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WSJ -- July 29--Tipping

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WSJ -- July 29--Tipping

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Old Jul 31, 2006 | 6:42 pm
  #16  
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Originally Posted by BamaVol
The oldest of the BamaVol spawn has made a career in restaurants, ranging from fast food to upscale dining. He's waited tables at a few establishments over the last couple years and says a "typical" tip, and hence the usual expectation is 18%. If a server receives less than that, he either did something wrong (and he generally knows if he has) or you're a cheap b@stard.

I'm just relating this, not defending it, so don't shoot the messenger.
I've found when I tip 15% or less I usually get good repeat service. If I tip >20%, I get poorer quality service. Now I tip 15%.

The exception is higher end restaraunts (>$50/person - drinks) where service is generally good to very good.
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Old Jul 31, 2006 | 6:49 pm
  #17  
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Originally Posted by dartagnan
I've noticed this as well, a gradual increase in the "expected" amount of the tip from 15% to 20%. I feel that 15% is more than adequate for acceptable service, 20% for exceptional service, and I tip accordingly.
I just got back from a Hard Rock Cafe and the bottom of my bill said that a 15% gratuity was suggested if the service was acceptable (or some such word). I was surprised at the low suggestion. But I almost always leave 20% +/- a few cents...the advantage of client-paid per diems (my wife ~hates~ it when I leave more than 20% when we go out.
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Old Jul 24, 2007 | 12:05 pm
  #18  
 
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I have recently started cracking down as a response to the rising tip-expectation. 15% of pre-tax is now my standard (might round up a couple cents). 20% pre-tax for truly outstanding service.

Doing pre-tax is ESPECIALLY important in OK, where they have a ridiculous liquor tax which is IN ADDITION to the sales tax (I think its around 13% for drinks - which gets added onto the ~8.5% average sales tax rate).
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Old Jul 24, 2007 | 12:26 pm
  #19  
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To put this in perspective there are many corporate travel policies that forbid tipping more than 15%. If you do tip more than 15% you will not be reimbursed for the additional %.

That makes expense accounting a lot more of a headache than it needs to be...
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Old Jul 24, 2007 | 1:40 pm
  #20  
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Originally Posted by dartagnan
I've noticed this as well, a gradual increase in the "expected" amount of the tip from 15% to 20%.
I've noticed that as well.
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Old Jul 25, 2007 | 8:32 am
  #21  
 
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At a Applebees, Chilis level I will tip according to service. If I don't get good service (not checking up, having to ask for refill, can't find waitress/waiter), I'll skimp, period. How many times do tables turn over in those places? Yeah I thought so.

However, if I'm out at Ruth's Chris or like something really up there, I won't skimp.

In both cases, 15% is my minimum. I also don't need a calculator, it's all counted in my head
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Old Jul 25, 2007 | 2:57 pm
  #22  
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Originally Posted by mjcewl1284
However, if I'm out at Ruth's Chris or like something really up there, I won't skimp.
My last dining at Ruth's Chris at Mississauga (Toronto Suburb), I tipped almost 20% because the service was pure excellence. ^ The service I got was certainly worth the total dining bill. Again as I've mentioned before, I may be biased, but this Ruth's Chris location is by far the best branch out of all I have been to.
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