Tonight I went with my Daughters and family to a popular local restaurant. Nice atmosphere and reasonably good food. There were 6 of us and mostly wings and fries, with my prime rib and wine. No one dove on the tab, so I pulled my card and the waitress took the paper and plastic. She brought back just the credit card receipt. You know, the one with space for the tip, not the itemized slip. I thought the tab was steep. Then I remembered a conversation with a friend about a "Gratuity will be added for large parties" problem He and Wife encountered. I asked for the itemized tab, and found a 20% charge. I would think a honest person would either leave the itemized bill or remind the table there was an added percent. Nope! Thanks, Brandi C for trying to score a second tip. I for one will reconsider stopping there again.
A caution for my friends, or just my rant.
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Headache
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There are a number of restaurants in the Seattle area that no longer allow tips and instead they automatically bill you for them on your tab. Luckily I can't afford to eat in restaurants so being broke does me a small favor in this sense.
ArtW
Well-known member
That sort of makes a joke of tipping
The point of tipping is to reward a job well done
If I waited for eternity, got cold food, couldn't eat because my glass was never filled, and was spoken to rudely, NO TIP!
Having the restaurant automagically tack it on completely defeats the purpose
The point of tipping is to reward a job well done
If I waited for eternity, got cold food, couldn't eat because my glass was never filled, and was spoken to rudely, NO TIP!
Having the restaurant automagically tack it on completely defeats the purpose
ArtW
Well-known member
I would write 'depends' on that line 
I eat once a week at the steakhouse near me, have for about a year. I sit at the bar since I am a party of one and the regular bartender knows I tip well and I get good service.
I went a few weeks ago and there was a different bartender I had never seen, sat at the bar and waited. And waited. She made the long trip, five ft, to a menu and hands it to me with not a word spoken. I finally flagged her down and told her I was ready to order. Now I know us old farts are thought of as bad tippers, I'm not....most of the time. I gave her my entire order, appetizer, salad and entree but asked for her to serve them one at a time. I knew this would be an issue as she actually rolled her eyes.
Someone from the kitchen brought my appetizer with no dipping sauce. Flag my server down again and ask her to bring me some and even said please. She came back with the sauce and my salad that I had asked her to wait on. I said nothing. Three bites into my blooming onion here comes my prime rib..Haven't touched the salad and the rib is just setting there getting cold. I check out the bar area and there are 3 at the bar drinking and two at the tables eating. Not swamped.
I just put the appetizer and salad to the side and after asking her for the horseradish ate about half my rib. During my entire meal I asked for everything, from silverware to water. The final straw was when I asked for three to go boxes and she returned with three tiny containers and almost tossed them at me.
I go there often enough to know the GM and he lets me park my scooter out of site in back and usually stops by to visit, this night he didn't so I asked this young woman to please get him. I never want anyone to lose their job but damn. I asked her to join us while I told him what I am typing here, but in more detail. He offered to comp my meal but that wasn't what I wanted. I wanted her to understand why there was a 0 on the tip line.
Automatic tipping should be illegal. Rob
I went a few weeks ago and there was a different bartender I had never seen, sat at the bar and waited. And waited. She made the long trip, five ft, to a menu and hands it to me with not a word spoken. I finally flagged her down and told her I was ready to order. Now I know us old farts are thought of as bad tippers, I'm not....most of the time. I gave her my entire order, appetizer, salad and entree but asked for her to serve them one at a time. I knew this would be an issue as she actually rolled her eyes.
Someone from the kitchen brought my appetizer with no dipping sauce. Flag my server down again and ask her to bring me some and even said please. She came back with the sauce and my salad that I had asked her to wait on. I said nothing. Three bites into my blooming onion here comes my prime rib..Haven't touched the salad and the rib is just setting there getting cold. I check out the bar area and there are 3 at the bar drinking and two at the tables eating. Not swamped.
I just put the appetizer and salad to the side and after asking her for the horseradish ate about half my rib. During my entire meal I asked for everything, from silverware to water. The final straw was when I asked for three to go boxes and she returned with three tiny containers and almost tossed them at me.
