Tip $ crazy...

[Halbleib1]

OMG! I have heard this posted many timeson many tipping threads.
do you realize the paper work that would be required for this law?
ok, all the hours I spend doing "side work" ie, rolling silver ware, polishing silver ware , rolling them into napkins, fillining up dressing cups, etc etc, ad infinitum...

and average it out over a year? and you want ALL that paper work done to ENSURE that we make.. what $8.50 and hour? WHO would do that job fo r $8,50an hour?

every tipping thread that comes up, some one comes up with that ridiculous law.. and we DON"T get "away with" not claiming cash tips , because it IS compared with the totals of the restaurant. (and most of our customers pay with a credit card, anyway.)
If you want to compare our total receipts for the year (yeah, good luck with that) with our total tips, if it turns out I earned less than 15%, no way amI continuing in this business! and if you think I deserve $8.00 anhour to be your waitress at a fine dining establishment, then, please, eat at steak and shake.
regardless, no one at ANY restaurant keeps these totals. this is just a ridiculous argument for someone who wants to eat out at a sit down restaurant and have an excuse to NOT TIP.
I've tried to be nice but, if you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to eat out. (and AGAIN, for the umpteenth time, I am NOT talking about BAD service, so please don't reiterate the time you ate at such and such restaurant and the gum-chewing(YUK) waitress was talking on her cell phone and her abusive boyfriend came in and she THREW your dinner on your table without so much of a howdy-do!
(or any other scenario, ie.once in a life-time situation of a horrible waitress, as in "when waitresses gonebad!"
I am ONLY talking about decent service here.
we have ALL (me included) have terrible waitress stories, where , I agree, a tip was uncalled for.
(just to stop the TONS of stories that will come in , now, from that ONE time, there was that ONE waitress who.....(you fill in the blank)
whenever I post about waitresses and tips I am referring to good service.

If you do not want to take the responsibility to be sure that you are being paid fairly than that is your loss. The law is the law however it is up to you to be sure that you are being compensated fairly by your employer.

It would not take that much work to figure out each pay period if you made enough in tips to equal min. wage. Someone has to be keeping track of the paperwork if you are truely claiming all of your tips on your irs form every year.

And yes more and more people are paying with credit these days however many are also leaving cash tips as well. Many times we pay for our meal with credit but leave a tip in cash. I have family members that waitressed for years and believe me they did not claim ALL of their tips.

If you are not happy with your job and or pay than you should try to do something about it when you can.

By stating the law I was not saying that it is ok NOT to tip I was just saying that waitress's/waiters do make at least min. wage if they do not they have no one to blame but themselves. Many stay in the business because they are making above min. wage and if they were to go to another similar job they would make less money.

Some people also actually enjoy waiting for a living as well despite what many on this board would have you think. An aunt of mine waitressed for years with bad artheritis and by the end of the night she could barely walk but she refused to give up her job because she truely loved it and said that the people she met every day kept her going. Also she brought home more in waitressing than she would have made on disability.

 

[sam_gordon]

I don't know ANY server that would even take the job for $8.50 an hour. we do it because we know we can make more than that. because we are good at what we do.

OK, there are a LOT of jobs that are tough and pay minimum wage or slightly over. What makes servers so special?

but if you want a system that pays the server (at SIT DOWN RESTAURANTS) minimum wage, 3 things will happen:
all the good servers will disappear.
the price of all your entrees will increase
you will wait forever for your meal.

I agree the (listed) price for the entrees will increase, but I don't think my total OOP will for the night, because right now, I'm EXPECTED to tip 15-20%, almost regardless of the level of service.

I think if you eliminate "required"/"expected" tipping, GOOD wait staff can actually make MORE money. There will be even MORE incentive for good service. Yes, you'll still have cheapskates. But guess what, there are bad servers out there right now who think they're getting gypped(?) if you don't leave a good tip, even though the service was bad.

