Restaurant bill suggested tips: 18, 20, or 25% WTF?!

[PatColo]

The one I just ate at, a chain called "Stacks", had that 18-20-25% breakdown on the bill. Another indy diner had 18 & 20% all 'conveniently' precalculated on their bill, which struck me as presumptuous! So seeing this 25% noise today struck me as audacious! And the inference of course is, going under 18% means you're a shmuck, or perhaps there was something wrong with the service.

What happened to 15% for reasonably good service? ??? I'm disinclined to return to restaurants which pull this manipulative crap with their bills.

Is this a nationwide phenom? Or just the exorbitant cost of living places like my present SF bay area?

[JohnQPublic]

I move the decimal to get 10%, add half again, and if the service was particularly good, I might round up. I don't need some new-fangled computer to calculate a tip for me. [/grumble]

[Shami-Amourae]

This:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-qV9wVGb38

[crimethink]

10% minimum for minimally-acceptable service, 15% for very good service, 20% for rare and outstanding service. ZERO for anything below minimum. A tip is not "deserved," it is earned.

Mandatory "gratuity" needs to be banned as a form of theft/fraud; just jack up the prices then.

[crimethink]

The one I just ate at, a chain called "Stacks", had that 18-20-25% breakdown on the bill. Another indy diner had 18 & 20% all 'conveniently' precalculated on their bill, which struck me as presumptuous! So seeing this 25% noise today struck me as audacious! And the inference of course is, going under 18% means you're a shmuck, or perhaps there was something wrong with the service.

What happened to 15% for reasonably good service? ??? I'm disinclined to return to restaurants which pull this manipulative crap with their bills.

Is this a nationwide phenom? Or just the exorbitant cost of living places like my present SF bay area?

The Sodomcisco area is awash in cash, so everything is increased in cost. But do the Jews demanding up to 25% "gratuity" actually give it to the waitresses? Probably not.

[Neuro]

I move the decimal to get 10%, add half again, and if the service was particularly good, I might round up. I don't need some new-fangled computer to calculate a tip for me. [/grumble]

Most nowadays seems incapable of doing basic math in their head...

[Shami-Amourae]

10% minimum for minimally-acceptable service, 15% for very good service, 20% for rare and outstanding service. ZERO for anything below minimum. A tip is not "deserved," it is earned.

Mandatory "gratuity" needs to be banned as a form of theft/fraud; just jack up the prices then.

When I worked back of the house as a cook, I really started to hate tipping since I've worked as a waiter too, and cooking is way harder, and you don't get a tip, or bonus, no matter how hard you work. Cooking/Culinary has a super high turnover rate too.

[osoab]

The restaurant is looking to back an extra easy buck or 10.

Hipsters would pay it because it is on their card.

[crimethink]

When I worked back of the house as a cook, I really started to hate tipping since I've worked as a waiter too, and cooking is way harder, and you don't get a tip, or bonus, no matter how hard you work. Cooking/Culinary has a super high turnover rate too.

I always try to gave a wave to the cook(s) whenever the opportunity presents, provided the food was good. "Gratuity" is, more often than not, based on the sex appeal of the waitress (or waiter, if one is female or a faggot).

[PatColo]

I'm aware of the reservoir dogs tip scene case, and I'm not opposed to tipping 15% for adequately good service though I realize that's a mostly USA phenom-- hell my first 10 working years were all tipped restaurant/hotel jobs.

It's mostly that tipping is voluntary which this modern bill trend tries to play dumb about; plus their raising the "proper tip" bar to minimum 18%, which was generous when I was coming up. Oh and it's not as though the menu prices for the same dishes have stayed the same!! Nooooo... it's a challenge around here to get a diner style meal for < $15 after tax & tip. Three egg omelette with tiny fruit cup, taters & coffee cost me just under $20 today.


The Sodomcisco area is awash in cash, so everything is increased in cost. But do the Jews demanding up to 25% "gratuity" actually give it to the waitresses? Probably not.

I'm not aware of restaurants robbing servers of their tips, when it's filled out via the tip line when paying by CC rather than cash on the table.

I do recall as a busboy for a year or so back then, the occasional server who the bussers "worked for" who were consistently crooked when it came time to tip us, supposed to be 15% of their haul, IIRC. One such wait(trss) had some car trouble one time, not sure what happened there? ???

