Tipping
Mar 17th, 2008, 02:24 PM
#22
I guess I count as a cheapskate too. When I moved to the US in 1975, 10% was the standard tip. Then it went up to 15%. Now it's supposed to be 18-20%? I'm sorry, but it's a PERCENTAGE. I can see increasing an absolute amount, but why should a percentage increase? Count me among those who want restaurant staff paid a proper wage with no tipping - and yes, I realize that would put menu prices up, but the menu price is a myth anyway with the current system.
Something that puzzles me is that some Americans (including posters here) insist on tipping at American levels even though they know that isn't the custom of the country they're visiting. If it's not OK for visitors TO America to ignore local custom, why is OK for visitors FROM America to do so?
Something that puzzles me is that some Americans (including posters here) insist on tipping at American levels even though they know that isn't the custom of the country they're visiting. If it's not OK for visitors TO America to ignore local custom, why is OK for visitors FROM America to do so?
Mar 17th, 2008, 02:51 PM
#23
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thursdaysd, I completely agree with you on Americans' tendency to purposely overtip to U.S. standards overseas - I think a lot of people don't understand that overtipping can seem rude and obnoxious, and also inflates expectations for other American tourists coming after you who may not be able to afford to tip so highly. It is not that hard to determine what the rough tipping expectations are in a country you're visiting and tip accordingly.
A few years ago, I watched a very pushy American woman try to force a tip on a front desk employee at the Park Hyatt Tokyo (no tipping in Japan, and it's offensive to try) - very uncomfortable for all involved (and for us watching!), though the employee was very polite in refusing.
A few years ago, I watched a very pushy American woman try to force a tip on a front desk employee at the Park Hyatt Tokyo (no tipping in Japan, and it's offensive to try) - very uncomfortable for all involved (and for us watching!), though the employee was very polite in refusing.
Mar 17th, 2008, 03:28 PM
#24
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 776
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with thursdaysd.
I always try to study what the tipping customs are of the country I am visiting. And tip accordingly.
However, I have gone to places where "no tip is expected" yet I have had guides/service people drop no-so-subtle hints at getting a tip. Sometimes making a mention of how generous Americans are with their tipping (remember, this is a no tip place!).
Planning on following the usual custom, they often make me feel guilty and uncomfortable. Esp if this happens halfway or early on in the trip. I do give small tips for extraordinary service. But blatant "hands-out" behavior pretty much ensures they will not get a tip.
I have also had really, really bad service where even if tipping was customary, I would not have left a tip. But have had the server try to push me to give a tip by pointing out I only left exact change. And gotten dirty looks when I just nod. I can only think this is because other Americans still tip when it is not the custom and have changed the expectations for the worst.
I always try to study what the tipping customs are of the country I am visiting. And tip accordingly.
However, I have gone to places where "no tip is expected" yet I have had guides/service people drop no-so-subtle hints at getting a tip. Sometimes making a mention of how generous Americans are with their tipping (remember, this is a no tip place!).
Planning on following the usual custom, they often make me feel guilty and uncomfortable. Esp if this happens halfway or early on in the trip. I do give small tips for extraordinary service. But blatant "hands-out" behavior pretty much ensures they will not get a tip.
I have also had really, really bad service where even if tipping was customary, I would not have left a tip. But have had the server try to push me to give a tip by pointing out I only left exact change. And gotten dirty looks when I just nod. I can only think this is because other Americans still tip when it is not the custom and have changed the expectations for the worst.
Mar 17th, 2008, 03:38 PM
#25
" someone occasionally giving someone extra money" - that is not the situation I'm talking about. I'm talking about people who consistently tip at US levels in countries where tipping is not the custom. And, actually, in a non-tipping country, why would even an occasional tip be acceptable behavior? (I do understand the latter impulse, for example, I've tried to tip Chinese taxi drivers on occasion when I've felt they've gone well beyond normal service - and always had the tip refused.)
Mar 17th, 2008, 03:38 PM
#26
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This all raises and interesting point about an issue that keeps raising its head on this forum.
The current $/euro exchange rate is currently a shocker and many of you bleat on here about not coming to Europe because it is currently too expensive.