And let me get this right, the reasons tipping wait staff should be "automatic" (with the exception of POOR service):
*wait staff don't make minimum wage (agree, valid reason, I think that should change)
*the job is difficult/hard (so are other minimum wage jobs)
*have to share tips with others (disagree this should be mandatory)
*eliminating tips will result in worse service (I HATE this excuse. Ask an EMPLOYEE in any other industry whether their work ethic changes based on whether they get a bonus)

 

[gules]

Quick question! I know a lot of people tip their mailmen and sanitation workers, but HOW? I live in a townhouse currently, and I'm still a student, but if I can scrape up the money to give a little holiday cheer I don't mind doing it. I just could never figure out how to get it into the right hands!

Of course, this is from the person who couldn't figure out how to get a new recycling bin when my old one got stolen. But I'd like to hear how others organize this, so I'll know!

 

[left_arm]

*eliminating tips will result in worse service (I HATE this excuse. Ask an EMPLOYEE in any other industry whether their work ethic changes based on whether they get a bonus)

My work ethic won't change even though I didn't get a bonus or raise this year with a glowing performance review. But think of a tip as essentially a commission. People who earn a commission will go the extra mile most times to increase sales and increase their pay. A tip is just an extra incentive for people to work that much harder.

I enter a restaurant thinking 18%. Every time something is really good, that number goes up. Every time service is lackin that number goes down. I try not to let things out of the servers control affect my decision making (ie. an under/over cooked steak) however, if I order my meal without cheese, and the food comes with cheese, it is an error that should have been noticed. If the server is MIA for extended periods of time and there are other issues, they should not be surprised when their tip is closer to 12%. If service is so bad that you'd consider leaving a tip, speak with the manager.
I fully agree that if one is unable to afford at least 15%, then don't eat out. Yes I am capable of everything that a restaurant provides, but I am tipping based on the convenience factor of getting to sit still and have someone else refill my glass.

Counter service/drive-thru establishments with tip jars are ridiculous. Those employees are very myopic in believing that putting a muffin on a plate and then sliding across a counter to me is worthy of a tip. I'll even brashly inform them that I have no intention of "supporting counter intelligence."

 

[sam_gordon]

My work ethic won't change even though I didn't get a bonus or raise this year with a glowing performance review. But think of a tip as essentially a commission. People who earn a commission will go the extra mile most times to increase sales and increase their pay. A tip is just an extra incentive for people to work that much harder.

And I'm not saying not to tip if someone does work harder. People are still free to tip when they feel a server DESERVES it for the work they do. I simply disagree with tipping when someone does the job they are paid to do.

I fully agree that if one is unable to afford at least 15%, then don't eat out. Yes I am capable of everything that a restaurant provides, but I am tipping based on the convenience factor of getting to sit still and have someone else refill my glass.

I thought that's why you pay the restaurant (for the convenience factor).

 

[YayDisney!]

This is a very interesting thread and a subject that has irked me for some time. I have never been a waitress, nor have I ever worked in the service industry, but my DH has. Just because I've never done the job does not mean that I do not appreciate the work that they do, nor do I ignore great service. However, I feel that tipping is a very, very personal matter and one that I make according to the situation I have encountered. I do not appreciate the pressure to leave a tip, nor do I acknowledge that I'm 'expected' to leave a certain percentage tip because it's 'customary'. It used to be customary to leave a 10% tip, then a 15% tip, then 18%, then 20%...and now sometimes 25%. When will it quit rising? And who creates the 'customary' tip amount? In most places, tipping is appreciated and not mandated. Therefore, I am free to make my own decisions about how much I leave. When a tip is automatically included in a bill, then I happily pay, as I usually know this before I eat at such an establishment and therefore I'm in agreement with their policies. But in no way will I succumb to society's made-up guidelines in order to supplement someone else's salary. I feel that it's rude to expect a certain amount tip from anyone, as it is to suggest that if people cannot afford tip they should not be eating out. Eating out is a treat for many people these days, and to just as many people it is a common occurrence. I say be thankful for those that tip you well, and be thankful to those that leave you any tip. After-all, a tip, no matter what the amount, is a gift of thanks.

