A friend and I went out to lunch today. Service was fine. Bill came to $32.19. We both threw in a $20. The guy came and picked up the bill and never came back with change. I couldn't believe that he just assumed that the rest was a tip. I wasn't bothered enought to say something but don't you think that was too much to assume it was all a tip?
Yes, it was too much. I've never had anybody assume it was a tip, but sometimes it has taken a long, long time for the server to come back with my change.
I don't eat out often so I was starting to wonder if I was just being cheap.
I'll tell them if it's a tip, otherwise I expect them to come back. Maybe it's done more often now and I just don't know about it. As I get older, I'm finding that about a lot of things.
Next time, leave $33 for the bill and see if he comes back with change. :-)
I agree that he should have come back with change if the customer doesn't say "keep the change". Whenever we've paid cash, that's what's happened. Then we leave the tip on the table when we leave.
We sat there for a while and I asked my friend if she thought he was coming back with change. She said no since he had passed our table a few times. I know we sat there for about 20 mins. He never even said anything to us.
Usually they always bring back the change even if it isnt that much and then thats when you can leave thema tip. I often wonder how much to leave for a tip, I think its supposed to be something like 10-15% of the bill? What they took from you was to much.
Yea, that's a bit much, just about 25%. I don't think you were being cheap at all! Mistake on the waiter's part, that's for sure.
Luckily that has not happened to me (yet), they always ask if I'd like my change back. But if it did, I would have spoken up and informed the waiter/waitress that I don't appreciate them assuming what their tip should be because I don't want to have to deal with that the next time (if) I go there.
Original Post by betty1302:
Usually they always bring back the change even if it isnt that much and then thats when you can leave thema tip. I often wonder how much to leave for a tip, I think its supposed to be something like 10-15% of the bill? What they took from you was to much.
10-15% means your server did something wrong. 20% is the norm, 25% if the service was excellent.
lol opps
Around here 15% is standard, 20% is pretty good and 25% is really really good. I usually just double the tax and round it off so it's usually around 18%. If they don't show the tax I just do around 20% cuz it's easier to figure out.
I think it bothered me more that he assumed it was all a tip.
Oooo... yeah, that would have irritated me a little bit. not because I wouldn't have left him that amount.... mostly because he ASSUMED that he got to keep the change AND that his service was excellent :/
usually when we go out to eat, I leave $1.50 for every $10 spent.... give or take depending on the service....
at $32.... if the service wasn't that great/fair, I would have left $3ish. if it was good, then it would be like $5ish or $6ish. but if he was rude, never came back or I had to go hunt him down for refills which to me, the service TOTALLY sucked!! that bastard isn't gettin' CRAP!! :D
Original Post by caiteliz014:
Original Post by betty1302:
Usually they always bring back the change even if it isnt that much and then thats when you can leave thema tip. I often wonder how much to leave for a tip, I think its supposed to be something like 10-15% of the bill? What they took from you was to much.
10-15% means your server did something wrong. 20% is the norm, 25% if the service was excellent.
I read an article about this. In Canada it's usually 10 or 15. In the States it's more. That's why Americans think Canadians are cheap.
As you have already left the establishment I would definitely contact the restaurant & ask for the manager. Explain what happened.
I would state the following to the manager: "If a customer leaves a tip the amount is up to the customer. To assume that remaining money is my server's is theft in my opinion as I did not give him the tip".
I have had waitresses (a 2 separate occasions) not return with my tip. I immediately asked for the manager & had the waitress dealt with. On another occasion I had a waitress ignore me because I am female & she would only serve men (assuming that men would tip her better). She was told to take 2 weeks off (without pay). She refused so she was terminated immediately.
I would have asked if he is coming back with the change, and then for manager. Personally I do not believe in "standard" tip. I tip based on service. Only real exceptions are family owned whole in the wall places, since tips are split with the cook. In which case I factor in the quality of food more then service (service usually is horrible).
UD
i had someone try this with me (at a Carrabas) -- after waiting about 20 mins for my change, I finally (basically) grabbed her (she had passed us several times) and asked where my change was... She stuttered for a bit and then said there was a problem with the cash register (BS) and would have to get someone to help her... Needless to say, don't bother asking what her tip was. And, I haven't been back. I didn't, but should have reported her to a manager.
I also generally tip on service -- tips from me range from 5-35% -- and, like UD, also factor in the food at other than chain type restaurants.
I am just wondering WHY tips seem to have gone from 10% to 15% to 20% and even more???
I really don't see that restaurant service has improved that much.
I really don't see that restaurant food has improved that much.
And, certainly, I don't think other industries have seen pay increases like that.
Original Post by caiteliz014:
Original Post by betty1302:
Usually they always bring back the change even if it isnt that much and then thats when you can leave thema tip. I often wonder how much to leave for a tip, I think its supposed to be something like 10-15% of the bill? What they took from you was to much.
10-15% means your server did something wrong. 20% is the norm, 25% if the service was excellent.
Only in the US. Betty's in Europe, so she's fine to tip 10-15%. The US is the only country (that I'm aware of) that has the bizarre policy of lowering minimum wage for servers and dumping the responsibility for paying them directly onto the customers (who *really* shouldn't be expected to tip for crappy service). In most countries, servers get paid a decent wage and tips are simply a bonus/incentive for good service.
Susiecue explained what I was going to say - In the US, the waitresses are taxed on the assumption they get a certain percentage of tips, so if they don't actually get those tips, then they are paying taxes on money they did not get.
What confuses me, though, are the buffet restaurants where all the waiters/waitresses do is get your drinks. Are we really supposed to tip them the same amount of someone who takes your order, serves you, etc? I wonder if they are paid waiter wages with assumed tips, or regular minimum wage.
The buffet waiters usually only get 2 or 3 bucks from me.
I don't get the tip jars at some places like Starbucks or Subway. Really what am I tipping them for?
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