[Half Sense]

The best restaurant gig is the one where the 18% tip is discreetly added to the bill. So you had 2 drinks, 2 entrees and a bottle of wine? $80 + a 16.40 tip and the bill arrives with a nice big $96.40 circled on it. You, the big spender, add another $15 or $20 tip. So the server got $35 for cracking a bottle of wine and laying down 2 plates.

[Neuro]

The best restaurant gig is the one where the 18% tip is discreetly added to the bill. So you had 2 drinks, 2 entrees and a bottle of wine? $80 + a 16.40 tip and the bill arrives with a nice big $96.40 circled on it. You, the big spender, add another $15 or $20 tip. So the server got $35 for cracking a bottle of wine and laying down 2 plates.

Remember He/She is busting his/her ass off for you!

[madfranks]

10% minimum for minimally-acceptable service, 15% for very good service, 20% for rare and outstanding service. ZERO for anything below minimum. A tip is not "deserved," it is earned.

Mandatory "gratuity" needs to be banned as a form of theft/fraud; just jack up the prices then.

This is about right. If it's just me and I'm not ordering very much (lunch & water, less than $10), I'll tip $4 or so, which I know would be a 40%+ tip but on a $9 meal I can't just leave a $1.50 tip.

[PatColo]

The best restaurant gig is the one where the 18% tip is discreetly added to the bill. So you had 2 drinks, 2 entrees and a bottle of wine? $80 + a 16.40 tip and the bill arrives with a nice big $96.40 circled on it. You, the big spender, add another $15 or $20 tip. So the server got $35 for cracking a bottle of wine and laying down 2 plates.

If the "convenient (big) tip calculations on the bill" shtick is presumptuous & off putting; the auto-tip shtick is over the top unacceptable. Talk about abusing the spirit of tipping, plus leaving a server no incentive to be polite attentive etc.

If I can know in advance that a restaurant does the auto-tip scam, I won't eat there! Problem arises when you go there with others, & maybe you do or don't notice the tiny 1-point-font advisory at the bottom of the menu somewhere telling of their auto-tip policy-- I'm not exactly going to make the case to one or more dining mates that we should leave & find another place.. and come across like some kind of crooked toothed Mr. Pink! Esp if i'm hot for my dining mate..ahem! But I certainly wouldn't return there.:rolleyes:

[EE_]

What do you do about them?

Are Black People Really Bad Tippers?
Damon Young looks at a few possible reasons why this stereotype exists

by Damon Young, December 11, 2012

Are Black People Really Bad Tippers?
It's no secret that Black people are generally thought to be bad tippers. Actually, "bad tippers" is being kind. If there was a scale listing every demographic from best to worst, we (Blacks) would rate last, and this stereotype seems to transcend class, station, and situation. If personal anecdote is any indication, the stereotype may be rooted in truth. I've witnessed numerous friends, family, and colleagues leave substandard tips when both the food and the service were on point, including the time a friend with a six figure income left a $1 tip on a $70 meal (and this Negro had the nerve to leave a smiley face next to the $1). While that's just one (extreme) example, I'd wager that a quick survey of bartenders, waitresses, and others in the service industry would tell you that behavior is more the norm than the exception.

So, why are we such bad tippers? I have no concrete answers, but I do have a few theories.

1. Insufficient education about tipping

On the basis of the "Blacks are bad tippers" perception actually being true, perhaps this phenomenon is due to us just not being aware of proper tipping etiquette. Admittedly, I wasn't even aware you're supposed to tip bartenders until I was 25 or 26, and I suspect I'm not alone. It's not like there are any courses you can take on when to tip and how much to tip when you do, and it's not like bad tippers get corrected often. I doubt there are many servers out there who'll run out the restaurant and track down the cat who gave them a $4 tip on a $60 meal.

It's possible that many bad (Black) tippers are just stuck in a cocoon with other bad tippers, completely oblivious to the world of the 20 percenters. What they fail to realize is that tipping isn't an option. It's a social requirement when dining out, and 15% is the baseline for just adequate service. If the service is so bad that you feel a tip wouldn't be appropriate, you need to contact the manager. Plus, many servers make less than $3 an hour, and tips are factored in as part of their income. If they're bringing food to your table, the least you can do is help them put food on theirs.