How about simply not tipping everyone including the pilot on your trip and you'll save 20% - just enough to offset the credit crunch!
The current $/euro exchange rate is currently a shocker and many of you bleat on here about not coming to Europe because it is currently too expensive.
How about simply not tipping everyone including the pilot on your trip and you'll save 20% - just enough to offset the credit crunch!
Mar 17th, 2008, 03:42 PM
#27
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BTW
I have said this before - many Italians will regard you as fools for tipping, Chinese will think you fools and refuse. The Japanese will feel patronised and refuse. (all generally)
This approach frequently appears in cultures where serving is treated as an art form and is rewarded appropriately by the employers.
I have said this before - many Italians will regard you as fools for tipping, Chinese will think you fools and refuse. The Japanese will feel patronised and refuse. (all generally)
This approach frequently appears in cultures where serving is treated as an art form and is rewarded appropriately by the employers.
Mar 17th, 2008, 05:06 PM
#28
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 36,842
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thursdaysd, I thought you were talking about Europe. Maybe not. Most posts here are about England (where 15 or even 18% is routinely added on these days), Italy, and France, where 10% or more is not the least bit "unexpected". Which countries in Europe are you talking about where someone leaving a 15% tip is considered absolutely prohibited by local customs? I've eaten at a nice Paris restaurant where my Parisian hosts insisted on leaving well over 15%. This is the 21st Century please remember. I even overheard a waiter in Venice screaming at a patron for not leaving the suggested 15% tip. I honestly don't know where in Europe you are talking about today where leaving a waiter who has given outstanding service in a nice restaurant a 15% or so tip would be considered even the least bit out of line. Perhaps you're living in the last century?
Mar 17th, 2008, 05:20 PM
#29
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 36,842
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
At the risk of realizing that my last post made it sound like I think tipping in Europe is the SAME as in the US, not at all, but I do think that any waiter in any nice restaurant in most European countries who receives a 15% or even a rare 20% tip after giving superlative service, will NOT be shocked or insulted by receiving it, and I think you are naive if you believe he would be. That may have been true 30 years ago, but certainly not today.
Mar 17th, 2008, 05:32 PM
#30
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 674
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ok so we all agree, Americans are the tipping freaks of the world,, and although we all love American tips,, it doesn't mean we don't think it is nessesary. I worked at a very nice hotel restaurant for years when I was younger, loved the Americans who would tip me just to seat them near a window or make sure they got a candle on the birtday persons dessert... which I would have done for FREE anyways..
I never tip more then 15-20 % and if service is poor, I tip LESS, if service is poor, I leave either a tiny tip or no tip at all. I do not penalize servers if food is not good( they didn't cook it) and I am understanding if I see they have a full section, but lord help them if I see them lazing around, I supervised staff for too long to tip anyone anything for being a lazy ass.
In foreign countries I follow their norms, which in most Europeon countries seems to be rounding up( for a coffe etc) , or leaving about 10% for a nice meal.
I never tip more then 15-20 % and if service is poor, I tip LESS, if service is poor, I leave either a tiny tip or no tip at all. I do not penalize servers if food is not good( they didn't cook it) and I am understanding if I see they have a full section, but lord help them if I see them lazing around, I supervised staff for too long to tip anyone anything for being a lazy ass.
In foreign countries I follow their norms, which in most Europeon countries seems to be rounding up( for a coffe etc) , or leaving about 10% for a nice meal.
Mar 17th, 2008, 06:00 PM
#31
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
NeoPatrick wrote: "Most posts here are about England (where 15 or even 18% is routinely added on these days), Italy, and France, where 10% or more is not the least bit "unexpected"."
What a load of rubbish! You are particularly wide of the mark on Italy and France. "Service Included" pretty well means what the words say.
Give an Italian or French waiter 20% and he'll probably gladly pocket the money and consider you a fool for parting with it so readily.
As for that Venetian waiter: he has probably been corrupted by Americans who spend money as if they had it to spare; I very much doubt he would scream at an Italian for leaving nothing at all. Or this Irishman.
What a load of rubbish! You are particularly wide of the mark on Italy and France. "Service Included" pretty well means what the words say.
Give an Italian or French waiter 20% and he'll probably gladly pocket the money and consider you a fool for parting with it so readily.
