Poll

jfgrad06

How much do you tip when you go out to a restaurant? Of course it depends on the quality of the service, but assuming everything went well, how much do you leave? Do you tip a percentage of the total, or just pitch a couple bucks on the table?

[Deleted User]

20%.

ricksang

About 30-40% of my bill.

ac_in_dc

I try to tip 20% or more unless there was something wrong. An extra buck usually means less to me than to the server.

opalsky007

20%, unless something was seriously wrong. I know how little waitstaff gets paid.

lpstl

20% is standard, I'll go higher if service was really awesome. If I'm out of the country, where tipping isn't as customary as it is here I'll throw a few euros or whatever currency down.

Jaytee501

20% or more if the service is really great; if the service is terrible, I tip 15% but make a point of saying something politely to the manager.

lyndausvi

20-25%.  sometimes more if I feel like it. Most restaurants waitress have to tip out a percentage of their sales to bartenders and bus people, not what is left from the guests.  In some places payroll tax is bases on your sales not what is left also. 

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

20%, unless it was AWESOME and then I'll do more. I tipped 50% once. My friend yelled at me for it (huh?) even though I was leaving my own money. Never less. Never. If something is seriously wrong, I complain to the manager. If it's not bad enough to complain, it's not bad enough to leave a crap tip either.

[Deleted User]

Ricks - it's official. You are Mary effing Poppins.

Kati0105

20-25% or more if the service was awesome and the meal was cheap.

future-weddedbliss

since I waited table for four years in college, I'm very sympathetic to wait staff so I usually tip at least 20%. That being said, if I get REALLY bad service, I will leave a penny on the table to make a point. 

LesPaul

20-25%

3plus2=5

At least 20%

jfgrad06

The typical total for 2 people to eat in my restaurant is $20-25. I get stiffed on a regualr basis, but I'd day $3 is the most common tip. I think it's pathetic. When you pay for $20 worth of food with a $100 bill, you can certainly leave me a freaking tip. The infamous pile of change is my favorite though. "Here's whatever leftover shiit I have in my pocket. Have a nice day."

ricksang

Ricks - it's official. You are Mary effing Poppins. Next years Halloween costume!

jfgrad06

Ricks - it's official. You are Mary effing Poppins. Next years Halloween costume! Nice!

future-weddedbliss

Everyone should have to wait tables for one week just to experience the rudeness.

ricksang

It will need to be slutted up some how...

mandysmear

I always leave about 15%.  Slow service - 10%.  It's not always the server's fault for your food taking long.If it's a higher end restaurant with awesome service 20%.Bad/rude service - ZILCH.  I have only done it once.  A drink in a bar, 1-2 bucks/drink.

jfgrad06

Everyone should have to wait tables for one week just to experience the rudeness. THIS! People that have never worked in a restaurant really don't understand.

J&K10910

My tips start at 15-20% and go up or down from there, for great or crappy service.  Having worked in the restaurant business I definitely have some sympathy for servers, but I also know exactly what is expected of them as well.  I have no problem expecting to get good service.  Especially in MN where servers make regular minimum wage (not server minimum) at the very least.

lyndausvi

I work for tips. Although not everyone knows that so we get stiffed somewhat often or get a mere 10% (which gets split between 3 or 4 people). My philosophy is some days are good, some days are bad.  As long as the good out number the bad, then it's all good.    If the bad out number the good then it's time to change locations or choose a different job altogether.

brookelynpaisley

20% is my standard. 25-30% if it's amazing service. I was a server, so I can appreciate someone really putting their all into it.

bbyckes

Typically 18% - %25 depending on the quality of service.  Shitty service gets usually a 10% tip and an explanantion of why the service wasn't satisfactory.Once I left nothing. It was bad.

jfgrad06

Especially in MN where servers make regular minimum wage (not server minimum) at the very least.Whaaaat!? Wow, I didn't know that! Here (and I only speak for my place of employment), it's $2.50-$3.50 an hour. BIG BUCKSSSS

bbyckes

Funny,  I don't even remember what word was bleeped out.  I'm guessing it was shiitty.

J&K10910

I too have only left nothing once.  And it was pretty bad.  All I wanted to drink was water.  I asked for it 6 times and never got it.  She messed up my order, then charged me the wrong thing.  She brought back the "corrected" bill and it was still wrong.  When I pointed it out to her, she argued with me and told me I couldn't read.  I asked her once more to change it and she said she'd change it when she ran my card.  I asked for her manager, she rolled her eyes and laughed.  I haven't been back since.

J&K10910

At least in my neck of the woods, jf.  I was shocked when I interviewed for a server position at a family type restaurant and they told me that servers in MN get minimum wage (which at the time was 6.50).  In WI, where I worked for awhile, server min was 2.33.  And that's what I made.  Granted with tips it worked out to be anywhere from 10-15 an hour, which was great for me.

stina93446

20%

jfgrad06

I agree with what Lynda said. Some days are good, some bad, but I'm fine as long as there's more good than bad.I get paid different rates depending on what I'm doing. My kitchen and supervising rates are more than my serving rate. My schedule has a good mix of all of them so I make decent money, but I wouldn't be able to live off of just waiting tables here. BONUS QUESTION: Has the "recession" affected how much you tip?