So I got this job that requires me to travel regularly. However, no one has ever told me the appropriate times to tip hotel employees. I'm a good tipper at restauraunts (always between 15 and 25%) and I know to tip cabbies if I ride in a taxi.
What is the proper amount to tip which hotel employees, and when/where would I leave a tip for the cleaning crew?
Thanks in advance...
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
My family always leaves about a dollar a night a person, the last day on the bed or coffee table, when we leave. That may not be enough, and if you're just staying one night, alone, you may want to go a bit more, I'm not sure.
Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :
1. You shouldn't be tipping over hotels. 2. How does one tip over a hotel?
This thread is about hotel tipping, right? That's like cow tipping, right?
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
I do the same, breyerchic, except that I leave it day-by-day. I worry that different people would be assigned on different days, and I want to make it as easy as possible to sort it out fairly.
*grin
When I've been in service positions, I found that Murphy's Law always applied to me.
Posted by maui babe (Member # 1894) on :
If you want to tip every night instead of at the end of your stay (I prefer to do this... you usually get better service that way), put a dollar or two under the pillow instead of leaving it on a nightstand or table. The housekeeper will know it's a tip and not just some random money left lying around that s/he might be accused of stealing.
Posted by peterh (Member # 5208) on :
So where do I leave it so they know it's for them? And what about the bell staff, or valet staff?
And Derrell, you should see what happens when the hotel is 25 stories tall. Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
maui babe, I leave the money out on a table or the bedspread, sitting on the hotel notepad marked "Thank you!" I hadn't heard about the under-the-pillow trick, but it makes sense.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
I worked at a hotel for 4 years. Tipping anyone other then a valet or luggage carrier is not typically expected. If you find above average service, its nice, but with the cost of the room its what you deserve. They don't make 2 or 3 an hour like wait staff at restaurants.
Posted by Derrell (Member # 6062) on :
25 stories? Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
What should you tip the valet and luggage carrier, then? I'm never sure.
Posted by peterh (Member # 5208) on :
Thanks Stephan. How much for the valet bell staff?
And CT, Breyerchic, and maui babe, thanks for the suggestions.
Derrell, I'm staying here for the rest of the week. You wouldn't believe what you find underneath it...
Posted by maui babe (Member # 1894) on :
CT, I stayed at a hotel in Atlanta for two weeks in late 2004, and left a dollar or two every day with a note. It NEVER got taken, so at the end of my stay, I left $20 on the table. Since I was checked out, I hoped the housekeeper knew it was for her. A co-worker told me about the under the pillow thing since then.
Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
Last time I was in NY I tipped the bellhop $1 for storing my bags and another $1 for retrieving them. I can't remember if I tipped anyone else. I have no idea if this was an appropriate amount, either.
I will tip, but I hate tipping. It's all so under-the-table and not-talked-about. I vastly prefer the tip being built into the price (although that kind of defeats the purpose). I don't make a good diplomat.
Posted by kmbboots (Member # 8576) on :
Even better if it is put in an envelope and addressed to the housekeeping staff.
Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
I'm so confused that I simply open up my wallet every time I cross paths with hotel employees, and tell them to help themselves to as much as they want.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
quote:Originally posted by peterh: Thanks Stephan. How much for the valet bell staff?
And CT, Breyerchic, and maui babe, thanks for the suggestions.
Derrell, I'm staying here for the rest of the week. You wouldn't believe what you find underneath it...
I say no less then $1 a bag, $2 if you think they deserve it. Maybe a little extra if they are extremely heavy, or large. Odds are none of it is being reported to the IRS, so they aren't paying taxes on it either.
Posted by Kayla (Member # 2403) on :
quote: Before you arrive at a nicer hotel or resort, inquire as to whether gratuities are included in the price of the room. Some hotels are now charging a daily fee that covers all tipping for hotel services. If there is not a daily fee, these rates are appropriate:
Valet or parking attendant - $1-3 is appropriate for parking or returning the car. It is not necessary to tip for parking, but always for returning the car.
Doorman - If he hails you a cab, $1-2. If he helps you with your bags in or out of the car, $0.50-1 a bag. Use $1-2 per bag if he carries them all the way to the room. If he just opens the door, nothing. If he is exceptionally helpful with directions or restaurant recommendations, same as concierge.
