How Much Do You Usually Tip?

July 6, 2007

74 Comments

I work in the service industry and have a lot of friend who do so i know how important tips are. They get you from one paycheck to the next.i always tip very well about 30-40% unless they are complete aholes then theyll only get 10%

ncsouthpaw 5 years 20 weeks

I work in the service industry and have a lot of friend who do so i know how important tips are. They get you from one paycheck to the next. i always tip very well about 30-40% unless they are complete aholes then theyll only get 10%

courtnied 5 years 21 weeks

Depends. We've gotten really crappy service before when going out to eat with my dad. It took us so long to get our cokes we had to go up and ask for them. Needless to say, $60 check, $1 tip. But the waitress was horrible. Usually at places like Chili's we have good waitresses but horrible service, so the waitresses get good tips. We usually tip twice due to the fact that they pool their tips at the end of the night which isn't fair to anyone.

faerymagick15 5 years 21 weeks

BTW I do take into consideration slow service is not always the waitress fault. Most times, it is the kitchen or the kind of food that was ordered that may take longer. But there are a few times I have seen our server just blabbering to other servers and our food sitting under warming lights for 5 minutes while we wait. the other day we went to eat. We each got something relatively quick and easy. But when it came out...my food was actually cold. I sent it back. It took much longer than it should have so when it was done I just asked them to put it in a to go box. The manager came over and apologized and comped my meal. I didn't care if they did that or not. But on top of it, the waitress was very snotty about it. nevertheless..I gave her 18%. It wasn't her fault, it was the kitchen. I at it when I got home, it was still cold.

faerymagick15 5 years 21 weeks

I chose 16-20% but it also depends on the service. If the service is below par I tip around 16% to 18%, if the service is great they get 20%. I have had 2 occasions where service was indeed terrible and I left absolutely nothing.

cupcake_85 5 years 43 weeks

I always tip around 20%. And if someone seems like they are having a rough time or are new I'll leave 50% or something. It's just money, nothing special

Jennywoo 5 years 43 weeks

The sitting down next to you has nothing to do with the waiter or waitress it is actually the restaurant that mandates that. Also, if you tip nothing you just seem like you forgot to. Tipping less is more of an insult. I usually don't tip less unless they are down right rude or neglectful (not busy neglectful I know servers get slammed). My husband used to wait and he said someone left him a dollar once and he chased the guy down, gave him back the dollar, and told him he forgot it at the table.

BonjourChaton 5 years 44 weeks

At least 20%, usually more. Bad tippers are bad people, period.

dior_show 5 years 45 weeks

I always tip 20% at least, +/- a few cents. Unless there was some special circumstance (like i needed food quick to get to an event) or my waiter/waitress was awesome I will tip more

LaLaLaurie06 5 years 45 weeks

if i've had no problems with the dining experience, then 20 percent is good. if the waiter/waitress was not so kind, then 10 percent. i make exceptions for a busy night. i know that stuff can be hectic.

schar 5 years 45 weeks

For those of you who have never worked in the service industry and take tip off for slow service, stop and think what is slow and if it is really the servers fault. If your drinks are taking a while it is probably not their fault, they are most likely waiting on the bartender. I once worked at a small place with only one gun that was behind the bar so all water, soda, and alcohol came from the bartender. So we were constantly waiting on everything and the customers weren't too understanding. Also, just a little hint...you get what you give. If you come in immediatly demanding things before you even sit down and with a chip on your shoulder I'm not going to be nice to you. However, if you come in with a pleasant attitude I will be nice and accomodating to you no matter what the table before you was like. Last thing, your server is human and may forget things. Last night I forgot to bring out someone's soup as an appetizer and didn't realize until I was serving the meal. However, to make up for my mistake I gave them a dessert on me, not on the house, on me, meaning I pay for it. If your server makes a mistake but then goes above and beyond to try to make up for it don't screw them over and hold the grudge. Not only did I pay $6 for dessert but I also got less than a 20% tip. Bet your ass I'll remember them next time they come in.

rocketgirl 5 years 45 weeks

I tip 10-15% because I'm an easy customer--a few refills on water and I'm good.

grl in the world 5 years 45 weeks

15% for average service, 20-25% for above average prompt friendly service :)

zc 5 years 45 weeks

i've been a waitress, so im very conscious about tipping so i'll always give over the required 10% but how far over depends on the service. but i'll awlways tip because most of them depend on tips and its not easy work.

Cheetah521 5 years 45 weeks

I'm a pizza delivery driver and a lot of my friends wait tables or bartend so I always tip really well. I have a lot of respect for waiters/waitresses because there's a decent amount work involved and they really have to earn their money. My job is really easy, you don't have to spend a lot of time with the customer but you do end up putting a lot of miles on your car and using a lot of gas so there's that aspect of tipping. Even if the service is HORRIBLE, I always end up brushing it off as "oh they were having a bad day"

