Tips

[LeftyFingerPop]

I usually tip 20 to 30 percent at restaurants.

What is generally accepted to be a "good" tip for....

cab drivers?

bellhops?

hotel cleaning staff?

valet parkers?

Thanks in advance.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. Here's a link with CNN's thoughts:

http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/tipping/

[LeftyFingerPop]

2. This is a big help....

Thank you very much! :) :hi:

[Maine-ah]

3. minium of 15%

I'm a waitress, and I bust my ass, so I expect at least that.

[LeftyFingerPop]

5. It is a very hard job...

and one that I would have difficulty doing. You are on your feet constantly, you are moving constantly. In a busy restaurant, you have to have a good memory, good timing, and good organizational skills. Also, you have to put up with a lot of crap.

I was in a restaurant recently, sitting next to an older couple. The waitress took very good care of them for over an hour. I heard them talking about how appreciative they were of her service, and what a good waitress she was. Then, as the guy left the tip and said something like "she was good, I'm going to take care of her"...I look over, and there was a $2 tip on the table. Their meal was probably at least $30. :wtf:

[trof]

4. I've never understood why the percentage has gone up.

Back in the 60s-70s 10% was the standard restaurant tip.
In the 80s and 90s it went to 15%.
Then 20%.
And you say you tip 20%-30%.

As restaurant prices increased over the years then of course the amount of the tip increased.
So why did the percentage go up?

[Maine-ah]

6. People are also more rude, inconsiderate

demand more, than what they were 30-40 years ago.

I had the worst mess to clean up last week. 2 parents, 2 kids and one of them left their nasty old gym socks for me under the table. Ketchup, sugar, food, dessert all over table and floor. Looks like a tornado went through.

edited for spelling

[LeftyFingerPop]

7. I'm not sure...

but the reasons I leave a good tip are as follows:

1) I don't know if this has changed or not, but it used to be in my state that waiters and waitresses did not even get paid the standard minimum wage because their tips were assumed to make up the difference.

2) Bad service at a restaurant can literally ruin a dining experience for me. I really appreciate good service, and I am willing to tip well for it.

But your question makes sense...I can remember when 10 to 15% was the norm, now it has gravitated up to 20%.

[LeftyFingerPop]

8. True story...

I went to dinner at a bar/restaurant maybe 10 years ago with my friend and his wife.

We were at that table for HOURS, and we ate and drank like starved pigs. Pitcher after pitcher of beer, wine, appetizers, chicken wings, breaded shrimp, the works.

This waitress took good care of us.

To top it off, she had to put up with our crap, because of course, we think we get more humorous and charming when we drink. :rofl:

So my friend makes like he is a big deal and says "I'll leave the tip".

The damn bill came to something like $150 for the 3 of us.

As we walk away, I look to see how much he left...AND THERE WAS FIVE DOLLARS ON THE TABLE!!!!

As his back was turned, I threw down another $30.

[Maine-ah]

12. you rock!

the other night, I had a check of 102 bucks, they left me 6 and change.

My rule is, if I can't afford to give the server a good tip, then I don't go out to eat.

[mikeytherat]

9. We believe in overtipping for good service.

We routinely tip the food-delivery personnel 30-50%. And trust me, the word on this gets circulated big-time. We can call for a pizza during NFL playoff weekend or during the Final Four of March Madness and, even when they say delivery times are 45-60 minutes, the 'zah is at our door in 20 minutes.

mikey_the_rat

[LeftyFingerPop]

10. Yes...

What goes around comes around. It always pays to over-tip, especially if you are a regular customer.

[mikeytherat]

11. It also helps that Mrs. Rat and I have worked food service and delivery.

Drive a mile in their shoes and ye shall understand!

mikey_the_rat