 

[a742246]

If you want to tip... Tip!!!!
If you don't want to tip.... Then don't!!!!

Don't let a tip jar at a counter ruin your day. Life is too short.

 

[AlyJoy716]

I didn't claim taxes on my W-2 form when I did my taxes because at the end of each shift, you are asked to input into the computer what your tips were for the night. this is how it is regulated. A lot of servers didn't claim all their tips at the end of the night, that way when the 2-week pay period came up, the restaurant would have to compensate what "they didn't make". Just some FYI.

 

[smidgy]

well,. (and again, talking about good service) most people know that tips are expected and customary at sit down restaurants (Def. of customary: commonly practiced or used as a matter of course. you can not like the custom, but it still IS the custom)
and those with a dif. opinion will never change their minds.
(and I really don't know why I try)

 

[scarlet_ibis]

What I don't like is businesses (and professions) that require you to tip in cash. That just begs the employees to underreport on their taxes. On the one hand, I understand that the credit card company takes a small bit if I run it through on my card, but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth when I am told at the salon that I can only tip in cash. (And it's a pain because I rarely carry cash!)

I guess I could apply the same thing to housekeeping and bellmen and shuttle drivers, since they take cash tips as well.

 

[sam_gordon]

well,. (and again, talking about good service) most people know that tips are expected and customary at sit down restaurants (Def. of customary: commonly practiced or used as a matter of course. you can not like the custom, but it still IS the custom)
and those with a dif. opinion will never change their minds.
(and I really don't know why I try)

Ah, but customs can change! Don't get me wrong, I do tip. I tip more for good service. What I have a problem with is I am expected to tip 15% (if not more) for AVERAGE service... simply getting the orders correct, out in a timely manner, and refilling drinks. I'm simply saying tips should only be given for EXTRA ordinary service (difficult orders, rearranging furniture, being personable, recommending food/drink to try, etc).

The natural argument to that is "servers don't make enough money". So I suggest forcing minimum wage to ALL employers. I disagree with the people who say "all the good servers will leave, you'll have to wait longer for your food, etc". I AGREE the prices in the menus will go up, but I don't think OOP will change significantly. Under my plan, if I have just "standard" service, I can simply pay the menu price. If the server goes above and beyond and I feel they deserve a tip/bonus, I can do so. If there's poor service... involve the manager. I think it would give MORE incentive to be a good server instead of just doing the minimum. My .023 (.02 + 15%)

 

[scarlet_ibis]

Ah, but customs can change! Don't get me wrong, I do tip. I tip more for good service. What I have a problem with is I am expected to tip 15% (if not more) for AVERAGE service... simply getting the orders correct, out in a timely manner, and refilling drinks. I'm simply saying tips should only be given for EXTRA ordinary service (difficult orders, rearranging furniture, being personable, recommending food/drink to try, etc).

The natural argument to that is "servers don't make enough money. So I suggest forcing minimum wage to ALL employers. I disagree with the people who say "all the good servers will leave, you'll have to wait longer for your food, etc". I AGREE the prices in the menus will go up, but I don't think OOP will change significantly. Under my plan, if I have just "standard" service, I can simply pay the menu price. If the server goes above and beyond and I feel they deserve a tip/bonus, I can do so. I think it would give MORE incentive to be a good server instead of just doing the minimum. My .023 (.02 + 15%)

You know, we had a lot of problems with poor service back when the DDP included the tip. As much of a pain that it is to pay the tip separately above and beyond your DDP costs, we receive MUCH better service when the tip is not included.

Our service was SO bad one night in Alfredo's that we never went back before they closed. The server took (alcoholic) drinks before they were finished, paid little attention to us and was fairly rude, and then threw a snit that we didn't tip EXTRA above the amount that was included on the DDP.

(Now we have problems because we are usually traveling with a larger party and they automatically add the gratuity. I have been known, not at Disney that I can recall however, to cross that amount out and write something else in.)