I go there often enough to know the GM and he lets me park my scooter out of site in back and usually stops by to visit, this night he didn't so I asked this young woman to please get him. I never want anyone to lose their job but damn. I asked her to join us while I told him what I am typing here, but in more detail. He offered to comp my meal but that wasn't what I wanted. I wanted her to understand why there was a 0 on the tip line.
Automatic tipping should be illegal. Rob
jimindenver
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Blooming onion? I would guess Outback. We use to be regulars at one by us but the drinks got weak, the servers were always being trained and the cuts were no better than at the grocery. I mean really now, at those prices I shouldn't have to have my teeth in to eat a tenderloin if ya know what I mean.
Every time there's a conversation about restaurants and tipping, and I make the mistake of participating, I usually end up a pariah.
The situation with tipping at restaurants has degraded to such an extent that I try to avoid as much as possible going to restaurants that require tipping. Sure, part of that is because they're expensive. But mostly, I don't like their attitude. As best I can describe it, it is one of misplaced, indignant entitlement. They may or may not do their basic job, but regardless, they want to get paid _and_ get tipped.
Maybe I'm just an old fart, but I grew up with the idea that tipping is voluntary and used from time to time to reward really good service. I really don't care if the general notion of tipping has changed. I have not changed and the original concept of tipping is still correct.
What is occurring in something similar to Stockholm Syndrome. In this case the restaurant owner would be the kidnapper. The server would be the hostage. Rather than the server being angry at the owner for not paying them properly, the owner has managed to convince the servers that their real problem is the customer. Wait staff have fallen for it hook, line, and sinker. Plus, there's much less risk for an employee to be angry at and confront a customer than there is to be angry at and confront their boss.
The policy of underpaying wait staff and expecting the customers to make up the difference in their salary constitutes the owner dodging their responsibility to pay as normal employers pay. They have managed through some social trickery that most people have accepted to foist part of their operating expenses off on to the customer. Of course it's simply wrong. However, if you don't want to tip or you don't want to give whatever percentage they want you to give, then you're considered a cheap *******, even if you already paid for the product in full. Where else in business would something so crazy be tolerated by customers? Nowhere that I know of.
One of the many absurd things about life.
Tom
The situation with tipping at restaurants has degraded to such an extent that I try to avoid as much as possible going to restaurants that require tipping. Sure, part of that is because they're expensive. But mostly, I don't like their attitude. As best I can describe it, it is one of misplaced, indignant entitlement. They may or may not do their basic job, but regardless, they want to get paid _and_ get tipped.
Maybe I'm just an old fart, but I grew up with the idea that tipping is voluntary and used from time to time to reward really good service. I really don't care if the general notion of tipping has changed. I have not changed and the original concept of tipping is still correct.
What is occurring in something similar to Stockholm Syndrome. In this case the restaurant owner would be the kidnapper. The server would be the hostage. Rather than the server being angry at the owner for not paying them properly, the owner has managed to convince the servers that their real problem is the customer. Wait staff have fallen for it hook, line, and sinker. Plus, there's much less risk for an employee to be angry at and confront a customer than there is to be angry at and confront their boss.
The policy of underpaying wait staff and expecting the customers to make up the difference in their salary constitutes the owner dodging their responsibility to pay as normal employers pay. They have managed through some social trickery that most people have accepted to foist part of their operating expenses off on to the customer. Of course it's simply wrong. However, if you don't want to tip or you don't want to give whatever percentage they want you to give, then you're considered a cheap *******, even if you already paid for the product in full. Where else in business would something so crazy be tolerated by customers? Nowhere that I know of.
One of the many absurd things about life.
Tom
#1BonBonQueen
Well-known member
Well, I must weigh-in on this one.
A long time ago, we, Hubby and I were out shopping, decided to stop in at a store that also sold food, a small restaurant.
The waitress was nice enough, to Hubby, to me, she actually threw my straw at/to me when I had to ask for one.
She actually glared at me at different times.
I asked Hubby if she knew her, he said No. But she was so nice to him, I thought maybe he just didn't want to fess up. Anyway, after her being rude the whole time we were there, rude to me that is. When we left Hubby wanted to give her the normal tip, which at that time was about $2.00, that is how long ago it was. I insisted he leave her One Penny. I had read somewhere that makes the message pretty clear, the service was bad, if it hadn't been so bad, the waitress would have been given a better tip. I wanted her to know that we weren't "non tippers" just thought our service left a lot to be desired.
