Resaurant Tipping

[Burnie]

I absolutely agree on not tipping on the tax. What’s that got to do with the service?
One restaurant I was in a while back, can’t remember which one, had the option of tipping before tax on the card machine. Haven’t seen that before or since but thought it was a great idea. Most servers would disagree ha ha.
I’ve travelled a fair bit and seen many different tipping customs.
I have to admit I like it in Italy for example when the bill total exactly equals the total of everything ordered and includes tax and service. You can top it up a little if you like but it’s not expected.
Another thing I enjoy in Europe is excellent, professional service that’s not because they are trying to get the maximum tip from you. They are proud of doing a good job.
I tip between 15 to 25% here, much more for lunch, and always a full tip on wine regardless of the cost. I noticed that many card machines start at 18%and go up from there as the pre select tip option. It seems there is a push to increase the tips. Can’t blame them but it’s getting a bit excessive for average service in my opinion.

 

[xRiCeYx]

When ordering take out do U guys tip?

 

[legman]

I usually tip between 10-20% and thats before taxes and never tip for take out. Having worked in the restaurant industry when I was younger, I do feel bad for some of these workers.

I know for a fact that 100% of the tips do not go towards to server. At the restaurant that I worked at, it was split between everyone. Kitchen gets 40% of the total tips at night and that gets split up between line cooks to dishwashers. The 60% get shared amongst waiters/waitresses, servers and busers and the front desk.

I know of some restaurants where the servers get a tiered percentage of the tips. It's almost like a probation, ie. 6 months employment gets 50% tips and 1yr gets 75% of the tips. Meanwhile the owners pockets the rest.

I don't like the idea of tips, I rather it be calculated into the meal. Some may think I'm cheap but you can think what you like. I don't tip my mechanic for doing a $1600 clutch job, he did a big job and bruised a few knuckles whole doing it too but I don't tip him $320.

Also read this, made me rethink about tipping all together. https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.1144906

 

[Calbee Chips]

"There is no science to any of this- just what you are personally comfortable with. And I'm from the camp that tips generously and appreciates that serving is a tough gig that doesn't necessarily pay particularly well. "
Yes, especially the wages do not seem to catch up to the rising cost of living in BC.

I usually tip between 15 to 25% of the pre-tax total. Don't expect me to pay a tip on the GST and liquor tax. If you want a tip on the taxes, ask the bloody government.

I have debated this with friends and servers many times before. What do you guys think?

Actually a few of my friends are convincing me and others this is the way to go. Exactly your point of view as paying extra to the government is not very necessary.

 

[badbadboy]

I usually tip between 15 to 25% of the pre-tax total. Don't expect me to pay a tip on the GST and liquor tax. If you want a tip on the taxes, ask the bloody government.

I have debated this with friends and servers many times before. What do you guys think?

I agree with you and in particular with all the BC, City of Vancouver and the increased Liquor taxes are added to the bill.

If the server did a good job and the food was great, 25% on the food and liquor makes sense to me on the net before tax or 15% added to the total.

 

[UhOh]

As someone who once lived in Australia and traveled through many Asian countries where tipping is not customary, I will start by saying that I hate the concept of tipping in general. It's only in place so that ownership/management of restaurants and other service-related businesses can pay their staff at or below minimum wage. Why is it up to the customer ensure these employees get a decent paycheck? Other industries don't work that way and neither should the service industry. In Australia and many other countries, restaurants actually pay their employees a decent wage and no one has an issue with tipping not being customary there. It's a much better system.

That being said, I almost always tip here whether it's the owner or not. You can't assume someone is making a profit off a business and it's customary in this country to tip who ever is serving you at restaurants, unless you really feel that the food and/or service was garbage.

However, one of my pet peeves is servers taking tips for granted and speaking up if they feel their tip isn't enough. The amount in which you're tipped is entirely up to the customer. The server has no say in the matter. Plain and simple.

I also don't like the nerve of certain businesses that require you to get your food from the counter, but still have the tip request when you pay by card. No one is waiting on you at these places, yet they still think you should tip them just like actual restaurant servers? Give me a break.

Doesn't matter if restaurants pay their workers a decent wage or if they rely on tips, the customer pays for those decent wages and its reflected in the food prices.