As for that Venetian waiter: he has probably been corrupted by Americans who spend money as if they had it to spare; I very much doubt he would scream at an Italian for leaving nothing at all. Or this Irishman.
Mar 17th, 2008, 06:08 PM
#32
NeoPatrick wrote: "Most posts here are about England (where 15 or even 18% is routinely added on these days), Italy, and France, where 10% or more is not the least bit "unexpected"."
Guess no one told the guide book writers. I'm looking at a guide to London saying 10-15% unless service is included, and one to the Amalfi Coast saying service is usually included and an extra tip is not expected.
Yes, discussions with people insisting on tipping in non-tipping countries tend to occur on the Asia board, but I see no reason to over-tip in low tipping countries either. And I'm still trying to figure out why the percentages should have increased in the US in the first place.
Guess no one told the guide book writers. I'm looking at a guide to London saying 10-15% unless service is included, and one to the Amalfi Coast saying service is usually included and an extra tip is not expected.
Yes, discussions with people insisting on tipping in non-tipping countries tend to occur on the Asia board, but I see no reason to over-tip in low tipping countries either. And I'm still trying to figure out why the percentages should have increased in the US in the first place.
Mar 17th, 2008, 06:15 PM
#33
Well, I've lived in NYC and have spent the past year living in Switzerland and traveling once or twice a month all over Europe.
I continue to be baffled by the varying ideas about tipping I encounter.
When I lived in the NYC area, 20% was pretty standard unless service was bad, then 15% unless you absolutely never planned to return to that restaurant again. I guess I'm not surprised to hear 25% is now a good tip.
In Europe, I think tipping really runs across nationalities. Most in Switzerland leave zero to 5% as service is included in the cost of the entree. In fact, this was put to vote in Switzerland as far as I've been told. Well, at a good restaurant the entree can be 48chf so I guess I don't want to leave too much more as I'd never be able to afford to eat out...We usually leave about 5% at a nice restaurant. Maybe just a coin at a very casual place.
In Rome and Venice, I was told by a number of service people that while Italians don't tip, it is expected that Americans do tip. Annoying "policy" in my opinion, and the added cost of "bread" (usually pretty stale and tasteless) was not to my liking either. Call me cheap, but as the dollar declines, my tips in Italy are declining too. In fact, I figure since I don't currently live in the US I shouldn't have to tip like I do.
When out in Switzerland with ex-pats from GB, they generally get annoyed if I leave any tip since they don't see it as necessary. Most Americans and those from S. Africa like to leave a little something. I don't socialize with a lot of Swiss people but they keep it at 5% or less when I do.
In Germany, it is customary to "round up" when paying the bill by a few Euros. Say, from a 36 Euro bill you pay 40 Euro. Also, I was told not to leave the tip on the table but to tip right as you pay, saying, "stimmt so" if you mean keep the change, so that the waiter can thank you right away for your tip.
In Ravenna, Italy, some Swedes I was with were horrified that I left even 5%...I spent a week with them and they never tipped anyone - waiter, bellboy, or tour guide. I felt uncomfortable tipping when they were there. I'm not sure now if I should have tipped or not!
In Morocco, I was informed a few times that my tips were too low by the person I was tipping!! One man explained to me how many children he had to feed! Later when I told my driver what happened he said that my tip was very generous! At the same time, if I asked a hotel or restaurant manager for advice on tipping, I was told it was absolutely not necessary to tip anyone. At dinner at a very nice Riad in Fes, the Americans all decided to leave 10%, the British said they weren't leaving anything. In nicer restaurants in Rabat, locals told me 10% was a customary tip. I was also told from 100-200 dirham a day for a guide was a good tip. That equates to about 10 to 25 USD a day.
In Paris, I was told 10% by a number of Parisians.
Well, I'd love to hear other Fodorite's experiences/thoughts since I want to do what is "correct" but it seems hard to really know. Just because the dollar is so weak doesn't excuse me from doing the right thing by those who are providing service.
To anyone reading this who cares to share:
In various European countries/cities do you tip and how much/what percent do you tip:
someone who helps carry your luggage?
a taxi driver?
a bistrot waiter?
a formal restaurant waiter?
a tour guide who is really good?
a concierge who has made reservations or other arrangements for you?
a bellman who gets you a cab?
a massage therapist?
a hair stylist?