I don't know if she got it or not, never went back.
I am sorry the wait staff gets paid so poorly, but... if you give bad service, you don't get the nice tip I think you deserve to make up for the bad wages. In a sense, I am in control of your wages, be nice to me, I will be nice to you.
Also I think it is unfair that the Gov. makes the wait staff pay taxes according to the hours they have worked, not according to the money they earn, but it isn't my fault and I also don't think they should have to pay taxes on their tips, but then again, I am not at fault either.
I don't know why the "youngsters" think they are entitled to so much, without giving back ,but until the parents quit catering to their children they will continue to be this way. JMHO
A long time ago, we, Hubby and I were out shopping, decided to stop in at a store that also sold food, a small restaurant.
The waitress was nice enough, to Hubby, to me, she actually threw my straw at/to me when I had to ask for one.
She actually glared at me at different times.
I asked Hubby if she knew her, he said No. But she was so nice to him, I thought maybe he just didn't want to fess up. Anyway, after her being rude the whole time we were there, rude to me that is. When we left Hubby wanted to give her the normal tip, which at that time was about $2.00, that is how long ago it was. I insisted he leave her One Penny. I had read somewhere that makes the message pretty clear, the service was bad, if it hadn't been so bad, the waitress would have been given a better tip. I wanted her to know that we weren't "non tippers" just thought our service left a lot to be desired.
I don't know if she got it or not, never went back.
I am sorry the wait staff gets paid so poorly, but... if you give bad service, you don't get the nice tip I think you deserve to make up for the bad wages. In a sense, I am in control of your wages, be nice to me, I will be nice to you.
Also I think it is unfair that the Gov. makes the wait staff pay taxes according to the hours they have worked, not according to the money they earn, but it isn't my fault and I also don't think they should have to pay taxes on their tips, but then again, I am not at fault either.
I don't know why the "youngsters" think they are entitled to so much, without giving back ,but until the parents quit catering to their children they will continue to be this way. JMHO
I don't, in general, object to added gratuity on the tab for a large group of customers. I don't think it should be 20%! Also it was meant for groups having something like a office party or similar function. I don't agree with it being added to a family out to dinner. I am very putout by the waitress taking the itemized charges and just returning a CC slip for me to sign with an obvious line for a tip amount. She did not have to say anything if the itemized charges were left there for my reference. But as she kept that part of the bill, she could have said the tip was included. I think it is a method to double dip her gratuity.
GypsyDogs
Well-known member
I worked in a restaurant, a while back.
The slacker staff convinced management that the concept of Tip-Sharing was a great idea.. to make it fair for everybody.
So when I worked hard and provided excellent service and got good tips. I Had to Share Them with the slackers that barely showed up.
Yeah, totally fair.
Grew to hate that place.
When you earn $100-200 in tips, busting 'A' at tables and go home with $25-50.. it just takes the wind out of your sails.
The slacker staff convinced management that the concept of Tip-Sharing was a great idea.. to make it fair for everybody.
So when I worked hard and provided excellent service and got good tips. I Had to Share Them with the slackers that barely showed up.
Yeah, totally fair.
Grew to hate that place.
When you earn $100-200 in tips, busting 'A' at tables and go home with $25-50.. it just takes the wind out of your sails.
ArtW
Well-known member
Tip sharing is socialism, in a microcosm, and shows what's wrong with that system in practice very well
#1BonBonQueen
Well-known member
GypsyDogs said:
When we are tipping a good waitress we always ask if they have to
"share" their tips. If they do, we always give them the tip, on the down low, so the management and other employees can't see that we did tip. I always tell the waitress they shouldn't have to share their tips, our tips are Hers, not others and to put the money in their pocket, not the tip jar. I don't think it is fair to the Good waitress to have to share with the Bad Waitress. jmho
Sharon
Queen
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Have a good friend who is a waitress, and she is excellent. In Illinois they pay $4.25an hour for tipped employees, and they pay taxes on their tips, most times after deductions her paycheck is zero, so her income is solely her tips. It is a ridiculous system.
