Are you a tipper?

I typically tip servers 20% (or $3 minimum if it’s an inexpensive meal).

15% base. More for great service.

Yeah, but only about 10% more if the service was really good.

Ten bucks worth of food at IHOP and they get a five dollar tip.

2 bucks for delivery no matter what the total bill is.

Bartenders it is about a buck for a 2.50 pint. Or is the drink is over 3 dollars I leave a five and say to keep the change.

Motel 6 doesn’t have bellhops so I wouldn’t know.

I usually tip 20% in more “formal”-transaction settings like restaurants. The service would have to be pretty bad for me not to, and even then I’d probably do 10%.

If I’m at a coffee shop and I pay in cash, I usually put any of the change I get into the tip jar… Though because I don’t want to look like I’m trying to “look” good, I’ll wait until the person at the register turns around to fill up my tea/get my pastry/etc.

But if it’s anything where I’m not already handing them cash, or already handling cash, I usually avoid tipping for the awkwardness I feel. So at a hotel, I’m a dreadful tipper. Not bellhops, not anyone bringing me extra towels, etc… Or if the change I get at a coffee shop isn’t really enough for a normal tip, I won’t then pull money out of my wallet. I’m not sure why—I was raised with parents who basically tipped everyone; the discussion was always what percentage, beause tipping was a given. I guess I feel too clumsy to tip without sneaking it in (with a check, or when they look away)?—which isn’t a terribly compelling reason.

20% for dinner, less if service is bad.
Dollar a drink for the bartender, even if the drink is on the house.

I’ve never used a bellhop. Delivery guy gets a couple of dollars, unless it’s a really big order. I’ve given as much as 10%.

I tend not to tip services whose prices are set by the person performing the service, or those that pay (or, should pay) a full wage, unless those people really go above and beyond. The masseuse doesn’t get a tip for just performing the service I asked and paid for, as an example. If they are not happy with their wages, they should raise their rates, not complain about tips.

I claim the Mr Pink amendment.

Yes, I’m a tipper. I’m in America and tips are expected as part of the wage for those workers.

I used to tip the cashier who takes a carryout order for me, but recently I’ve been asking if they get to keep the tip, and the majority of the time they don’t! The owner keeps it. Screw that. Often, the employee says the management gives them a big Xmas bonus with that money, throws a party, or brings in bagels for breakfast sometimes. Sorry, but no. No way all the tip money goes to the staff, and no way it’s fair that if Julie gets preggers in Feb, and leaves work in October, and never sees a Xmas bonus, no way that’s fair.

@JLeslie :: That is why I never fill in a tip on the receipt. Pay with card, tip with cash.

Only by virtue of social pressure. That is why I avoid going to restaurants.
I do give the delivery person 10%, but that is only because I usually order on a sunday.

@johnpowell Last two places I went to I asked if I tip cash can they keep it. Both replied no.

Restaurants – always at least 15%. Bars drinks at a party, (because I don’t go to bars), one dollar per drink. Hotels, I may or may not, but leave the room pretty pristine. If I ask for something extra, like more coffee, or more shampoo, I’ll give her a few dollars, up to five, in her hand. If the hotel staff brings something to my door, like more coffee, I’ll give the delivery staff guy two dollars. I also tip at the hair dresser. The lady who washes my hair gets 3 or 4 dollars. Colorist gets a 10 dollar tip on a 55 dollar single process. The guy who cuts my hair owns the shop (about 75 dollars for a cut, I think), and I don’t tip him as etiquette dictates that you don’t have to tip the owner of an establishment.

Yes, generally about 20%.

Restaurants, cabbies, doormen, baggage curbside checks.

Does anyone tip for take-out service where you are just going in to pick up your phone in order? If so, is it a full percentage or just a buck or two?

What about a McDonalds (to pick on them) employee who takes your order, gives it to someone in the back who fills a sack (or tray) and hands it back up front where it is handed to you?

I don’t tip for over the counter service. I expect the restaurant to pay the preparer’s salary.

I wish I didn’t have to tip bartenders, but they’re paid like waiters, so we’re stuck with it.

Several friends had a discussion a few months back about what was the appropriate amount to tip. The situation was as follows:

A group of you are given free drinks (all you care to order) for several evenings running and you are going to tip at the end of your stay. Should you figure a tip up based on a per drink basis or per evening? Per individual, per couple or per group?

What if we are looking at several waitstaff involved in a large room where you have one that serves you 90% of the time but others who pick up an order or clean off the empties from time to time? Note, these others probably have their own tables/groups that they are taking care of most of the time but still wander by doing their jobs, looking to keep customers happy and serviced and your regular is doing the same.