Thanks for helping!
gruezi
I continue to be baffled by the varying ideas about tipping I encounter.
When I lived in the NYC area, 20% was pretty standard unless service was bad, then 15% unless you absolutely never planned to return to that restaurant again. I guess I'm not surprised to hear 25% is now a good tip.
In Europe, I think tipping really runs across nationalities. Most in Switzerland leave zero to 5% as service is included in the cost of the entree. In fact, this was put to vote in Switzerland as far as I've been told. Well, at a good restaurant the entree can be 48chf so I guess I don't want to leave too much more as I'd never be able to afford to eat out...We usually leave about 5% at a nice restaurant. Maybe just a coin at a very casual place.
In Rome and Venice, I was told by a number of service people that while Italians don't tip, it is expected that Americans do tip. Annoying "policy" in my opinion, and the added cost of "bread" (usually pretty stale and tasteless) was not to my liking either. Call me cheap, but as the dollar declines, my tips in Italy are declining too. In fact, I figure since I don't currently live in the US I shouldn't have to tip like I do.
When out in Switzerland with ex-pats from GB, they generally get annoyed if I leave any tip since they don't see it as necessary. Most Americans and those from S. Africa like to leave a little something. I don't socialize with a lot of Swiss people but they keep it at 5% or less when I do.
In Germany, it is customary to "round up" when paying the bill by a few Euros. Say, from a 36 Euro bill you pay 40 Euro. Also, I was told not to leave the tip on the table but to tip right as you pay, saying, "stimmt so" if you mean keep the change, so that the waiter can thank you right away for your tip.
In Ravenna, Italy, some Swedes I was with were horrified that I left even 5%...I spent a week with them and they never tipped anyone - waiter, bellboy, or tour guide. I felt uncomfortable tipping when they were there. I'm not sure now if I should have tipped or not!
In Morocco, I was informed a few times that my tips were too low by the person I was tipping!! One man explained to me how many children he had to feed! Later when I told my driver what happened he said that my tip was very generous! At the same time, if I asked a hotel or restaurant manager for advice on tipping, I was told it was absolutely not necessary to tip anyone. At dinner at a very nice Riad in Fes, the Americans all decided to leave 10%, the British said they weren't leaving anything. In nicer restaurants in Rabat, locals told me 10% was a customary tip. I was also told from 100-200 dirham a day for a guide was a good tip. That equates to about 10 to 25 USD a day.
In Paris, I was told 10% by a number of Parisians.
Well, I'd love to hear other Fodorite's experiences/thoughts since I want to do what is "correct" but it seems hard to really know. Just because the dollar is so weak doesn't excuse me from doing the right thing by those who are providing service.
To anyone reading this who cares to share:
In various European countries/cities do you tip and how much/what percent do you tip:
someone who helps carry your luggage?
a taxi driver?
a bistrot waiter?
a formal restaurant waiter?
a tour guide who is really good?
a concierge who has made reservations or other arrangements for you?
a bellman who gets you a cab?
a massage therapist?
a hair stylist?
Thanks for helping!
gruezi
Mar 17th, 2008, 06:39 PM
#34
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
gruezi, some of my practices (restaurants only, as I rarely use the other services about which you ask)
- Ireland (home): about 10% unless there is an explicit service charge added on. I do ask if it goes to the staff.
- Britain: same as Ireland.
- France: usually in the range 0-5%.
- Budapest: about 10% where it is not specifically charged (which it often is). I am advised that outside Budapest it is normal not to tip.
- Italy: 0-5%.
- Germany: I am told that there are regional variations, but on recent visits to Berlin and Munich I rounded up to give about 10%. What do you do if the charge is €28.50? I handed over €40 and told the waiter €32.
Very occasionally I find a server clearly angling for a tip. That gets up my nose, and provokes me to reduce the amount I give. I have never had a server suggest how much I should tip. I wonder if that is because I am not taken for an American.
- Ireland (home): about 10% unless there is an explicit service charge added on. I do ask if it goes to the staff.
- Britain: same as Ireland.
- France: usually in the range 0-5%.