Headache
Well-known member
ArtW said:
I'll try to lighten this up since my other post was deleted.
No it doesn't show what's wrong "pretty well" nor does every tip sharing situation mean that there is laziness or something unfair behind it. It's easy to generalize but takes effort to be factual.
GotSmart
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I might regret this.
Having worked in restaurants where most of the labor goes to making sure a server has everything ready the instant the customer desires it ~~~ I know that tip sharing does help all the staff work harder. nothing sucks more than making minimum wage while everything you do is another $ to the company. To the servers, and the people who cook and clean, PFFFTTT. Perhaps a thanks from someone who has been around and understands the crap you go throug.
The reality is that most restaurants are working on the edge. 3.5% being a high profit location. 60% of sit down restaurants go under within 3 years. This is industry wide. Fast food stores make a whole 6% profit. It costs about $400,000 and up to open the doors. That is on the low end.
Now about the nasty jerks that demand everything be completely perfect, or no tip... 0 tip for the person making $2.25 an hour that you treated like ~~~
Get the message. A lot of dedication went into that meal that is in front of you. Show a little appreciation.
Having worked in restaurants where most of the labor goes to making sure a server has everything ready the instant the customer desires it ~~~ I know that tip sharing does help all the staff work harder. nothing sucks more than making minimum wage while everything you do is another $ to the company. To the servers, and the people who cook and clean, PFFFTTT. Perhaps a thanks from someone who has been around and understands the crap you go throug.
The reality is that most restaurants are working on the edge. 3.5% being a high profit location. 60% of sit down restaurants go under within 3 years. This is industry wide. Fast food stores make a whole 6% profit. It costs about $400,000 and up to open the doors. That is on the low end.
Now about the nasty jerks that demand everything be completely perfect, or no tip... 0 tip for the person making $2.25 an hour that you treated like ~~~
Get the message. A lot of dedication went into that meal that is in front of you. Show a little appreciation.
This thread was not started as a means to trash tipping. I tip generously. Also, tip sharing was practiced way before it became institutional. I remember the ladies giving me, the dishwasher, a share of their tips if I was helpful. The waitstaff in most food establishments do alright by them selves with their tip income.
This thread was to call the attention of my friends, when they should have a restaurant dinner with family, to check the tab for an added "gratuity" and don't get flamboozled by a double dipping server. The other purpose was just to vent my attitude and get over it.
This thread was to call the attention of my friends, when they should have a restaurant dinner with family, to check the tab for an added "gratuity" and don't get flamboozled by a double dipping server. The other purpose was just to vent my attitude and get over it.
GetSmart typed "Now about the nasty jerks that demand everything be completely perfect, or no tip... 0 tip for the person making $2.25 an hour that you treated like ~~~
Get the message. A lot of dedication went into that meal that is in front of you. Show a little appreciation."
I tip when the service is adequate or good and I tip well.If they are very busy I adjust for that, most servers will at least acknowledge you exist while you wait, some don't. When a person accepts a job willingly and is explained that good, prompt service will make you money and they choose to shoot the **** with the bartender or their friends leaving my table in a lurch wondering where my food, tableware, drink or whatever may be and they can't figure out why the old fart left them nothing all they have to do is ask. I ain't shy..But I am not rude or expect instant service either.
It's like any other job...If you don't like it..quit. Broaden your horizons. Until then do your job and don't try to cheat like CCbreder's server did.
Get the message. A lot of dedication went into that meal that is in front of you. Show a little appreciation."
I tip when the service is adequate or good and I tip well.If they are very busy I adjust for that, most servers will at least acknowledge you exist while you wait, some don't. When a person accepts a job willingly and is explained that good, prompt service will make you money and they choose to shoot the **** with the bartender or their friends leaving my table in a lurch wondering where my food, tableware, drink or whatever may be and they can't figure out why the old fart left them nothing all they have to do is ask. I ain't shy..But I am not rude or expect instant service either.
It's like any other job...If you don't like it..quit. Broaden your horizons. Until then do your job and don't try to cheat like CCbreder's server did.
