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In reply to the discussion: Please always tip at least 15%, regardless of the service. [View all]kcr
(15,315 posts)152. The OP is absolutely correct and here's why:
The tip is their wage. Just about everyone else who can afford to eat out can count on their wage being the amount they expect it to be. And they don't have to worry about their boss capriciously docking them for arbitrary amounts just because, or maybe not even paying them at all. Imagine your boss at Initech can just say "Hey! You didn't smile enough today! I don't like your attitude. I'm docking you 300 bucks".
It's simply amazing that we've come to expect protections for just about every other sector when it comes to wages except for wait staff. The excuse that they are service oriented doesn't hack it either. They aren't the only service-oriented workforce. It should be unacceptable for any workers to be treated this way.
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In today's low wage economy I give at least 20%- it means much more to them than it does to me
wishstar
Apr 2017
#5
For me, it also depends if it is a low $ per item menu. If the bill is going to be twenty bucks
Jim Beard
Apr 2017
#158
"Delighted" or not, I don't think I'm going to leave 25% of my bill as a tip. And my mother was a
WinkyDink
Apr 2017
#25
I worked as a waitress. We ALWAYS leave 25%. I know what it's like to work in food service
anneboleyn
Apr 2017
#92
Yes it is a very tough job...and if it is the kitchen and you can tell usually.
Demsrule86
Apr 2017
#100
I think that employers should have to pay living wages to all employees
Horse with no Name
Apr 2017
#16
I agree. ALL Americas workers should 'at least' get Federal minimum wage. Exceptions are wrong.
Sunlei
Apr 2017
#69
15 dollar minimum wage is not a livable wage and many small businesses cannot afford more and still
still_one
Apr 2017
#37
I take it you don't like to tip, and also have never run a small restaurant. Just because you want
still_one
Apr 2017
#55
First of all I never said what the IRS does is realistic, fair, or anything else.
still_one
Apr 2017
#163
The law is what it is. Undertipping because you think the law is bad is hypocritical.
athena
Apr 2017
#38
Yes, funny how many people use the excuse "Well, maybe the service wasn't very good."
smirkymonkey
Apr 2017
#146
Husband and I always tip 20-30% minimum, you just have to factor it into your meal cost
Kimchijeon
Apr 2017
#29
I tip a minimum of 20%, but you are wrong if the service is bad you should still tip?
still_one
Apr 2017
#31
"Stop lying"? You sound like you've a personal grudge going on here. What's with that?
uppityperson
Apr 2017
#50
I was a waitress, and we never leave less then 25% (post above). Most customers blame
anneboleyn
Apr 2017
#93
Just about every other job, people get paid even when they make mistakes and have bad days.
kcr
Apr 2017
#155
If you're not a voter and don't care about politics, DU is not the place for you.
athena
Apr 2017
#53
Ah, good point. If I get one beer at a bar, I'm not going to leave JUST 20%. EOM
Grown2Hate
Apr 2017
#65
100% agreed. I do hate to see that business get away with paying a paltry $2.13 an hour for
Grown2Hate
Apr 2017
#62
I tip 20-30 percent depending on the service. I've done a lot of work in food service
Luciferous
Apr 2017
#68
The one thing I do know with my 20+years experience in waiting. Dealing with the public
YOHABLO
Apr 2017
#104
No argument there. But the system is the way it is, and we have to live with that.
athena
Apr 2017
#132
Having worked for tips, I almost always tip more than 20%. Although, don't eat out often.
Hoyt
Apr 2017
#136
I hate this system. Just pay people right and get rid of tipping altogether
AgadorSparticus
Apr 2017
#150
Because tipping is a pain in the butt. Most places around the world don't tip like we do.
AgadorSparticus
Apr 2017
#184
Great. Then they don't get paid. But they're still employed, at their job serving you.
kcr
Apr 2017
#171
And when the servers get "side jobs" delegated to them...their pay is the 2-something an hour only
rainbow4321
Apr 2017
#162
I usually tip over 20%, but I was a waitress long enough to know when it's bad service or just
Lisa0825
Apr 2017
#179
My husband worked as a bus boy when he was young, we ALWAYS tip 20% or more now.
a kennedy
Apr 2017
#182
Tipping just pushes the burden of paying the workers a livable salary on the customer
qdouble
Apr 2017
#187
Then they should charge the appropriate prices for their products. It's called false advertising.
qdouble
Apr 2017
#190
I START tipping @ 15%. . . Service workers make SHITTY money, and it's criminal
BigDemVoter
Apr 2017
#192