Who changed it to 20%

[Chuckanut]

If I had to take a guess I bet this is the most accurate statement on the thread.

We rarely go out to restaurants with servers but when we do we usually double the tax as a tip.

I have a friend in Portland, OR who does that.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

I personally think 10% is fair. Let us say 1 server serves 3 tables in an hour, and that is being conservative. Each table spends $100, each table tips $10, that is $30 + their wage. Seems fair to me.

And for those who say tips are shared with all or whoever, you are tipping YOUR server for their service not someone else's.

 

[Midpack]

I personally think 10% is fair. Let us say 1 server serves 3 tables in an hour, and that is being conservative. Each table spends $100, each table tips $10, that is $30 + their wage. Seems fair to me.

And for those who say tips are shared with all or whoever, you are tipping YOUR server for their service not someone else's.

You don’t care about reality at all, so keep shorting your server based on your made up self serving narrative. The norm is 18-20% of your tab - not what you wish it was.

Too bad your customers don’t/didn’t get to pay you in your career whatever made up idealized rationale they could dream up.

And you’re welcome, as the rest of us keep servers employed - otherwise your only dining choice would be fast food.

 

[Music Lover]

And in a couple years after people get used to the new norms they'll increase the "recommended" tips to 20%, 25%, and 30% and everyone better fall in line without complaining...or you'll be called cheap!!

 

[USGrant1962]

And in a couple years after people get used to the new norms they'll increase the "recommended" tips to 20%, 25%, and 30% and everyone better fall in line without complaining...or you'll be called cheap!!

Oh come on. You know that past performance does not predict future results...

Or was that for stocks

 

[Midpack]

And in a couple years after people get used to the new norms they'll increase the "recommended" tips to 20%, 25%, and 30% and everyone better fall in line without complaining...or you'll be called cheap!!

They didn’t move from 15% to 20% in “a couple years” and if/when they increase again it won’t be soon. Theoretically servers tips increase along with menu prices, but customers can order less or dine out less, so there are no guarantees. In many states, tipped workers are still being paid $2.13/hr - unchanged since 1996, so those wages have been cut by more than half inflation adjusted.

So I gather you didn’t expect any wage increases over your career years, or in retirement?

Here’s a summary of your POV

https://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanschocket2/people-who-dont-tip-are-scum

And I know you could care less about reality but for others:

Allegretto’s research with the Economic Policy Institute, a left-leaning think tank, found in 2014 that in states where the tipped wage is $2.13, the poverty rate was 14.5 percent for all tipped workers and 18 percent for waiters and bartenders, compared with 7 percent for non-tipped employees.

Of the roughly 4.3 million tipped workers in the U.S., almost 60 percent of them — 2.5 million — are waiters and bartenders, according to Allegretto’s research. Around 67 percent of all tipped workers and 69 percent of servers and bartenders are women. EPI’s research found that 24 percent of waiters and bartenders are parents, and 16 percent of women in those jobs are single mothers. Around 47 percent of tipped workers and 50 percent of waiters and bartenders were members of families that earn less than $40,000. In New Jersey, where Fox works, the average annual salary for waiters and waitresses was $23,100 in 2016.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-minimum-wage-movement-is-leaving-tipped-workers-behind/

 

[ShokWaveRider]

You don’t care about reality at all, so keep shorting your server based on your made up self serving narrative. The norm is 18-20% of your tab - not what you wish it was.

Too bad your customers don’t/didn’t get to pay you in your career whatever made up idealized rationale they could dream up.

And you’re welcome, as the rest of us keep servers employed - otherwise your only dining choice would be fast food.

OK, no need to be nasty! You are over reacting (per usual). I did not say that is what I did, I said that is what I think it should be. Take a Pill!

 

[gwraigty]

You don’t care about reality at all, so keep shorting your server based on your made up self serving narrative. The norm is 18-20% of your tab - not what you wish it was.

Too bad your customers don’t/didn’t get to pay you in your career whatever made up idealized rationale they could dream up.

And you’re welcome, as the rest of us keep servers employed - otherwise your only dining choice would be fast food.

Yes, because fast food would pay better, if not for tips. Choice is a wonderful thing.