Bellman - When he helps you with your bags, tip $1-2 per bag. Give him the tip when he shows you your room. If he just carries the bags to the front desk and then disappears, save it for the person who carries the bags to your room. Upon checkout, tip a bellman who helps with your bags. Tip more for additional services.
Concierge - $5-10 for help with hard-to-get dinner reservations or theater tickets. Tipping is optional for just plain advice. Tipping can be done at the end of the trip or at the time of service, just keep is straight so that you are fair.
Room Service - If gratuity is included, add nothing or $1. Otherwise add 15-20% to the total charge.
Delivery of special items - If you request extra pillows or an iron, tip $1 per item received, minimum $2.
Maid service - $1-5 per day typically, up to $10 per day depending upon how much mess you make. Tip daily because there might be a different maid each day. Leave the tip on your pillow. Err on the side of being generous, and tip on the last day also.
Swimming pool or gym attendant - Nothing, unless you require special services such as extra seating or inflating pool toys; then it is $2-5. If you want the same deck chairs every day, then tip $2-3 per chair beginning the first day.
Hotel maintenance staff - Nothing to replace a light bulb, fix the air conditioning, etc.
Its funny the tips I saw the room cleaners get varied drastically. I saw someone put 25 cents in the envelope, and I've seen $50 left.
Posted by peterh (Member # 5208) on :
Thanks Kayla! That's perfect.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
I hate the whole idea of tipping.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
quote:Originally posted by mr_porteiro_head: I hate the whole idea of tipping.
I'm guessing the businesses came up with it. They get to pay less, and we get to pay more.
[ January 18, 2006, 02:34 PM: Message edited by: Stephan ]
Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
Good. I was at the low end, but I only had one not-very-heavy bag.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
If I have any doubt about whether or not I should tip, I don't.
Which means that I really only tip at restaurants.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
I always tip the person who cuts my hair if I'm happy with it.
Posted by dantesparadigm (Member # 8756) on :
The entire concept freaks me out. It just seems so wrong. If I’m buying something I don’t want to have to feel uncomfortable about weather IK should tip, if I’m tipping enough, or if I’m tipping the right person.
The company who hires the employees should be making sure they’re motivated to do their job. Not only do I get the potential unpleasantness and social stigma of under tipping, but I also end up feeling like I've been coerced out of my money. I don't like feeling that unless I give the people I'm already paying more money, I wont get what I paid for.
Then there’s the whole argument from the beginning of Reservoir Dogs...
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
I also pretty much only tip at restaurants.
I tip bartenders when I go out, but not that well. And they get the same whether I order a $1.25 draft beer or a $8.00 Crown Royal.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote: The company who hires the employees should be making sure they’re motivated to do their job. Not only do I get the potential unpleasantness and social stigma of under tipping, but I also end up feeling like I've been coerced out of my money. I don't like feeling that unless I give the people I'm already paying more money, I wont get what I paid for.
I agree. It's only a negative for me.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I just found out that parents want to tip camp counselors, but only about half of camps allow it. I tip at restaraunts (I'm the one who tips even if she doesn't order anything, while there with friends), and when I get my hair cut, but not most other places.
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
As a former tipped employee (bartender) who also made $13 an hour at the same time, I'd like to make the following statement:
You're all a bunch of cheap bastards.
That is all.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
quote:Originally posted by Primal Curve: As a former tipped employee (bartender) who also made $13 an hour at the same time, I'd like to make the following statement:
You're all a bunch of cheap bastards.
That is all.
bartenders get more then minimum wage?
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
None of the ones I know do.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:You're all a bunch of cheap bastards.
I don't care. Hidden charges piss me off.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
quote:Originally posted by mr_porteiro_head:
quote:You're all a bunch of cheap bastards.
I don't care. Hidden charges piss me off.
Life would be much better if restaurants just raised all of their prices by 15-20% across the board and paid their staff more.
Posted by JennaDean (Member # 8816) on :
Yesssss!!!!
Let us know what it's going to cost when we sit down, and make sure the servers get a fair wage.
Where do I sign that petition?
Posted by dantesparadigm (Member # 8756) on :
They could take care of the ‘motivation to work better’ factor of tipping by changing it to a commission. That way the burden isn't upon the customer so they eliminate the uncomfortable factor.
