@Ralph The only reason I think they should make a bit higher tip, and 5% of what you order really isn't that much, is because their hourly wage frankly really sucks. A nurse in a hospital gets paid an hourly wage that is in comparison much more respectable. Larger tables can take more time and coordination, eat away at the larger tip the servers would have been earning for their time more easily serving smaller tables, even if the larger table orders more than each of the smaller ones. Because their income is so tip based I don't see this compensation, just 5%, that unreasonable, especially since they're making sure you have what you need and are happy for the whole hour or so you are there. I seriously think service people are often very underappreciated. I also think that we should be more like Sweden or Norway, where there isn't an expectation for tipping as food servers are already paid a decent salary. Your total bill would be higher, though, to include this more decent salary for servers. Just because our system here is messed up, doesn't mean the workers should be penalized for it. I'm not going to change the whole food industry, but I can at least leave a decent tip for people. A salary helps people earn a stable income and ensures that they are being paid a fair base ammount for the work that they do. Setting up a system where servers are paid peanuts (definitely not what they deserve for their work) and those who use their services believe that they should only tip when services are exceptional (because even a small 10% tip is optional, they only get a tip when everything is spot on all the time and to their particular specifications-really, people are hard to please) is a sure fire way to screw over food servers. I think that what accounts for our different perspectives is completely based on values and we can't really argue against each other's value systems. I was always taught by my parents that you should leave at least a 10% tip in US restaurants. 10% is below expectations, so servers will get it that you think they were below satisfactory. But it at least gives them some money for the work that they did for you. 15% is baseline and what can be expected for satisfactory work, while 20% is if they did everything well (or were courteous and rectified mistakes that might have happened) and for workers that served you in a particularly large party. My mom also worked as a waitress out of college, so I feel like I also have been taught to have a certain level of respect for the kind of work waitors and waitresses do, i.e. I don't have this notion that all they do is fill my water. Also, there are so many ways that food serves get jipped through the tipping system. For example, even if servers provide exceptional service, there are still people who are just incredibly cheap and will never leave a tip. Sometimes employers will jip them out of the tip and pay that they deserve. Belong low on the totem pole also means you aren't necessarily able to fight against this, too. 10% really isn't going to make you broke (and I don't think it's terrible to think that it's the least amount of money you should leave) and if you can't pay it then maybe get takeout or don't eat out so much. I feel that 10% is just an awknowledgement that they did work for you. Showing some respect for someone and what the do, in my opinion, is pretty priceless. I seriously don't mind throwing down a few more dollars down when I eat out at a restaurant. If you think a tip should only be left for food servers as a reward for if they do everything exceptionally well (and nothing more than 15% regardless of the situation), then you do that. And I'll leave what I'll leave.
I don't know where you live but it does here. I too worked as a waiter in college. My only bad experience was that the owner took all our tips from those who paid with a credit card. So I never tip with credit since; straight out cash so that the waiter gets it. Again, it's not an entitlement. I really did my job and more. Like Ralph said, the waiter should blame the restaurant owner for not paying higher than minimum wage (all those extra surcharges add up quite nicely for the owners + tips). Customers are there to eat; not do charity. You can do what you think and want but tipping is and should always be a reward rather than an entitlement which I must say isn't happening in America. Americans have spoiled these waitering staffs so much that not leaving a tip is no longer an option.
Cailini, you're preaching to the choir when you tell me that wait staff in general, don't get what they deserve. My dad (rest in peace) was a waiter in Chinese restaurants, and he raised five of us from his meager salary. So yes, by extension, I do have knowledge of what it is like being on the recipient end of low unfair wages within the food industry. But is charging the customer more on their bill really the answer? I don't think so. This is because those surcharges are usually kept by the restaurant and the waiter never sees a dime of it. Having such a surcharge frankly defeats the whole purpose of compensating the wait staff through tips. Most people I know don't bother to leave a tip if they see that there is already a "service charge" on the bill. The truth of the matter is, most owners either keep such charges in full, or give a percentage (never more than half from what I hear) to the collective staff. The ones that actually worked the heavy table don't see anything extra. Negiqboyz, I too, will pay by credit but leave a tip in cash, especially if the waiter was deserving (I make sure to hand him or her the tip, not leave it on the table). I also agree that this is really a problem for Americans in general. The food industry has us conditioned to such a point that tips as compensation is written into the tax code.
Geesh, well my vote is for a service charge that actually goes to the workers and then taking tip out of the equation so people can't cheapskate out of it. Or just paying decent wages to begin with and then there wouldn't be need for tip.
I remember now that there were a lot of restaurants that did pay lower than minimum wage to workers but for a reason "half check & half cash". Essentially, the workers can avoid taxes yet remain in governmental welfares programs for food stamps, health benefits, and additional incomes. Of course, this didn't happen at my restaurant since its non Asian but again, greedy owner. Sometimes, I guess high wage is an option, not like you said under paid. Low income comes with a lot of benefits in the US and one being free healthcare and college grants. Even with higher wages, the tipping thing ain't never going away here in America. It's a must pay charge regardless.
here's a tip.. get your ass a better job! hahaha damn the person has pretty nice handwriting.. I mean come on.. lets be real.. it's same as job.. might take you a lil longer to haul back and forth the pizzas.. but if they were really expecting to get $100+ out of it.. get outta here..
When asked to not forget a tip at a restaurant where I was given horrible service (not to mention who asks for a tip after that shit) I simply said "Here's a tip, don't be an asshole"