- Budapest: about 10% where it is not specifically charged (which it often is). I am advised that outside Budapest it is normal not to tip.
- Italy: 0-5%.
- Germany: I am told that there are regional variations, but on recent visits to Berlin and Munich I rounded up to give about 10%. What do you do if the charge is €28.50? I handed over €40 and told the waiter €32.
Very occasionally I find a server clearly angling for a tip. That gets up my nose, and provokes me to reduce the amount I give. I have never had a server suggest how much I should tip. I wonder if that is because I am not taken for an American.
Mar 17th, 2008, 10:18 PM
#35
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In many places, if the menu says service is included, I don't leave a tip....in London, some of my favorite (at least they're reasonably priced) are Japanese restaurants such as Wagamama...they add a 12% service charge to the bill..no tip....most French restaurants have service compris...no tip...as I said, NYC my tip is 15%..always has been and always will be....
Interestingly enough....the trafalgar tour companies has a message board and whenever the subject of tips comes up...many of the Australians become very agitated to say the least...they go out of their way to say in Australia they don't believe in tipping and how superior their system is...routinely it becomes very heavy and the web master has to take those discussions off the board...let them pay the waiters (or tour directors) a decent wage...tips just encourage employers to get away without paying their employees decently...that seems to be the attitude of many Australians.
Interestingly enough, talking about tips...for years Australians claim they are never told that it is customary to tip the tour director (and coach driver) on an escorted tour at the end of the tour (the fact is buried in the documents)...but Trafalgar pulled a fast one this year on its clients...
For years, the clients were told the customary tip to a tour director is the equivalent of $4 US per day and to the coach driver $2.50 per day..no matter which country the client was from, the documentation said $4/$2.50 US...many complained that since it was a European tour, the tour prices should be given in euro.
You're right, said Trafalgar, so this year they changed the "recommended" tip suggestion to €4/€2.50 per day....up theirs....the proper tip amount, at least to me, remains $4/$2.50 and that's what they'll get form me.
Interestingly enough....the trafalgar tour companies has a message board and whenever the subject of tips comes up...many of the Australians become very agitated to say the least...they go out of their way to say in Australia they don't believe in tipping and how superior their system is...routinely it becomes very heavy and the web master has to take those discussions off the board...let them pay the waiters (or tour directors) a decent wage...tips just encourage employers to get away without paying their employees decently...that seems to be the attitude of many Australians.
Interestingly enough, talking about tips...for years Australians claim they are never told that it is customary to tip the tour director (and coach driver) on an escorted tour at the end of the tour (the fact is buried in the documents)...but Trafalgar pulled a fast one this year on its clients...
For years, the clients were told the customary tip to a tour director is the equivalent of $4 US per day and to the coach driver $2.50 per day..no matter which country the client was from, the documentation said $4/$2.50 US...many complained that since it was a European tour, the tour prices should be given in euro.
You're right, said Trafalgar, so this year they changed the "recommended" tip suggestion to €4/€2.50 per day....up theirs....the proper tip amount, at least to me, remains $4/$2.50 and that's what they'll get form me.
Mar 17th, 2008, 11:14 PM
#36
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,833
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Back in San Diego, one of my college roommates worked part time as a waiter in a nice Italian restaurant. He had a very fussy customer who left him a 5 percent tip. He felt so insulted that he ran outside the restaurant just to stuff the tip back into the customer's shirt pocket telling him that he didn't want his measly tip. The customer filed a lawsuit against the restaurant for harassment. 
So I always think about my old roommate whenever I'm trying to figure out how much to tip in a restaurant. He's become a successful lawyer in Southern California.
So I always think about my old roommate whenever I'm trying to figure out how much to tip in a restaurant. He's become a successful lawyer in Southern California.
Mar 18th, 2008, 03:07 AM
#38
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 776
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Guezi,
My experience in Europe:
1. UK & Ireland: 10% unless service added, then nothing. Pub, buy a drink for bartender (money given). This is per my English BF.
2. Switzerland: nothing.
3. Italy, round up, accompanied by Italian friend.
4. France: round up, always service compris. From French friend
5. Czech: round up or nothing if service included. Otherwise 5-10%, per Czech friend.
6. Greece: round up (service included)
7. Spain: round up
8. Hungary: nothing or round up, service always included. Had a server say "Is that all?" when we rounded up the bill! I'm sure she did not say that to the non-Americans!
