In the situation where you left nothing, I totally agree. If the service is that bad, the only way the establishment and its employees will improve the next time (if there is a next time) is to hit them where it hurts; in the pocket. I don't advocate people going around and not tipping, but I'm just as against servers giving average to terrible service and expecting 20% for just being there. It's not law that customers must tip, but they should (as it is proper etiquette in North America), but many servers believe that they should be tipped for bad service. I applaud people like you (the OP) for having the balls to leave nothing (you'd be surprised how many people will tip in spite of horrible service; which only 'rewards bad behaviour'). While I too was the benefactor of tips that exceeded my service at times, I was never upset when I was 'stiffed' and my service was sub-par.

 

[Cycleguy007]

We generally tip 20 - 25 %...

My wife is a bartender and she is a strong believer in Karma!

If we receive very bad service (which is extremely rare, I might add...) we will only leave 15% and my wife will write the server a note explaining why he/ she only rec'd 15%.

 

[Danolo]

I only tip a SP for exceptional service.

I recently visited a SP and, because I didn't have the correct change, she ended up with an extra $10 in the envelope. Now, I think that putting the tribute into an envelope is a classy and discrete way to handle the fee. But in this case the SP, opened the envelope in front of me, counted the money, and then took it away. She said nothing about the extra $10.

I was not impressed. I didn't really expect any change, but to casually open it and count it in front of me was a bit rude. Ah well...

On another occasion, I had the correct amount in the envelope, left it on the table while I went in to shower. When I returned, it was gone. At the end of the session, I left an additional $50 bill on the table, tucked partly under a book.

I got a sweet email from her later, thanking me for the tip.

I used to work for tips... as a bartender, waiter, doorman.. etc... and so I tend to tip often and a lot. But if someone gives poor service I tend to not tip and rather I complain.. usually to the manager. If its a SP, I usually write them an email and let them know about my disappointment.

 

[Alex_Ontario]

I used to be a waitress and know how hard they work especially if the service is exceptional. I usually tip about 25% in higher end restaurants and 20% at some neighborhood place like Kelsey's.

 

[fuji]

Unless the service is very poor, I always tip 10%. It makes the math easier. I have never tipped an SP.

I tip 10% on the after tax total usually.

 

[rafterman]

I almost always pay at a restaurant with my debit card and they usually ask if you want to tip then give you 15 or 20% options. I pretty much always just hit the 15% add on button and its done.

I guess the servers probably prefer cash but I just don't carry cash with me any more.

 

[SweetSerenity]

I only tip a SP for exceptional service.

I recently visited a SP and, because I didn't have the correct change, she ended up with an extra $10 in the envelope. Now, I think that putting the tribute into an envelope is a classy and discrete way to handle the fee. But in this case the SP, opened the envelope in front of me, counted the money, and then took it away. She said nothing about the extra $10.

I was not impressed. I didn't really expect any change, but to casually open it and count it in front of me was a bit rude. Ah well...

On another occasion, I had the correct amount in the envelope, left it on the table while I went in to shower. When I returned, it was gone. At the end of the session, I left an additional $50 bill on the table, tucked partly under a book.

I got a sweet email from her later, thanking me for the tip.

I used to work for tips... as a bartender, waiter, doorman.. etc... and so I tend to tip often and a lot. But if someone gives poor service I tend to not tip and rather I complain.. usually to the manager. If its a SP, I usually write them an email and let them know about my disappointment.

Well its one of those things, every girl is different. As classy and discreet as it might be to put the money in the envelope, it also makes things slightly more difficult and can lead to akwardness. While most guys are honourable not all are, and so when you put it in the envelope it means an SP has to check it. And if there isn't the correct amount, it makes for an extremely akward situation. Because whether it was a mistake or if the guy just thought he could get away with it, the girl then has to go back in to discuss it with them.
Another thing about the first situation you mentioned was that if you do putthe money in the envelope like that it is assumed that it is all for the SP, so if there is extra because you couldn't get change you should mention it, or they will simply think it is a tip.

As for tipping at restaurants it depends on the place. Some places calculate the tip into the bill already, so I don't see much point in giving another %15-20 on top of that. I read each bill carefully to make sure they have or have not already done that before I decide. If they have, I will give them %5 for decent service, %10 for great and %15 for simply outstanding. Otherwise its %15 for decent, %20 for great and %25 for outstanding.

 

[AJstar]

Are you people kidding here or what? Comparing a waitress who makes minimum wage + tips to an SP who can earn $500/day and up. Sorry,but I can't agree.

 

[Brill]

I don't tip if the server owns the business, same with independent SPs.
Otherwise I leave 10 to 20%, depending on my mood.

 

[CapitalGuy]

There is also tipping for SP since we do provide a service.

This is the most tasteless post I have seen on here in a long time. Hinting for extra money from clients is pure crass. If a guy wants to tip you extra, he will. But you should not ask for it, not even just in a forum like this. You shouldn't have posted that line.

 

[Back Burner]

This is the most tasteless post I have seen on here in a long time. Hinting for extra money from clients is pure crass. If a guy wants to tip you extra, he will. But you should not ask for it, not even just in a forum like this. You shouldn't have posted that line.

LMAO!!!

 

[Toke]

This is the most tasteless post I have seen on here in a long time. Hinting for extra money from clients is pure crass. If a guy wants to tip you extra, he will. But you should not ask for it, not even just in a forum like this. You shouldn't have posted that line.

I agree. A waiter/waitress makes $1 below minimum wage to start. Bartenders make a little more in most places but in venues such as nightclubs, they may not make anything above their tips. SPs make on $100-$150 per half hour. While I won't tell anyone not to tip the ladies, soliciting them comes across as greedy. Like I said before, there is no law requiring tipping, but without listing who does or doesn't deserve them, I'll say that servers do and Sps not so much.

I'm sorry, but that post is as 'bad' as the servers who feel the need to 'educate' customers on tipping when they feel as if they have been 'stiffed'. It's happened to me many times, and I'd rather save face and suck it up, then potentially upset said customer and loose any future business from them and those who may 'get wind' and deciding to avoid my place of work.

 

[rayden]

There is also tipping for SP since we do provide a service.

You don't even have to pay and agency and as an independent you are hinting about receiving tips? Wow, call me a cheap ass then.

 

[Moraff]

There is also tipping for SP since we do provide a service.

Lots of professions out there provide a service with no expectation of tipping..... doctors, mechanics, librarians, nurses, lawyers.........

While I'm reasonably sure you weren't doing a plug to get clients to tip you... you probably should have let a non-SP bring this one up as it doesn't look too good IMO.

 

[The Options Menu]

I agree. A waiter/waitress makes $1 below minimum wage to start. Bartenders make a little more in most places but in venues such as nightclubs, they may not make anything above their tips. SPs make on $100-$150 per half hour. While I won't tell anyone not to tip the ladies, soliciting them comes across as greedy. Like I said before, there is no law requiring tipping, but without listing who does or doesn't deserve them, I'll say that servers do and Sps not so much.

Agreed. At a SC I tip the waitress / bartender well. They're your best friend. Dancers... Since I'm not a regular anyplace and don't pay with repeats I'll only tip for exceptional service (or average service at the Fairbanks), and even that is a token tip. Or I might buy her a drink. The best way to get a tip is to tell me I over counted, and the surest way to never get a tip is to ask or hint for one.