Another wrinkle in case this wasn't already covered: if it's Happy Hour and menu prices are reduced, then the tip percentage should be on what would have been the full price.

Oh gosh, Nelson, I don't do that. I just tip a higher percentage in an effort to offset the difference and call it a day. Is that so wrong?? (I also tip on top of the tax because I can't be bothered to do the math when the difference to me is so small.)

When we were in NYC my DD said to double the tax, that;s what she does. I think it works out at about 22 % though.

The restaurant tax in NYC is 8.875%, which commonly doubled. And now many bills include various percentages of the bill and the total.

There are many ways to determine a tourist whether it is you somewhere else or a visitor. Among them are the mien, hair dos, watches, jewelery, eyeglasses, the attire, and the shoes. Additionally the composition of the group such as a family having lunch during the work week can be an indication of tourists. And of course the ubiquitous tourist guide and camera.

But that is all once someone arrives at the restaurant.

Dead giveaway: sandals with socks.

""Somebody ought to study if higher-earning waiters are the ones who are concerned about giving good service or the ones who worry about who is and who is not going to leave a good tip. I wonder if anybody ever got a bigger tip by worrying about the tip.""

I work in the restaurant industry in South Florida and Europeans and South Americans not tipping is a huge problem because more than 50% of our tourism comes from those two areas.

Once in a blue moon someone not tipping is okay but when half of your clientele stiffs you it is a problem.

One of my friends is a manager at the Cheesecake Factory at Sawgrass Mills told me her waitstaff is lucky to clear an average of 8% of their sales.

They have an impossible time retaining waitstaff.

All of South Beach (not all of Miami) adds a gratuity because of the above.

I think if you are smart enough to go online and book an airline ticket from to the US, you can figure out our tipping practices.

Many like to claim ignorance but I don't believe it.

""Well we come to Florida twice a year for the past 8 years from the UK. It infuriates my husband that he is expected to tip!
He says, why should he pay their wages!! He has a point!
We do 15%.....that's enough""

Please stay home with that attitude.

If it's that big a problem in Florida, the restaurants could simply pay their staff a living wage, raise their prices, and post signs saying no tipping...

I also note that it is often the people who are most upset about visitors to the US not observing local tipping norms who don't bother to observe them when traveling themselves, and insist on tipping in non-tipping countries. Sauce for the goose...

""If it's that big a problem in Florida, the restaurants could simply pay their staff a living wage, raise their prices, and post signs saying no tipping... ""

I love how people always throw this thought out.

If it were that easy, it would already be done.

What that would do would raise prices and put small, privately owned restaurants out of business.

<i>If it's that big a problem in Florida, the restaurants could simply pay their staff a living wage, raise their prices, and post signs saying no tipping... </i>

Or they can simply add a clearly defined 18% tip to every bill (which they do in South Beach). Same result.

<i>I also note that it is often the people who are most upset about visitors to the US not observing local tipping norms who don't bother to observe them when traveling themselves, and insist on tipping in non-tipping countries. Sauce for the goose...</i>

I'd disagree. I don't tip in countries where tipping is frowned upon, such as Japan. I may err on the high side in places where people do tip, but I don't tip where it is inappropriate.

<i>All of South Beach (not all of Miami) adds a gratuity because of the above.</i>

We definitely had 18% added to the bill at NAOE in Brickell Cay. It might not be universal in Miami outside South Beach, but I'd say it is more common than in most other US cities.

JoJo, I would assume the customers at Sawgrass, are mostly local shoppers, as opposed to South Beach which a combination of tourists and locals.

IMDone, Sawgrass is the second largest mall in the US and the largest outlet mall in the US.

NO locals shop there, it is entirely tourists from the Caribbean, South America, and Europe.

You assume wrong.

BTW, locals do not go to South Beach either.

thursdaysd, I dont understand your point. Yes, the way that waitstaff are paid could be overhauled, should, perhaps, be overhauled, but we're talking about the way it works now. Disliking a system does not give you a free pass to opt out, or to skimp on tips. Doing so only hurts the server who waited on you--don't try to claim that it send a loftier message.

<I also note that it is often the people who are most upset about visitors to the US not observing local tipping norms who don't bother to observe them when traveling themselves, and insist on tipping in non-tipping countries.>
I'm surprised that you note this, because you have absolutely no way of knowing this, but again, relevance?

Socks and sandals are perfectly acceptable attire here in the PNW.

I still have a hard time figuring out why people compare giving a tip (something that is not expected or demanded) to a nice server in a foreign country who has made you meal and trip more pleasant as being anything like NOT tipping a waiter in a country where it is considered part of the expense of the meal.

Why is giving a "bonus" to anyone when it isn't expected the same as "withholding" payment for service where it is expected?

<i>I still have a hard time figuring out why people compare giving a tip (something that is not expected or demanded) to a nice server in a foreign country who has made you meal and trip more pleasant as being anything like NOT tipping a waiter in a country where it is considered part of the expense of the meal.</i>

While I agree that it isn't remotely comparable, there are a handful of countries where tipping is largely inappropriate - Japan and Korea come to mind. But in most of Europe and Australia/NZ, where most of the complainers are from, tipping in restaurants does exist (if not as widespread as in the US), so the worst you will do is overtip.

I agree, Neo.

Tipping only exists in NZ because tourists from places like the US can't seem to be able to enjoy a meal without having to give a tip. It is not expected and New Zealanders do not do it!!!

As an American, I always feel odd leaving no tip or a small tip as required by custom in that country. First, Americans get a bad enough rap as it as, and I would not want to feel that I was either being cheap or rudely dismissive. Second, in the States, except at the finer restaurants, most wait staffs are underpaid and all rely on their tips.

It is part of the American culture to tip and not to tip makes you seem like ungrateful bas---d.