If I make a good connection with the server I will sometimes tip in cash and she can decide to share or not with coworkers.

The tip prompt on credit card machines for pick up food is so annoying. I'll give a couple of bucks if I have it in my pocket but fat chance they're getting 15-20 %.
That ice cream store on 4th is one example. The machine prompts for a tip. It takes maybe a minute of their time or less to deal with each customer and anything there cost $5 or more. If they got a 20% tip from every customer they'd be making an extra $60/hr, just for putting ice cream in a cup. And they give you a sour look if you don't tip, screw that.

 

[Lady Companion]

I usually tip the owners better than I do regular wait staff because I figure other people don't tip them as well. Owners make much less than the staff that gets tipped out (unless they are a part of the tip sharing). Servers at mid to high end restaurants can easily bring home hundreds each shift. Most owners lose money or barely break even. Just look at the restaurant turnover. You don't ditch a business that is turning a good profit. The owner takes all the risk. The rent is exorbitant, staff costs money, regardless of whether they are making a profit or not, food and alcohol are expensive, and there is a lot of waste and theft.

I typically tip about 20% at mid to high end restaurants, and much more at low end restaurants. If I go to Denny's, the poor server works every bit as hard and puts up with much more than the server at le crocodile, yet she gets toonies tossed at her all day.

Realistically, I think it is more important to treat all people with respect and kindness. I feel that holds more value than being an ass and tossing money at them. Tipping should be something you give from the heart because you appreciate the personal service that someone is providing you with.

 

[Lo-ki]

10 % is my top for tipping.....

 

[Har-Don]

When ordering take out do U guys tip?

I do as long as the food arrives when it was promised. If it got there faster the tip is usually a little higher. If it was slower, the tip is usually a little lower. I think the drivers get the point.

Here's the real question. Do you tip on orders you pick up yourself? I usually do but at a lower percentage than I would if I had eaten in the restaurant but I've always wondered about that.

 

[Burnie]

I tend to tip drivers fairly well but take out is another issue. I might give a small tip depending on the order but they haven't really provided any service so I don't feel obligated.

 

[jamasianman]

My friend has a really strict set of guidelines for tipping. The server has to take order and bring food, server needs to check up once after the food is brought, water is provided and refilled (you dont self serve).

So for example at Maizal, a mexican restaurant I just went you order up at counter and get your own water. Same for asian heritage eatery. Its setup so that you order and pick up the food, get your own water, clear your own . i only tip for full on table service. 15 percent, 20 if the service was on point, 10 if we had long periods of being ignored. I would never not tip at a full on service restaurant.

 

[PierreCoeur]

I tip 15 % high end places 20% midrange places and 25% at Mom n Pop or places like Whitespot or Spaghetti factory.��

 

[Riza]

I tip 15 % high end places 20% midrange places and 25% at Mom n Pop or places like Whitespot or Spaghetti factory.��

Those are my numbers also.

 

[80watts]

I leave tips somewhere between 5 and 10%. Cheap, probably...

What really gets me, the server coming up and asking how the roast beef is, when I haven't tried it yet ? No common sense. Pls look at plate, or get an eye examination......
Don't ask me how my meal is when my mouth is full. Hate it when I am eating for the waitress to come up and start talking when I am eating, they get 1 syllable answears like "fine, good" ..... If there is something wrong with the food, I will send it back or complain. Or maybe I should chew the mouthfull for 30 bites before answearing, while holding their eye..... Some restaurants it seems likes to have its waiters/waitress ask you when your mouth is full....

I think I'm at the point where I will have to start some grounds rules with the waitress/waiter before I order.

1. Ice water, fill at 1/2 to 1/3 full and replace ice cubes
2. Don't talk to me while I'm eating, especially if my head is in the plate and I'm not looking elsewhere....

Grumpy.... Probably.....

 

[nightswhisper]

1. Tipping in the US originated because establishment owners do not pay minimum wage and laws allowed owners to make up the minimum wage with tips. That's why US servers only make two to three dollars per hour. The tipping standard encouraged them to work hard for their money.

2. Tipping is optional in most places in the world. Places that are well established charge a cover and pay high wages to their waiting staff.

