<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Boo Boo Too:
I do believe that the US (we are not quite as bad in the UK, YET...) has gone tip crazy. In the UK we tip waiters, taxi drivers, valets, porters and sometimes concierge staff. We only tip the porter who delivers the bags to the room/car (and not everyone who touches the bag). In general, tips seem less expected here (or, at least, outside of London). This is a nice atmosphere: I always tip (have yet to have had service so bad that I didn't), but don't feel that it is expected.
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I've worked in the restaurant business for almost 20 years and am constantly amazed at the amount of naiveté when it comes to gratuity. Yes a tip is optional. Yes, you should adjust the tip according to the service rendered. Some people double the tax, some leave varying percentages...an on and on...
I have listened to so many excuses as to why a person shouldn't get a tip, that I find it refreshing to hear someone state that they overtip.
Here is how and why i tip what i do.
On a check of $10 or less I never leave less than 2$. Yes it's a large percentage, but it's also just two f**%&!* dollars, and it may make the difference in someone's life.
I usually tip a minimum of 20%...that is my bottom line. I strongly suggest to all those who read this to start doing the same. people never forget an ******* or a cheapskate. Never. Under tipping demonstrates ignorance and greed. Servers and maitre d's also remember those who are consistently generous. At my restaurant we use a system called Open Table. I have a history of every customers visit and any other info i decide to put in under their name. I won't punish the person who is cheap, but i wont do them any favors either.
If you plan on returning to a place as a regular, i suggest you start opening your wallets a little bit. You will be rewarded tenfold. I buy dinner (not cheap either as my check average is about $75) for my regulars on holidays and when they have come to the restaurant more than fifty times. You will also find that your food is tastier, the service snappier, and the drinks stronger.
I always strive to give excellent service. I always try to anticipate the needs of my guests...that is a constant. If one of my servers is out of line, then they will have to deal with my not so nice side.
If you are a guest and you receive poor service, or get the butt end of someone's bad day, or are treated with aloof service, i suggest three things:
1. Tell the Manager. Not in a nasty way, but explain how your servers behavior has made your dining experience negative. If you start making threats you will be ignored or just mearly tolerated, given dinner and shooed out the door.
2. Punish the server: don't stiff the server, sometimes people forget to tip. Leave a dollar. On a $75 check this sends a strong message.
3 Write a letter. Be complimentary of how the manager assisted you, and how much you love the restaurant. State that you just wanted to let them know about your experience so it won't happen again to someone else. Believe me, I get these letters, I know I'm getting manipulated, and I always respond in a likewise generous manner, while correcting the problem that was the concern of the guest in the first place.
[B]
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Just My 2˘