patsmom 5 years 45 weeks

This is the first time I've responded to the other posts. I work in drug service. Which can be just as bad, 15 hr days 3 days a week and every other weekend not counting xtra hrs . People screamin 4 no reason other that they think I'm kickin back laughin while they wait . And I have my Dr of Pharmacy so I what was that word oh yeah I sucked it up 4, 10 years until I got ill and quit. When my DM came I n to see 1. What was my medical reason 4 quitting(I do not need to disclose) 2. To let me know my outfit that day wasn't dress code. I quit because I was just diag w. Fibomylagia/Epstein Barr/Chronic Fatigue..Not his buis and that day I was tired and achy so I grabbed a comfy but you can't tell its terry cloth unless u stare my techs work the counter unless there was a question. So in front of the people I work with he said "I am going 2 have 2 write you up hon" hon was it I took my coat off took my narc key off and said "I am not your hon, baby,or sweetie if u can't remember my name I guess you and your suit that is shiny from age got from Sears and my pants cost more than your whole outfit,and if no ones told u you belong on ice in the fish counter in the food store cause your eyes r on the sides of your head you dumdass.f#$@ you and I walked out or I should say floated got to my car and cried for 2 hrs some badass.worse part I am 2 sick 2 wk still. So free pharmacy advise just pm me no tip needed TIFYGODESS24 I applaud you no one could have said it better than your post You are so right, and for who didn't like the server to kid or act like server ws a friend oh my friends and I love it. That's why we goto chilis most of the time the waitress or male server meets up with us later in the bar and I don't drink. In close I think tip should mean T To I Inform P People

patsmom 5 years 45 weeks

This is the first time I've responded to the other posts. I work in drug service. Which can be just as bad, 15 hr days 3 days a week and every other weekend not counting xtra hrs . People screamin 4 no reason other that they think I'm kickin back laughin while they wait . And I have my Dr of Pharmacy so I what was that word oh yeah I sucked it up 4, 10 years until I got ill and quit. When my DM came I n to see 1. What was my medical reason 4 quitting(I do not need to disclose) 2. To let me know my outfit that day wasn't dress code. I quit because I was just diag w. Fibomylagia/Epstein Barr/Chronic Fatigue..Not his buis and that day I was tired and achy so I grabbed a comfy but you can't tell its terry cloth unless u stare my techs work the counter unless there was a question. So in front of the people I work with he said "I am going 2 have 2 write you up hon" hon was it I took my coat off took my narc key off and said "I am not your hon, baby,or sweetie if u can't remember my name I guess you and your suit that is shiny from age got from Sears and my pants cost more than your whole outfit,and if no ones told u you belong on ice in the fish counter in the food store cause your eyes r on the sides of your head you dumdass.f#$@ you and I walked out or I should say floated got to my car and cried for 2 hrs some badass.worse part I am 2 sick 2 wk still. So free pharmacy advise just pm me no tip neededTIFYGODESS24 I applaud you no one could have said it better than your postYou are so right, and for who didn't like the server to kid or act like server ws a friend oh my friends and I love it. That's why we goto chilis most of the time the waitress or male server meets up with us later in the bar and I don't drink.In close I think tip should meanT ToI InformP People

patsmom 5 years 45 weeks

My husband and I have always taken cruises, kids were NOT going to stop that. So my boys have each startd at 2. Servicing 1 2 yr old. My now 17yr old ate chicken &steak he was a dream all the way from 2 until now. So they give you and envelope w. waitstaff tip amount 7 days x amount tht the mngment thought. Well when my second started traveling he was hell on wheels. After non stop traveling dec 24 we sat to dinner my son was 3 the food the people he had had enough . The sommilier (sp) wine boss came over (idont drink &my hsband stuck to mixed. Well two minutes later the wine boss came over with 3 plastic wine testers and a brandy snifter.my sonfell in love. I found outthis was to be his last cruise for 2 wks he was getting married. Our waiter was a bit standoffish he was from Croatia. He asked me the 1st night was there any food the baby really liked. Being from Jersey he missed blueberries. Every night there was a silver chalice filled with fresh bluberries nd a Brandy snifter with corks +toothpicksThen 1 night I ordered squab, I felt a gentle poke I looked up it was the waiter shaking his head no,instead pointing to rack of lamb. He looked petrified.so I just nodded. He was right for the next nigts appitizer 1 choice was squab something.so after that night I lifted my menu pointed from soup to main he would slightly nod. Even my husband said I picked better food.the 2 yr old got ziti,oil and garlic just in case.. One night he was leaving the dr as we were letting the jr waiter clear I went to thank him he shook his head and nodded to the deck. He said all his money wenthome to Croatia and if they caught him telling me what not to eat he would be fired. So when it was time to tip he got double the amount your supposed to give and a 9.11 shirt that I won at a benafit. He had expressed interest where to get one because he and his family were deeply moved by the helpin efforts of others (my husband was there 4 3 days) the wine boss got tipped as if we had a bottle every night. And now weather it be diner or 5 star I remember the server did not cook,warm,or plate the food. If he or she has a personality glich I always ask ok what customer put you this way go sneak a cigrette,chocolate,etc. I'm in no hurry go take a deep breath and remember karma is a bitch. We are both usually laughin by that point if not I usually tip over anyway usually that money is more improtant to them even if its my last dollar......My karmas good I hope. They work damn hard I'd be fired the 1st day

SweetPeasMom 5 years 45 weeks

I was always a good tipper until I moved to the bad service capital of the US. Now I'll do a straight 15%, only increasing it if the service was good... like if I get my salad BEFORE my entree.