3. Canadian servers are legally guaranteed to make minimum wage. Tipping is non-sequitur.

4. There are many jobs more important than waiting that do not receive a tip (IE. Your heart surgeon or teacher) and many harder and dirtier jobs as well (the garbage man, the janitor). If one postulates the argument that tipping help them make ends meet, waiters should stop feeling so entitled.

5. One goes to a restaurant to eat. That you go for service is ridiculous - I can bus my own table and bring my own food.

6. Telling people that they're "morally obligated" to tip based on a traditional that is optional is social blackmail.

7. Canadian waiters are really annoying - I don't like chitchat. I wanna eat. Stop asking me questions when I'm chewing.

8. I tip lest I want spite saliva and spit from an undertipped server in my food, not because I give a shit about the service.

 

[viola]

As someone who once lived in Australia and traveled through many Asian countries where tipping is not customary, I will start by saying that I hate the concept of tipping in general. It's only in place so that ownership/management of restaurants and other service-related businesses can pay their staff at or below minimum wage. Why is it up to the customer ensure these employees get a decent paycheck? Other industries don't work that way and neither should the service industry. In Australia and many other countries, restaurants actually pay their employees a decent wage and no one has an issue with tipping not being customary there. It's a much better system.

I agree 100%.

 

[jamasianman]

Actually there was a restaurant on davir street that tries to do the no tipping policy. They paid their staff 17 an hour and tried it out. They closed down several months after. Its hard to change the societal norm when its the standard.

Also to all of you getting mad if the server checks on you, just give a thumbs up if your mouth is full. They are being paid to not just serve you, but also if you need anything. What if they forgot something like bread or a condiment? If they didn't do the check after bringing the food you'd be sitting there with an incomplete meal or possibly missing something. My friend doesn't tip if they don't do that!

I also don't tip for take out though. No one is being served.

 

[badbadboy]

Actually there was a restaurant on davir street that tries to do the no tipping policy. They paid their staff 17 an hour and tried it out. They closed down several months after. Its hard to change the societal norm when its the standard.

Also to all of you getting mad if the server checks on you, just give a thumbs up if your mouth is full. They are being paid to not just serve you, but also if you need anything. What if they forgot something like bread or a condiment? If they didn't do the check after bringing the food you'd be sitting there with an incomplete meal or possibly missing something. My friend doesn't tip if they don't do that!

I also don't tip for take out though. No one is being served.

Back in the day when I was a part time server, the shift manager called it "quality control" to avoid any issues later. I learned a lot about people in that job. Like eating 2/3 of the meal, saying it was unacceptable and wanting the whole meal compted. After a few mouthfuls they can say it's not good enough but not after 2/3 of a meal.

I did return a meal at a Keg once. They used some nice lettuce as a garnish. Pity there was a live insect on the lettuce squirming around on its back. Saying my meal was free wasn't good enough and I got our drinks free too. :thumb:

I think it's important to tip for take out. Since most places share the tips with all staff, it seems unfair that the cooks etc not get a piece of your tip. I tip 15% for takeout most times. Got an attitude from a Whitespot take out a few weeks back so it was going to be an zero tip until I rethought about the cooks who did their part of the job.

 

[AA_Train]

Tipping is NEVER required. If the service and/or food sucks, it should be reflected in a small tip or no tip at all. A tip is a reward for the establishment treating you right. I've even gone out of my way at a restaurant to make sure the cook got tipped but the server didn't because I know having worked in restaurants, the servers have to give a portion of their tips to the others who work in the restaurant. She sucked but the cook made a tasty meal. I wanted to make sure she got nothing but the cook got their due.

As for amounts, I try to keep 15-20% as a standard but service today is so rushed in most places, it usually creeps down to 10%. If you want to give the server a real fuck off tip, tip them a really small amount, like if your bill is $29.73, give them $30 and say keep the change. It's worse than not tipping them, because it is like you throwing your scraps to them.

 

[nightswhisper]

If you want to give the server a real fuck off tip, tip them a really small amount, like if your bill is $29.73, give them $30 and say keep the change. It's worse than not tipping them, because it is like you throwing your scraps to them.

In the world of politics and economics, money that is spent to degrade or mentally decimate another being rather than purchase is known as "fuck you money".