An answer to Tipping Waiters

[Pinkwoman]

Okay okay....I don't think that you should be obligated to tip waiters who simply bring you your food and drink and nothing else 15-20%. I am a waitress, and If I did nothing but that, I would not expect a good tip. But here is the bottom line. America is a tipping society. I am obligated by the government to claim 10% of my total sales everyday as income, my computer system will not let me clock out without claiming an appropriate amount. So there have been several times that after tipping out all of those people who helped make your meal special such as the host, the cook, and the bartender, I end up claiming more than I made. When was the last time you inflated your income on your taxes?? So if you want to go out to a resturaunt to eat, plan ahead of time to tip a base of 10% if they did absolutely nothing special for you. But I on the other hand, will introduce myself to you with a friendly smile, maybe crack a few jokes to try to brighten your day, make sure that each and everything about your visit is absolutely perfect from the temperature and carbonation of your coke to the taste of your steak. And if for some reason, you did not care for the steak, I would instanly have something else ordered for you that was more suitable. If your infant begins to cry, I will pick him up and take him to our "trasure chest" and get him a toy, so that you can relax and enjoy your meal. I will begin to know you by name and all of your favorite foods. I will remember your birthday, anniversary, and how your daughter is doing in school. So if you feel like leaving me a 20% tip, feel free, but I'm not waitressing for the money, I really do enjoy the work. Does this help you all decide on how to tip?

[Teresa]

I, personally don't have a set percentage for tipping in a restaurant. It fluctuates due to my experience. I cannot say that it would rely on the wait person telling me a couple of jokes - cuz I may not be in the mood for that. It MAY be a serious night for me, thus making it somewhat awkward.

A good wait person develops the ability to "read" people and deal with each situation appropriately.

I was a wait person myself. I did really well, cuz I love people (and acting goofy, when a situation allows me to). Can't say that I picked up any babies tho! {headspin}

[theyeti]

I have respect for waitpeople because frankly, it's something I wouldn't want to do myself and probably wouldn't do very well. But I don't have any set amount either (not that I go out that much) - just whatever seems appropriate, then I'll do the percentage in my head to make sure it's decent, and I'd want to err on the side of extra unless something was really screwed up. Even then, you know the person is feeling bad about it (usually) - so a little more than normal will help cheer them up again.

Good thoughts, pinkwoman :)