2. People seek to confirm beliefs they already hold

It's very possible that the perception is driving the stereotype, instead of it being the other way around.

Basically, if I'm aware Black people are thought to be bad tippers, I'm going to be more sensitive to any example of Black people tipping badly—evidence that would confirm thoughts I already had. It's really no different than the person who swears all Black men are dating White women, and takes the three interracial couples they see at the mall as proof—ignoring the 25 Black-on-Black couples they also walked past.

3. "Bad tipping" = "An opportunity to stick it to the man/feel superior"

Of the theories presented today, I think this is the least likely to be true. But, it would be disingenuous to ignore the possible racial politics that could be at play here.

Perhaps there are some Black people who look at tipping as a minor but still tangible way to thumb their noses at the establishment—represented in the form of service people who often happen to be White. Basically, whether it's race or class based (or both), it's an opportunity to assert some sort of dominance and/or receive "payback." The bad tip serves as a culmination of them making the dining experience as stressful as possible for the people unfortunate enough to be waiting on them, the final "Eff you!"

4. We get less-than-good service because of our tipping rep

Yes, it's no secret that Black people are thought to be bad tippers. You know what's even less of a secret? For the last, I don't know, 400 or so years, Black people have been on the receiving end of some pretty bad treatment. And, although you can no longer legally discriminate, this bad treatment has extended to restaurants and bars, where we still often get treated differently than our White counterparts.

What ends up happening is a loop of circular behavior where Blacks have been traditionally discriminated against, Blacks expect to be treated poorly and treat servers with disdain, servers treat Black patrons with less care because they "know" Blacks tip poorly, and Blacks continue to tip poorly because they continue to get substandard service.

How exactly do we solve this problem? Well, there are no easy answers, but we can start by…wait. Let me stop right there. That's a lie. There is an easy answer:

If you do go out, tip. If you don't want to tip, stay home.

Read more at EBONY http://www.ebony.com/news-views/are-black-people-really-bad-tippers-981#ixzz4QJ8WEza8
Follow us: @EbonyMag on Twitter | EbonyMag on Facebook

[Silver Rocket Bitches!]

The tip should be commensurate with the service received. I have no problem tipping 20+% if the person providing the service was attentive, polite, friendly, etc. However I'm under no obligation to subsidize just because they get paid $2 an hour.

[crimethink]

I'm not aware of restaurants robbing servers of their tips, when it's filled out via the tip line when paying by CC rather than cash on the table.

I know it's happened in our region. We have a Federal case in our county for a restaurateur couple truly fucking over their waitresses. IIRC, it involved interception of tips, too.

It started out as a Cal-DIR case, and graduated to a Federal tax evasion, etc. case:

http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/article/zz/20131115/NEWS/131117271

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/owners-ukiah-restaurants-charged-tax-fraud

[PatColo]

If you do go out, tip. If you don't want to tip, stay home.

I was tempted to raise the blacks= bad tippers thing... that line above summarizes the bottom line IMHO. Or stick with McD's/KFC, or black diners etc.

Euro/Can/Oz/etc TOURISTS have a similar rep, fwiw... but that's attributable to education re "when in Rome USA". The ones who live here tend to assimilate & tip "properly", at least eventually. The "strong dollar" currently wrt their currency has many tourists being extra tight on decisions they regard as discretionary.

[PatColo]

I know it's happened in our region. We have a Federal case in our county for a restauranteur couple truly fucking over their waitresses. IIRC, it involved interception of tips, too.

A "federal case", is this a multi-state chain where it was systematic across properties?

I'm frankly not sure where/how servers collect their tips which are filled out on the CC voucher tip line nowdaze. Cash at the end of their shift? Or all on paycheck? And esp at diners where customers are supposed to take their bill to the cashier & waiters don't immediately see what if any tip was added to the bill; how do they verify everything on their bi-weekly paychecks? That would leave a big theft opp for an unscrupulous restauranteur.

Otherwise restauranteur pretty much needs to swipe cash tips right off the table when ALL of the other employees aren't looking!

[Twisted Titan]

I have a small handful of brunch places i frequent because i dont cook and i have my little one in tow.

Im as gracious as i can be and the staff is super helpful.