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
quote:Originally posted by Stephan:
quote:Originally posted by Primal Curve: As a former tipped employee (bartender) who also made $13 an hour at the same time, I'd like to make the following statement:
You're all a bunch of cheap bastards.
That is all.
bartenders get more then minimum wage?
They do when they're working overtime and 20 other jobs in the hotel.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
quote:They could take care of the ‘motivation to work better’ factor of tipping by changing it to a commission. That way the burden isn't upon the customer so they eliminate the uncomfortable factor.
My only problem with that is that you'd probably see a big dropoff in service.
The one thing I like about tipping is that I have some way to provide feedback about the service I received. If someone is a great waiter, I give them a great tip. If they're a terrible waiter, I give them between 2-5% (I don't like to give nothing, because then they'll just think I don't tip), keeping in mind that sometimes it's really busy or they're obviously having a bad day.
But I wish there was a similar way to tell fast food employees that they're doing a good, or an awful job.
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
quote:Originally posted by El JT de Spang: I wish there was a similar way to tell fast food employees that they're doing a good, or an awful job.
A good fist in the teeth every once and awhile doesn't hurt.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
I know, I punch like a woman.
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
*scowls*
*punches JT hard*
How ya like them apples?
(I was taught how to punch correctly.)
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Did anybody feel a draft?
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
I'm so glad we don't have tipping here (Australia).
The couple of times I've been to the US, tipping freaked me out. I felt uncomfortable and resentful. I'd much prefer to have an upfront (higher) charge, know how much it will be and have whoever is delivering the service be paid fairly.
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
quote: As a former tipped employee (bartender) who also made $13 an hour at the same time
Isn't $13 / hour pretty good? I got $14 / hour being a law clerk, and that's in Aussie dollars. The best ever casual job I had was $19/hour, and that was ridiculously well paid in comparison to most casual jobs.
From my experience, $1USD buys more in the US than $1AUD will buy in Australia.
Posted by peterh (Member # 5208) on :
Same thing in Philippines. Almost everywhere they just include it as a separate line item in your bill.
Posted by Jeni (Member # 1454) on :
What about hotels that have some sort of shuttle services? Should you tip the driver? How much?
How about the person who helps direct people to cabs outside an airport?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote:Originally posted by Stephan: Life would be much better if restaurants just raised all of their prices by 15-20% across the board and paid their staff more.
Agreed.
And in some countries, that is exactly what is done.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
quote:Originally posted by Icarus: I'm so confused that I simply open up my wallet every time I cross paths with hotel employees, and tell them to help themselves to as much as they want.
Icky, come stay with us sometime....
Sometime after payday. Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:Originally posted by rivka:
quote:Originally posted by Stephan: Life would be much better if restaurants just raised all of their prices by 15-20% across the board and paid their staff more.
Agreed.
And in some countries, that is exactly what is done.
If everybody refused to tip, then that's the way it would be here.
Just think -- everytime you leave a tip, you are part of the problem.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
I've always been a problem child. Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
If everyone refused to tip, then we'd just have really underpaid waiters who all gave really bad service.
I'll stop tipping when those guys get minimum wage, but I don't expect anybody to make a living on 2.10 an hour.
Posted by Zan (Member # 4888) on :
I don't mind tipping in restaurants because I don't feel it's a hidden charge. I've lived with it all my life and know what to expect.
What irks me is restaurants that automatically add a gratuity onto your bill. If it's added to my bill and I get no say in how much it is, it's not a gratuity. And I have noticed that the service generally isn't as good when the tip is added to the bill.
I do understand why this is done when you have a large party. For some reason, the tip for a large party is always less. I have argued over it before though. I went to a birthday dinner once where we had 20 people together. Reservations had been made and the restaurant knew well ahead of time that a large party was coming. The service we received was horrible. Food orders were screwed up, drinks were left empty, etc. We had to practically twist the manager's arm to have him take the automatic tip off the bill and allow us to leave the tip we thought was appropriate.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
quote:Originally posted by El JT de Spang: If everyone refused to tip, then we'd just have really underpaid waiters who all gave really bad service.
I'll stop tipping when those guys get minimum wage, but I don't expect anybody to make a living on 2.10 an hour.
