How much do you tip? - Page 2

Patriot76 - Places with multiple people doing different services for you have a hierarchy. It's not just the manager that runs everything. A server is master of their table section, and directs everyone else. If something goes wrong, it's their problem first. This is the person taking your order and checking on you. The other people actually get tipped by the server for their work...just like you tipping at the end of the meal. There is accountability in many forms, and if everyone is doing their job correctly, this kind of place will give you the best service possible.



I appreciate the insight. My problem is the one that takes the order is the one that brings the bill and I never see them in between. The one that brings the food is not seen again. The only one you see on a regular basis is the bus boy filling water glasses.

Waitresses and bartenders remember who tips well. Glasses don't get/stay empty, better seats, your drink may be waiting for you at the bar before you sit down, you are more likely to get some of the "on the house" drinks they are allotted.

I used to do a minimum of $5 even if i just had 1 drink, but i now pay my own bills lol.

Minimum of $1 per drink at a bar. A fun, attentive bartender gets whatever I feel like. crappy bartender probably woint see me sitting there long.

General tips 15-20% usually a little better. The sky is the limit if you make my day better. I rarely leave no tips, but I guess it could happen. I can tell the difference between things the server has control of and doesn't

Patriot76- Don't feel restricted. If you feel that bus boy may deserve more than his cut of the tip, give it to him yourself. If everyone did their job, cool. If not, I don't see any problem taking money from the total tip and giving that to the busboy. He's the end of the line so there's normally no one he tips out. If he does, it's normally the dishwasher.

Also, keep in mind that a restaurant needs to be a cohesive working unit. Other servers, bussers, manager, etc will go where the help is needed if they are able to. If one server is being bogged down, another may step in. In your instance, say a server needs to take someone's order asap. They may have asked another server to drop your check on the way by your table.

Here's a breakdown of where you tip may go:

Server gets tip money and it here:

Expediter (Brings your food to you, manages meal orders coming up from the kitchen) - 5-10%
Hostess - 5-10%
Busser - 15-25%
Bartender - 5-15%
Kitchen workers (this isn't common everywhere) - 5-10%

It's different at every place, but that's a good range to go by. There also aren't all of these positions at every restaurant. So the server ends up with around 30-60% (I'd say normally 30-40%) being tipped out to other people.

Originally Posted by WoodmanYoel

Ok next question - how do I get the bartender to go home with me?

LOL there are many ways to try, but usually none of them work...just the same with any other person

Originally Posted by lousypirate

As an FYI, I heard most restaraunts are going to drop gratuity because the feds want to start making that taxable income. CHECK YOUR BILLS!

Tips have ALWAYS been taxable income. The thought that most restaurants will drop tipping do to the "feds" is absurd.

I generally leave 15-20%, and always at least a $5 regardless of the bill total. My wife and I have a few local restaurants that we go to frequently, and they always take very good care of us.

I can only ever remember giving the $1 treatment once, and even that was too much. It was an out-of-town restaurant. The whole place was filthy, service was pretty much non-existant, plus I got a nice little case of mild food poisoning afterwards. Only time I've ever had that happen in my life

I can be anywhere from $0.01 in glass of water or coins barely hanging out from under salt / pepper shakers (people that have seen or done this know the insult here.), to around 200%. If I get a great meal, fast service, my cup is never empty, waitress is friendly, etc. I tip very well.

If I tip poorly, I normally ask for the cook and provide the tip to the cook. This may be considered harsh, and WILL get you remembered by your waitress, but it also shows you are willing to pay for good service if you get it. This also gives the waitress less time to spit in your food as cooks will remember who tipped them and ensure quality, hot meals are delivered in the future. If I tipped the cook in the past I will have the waitress tell them I said "hello" with the order or order something memorable. Many cooks will clue you in how to let them know it is you in this type of case, as they want to get another tip.

If you do get a waitress you have tipped poorly once you decide what you are willing to tip, lay it on the table before drinks arrive along with a penny and make sure you order a glass of ice water. If they have been a waitress long they will figure out what you are telling them. To put it plainly you are asking them if they want another penny or a real tip. It tends to motivate them to earn it.

I have never had to tip a penny twice in the same business.


Bartenders I tip $1 / drink or nothing. I rarely have had bad service from a bar tender and get quality drinks. If they continue to screw up or provide poor service on my 2nd order I walk out and dont return and leave no tip for second round. I have a couple bartenders that know me by name, know my drink and will have it ready to put in front of me when I sit down after walking in. I will not deal with bad service when I know I can have that kind of service.

Reservoir Dogs - Tips For The Tippers

I tip based off the service, not cause I know people who do the work. It doesn't work that way. You provide good service, I provide a good tip. You don't. I don't. It's simple. My soda glass stays full, my food comes out in a reasonable time, you get a great tip. You ignore me, don't fill up my glass, don't bring my food timely, you'll get less.

I have several resturants on my sandbar, that know me by my tips. One place I goto breakfast, we tip the waitress 5 bucks every time, easy. She has drinks for me before their empty, a smile an always polite, no matter how busy. During the winter months we'll tip her even more, cause the traffic is down, but her service stays exceptional. Same with another resturant. We come in, they get us a table fast, an the staff fights over who's going to wait on us, cause they know we tip well for good service.

I start high an deduct from there. You gotta really screw up or be a jerk to get a buck from me. My wife gets mad at me all the time cause of the way I tip. Till we go out for drinks, an I'm comped several of them. Hell my tips are so good a bar I used to go to in Va when I was a younger lad, the waitress remembered me after not being in there for 5 years. Why? Cause she'd give me a nice discount on my bar tab, an I'd tip her 20 - 40 bucks.

Good service gets tips, not "oh my sister does this, I should tip this guy good." You don't reinforce bad actions with rewards. If your service sucks, I could care less if my mother is a waitress, your not getting a good tip. Treat others how you want goes both ways. You want a "Omg" tip..provide me with good service. You want a buck..provide bad.

Bartenders love me. I tip well. If you can't make a drink or want to argue with me over what I'm drinking, don't expect much. I would say..average..I tip 25 to 30 percent of the bill. Waffle house near me..( just for you cory) I tipped the chick 20 bucks one night, she hooked me up with two coffee mugs for the wife, lol. I figured 10 for the mugs an 10 for the service. Now when I go there my hashbrowns are ready before I get a table! LOL.

Oh an on that waitress who remembered me...I see her still, an she still remembers my order when I come into that bar. I sit down, she asks if I want the usual, I say yes. Brings me my pitcher, my burger, an my shot. It's been several years since I been a regular...but she still remembers every time I come to town an visit. So I guess I can't be that much of a cheap bastard. haha!

Sirscrapalot - We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out. - Ray Bradbury