Originally Posted by
davie355
At lunch today, 15 minutes after we ordered entrees, our server said they'd be out in a few minutes. After another 15 minutes, she said they'd be a few more minutes because she had forgotten to submit our order to the kitchen
Our server provided all this info on her own initiative; we never asked. She was polite, and she apologized in passing for the delay, but this was a substantial delay, relative to the times I've dined in the past. (The restaurant is attached to a full-service boutique hotel.)
We did not complain in any way about the delay, or about anything, for that matter. I decided that if we received any compensation, such as dessert, I'd tip a normal amount, but that if we received nothing, I would tip nothing.
We didn't ask for or receive any compensation. My dining companion insisted I tip something because the server wasn't rude, and I agreed, so I gave 12.5%.
What would you have done?
Tipping is not required in the US. It is generally given for service, and should reflect how pleased you are with that service. 15 to 20% is standard for OK service, great service gets more.
This means that if the service is terrible, the tip goes down proportionately. I have a running tip clock in my head that starts at 20% and goes up or down as the meal goes on. On a few rare occasions, I have NOT tipped at all. And on two particularly awful occasions, I have drawn 0's on the tip line with happy faces on them!
I should also point out that you were paying, not your companion. As such, they have no right to insist. If they insist on leaving a tip, hand them the bill.
And for those that tip because the servers make low hourly wages, I can only say this: File that under "not my problem".
I don't have a responsibility to make up gaps in the business' payroll.