I wonder how the minimum wage laws read. If it is very slow one night, and the wait staff averages less then minimum wage per hour, shouldn't the restaurant be forced to make up the difference?
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
I do disagree that ending tipping would create worse service. I think that there are people that are naturally friendly and helpful, no matter what they are paid. Even with tipping in American culture, there are a lot of bad wait staff out there.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Well, the law is that the waiter must make enough in tips to bring them up to minimum wage level. But I can't find one that says over what time period. Do you do it daily? Usually there are enough good nights to offset a few bad ones.
So no, I don't think you'll hear anyone asking the restaurant to make up the difference, and they'd probably refuse if you did.
Posted by vonk (Member # 9027) on :
Originally Tips stood for "To Insure Proper (or Prompt) Service." When it was understood that that was the defenition, it was customary to tip a certain amount prior to the meal, and then if you thought that they worked hard and did an exceptional job, you tip more after. At least that way you can figure out before hand exaclty how much the meal will cost and there is nothing hidden about the charges.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
quote:Originally posted by vonk: Originally Tips stood for "To Insure Proper (or Prompt) Service." When it was understood that that was the defenition, it was customary to tip a certain amount prior to the meal, and then if you thought that they worked hard and did an exceptional job, you tip more after. At least that way you can figure out before hand exaclty how much the meal will cost and there is nothing hidden about the charges.
Not to derail too much, but if I recall correctly, Snopes.com has researched the etymology of the word and dismissed that common claim.
I've heard it knocked about quite a bit before I read some of the background on Snopes.
As for me, I'm pretty sure that people who work in service industries of any sort tend to be people in positions of less power. Given that I'm also pretty sure the system(s) is going to be screwing someone, I'd rather it be me than one who serves me.
Posted by solo (Member # 3148) on :
Do servers not get minimum wage plus tips in the U.S.? In Canada they must be paid minimum wage and then they receive their tips on top of that. I had no idea that this was different south of the border. That seems really wrong.
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
They can get under minimum wage (which is $5.15). I thought I had heard they had to be reimbursed if they got under minnimum wage with tips, but I think I may be wrong on that. I know I have heard $2.20 as a common wage ammong waitresses in my town.
Posted by vonk (Member # 9027) on :
$2.15 is the minimum wage for wait staff (not sure if this is texas specific). technically, if a waiter does not make at least min. wage they will be reimbursed. but this assumes that waiters accurately report their tips to the IRS, which i can guarantee you they do not. and nobody wants to get caught lieing to the IRS for 3 bucks.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:If everyone refused to tip, then we'd just have really underpaid waiters who all gave really bad service.
Not for long. Some restaurants would figure out that if they paid well for good service, their customers return more often. Pretty soon, they'd all be doing it to some extent or another.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Busy restaurants where I live are busy in spite of bad service, not because of good service. Most people don't go to restaurants because of the waiters, they go for the food. If the food's good and the prices are reasonable, you'll have a crowd no matter how bad your service is.
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
quote:Not for long. Some restaurants would figure out that if they paid well for good service, their customers return more often. Pretty soon, they'd all be doing it to some extent or another.
Pretty much. Almost everyone I know in wait service is in it for the money, except for those few who are in it because (pardon me) they lack the skills or motivation to do anything else.
quote:Most people don't go to restaurants because of the waiters, they go for the food. If the food's good and the prices are reasonable, you'll have a crowd no matter how bad your service is.
I think you'd be surprised at how bad the service would get if the wait help was making less than $3.00 an hour and had no incentive to do a better job, and how quickly that would affect a restaurant's business.
Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :
About hotels: I've never been to a hotel where there has been anyone to carry my bags... nor have I needed to have anyone.
I didn't even know tipping cleaning staff in hotels was ever done!
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
quote:Originally posted by Teshi: About hotels: I've never been to a hotel where there has been anyone to carry my bags... nor have I needed to have anyone.
I didn't even know tipping cleaning staff in hotels was ever done!
Envelopes are left in almost all hotel rooms. I worked at a Howard Johnson in Ocean City, MD. Not a high class hotel, but very expensive in the summer. I would say about 25% of the guests left tips.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
quote:Originally posted by solo: Do servers not get minimum wage plus tips in the U.S.? In Canada they must be paid minimum wage and then they receive their tips on top of that. I had no idea that this was different south of the border. That seems really wrong.
