OK.

First, please remember that I am serving at a top end hotel. Second, please note that in my above post I noted that I do not put money in tip jars on counters. Let's not get those two things mixed up.

It is interesting to me that many people who would pay a clown $250 for two hours worth of work at a kid's birthday party or a craftsman several hundred dollars for work on their house or car will rebel at the notion of paying a craftsman (me) a couple hundred dollars to ensure that they have an unforgettable special event(anniversary dinner, etc.).

If you think that this is NOT a craft, I assure you that it is. I read food books, eat out alone, visit other restauarnt kitchens, visit wineries without drinking, etc. I hope I don't sound obnoxious about this because I enjoy it. I'm good at it and I have fun. Most tables are not going to have $750.00 bills. Fters are not average! Most of us are well read and enjoy food and drink. Most waiters work 1 shift a day. With 1 1/2 hours of prep work before and 1 1/2 hours of closing work after, no top place is going to pay overtime. That time I spend tableside is just a part of the time I spend on a table. Besides the prep, cleanup, polishing glassware and silver (busboys are paid more so restaurants/hotels have US doit) I also am orchestrating your meal behind doors. Running the busser's butt off, and asking the food runner why the salads arent out yet. Telling the cooks that I won't accept that plate even though the chip is where a guest might never see it (what if they pick the plate up to move it?). I DON'T MIND. I love the work. I make 21% of my sales and my goal this year is to get it to 22%.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and have their own experiences. It amazes me that people will cuss at my ideas and experiences. Thank goodness for people who can see the reality of the market place and know that I did not set up the tipping practice and who are not self righteous enough to take it out on me. Thank goodness for the lady who tipped me $600 on a $1000 check on Christmas Day. Very generous and unexpected. (BTW $200 of that went immediatly into the pockets of my two bussers who both got teary-eyed). More got distributed later. We typically tip other staff 30-33%.

Y'all tip whatever you want. No problem.