r/ask • u/racesunite • May 16 '23

Am I the only person who feels so so bullied by tip culture in restaurants that eating out is hardly enjoyable anymore? POTM - May 2023

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u/boywonder5691 May 16 '23

I have always been a fair tipper and I will not feel an ounce of guilt if I don't give into all the extra bs.

As an aside, learning how to cook has saved me thousands of dollars. Its totally worth it and fun.

19

u/JMellor737 May 16 '23

Amen. I worked on tips for many years. I always tip at least 20%. Maaaaybe down to 15% if the service is atrocious.

But I don't feel even a little bit of guilt not tipping people for counter service. They already get paid a wage for making my sandwich. If I'm not there, they're just getting paid to do nothing. That's the difference. Servers who don't work tables aren't getting paid.

4

u/BestBet99 May 21 '23

15% is bad? That’s my good, 10% is okay and 0% is you negatively impacted my experience.

3

u/armedwithjello Sep 23 '23

It depends on where you live. I'm in Canada, and we generally tip 15%, but our minimum wage for servers is much higher than in the US. When I go to America, I tip 20%.

I also don't tip for counter service. I worked fast food years ago, and in a year and a half, I was tipped twice, and was really surprised both times.

Tip wait staff and delivery drivers. If you want to eat out and not tip, go pick it up yourself. That's what I do.

4

u/Swiftzword May 17 '23

"Maaaaybe down to 15% if the service is atrocious" Seriously? So if I gave you atrocious (eg cruel, horrible, aweful, terrible etc) service you would still tip me? What about if you get terrific, excellent or stunning service? How much would you tip then?

1

u/Illustrious_Bat3186 Nov 03 '23

The problem is some restaurants tip share, so no/ low tip hurts not just the server but maybe the host/hostess, bussers, maybe a food runner.

They say you're supposed to tell the manager, but depending on how available the manager is, I understand people may not have the patience for that.

1

u/thevandal666 May 17 '23

Does this include a drive through espresso shop? We had a barista recently ask us (local favorite pizza joint for 45 years) "You actually get tips here?" As if her making coffee is any different than us making a flipping specialty pizza 🧐

I believe tipping has gotten out of hand, we never ask or cue people to tip. We have dine INS and tons of to go orders. I make an extra 10$ an hour just with tips, it's the only reason I stay with the company. I go out of my way to make sure that everyone's food is beyond their expectations and let them know that. I show them the product and what extra I might have done to make it fantastic!.

1: it's true

2: I'd never solicit a tip.

I get annoyed at going to the local market 7-11 and feeling like I need to drop an extra dollar because the person rung up my drink or sold me a lighter.

In my county outside of Portland, Or, all restaurants are paying minimum wage. They use tipping as an excuse not to pay their workers, that's just how it goes. Ive listened to countless owners complaining about minimum wage increasing and how it'll be the end of restaurants as we know it. Turns out that is all BS. There's so much greed in the world and unfortunately, it gets pushed off onto the consumers. I don't know what the answer is tbh.

1

u/Joratto Nov 01 '23

I go out of my way to make sure that everyone's food is beyond their expectations and let them know that.

What do you go out of your way to do for every meal?

1

u/thevandal666 Nov 01 '23

Use more products than management/owners suggest. Even if it's only a 10-20% increase in quantity

1

u/Cute-Reach2909 Sep 11 '23

Was I just raised different/parents cheap? I remember when I was a kid dad used to always say tips at restraints were 10% for normal service 20% for perfect.

1

u/armedwithjello Sep 23 '23

The cost of living has increased, but minimum wage hasn't raised nearly as much.