Its the reason we feel so pressured to tip well.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
The more we talk about tips, the more annoyed I get by the idea of them.
I'm less likely to leave a tip next time than I was before this thread came up.
Posted by peterh (Member # 5208) on :
Porter,
You could take Derrell's view and just stand in awe at my power and ability to tip the 25 story hotel I'm stayin in this week.
Posted by vonk (Member # 9027) on :
I work in the Hilton Americas, the largest hotel in houston and everyone gets tipped at some point. the only ones who expect a tip and should be given one every time however are the bell staff and the wait staff.
and mr porteiro head, if there is no one depriving you of your livlihood because of a thread, i suggest you not be the first. a waiter lives off his/her tips. you could be taking food out of a childs mouth.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
quote:I think you'd be surprised at how bad the service would get if the wait help was making less than $3.00 an hour and had no incentive to do a better job, and how quickly that would affect a restaurant's business.
I don't think I would be.
You don't understand -- there are restaurants here, and all over the South where the service simply cannot get worse. Sometimes you only see the waiter when they come to take your order and never again. And then they get it wrong. You have to flag down a busboy for a refill, you have to go to the counter to pay your check, and if you want to change something forget it.
Yet, if the food is good and cheap, and the place has a good location it does not make a difference. People are resigned to not getting good service, and consequently they probably don't tip as well. Guess what that leads to? Waiters going elsewhere. And guess what kind of employees you get once you have a reputation for not being tipped well? Yep, it just gets worse. I can't see how cutting tipping out would make the service worse everywhere.
I'm sure it would make it worse in a lot of places, and a lot of waiters would find a new field. But I don't look for it to happen anytime soon. And since I don't like it when people make $2.10 an hour, I'll probably be the last one to stop tipping.
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:and mr porteiro head, if there is no one depriving you of your livlihood because of a thread, i suggest you not be the first. a waiter lives off his/her tips. you could be taking food out of a childs mouth.
Every economic decision could be taking food out of a child's mouth. I shop at a local store instead of Wal-Mart? The bottom-rung employee might lose his job. I feel like a steak? I'm depriving the vegitarian restaurant of my money.
And I'm not trying to deprive anybody of their livlihood -- I'm just saying that if they need that money from me to pay their employees, put it into the price of the meal/service, and get rid of tipping which to me feels manipulative.
[ January 19, 2006, 06:32 PM: Message edited by: mr_porteiro_head ]
Posted by vonk (Member # 9027) on :
i'm curious, how many people posting anti-tip sentiments have ever had a tip based income job?
Posted by JennaDean (Member # 8816) on :
I haven't, but my hubby has. Which is why I always leave a fair tip, and better than that if the service is good. But I resent it. It's ridiculous - what was once a way to say "Thank you for excellent service" is now expected as part of the employee's pay, but not delineated in your bill.
I really resent it.
*grumble*
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
quote:I don't care. Hidden charges piss me off.
Well, since usually whenever I travel, it is on company bill, and they expect me to tip and it's their money, I'm generous
No, really -- I like to tip. I like to tell whoever is giving me service "Hey, I notice you. I noticed that you cleaned my room. Thanks - I appreciate it" in some way.
And it gives them feedback as to whether I'm saying: 1) Average job, as expected. 2) Good job 3) Excellent Job! very good!
I simply don't see what is wrong with kindness to those who are problem making less than we are.
I suppose you think the "kindness" is out of it because it IS expected instead of optional. But to me that's where the amount difference comes in.
FG
Posted by mr_porteiro_head (Member # 4644) on :
quote:I suppose you think the "kindness" is out of it because it IS expected instead of optional.
I think that's a large part of it.
I resent Valentine's Day for the same reason.
If I go and get Beverly flowers today, I did something awesome.
But if I get her flowers on Valentine's Day, all it means is that I'm not a dork.
It's a net loss for me.
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
quote:No, really -- I like to tip. I like to tell whoever is giving me service "Hey, I notice you. I noticed that you cleaned my room. Thanks - I appreciate it" in some way.
I like it, too. My husband is a very generous tipper (he's worked as a bartender and a waiter), and it's always fun to see the look on the server's face after s/he has seen the tip when we've gotten really extraordinary service. I like being able to improve someone's day like that.