I find it incredibly strange that some people at an Early Retirement Financial Independence Community would begrudge servers a decent tip. You've been fortunate. Spread it around some.

 

[Amethyst]

He/she will be shocked!

OK, I've read the whole thread. From now on I'll tip my electrician 20%.

 

[GenXguy]

I thought it was 10% for average, 15% for good service. My old boss was very generous and he always tipped 20% and I have been operating that way for some time. I feel generous tipping that amount though and sure thought it was more than standard.

If I had to take a guess I bet this is the most accurate statement on the thread.

Judging from most posters in this thread, they would disagree with you that you should tip 10% for average service, 15% for good (better than average). I think it's reasonable - but depends on many factors, so I don't use straight percentage tips.

When I was a waiter in my current state, I was paid just over $2/hr, but now the minimum for tipped jobs has been jacked way up to nearly $12/hr, so with the resulting price hikes, we're already paying more for food to compensate waiters and waitresses, along with other jobs that saw a resulting pay raise in those restaurants, before the tip even comes into play.

 

[Midpack]

OK, no need to be nasty! You are over reacting (per usual). I did not say that is what I did, I said that is what I think it should be. Take a Pill!

Sorry, I guess I got tired of your ongoing false narrative (per usual). I know better than to debate tipping with people who have no idea what it’s really like to be a server, and denigrate them freely anyway.

 

[Music Lover]

Sorry, I guess I got tired of your ongoing false narrative (per usual). I know better than to debate tipping with people who have no idea what it’s really like to be a server, and denigrate them freely anyway.

As I mentioned earlier...I know several servers. They make great money and have few complaints. I don't denigrate them...I just don't think the work they do is worth $30 an hour. It's an entry level job that almost anyone can do.

Feel free to tip your server anything you want for carrying a plate of food to the table but stop insulting those of us who have a different perspective on the worth of the job.

Actually...here's an idea. Why don't you tell us what you think a fair wage is for a server? Bear in mind that there are plenty of low paid, difficult jobs where the workers don't get tips.

 

[Rustic23]

I do 20% for the ease of math. However, I round either up or down. I figure I tip on the after tax bill, so rounding down does not bother me.

One of my major problems is a cajun restaurant close to us. You order and pay at the counter, get your own drink and refills. The waitress brings your food to you. There is a tip jar at the counter, and we have left a tip on the table. As to the amount, 20% seems way too much, average bill $30-35. We have been in the $3 range in the jar.

 

[travelover]

OK, I've read the whole thread. From now on I'll tip my electrician 20%.

He/she will be shocked!

Not if they are a good electrician.

 

[gayl]

my tax is 8.25% and I usually double it and round up so it is at least 16.5% so I do not feel bad at all...

I also dbl tax unless in a 'no tip zone.' Sales tax is either 8.5% or 8.75% here so around 17-17.5% tip.

 

[CardsFan]

.... I don't denigrate them...I just don't think the work they do is worth $30 an hour. It's an entry level job that almost anyone can do.

To back up Midpack a little:

$30/hr may be great, at a peak hr. How about $5/hr when no one is there? You need to look a the average.

That said, I see nothing wrong with a hustling bar person (or wait person) making $40-50-60k per year. More power to them, and we should tell them about this site.

My limited experience knowing a few waitstaff, and interacting with a whole lot more:

- Personality generates income
- service generates income
- efficiency generates income

It is an entry level job that any one can DO, but not one that anyone can make a living at.

JMHO.

 

[Badger]

If you tipped 15% on a $30 dinner in the past ($4.50) and the dinner now costs $45 and you continue to tip 15% ($6.75) isn't the server getting a 50% raise? I don't see the problem. If you tipped 20% ($9.00) wouldn't that be a 100% raise.


I'm not a math person so are my calculations wrong?



Cheers!

 

[HadEnuff]

I now look upon tipping as a form of charity that I willingly accept. I don't mean that in a harsh way towards the servers. The way I see it, I want to be charitable. I have more than enough money to do what I need and want to do.

As a way to give, who is more deserving than some young person, or old person, single mom or dad, or someone working a second job, who is helping me enjoy my meal?