 

[aboveH20]

I think I first ran into the counter tip jars while vacationing on the Jersery shore. Kids working at every ice cream, Italian ice, pizza, etc. place had a tip jar with a sign saying it was for college and they'd include their college names on the jar.

Last week when I went to a local produce stand for corn and the two 30-something women had a tip jar, I thought that was too much!

 

[Shih-Tzu]

Some OPs do make a good point being opposed to tip amounts automatically being included in the bill and/or the restaurants paying minimum wage at least and tips not being expected.......
.
In the area I was visiting France, it is customary not to tip unless the service is WAY WAY over the top - the menus actually all said gratuity included (en francais)....but one thing I did notice is that the service in what I would consider "high end" sit down restaurants was no where NEAR the service that we get here in North America - I paid 20, 30 and on a few occasions 40 Euros for some of the meals (we were all paying for just our own meals) but the service I get at a Denny's, Montana's, or any other chain restaurant far out weighs what you get in France (I was there for two weeks - 3 meals a day and there was ONE time when the waiter was friendly, etc). We all commented on it - we figured that there was actually no incentive for the wait staff to be friendly, attentive, take your order, check part way through the meal to see if everything was suitable, or get your bill to you in a timely manner.....)

I'd rather keep the status quo we have here - if someone providing a service is on top of their game, then they usually will get rewarded but if there's no incentive, then I could see a decline in some service (as an OP mentioned).

On the other hand, my mom is "embarassing" to be with in a restaurant - she may leave a quarter or two, it would be a shock to me if she left a loonie or toonie....(ooops - that's a $1. or $2 coin here)...but she was brought up during the depression - and still pinches every penny....(I throw in the rest when she isn't looking...). It's not that she doesn't WANT to tip the waitress/waiter - she just doesn't have any idea what the "going" rate is...(and I have noticed that a lot of elderly people are the same) and doesn't realize that some of the staff has to "tip out" the bus boys/girls, cooks, dishwashers, bartenders, etc.

On the other hand, I also have to agree that the scale just keeps sliding up - from 10% to 15% to 18% and yes, I was somewhere last year in the US where the restaurant actually provided a "chart" for tip percentages - starting at 20% going to 25% so you didn't have to try to figure out the math .....to me that sort of implies that anything less than 20% wasn't on their radar?????

Last year at WDW, we always felt that the staff was worthy of the auto 18% - sometimes we left more if they were especially chatty or did something else special - (and we even left a little more for the poor fellow who waited on us who was genuinely concerned about how we were handling the heat "being from Canada and all" and brought us extra glasses of ice water without us asking...I had to explain that the weather was the same there as it was at home...(Labour Day) - he didn't realize that it got that warm up here....he also didn't realize that the hurricanes come up the east coast and sometimes hit here but he seemed truly interested....-
(and to prove I wasn't fibbing to him, Earl is going to come on Saturday - the storm track maps have it coming within a few miles of my house.....)

 

[smidgy]

Tipping can be an awkward and uncomfortable situation for many people. How much is too little versus how much is too much? Is it customary to tip your garbage worker and you mailman? What about the guitar playing songstress at your local coffee shop? Luckily there are rules of thumb for the myriad of service industry professionals that rely on tips to get by. We spoke to Coupon Sherpa writer Kate Forgach, who spilled the beans on whom to tip, how much to leave, and what the unspoken rules are of tipping.

Most people know to tip 15-20 percent on dining out, but I think a few people would be surprised that its actually customary to tip your taxi driver 10-20 percent. Where do these numbers come from?


I copied the abovefrom a news blurb on the AOL welcome screen today. the bolding is mine.

 

[smidgy]

(Now we have problems because we are usually traveling with a larger party and they automatically add the gratuity. I have been known, not at Disney that I can recall however, to cross that amount out and write something else in.)

even at Disney, if the service is poor, you can speak with a manager and have the auotmatic tip removed.