Posted by Irregardless (Member # 8529) on :
I really hate tipping. And I disagree that we'd have poor service without it; people don't usually tip cashiers, office receptionists, sales clerks, etc, and yet you get acceptable service from them anyhow.
But my disdain for the practice is based on the fact that the establishment (a restaurant, usually) is expecting me to do their employees' performance evaluations for them. That's not my job. I'm not being paid to do it. I'm there to trade money for a product at an agreed-upon price. The crumminess of the wait staff is the owner's problem, not mine.
Posted by Zan (Member # 4888) on :
In my younger days, I use to go to a bar that had a free drink night with a cover charge. You'd be amazed at how many people think you don't need to tip when you're not paying the bartender. If you did tip, even a little, you'd always be served quickly no matter how many people were waiting.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
I think perhaps I'm a little more generous with cleaning staff at hotels and with meals in restaurants just because I'm female and I'm a mom.
I mean, traveling is such a treat to me, that it just feels SO nice to have someone else make my bed, and someone else clean my tub after a shower, and someone else bring in clean towels that I didn't have to wash, and someone else make my meals and wash the dishes.
It is just such a superb treat for someone who normally has to do it not only for themselves, but for a whole family, every day.
FG
Posted by Irregardless (Member # 8529) on :
quote:Originally posted by Zan: In my younger days, I use to go to a bar that had a free drink night with a cover charge. You'd be amazed at how many people think you don't need to tip when you're not paying the bartender. If you did tip, even a little, you'd always be served quickly no matter how many people were waiting.
I think that is the consequence of the irrational 'percentage' basis that is used for tipping wait staff. The person is probably doing about the same amount of work regardless of how much the food/drink costs, yet a $40 meal gets twice the tip of a $20 one.
Posted by Stephan (Member # 7549) on :
quote:Originally posted by vonk: i'm curious, how many people posting anti-tip sentiments have ever had a tip based income job?
I've worked them before. Even then, most of us agree they should just include it in the posted prices, and pay the staff more.
Posted by Zan (Member # 4888) on :
I don't think that's always true. Typically, if you go to a higher end restaurant, there will more waiters per customer than if you go somewhere like Red Lobster or Outback. They're waiting on less tables, so you get more better service. They might be doing the same amount of work overall, but a larger percentage is directed right at you.
It really irritates me to go to a very nice restaurant and get bad service.
Posted by Irregardless (Member # 8529) on :
Well, consider the situation within a single restaurant. Joe Blow comes in and orders the 18-ounce ribeye, while I get the tuna sandwich special. He gets a drink while I get water. The same waiter has to spend time bringing his food and mine, refilling his beverage & mine. But I'll be leaving a significantly smaller tip if we both go by percentage of the bill.
Posted by Zan (Member # 4888) on :
Well why didn't you order the ribeye? That sounds a lot better than tuna.
Posted by JennaDean (Member # 8816) on :
quote:Originally posted by Megan: I like it, too. My husband is a very generous tipper (he's worked as a bartender and a waiter), and it's always fun to see the look on the server's face after s/he has seen the tip when we've gotten really extraordinary service. I like being able to improve someone's day like that.
I'd love to be able to do that too. But I can't just leave a little extra money once in a while when a waitress does a fabulous job, because it's expected that I'll leave 15-20% over the cost of my meal; so if I want to let her know she's great, I have to leave more. So as it is now, if someone does an adequate job - just what is expected - I have to leave them extra money; and to say thank-you to someone great, it ends up being a pretty big percentage on top of what I thought I was paying.
Oh, and this:
"Typically, if you go to a higher end restaurant, there will more waiters per customer than if you go somewhere like Red Lobster or Outback."
... is just funny. Because in my house, Red Lobster and Outback are the nicer restaurants. Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
I know what you mean, Jenna. To be fair, we can only afford to do something like that when we've had a couple of really good months.
Posted by Sean (Member # 689) on :
quote:Not for long. Some restaurants would figure out that if they paid well for good service, their customers return more often. Pretty soon, they'd all be doing it to some extent or another.
So why doesn't this happen in Europe? Spending a month travelling was enough to convince me of the value of the North American tipping system.
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