I actually tip 5 coin silver sets to staff that are exceptional to educate them about money

[Hitch]

I actually tip 5 coin silver sets to staff that are exceptional to educate them about money

That's a great idea. I rarely eat out, but when I do it's local mom and pop restaurants where the people know my name. I always tip well, at least 20%. Going out to eat is a treat for me, and tipping well, the service and food is worth it. When the owner of the restaurant comes out to talk and ask about a meal, that says a lot. I like supporting businesses like that.

[midnight rambler]

I have a small handful of brunch places i frequent because i dont cook and i have my little one in tow.

Im as gracious as i can be and the staff is super helpful.

I actually tip 5 coin silver sets to staff that are exceptional to educate them about money

You tipped me a couple of fucking worn old (silver) quarters?? What the Hell am I supposed to do with a lousy $0.50 you fucking cheapskate??

[AndreaGail]

My pet peeve is how there is a tip line on every receipt now even if you order a sandwich or coffee to go. I can't believe the amount of times I've seen people get suckered into leaving a buck or two to what amounts to a 25% tip because they feel guilty leaving that line blank

[AndreaGail]

I was visiting Europe for a bout a week and a half and eating out sure is easier over there. almost all restaurants have heir menu in post tax prices, are shown in amounts ending in 20, 50, or 00 and a 1 euro tip is plenty as long as you aren't at a 3-4 star restaurant and even there 10% is plenty. In many cases my meals ended up being cheaper than had I gots a similar meal here

[Camp Bassfish]

The best restaurant gig is the one where the 18% tip is discreetly added to the bill. So you had 2 drinks, 2 entrees and a bottle of wine? $80 + a 16.40 tip and the bill arrives with a nice big $96.40 circled on it. You, the big spender, add another $15 or $20 tip. So the server got $35 for cracking a bottle of wine and laying down 2 plates.

I made this mistake in NYC last Thanksgiving.... (added 20% to a bill that already had 18% added). The waiter noticed what I had done and caught up with me as I was almost out the door. He pointed out my error and showed me how he had crossed off the additional tip and was only running the bill for the original amount stated on the bill. That act of rare honesty earned him an additional $10 in hand. A cheap lesson learned.

[palani]

I usually leave 15% of the food on the plate. Helps the waistline and if they are hungry ... well, you get the idea.

This works out really well at buffets.

[PatColo]

^ if they run the auto-tip racket; there shouldn't ALSO be a blank tip line on the bill/CC voucher. Nothing but a calculated trip wire. :(

"Oh but what if customers WANT to add ADDITIONAL tip money, but they don't have cash?!" No no no, all parties would acknowledge that's not 90% of customers' intent when they put something on that blank line, most esp when that amount they add happens to be 15% plus, probably compounding the already auto-tipped portion of the subtotal-- IE a tip on the tip! :o

[PatColo]

There's a little Mex restaurant near where I'm currently camping. Maybe 5 tables, order at the counter... IE most peeps get their food to go. So they've got the CCard swiper at the counter as a payment option, if not cash. There's an LCD touch screen pointed at the customer to complete the details, and even to "sign" at the end.

After okaying the amount + tax, it takes you through the "add tip?" screen. Rather than providing a number pad to key in your desired tip, the options are conveniently pre-selected for you... :D There's a "No tip" button, and the remaining 4 buttons begin with 15%, then I think 18, 20, & 25%.

Mind you, this is a pick your grub from the big wall mounted menu, order/pay at the counter then stand & wait ~5 mins place; not a sit down & be "waited on" through the duration of your meal restaurant. Those who eat there too, still order at the counter... and 'ideally' they gather up their paper/plastic/tin foil garbage at the end & drop in the trash can by the door. :rolleyes:

Also mind you, you select your tip % amount at the beginning, step #1 of the whole transaction, when you haven't received any "service" or even food, to assess how generously you might tip. So if you've already tipped 15-25%, then you stand waiting 10-15m, and/or they F up your order somehow (like 'forgetting' the guac as they did my order yesterday!? :()... you're SOL.

Naturally there's also the cash tip jar at the counter!

[crimethink]

There's a little Mex restaurant near where I'm currently camping. Maybe 5 tables, order at the counter... IE most peeps get their food to go. So they've got the CCard swiper at the counter as a payment option, if not cash. There's an LCD touch screen pointed at the customer to complete the details, and even to "sign" at the end.