^ Good reasons to do away with tipping as a social obligation, if you ask me. Having dinner out is supposed to be less stressful than cooking for yourself, not more.

I may tip a dollar for picking up a “to go” order at a counter.

If I am at a catered party (for example holiday party or wedding), I may give the wait staff a $5 at the beginning of the night and they will be attentive to me all night. Otherwise, if the table takes a collection at the end of the night, I’ll chip in for that.

I prefer to tip when it is unexpected.
If I get gas at Quik Fil (one of the cheapest gas stations around, and they pump for you) and the weather is below freezing I hand the person $2 when they hand me my receipt. If it is really cold with blowing snow. I will give them a $5 bill. How many times does that happen per year? 4 times? 8 times? Big deal. It makes no difference to my life but has a big effect on the poor person pumping and freezing.
I will tip 18–20% in nice restaurants. But in small diners I might give more like 50%. At the local restaurant in town, my breakfast of 2 eggs, toast, hash browns, and bacon costs $4.79. Coffee is $1.25. Te wole bill is ~ $6.50 . Too cheap.
I leave $10 to cover the bill and tip. 50% tip – big spender. How many times does that happen per year? 10 times? 15 times? What is the effect on me? Nothing. But it makes a difference to them.
If a place has wifi and I used it. I will add $2 for every hour I sat there. I will stuff that in the tip jar near the register as I leave.

Good reminder – gas stations with service I’ll give 1 or 2, depending on the weather. If the guy pumping is friendly he may get 2, even if the weather is ok. When I purchased a wiper blade from an auto parts store place about a year ago, and the store guy put one on for me, I gave him $5 or $10 (not remembering for sure but it was freezing so maybe $10), and he was thrilled.

20% when I have a server or deliverer. I’ve never experienced otherwise.

I put some money in the “non-obligatory” tip jars so much more frequently now after realizing how much I appreciate the ones that I get from my tip jar at work. It really makes a difference when you’re only getting just above minimum wage. Often times people will put the change that they get in the tip jar, and when enough people do that, it adds up.
@LuckyGuy Thank you.

I’m a heavy tipper – 20% for basic service, and more for caring, quality service. In my state, the minimum wage for tipped employees is $2.13 per hour. When people treat me courteously, and when I see them working hard to make my experience a good one, I take that into account.

I give $10 or more per night to a hotel maid, depending on the size of the room and level of amenities. Those ladies (not being sexist here; they’re always female) do nasty work for low wages.

Wait! There are gas stations with actual people who pump your gas for you? Wow! What a concept! If that caught on it could help the economy by providing jobs for those without one!

What will they think of next?!?!?!

@rojo I gather you don’t spend much time in either New Jersey or Oregon? Neither state allows self-service gas pumps.

No, Texas.

Actually, I can remember them (Yes, I am that old) but I can’t tell you the last time I saw one.

They are around here in Western NY. Most are self-serve. Maybe one station in 10 has an attendant. If they have the old style locking pump handles that run even if you are not holding them, they will have attendants. If the pumps have the “safety” grip nozzles that force you to stand next to them in order to get fuel flow, they will generally not have an attendant.

No hands free lock on the pump?

Just stick the gas cap in sideways.

Wow. Full service gas stations. Ya’ll must be livin’ in high cotton up there!

Waiters in the US make a base pay of $2.35 an hour in most states, which covers payroll taxes. Their entire salary is made up of tips. Out of that, they often have to “tip out” bartenders, food runners, and buspeople, so they don’t keep all of that money. In my area, it’s typical to make around $60–100 per shift unless you’re in a fine dining restaurant or it’s a very busy day. (I have a lot of friends in the service industry.)

So basically, it’s the pay of a crappy hourly service job, but way less predictable and way more demoralizing. Each table is your “boss,” and they may pay you less for reasons like they were in a bad mood, they felt the music in the restaurant was too loud, the kitchen (not the waiter) messed up the meal, they don’t believe in tipping and want to make a “political statement,” or they were sexually harassing you and you didn’t play along.

The most common thing people say to this is “if you don’t like waiting tables, get a real job.” It’s my belief that people seek out the best jobs they can find, and many waiters are students. If I’m out to eat it’s usually a special occasion or a happy day. It’s a luxury, not a convenience or a part of everyday life. I usually tip 30–40% because 1) I’m having a good time and 2) to make up for some other asshole who definitely, certainly undertipped that day.