9. Iceland: nothing, service included (good thing, very high prices!)
I use guides primarily for treks and adventure trips. I have never tipped the guide/driver for locally owned businesses in Italy, Ireland, or Iceland. I have for some of the other countries because the company catered to Americans and mentioned tipping. In that case because the guide is basically 24/7, $5-10/day, depending on the cost of the tour.
Tipped the guide in Spain even though tip is not expected or even mentioned because I was with a group of Americans. The Swedes in the group did not look happy. I'm not sure if they contributed to the pot.
Rarely use bellhops, travel almost always with just carry-on. But for luggage storage, give 1 of whatever currency (1 pound UK, 1 euro Europe).
Don't use taxis much either but in general just round up. Did have a driver in France try to keep the change - equivalent to the actual fare! Had to ask for my change! He said he thought it was his tip! I speak French so no misunderstandings. Needless to say, he got no tip! He knew I am American so I wonder if that had something to do with it.
I think the overtipping by Americans in countries that don't have tipping or small tips do contribute to these expectations/problems.
My experience in Europe:
1. UK & Ireland: 10% unless service added, then nothing. Pub, buy a drink for bartender (money given). This is per my English BF.
2. Switzerland: nothing.
3. Italy, round up, accompanied by Italian friend.
4. France: round up, always service compris. From French friend
5. Czech: round up or nothing if service included. Otherwise 5-10%, per Czech friend.
6. Greece: round up (service included)
7. Spain: round up
8. Hungary: nothing or round up, service always included. Had a server say "Is that all?" when we rounded up the bill! I'm sure she did not say that to the non-Americans!
9. Iceland: nothing, service included (good thing, very high prices!)
I use guides primarily for treks and adventure trips. I have never tipped the guide/driver for locally owned businesses in Italy, Ireland, or Iceland. I have for some of the other countries because the company catered to Americans and mentioned tipping. In that case because the guide is basically 24/7, $5-10/day, depending on the cost of the tour.
Tipped the guide in Spain even though tip is not expected or even mentioned because I was with a group of Americans. The Swedes in the group did not look happy. I'm not sure if they contributed to the pot.
Rarely use bellhops, travel almost always with just carry-on. But for luggage storage, give 1 of whatever currency (1 pound UK, 1 euro Europe).
Don't use taxis much either but in general just round up. Did have a driver in France try to keep the change - equivalent to the actual fare! Had to ask for my change! He said he thought it was his tip! I speak French so no misunderstandings. Needless to say, he got no tip! He knew I am American so I wonder if that had something to do with it.
I think the overtipping by Americans in countries that don't have tipping or small tips do contribute to these expectations/problems.
Mar 18th, 2008, 04:22 AM
#40
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 760
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think the 25% is for people who have more money than sense. I'm not even sure when this 20% thing started, though I've noticed it mentioned more and more over the past few years.
In most moderate to upper crust restaurants, wait staff do quite well earnings-wise when hourly wages and tips are added together. If you've got four people at a table spending $30 each, then a 15% tip will amount to $18 or so for just that one table--and they can certainly take care of more than one table an hour. That's not bad money for unskilled labor.
Now if you're in a burger joint or local pub where a customer might spend only $5 or $10, it's another issue. But they'll generally have more turnover so the tips can still add up.
For us, 15% is still the normal tip for average service. 20% for a great dining experience. We haven't had any waiters spit on us when we've returned to restaurants after using these tip guidelines.
In most moderate to upper crust restaurants, wait staff do quite well earnings-wise when hourly wages and tips are added together. If you've got four people at a table spending $30 each, then a 15% tip will amount to $18 or so for just that one table--and they can certainly take care of more than one table an hour. That's not bad money for unskilled labor.
Now if you're in a burger joint or local pub where a customer might spend only $5 or $10, it's another issue. But they'll generally have more turnover so the tips can still add up.
For us, 15% is still the normal tip for average service. 20% for a great dining experience. We haven't had any waiters spit on us when we've returned to restaurants after using these tip guidelines.