I'd rather keep the status quo we have here - if someone providing a service is on top of their game, then they usually will get rewarded but if there's no incentive, then I could see a decline in some service (as an OP mentioned).
)

so would most people, servers as well. It's not like we are "indentured servants" with "simon Legrees" as resataurant owners.
most good servers like their jobs, enjoy working with the public, and know they have the opportunity to make decent money. if they are poor servers, they won't last long. and any unfortunate customers who receive terrible service can pay less for their meal by tipping less.

the system works. (yes, there will be the occasional customer who either is cheap or mjust doesn't "believe in" tipping.) but mostly, people expect to leave 15-20% and do so. and they are happy to do so, becasue they know if server's were paid minimum wage, and tipping wasn't expected, YES, the good servers WOULD quit the business.
menu prices WOULD rise, and service WOULD be poor.

 

[DeniseinNS]

I didn't claim taxes on my W-2 form when I did my taxes because at the end of each shift, you are asked to input into the computer what your tips were for the night. this is how it is regulated. A lot of servers didn't claim all their tips at the end of the night, that way when the 2-week pay period came up, the restaurant would have to compensate what "they didn't make". Just some FYI.

I'v been a server for 11 years and never heard if having to input your tip info after your shift. I'v never had to tell anyone exactly what I make in tips or heard of restaurants having to compensate (we make min wage here which is $9.20 hr+tips) Maybe things are different here in Canada?

 

[DOOM1001]

I'v been a server for 11 years and never heard if having to input your tip info after your shift. I'v never had to tell anyone exactly what I make in tips or heard of restaurants having to compensate (we make min wage here which is $9.20 hr+tips) Maybe things are different here in Canada?

Things are very different in Canada,in the U.S. servers have to declare their earned tips after the shift.Also they only earn $3-$4 an hour and depending on their claimed tips might not even make those $3-$4 an hour.Right now in Florida it's $4.23 an hour and my paycheck for two weeks ranges from $60-$120,basically servers do live off tips!!A couple of years ago when mininum wage for servers in Florida was $2.13 an hour I remember it was common servers would get $0 paychecks for two weeks.Most servers look at their paycheck as a little bonus.Do servers in Canada also have to tip out other staff members,in most major restaurants servers are tipping out other staff members like food runners,bartenders,bussers about 5% of their sales meaning if the table leaves them a 15% tip they're only keeping about 2/3 of the tip.

 

[lorivegas]

Please!! Servers DON'T make min. wage, or even CLOSE!! I have been doing this for 20 some years and most servers are STILL paid $2.18 an hour!! Now, I don't want to start a whole tipping rant here, afterall this is a MAGIC PIXIE DUST website; but PLEASE AMERICA don't stop tipping the servers, or only give 10 % for good service! (this is how ALOT of "all walks of life" feed their families). We have to pay 8% of our sales on each restaurant tab in taxes, so we REALLY appreciate generocity, and we therefore, in turn, give the best service we can to ensure a decent tip. This goes for many facets in the " tipping industry", afterall, we ALL NEED TO SUPPORT OUR LOVED ONES, right?! So, if you can remember my words , please tip as best you can... it REALLY matters !

 

[SnootyBear]

Please!! Servers DON'T make min. wage, or even CLOSE!! I have been doing this for 20 some years and most servers are STILL paid $2.18 an hour!! Now, I don't want to start a whole tipping rant here, afterall this is a MAGIC PIXIE DUST website; but PLEASE AMERICA don't stop tipping the servers, or only give 10 % for good service! (this is how ALOT of "all walks of life" feed their families). We have to pay 8% of our sales on each restaurant tab in taxes, so we REALLY appreciate generocity, and we therefore, in turn, give the best service we can to ensure a decent tip. This goes for many facets in the " tipping industry", afterall, we ALL NEED TO SUPPORT OUR LOVED ONES, right?! So, if you can remember my words , please tip as best you can... it REALLY matters !

Id be looking into this then if I was you. State regulations (as others have mentioned) require your employer to at least pay minimum wage if your tips plus wages don't equal the federal minimum. Sounds to me like your employer has it made if they aren't following the law, and you have spent 20 yrs not doing a thing about it!