My daughter and I go to a certain diner once a week. We request the same waitress each time, because my daughter likes her and she knows without much explanation how we like our food. She told me that she was offered the job of manager of the restaurant, but she makes more from tips and so she’d be losing money, so she prefers to continue to wait tables. We always tip her well, due to our relationship (maybe $6 on a $20 tab).

How much a waiter makes varies so much depending on where they work. My ex used to make about $200 a day, usually he worked lunch and dinner though, so that’s long hours. Keep in mind, part of that probably isn’t being taxed.

@SecondHandStoke We used to be able to do that but they changed the handle so you can’t anymore. Hmmm…. I could manufacture and sell a special clip…
.
Have you seen the new gas cans with all the safety stuff on them? Now it takes 3 hands to fill up the tractor.

@Espiritus_Corvus Most of the time I want to fill gas cans myself. That way I am sure there are no drips and I don’t fill them right to the brim. I only want ~4 gallons in each 5 gallon can – usually I fill about 4 or 5 cans at a time. If I go to the cheap station that still has the old pumps but with attendants, they do it for me and overfill or drip. I usually end up going to a more expensive self-service station to fill my cans. Ridiculous.

Almost always.

20% for average to good service, 15% for what I judge to be below average but not totally lacking, and 0% for really bad service, which I find rare.

And I always try to leave cash rather than put it on my credit card.

Yes. Usually 15% – 20% minimum. People don’t give me bad service.

I don’t tip. And nobody here wants to tip. Here if you pay more than the price, you are expected to get your change. We don’t have tipping culture. It is kind of understandable when people are supposed to work hard and earn as much money as possible. You can risk being called a waster if you tip.

@Mimishu where is here?

There is no tipping in Japan either. Service people do their jobs and are paid fairly. The price includes their wages.
That makes things easy for customers.

@JLeslie :: Saying you can’t keep the tip and pocketing most of it are two separate things. My roommate used to work in a restaurant (as recent as six months ago) but he would pocket most of the tip. Get a ten dollar tip and only turn in two at the end of the night. Everyone just thought he was shit at his job and he didn’t drive his new truck to work.

@johnpowell He worked as a cashier for carry out?

I still don’t care. Just the policy to begin with is disgusting. I won’t tip anymore in protest. The last restaurant I was at the owner, I’m pretty sure it was the owner, walked right out as I finished paying. She would have had no way to pocket it.

@LuckyGuy well,I guess that’s one characteristic of Asians.

I’ve read that U.S. restaurant tipping began during Prohibition. When restaurants suddenly lost substantial revenue from alcohol sales, made even more painful by the huge markups in alcohol prices, they could no longer afford to pay staff. This is why tipping isn’t common, or even done at all, in many countries; there was no Prohibition, so the practice never began. (Of course, Prohibition ended more than 80 years ago, but tipping is ingrained and still continues.)

There are some innovative restaurants that charge higher prices for meals, pay decent wages, and don’t allow tipping. The “no tipping” policy is usually printed on the menu and repeated on cards at each table.

It would be nice if every restaurant would follow suit. Nobody enjoys doing mental math at the end of a meal and assessing what is and isn’t a fair tip. But, until this happens, everyone has to tip. No matter how much someone objects to the system, it is what it is. If someone eats in a U.S. restaurant and doesn’t tip, he/she’s a bad person. The individual can lecture about the inherent absurdities and unfairness of tipping, and about how much he/she resents having to tip, but stiffing the server isn’t an option.

If only it weren’t illegal to subtract the amount of the tip from the meal cost, thereby stiffing the establishment, and not the server

Frankly, I can’t understand how the local diner can sell 2 eggs (up), hash browns, bacon, and toast, for $4.79. Heck, forget the raw materials for a moment. Look at the energy required to cook and heat the food, clean the grill, water to wash the dishes, deliver the food, ring up the bill, clean the table, do the accounting, pay the taxes, etc. How much money is the owner making? Nothing! No wonder they pay their staff so little. I would have no trouble if they raised their prices to a reasonable value and paid everyone fairly.

There is a story circulating among the vegetable farmers here. The inspector for department of labor asks the farmer about his workers and salaries. ” We have 3 that get paid $9 per hour, work 40 hours per week and receive NYS insurance and health benefits. One is a migrant and gets on-property housing as well. Then there is one crazy guy who gets paid $1.70 per hour works 60 hours per week, and gets no benefits.” The inspector says: “I want to talk with that guy.” “You’re already talking to him.”

I tip well.

Today, NY Daily News: Tip skimming by Mario Batali:

http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/eats/celebrity-chef-mario-batali-ordered-pay-5-25-million-skimming-tips-restaurant-article-1.1035001