After okaying the amount + tax, it takes you through the "add tip?" screen. Rather than providing a number pad to key in your desired tip, the options are conveniently pre-selected for you... :D There's a "No tip" button, and the remaining 4 buttons begin with 15%, then I think 18, 20, & 25%.

Mind you, this is a pick your grub from the big wall mounted menu, order/pay at the counter then stand & wait ~5 mins place; not a sit down & be "waited on" through the duration of your meal restaurant. Those who eat there too, still order at the counter... and 'ideally' they gather up their paper/plastic/tin foil garbage at the end & drop in the trash can by the door. :rolleyes:

Also mind you, you select your tip % amount at the beginning, step #1 of the whole transaction, when you haven't received any "service" or even food, to assess how generously you might tip. So if you've already tipped 15-25%, then you stand waiting 10-15m, and/or they F up your order somehow (like 'forgetting' the guac as they did my order yesterday!? :()... you're SOL.

Naturally there's also the cash tip jar at the counter!

"Mandatory" tip = no tip. This "tip required" BS is an example of the entitlement mentality across the political spectrum.

And if I serve as the waiter, I surely leave no tip.

If I encounter a moneychanger machine like that, I'll tell them to run it manually, or pay cash.

[PatColo]

"Mandatory" tip = no tip. This "tip required" BS is an example of the entitlement mentality across the political spectrum.

And if I serve as the waiter, I surely leave no tip.

If I encounter a moneychanger machine like that, I'll tell them to run it manually, or pay cash.

it's not mandatory; recall this part:


After okaying the amount + tax, it takes you through the "add tip?" screen. Rather than providing a number pad to key in your desired tip, the options are conveniently pre-selected for you... :D There's a "No tip" button, and the remaining 4 buttons begin with 15%, then I think 18, 20, & 25%.

What's 'offensive' about it, in my humble & increasingly 'old fashioned' opinion, is you must navigate through this "add tip?" screen at all... with options beginning with a conscious in-your-face "No Tip coz I'm a stingy & uncaring joo>:Dwannabe" choice, then remaining choices beginning at 15% through 25%... rather than a number pad where I can 'toss in a buck', or just round the total up to the next round $ amount (IE $9.62 becomes $10.00) !!

& again, this is all BEFORE you've received any food or service to judge! :|~ It used to be said that "TIPS" stood for, To Insure Proper Service... knowhatamean? :(??

[crimethink]

it's not mandatory; recall this part:



What's 'offensive' about it, in my humble & increasingly 'old fashioned' opinion, is you must navigate through this "add tip?" screen at all... with options beginning with a conscious in-your-face "No Tip coz I'm a stingy & uncaring joo>:Dwannabe" choice, then remaining choices beginning at 15% through 25%... rather than a number pad where I can 'toss in a buck', or just round the total up to the next round $ amount (IE $9.62 becomes $10.00) !!

& again, this is all BEFORE you've received any food or service to judge! :|~ It used to be said that "TIPS" stood for, To Insure Proper Service... knowhatamean? :(??

My apologies, I misread what you wrote as "no no-tip" button. :o

But I absolutely agree: a space for a gratuity is fine, but the audactity - chutzpah, even - of putting such percentages down is, indeed, offensive.

"To insure prompt/proper service" is a backronym. The first use of "tip" as a gift is about 1600 AD, and as a specific gratuity, about 1706, per the etymology. Possibly from Low German, "tippen," to pat a hand (i.e., that of a servant); compare English "tap."

[hoarder]

The best solution to tipping is to cook your own food. I eat at a restaurant about once every three years.

[crimethink]

The best solution to tipping is to cook your own food. I eat at a restaurant about once every three years.

Safer, too, since you avoid both acute food poisoning, and you know much more about the chain of custody of the raw ingredients (absolute if you get the raw materials from a friend or trusted community member).

[Hitch]

The best solution to tipping is to cook your own food. I eat at a restaurant about once every three years.

This may sound depressing, but to me, food is fuel. Fueling the body. I don't particularly enjoy eating, though I do appreciate a good meal, but more about how I feel afterwards. Full, refueled, and with good sleep afterwards...ready for the next day. .

I rarely eat at restaurants as well, because of that reason. To me, it seems like a big waste of time and money. However, when I am at a restaurant, the food is not as important as the company, people, I'm with. To me that's more important than the food or service, the socializing.