That's most of the world. For some reason American restaurants want (and get) the customers to subsidize their employees' salary.
Waiter and waitress at a buffet still empty your table's dishes instead of just leaving things there where as in the traditional dining areas where you don't go through multiple plates per person per meal. That and refill water/drinks. People there do work on tips usually. Carryout - I tip 10% to $1, which ever is the greater. As far as credit card tips, when I was on the register way back when, you manually enter the tip at the end of the service and the waiter/waitress does count up that number, then the restaurant pays them in cash. I assume pizza delivery and haircuts does the same thing.
You got to admit though, until very recently, service even in some pretty upscale restaurants can be pretty bad. You also get things like "air conditioning fee" when dining in (though that's less common now). Also some of the foreign owned ones (like the one in 5 star hotels and etc.) does have a service surcharge. I actually prefer that we get rid of tipping and just put everything into the cost of the meal. That way you don't feel guilty about "did I tip enough" and the server doesn't get those crappy customers that don't tip.
I rarely add tip on a credit card on carry out, but if the cashier or sandwich maker etc. and I have a nice friendly conversation, I always make sure to throw a buck or two into the tip jar. those folks all get minimum wage at least so I don't feel too guilty. at a restaurant I always tip at least 15-20% on the amount after tax and round up to the nearest dollar to make the transaction an even dollar amount. I recently was told that it is custom to tip 15% on the pre-tax amount so I guess I am always tipping at least 18% or so. this story today and the recent one where the guy suggests the waitress loses a few pounds baffles me that they even make the news after they go viral. I mean there are plenty of rude people out there, but think of how many pizza and chinese delivery folks get the shaft on a daily basis.
The thing about paying a percentage of something is that you pay more even if the extra service isn't there, only because the item itself was expensive. It's like getting an interior designer. Some get paid a percentage of what you buy through them to furnish your house with. So if I got a sofa, chair, and lamp through them... their commission is totally dependent on how expensive a sofa, chair and lamp I got. The actual work they do is the same basically. Similarly, you eat at a cheaper place versus a more expensive place (unless it's really high end where the wait staff are wearing tuxedos), they're not doing much more work. And yet the wait staff there get paid much more.
Ugh, I hate scenarios like this. We used to go to lunch and someone would always invite this guy from another department. He was born and bred here in the US so I don’t give him the ”you are foreign and may not understand the concept of tipping,” benefit of the doubt. He never said it to me, maybe since I was born in the US and have some level of sense, but he would pull that, “tipping is optional” bs all the time. I hate hearing a person say "15% is the suggested amount to tip". There were so many times he would not tip anything it would drive everyone nuts. People woudl add more to their tips to cover for this jabroni. The day he ordered a $9.95 entrée at Miyako and left 10 dollars was the last straw with me. You can say what you want about a tip being optional but you better pay for your food and your tax. I told the other guys in our department he can’t eat with us anymore.
If you don't have enough to tip, you don't have enough to go out. It really is that simple. Keep in mind that every businessman, or Kroger employee, or anyone who feels small and inconsequential in their daily life, will often use the tipping part of the interaction at a bar/restaurant to make their server feel small and inconsequential. It's cheap, it's petty, and it makes you look like a giant twat. Tip.
RedNation A LOT of cash. A LOT of cash. I tip ClutchFans much more than the average joe because I use lots of smilies. Tip someone when they go the extra mile to make your meal or service a pleasant one. I tipped furiniture delivery people before, because they delivered my furniture intact, up the stairs, without a complaint. If I notice someone doesn't go that extra mile, I let them know that I wasn't happy with their work. If you get GOOD service, let other people know. If you DON't get good service, let them know, so they can fix it. Who are the "Lol people" that just do their damn job? Are those like the "Huns" or the "workers"?
When I was in Europe and bar hopping I was so shocked that I didn't have to tip....anyone. My cousin told me that bartenders, waiters and taxi drivers get paid a decent salary and don't rely on it. When I told him how much those folk make here he thought is was damn near slavery.
That's an idiotic stance. Just because you can afford something doesn't mean you have to. That's like saying if you don't have enough for a $50 steak then you don't have enough to ever eat steak.
If you only have 10 bucks and you order 10 bucks worth of food instead of 8 or 9 so you can leave a tip, then you're an inconsiderate, selfish douchewaffle. If you can't afford to tip, then you probably shouldn't be wasting your money on amenities/luxuries like dining out in the first place. Factor service into the cost of your food/drink, otherwise don't go out.
but when and where? that's a big point of this thread. do you tip when there's a tip jar or bucket automatically? at a Starbucks every time? to every cashier or sandwich maker behind a sneeze guard? speaking of Kroger, I go to a supermarket with an awesome deli- they make better sandwiches than any chain restaurant that I can think of and their fresh daily fried chicken is delicious. they don't have a tip jar or a place on the bill to add gratuity. if they did, I probably would. there's no rhyme or reason to it. bartenders or waiters at a restaurant there is no question- they get paid half of minimum wage and then you will see a tip jar at a fast food restaurant/sandwich shop or chain coffee shop etc...
I tried tipping a hooters bartender once when I didn't eat or drink anything, she got sorta offended when I told her "just because...". I thought she would be grateful.
Why were in you in restaurant without eating or drinking anything? Hanging out with friends? Did you toss her a dollar after your other friends tipped? Did you ask her out on a date afterward?
I think people who tip generally have pretty good judgment in these regards, so I'd hesitate to make a when/where rule - EXCEPT, you ALWAYS tip a waitress/bartender. But yeah, if I walk into a grocery store and someone suddenly puts up a tip jar I'd probably scoff.
They get paid $2.13/hour, but if they don't make enough in tips, they still have to be paid the full minimum wage. So if you are say, tipping at Waffle House, your choosing to tip or not tip isn't going to affect their pay much, since often times they get raised up to minimum wage. Instead you are taking money away from Waffle House. I remember when my ex worked at Hooters. b**** could make $200 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Delivery guy? Tip your driver well. They risk their lives in the fifth most dangerous profession in the United States (more drivers die at work than police officers), often using and maintaining their own vehicles, to bring you a meal. I'd say drivers do more than wait staff. It just seems like wait staff is busier because you see what they're doing. Drivers do a lot behind the scenes and the only time you see them is when they're at your door.