I'll tell who gets the minimum tip, though. The places where they ask you how much you want to tip BEFORE you've been served. It's a trend at places where they don't actually serve you. They prepare your meal and hand it to you over a counter. When you pay as you order they ask for the tip. Somehow, now, I feel like my meal has been kidnapped. What if I don't tip, or don't tip enough? Is someone going to spit in my salad?

 

[Midpack]

As I mentioned earlier...I know several servers. They make great money and have few complaints. I don't denigrate them...I just don't think the work they do is worth $30 an hour. It's an entry level job that almost anyone can do.

Feel free to tip your server anything you want for carrying a plate of food to the table but stop insulting those of us who have a different perspective on the worth of the job.

Actually...here's an idea. Why don't you tell us what you think a fair wage is for a server? Bear in mind that there are plenty of low paid, difficult jobs where the workers don't get tips.

Unless they work in a high end restaurant, they don’t average $30/hr, that’s the point you keep missing. I’ve provided third party data for the US and Canada showing servers average closer to $10/hr, but you ignore the reality for most servers because you know a couple people. There’s a lot more to the job than “carrying a plate of food to the table” as you believe. Why don’t you quit insulting servers? Maybe tell the ones you know what a simple job it is.

 

[Dtail]

Not if they are a good electrician.

Creative as always.

 

[Dash man]

Unless they work in a high end restaurant, they don’t average $30/hr, that’s the point you keep missing. I’ve provided third party data for the US and Canada showing servers average closer to $10/hr, but you ignore the reality for most servers because you know a couple people. There’s a lot more to the job than “carrying a plate of food to the table” as you believe. Why don’t you quit insulting servers? Maybe tell the ones you know what a simple job it is.

Even if one or two hours is good, the likelihood of it being steady across all their shifts is very unlikely. Most restaurants I’ve been in the servers work pretty hard. They’re good, hard working people who deserve to be treated well. I have no problem tipping well.

 

[Midpack]

Even if one or two hours is good, the likelihood of it being steady across all their shifts is very unlikely. Most restaurants I’ve been in the servers work pretty hard. They’re good, hard working people who deserve to be treated well. I have no problem tipping well.

Agreed. I’ve worked as a server, being good at it takes some skills. A couple people here have decided categorically that servers are currently way overpaid “$30-40/hr” for a “job that almost anyone can do, carrying a plate of food to the table” is all there is to it.

 

[Music Lover]

Unless they work in a high end restaurant, they don’t average $30/hr, that’s the point you keep missing. I’ve provided third party data for the US and Canada showing servers average closer to $10/hr, but you ignore the reality for most servers because you know a couple people. There’s a lot more to the job than “carrying a plate of food to the table” as you believe. Why don’t you quit insulting servers? Maybe tell the ones you know what a simple job it is.

The people I know work in breakfast special places and one in an Olive Garden. I know what they make in tips....unless they're lying. What they declare on their taxes is entirely different.

No server in Canada earn $10 an hour...minimum wage ranges from $11.32 to $15. Tips are on top of that wage and I know people who make 3X their salary in tips.

What is the most likely scenario is that most servers vastly underreport their tipping income when filing their taxes.

 

[CRLLS]

I'm not trying to pick on Music Lover, but he is making some specific claims I wanted to check out. Could part of the discrepancy be that we are talking different dollars? Music Lover is in Winnipeg Canada where $30 Canadian is $23 USD.

To put this more focused on Winnipeg locale and its local servers, here are just a few comments in a discussion about tipping in Winnipeg:


Tip out

My work place has a 4.5% of food sales to kitchen, 3% of bar sales to bar, and 1.5% of total sales to admin.

All you can eat buffet with a little a la cart. 3% of total sales, 1 to kitchen, 1 to support and 1 to supervisor.

There's the issue of poor money nights, no guaranteed income, erratic schedules, no sick time, no breaks, no benefits, no vacation...

Also - Americans in general come from tipping culture, when I saw a US credit card of heard a US accent I knew I was guaranteed a minimum 20%.

Bottom line is that if someone went to the 1st commenter's restaurant and left a 10% tip, the server received only 1%! or 4% if they ate at the 2nd commenter's restaurant. Really, how is a person to know what a particular restaurant's policy is?

 

[CaliKid]

When did we forget it is OPTIONAL!

It's not really optional.