TVCH FORUMS HOME . JOIN . FAN CLUBS . DONATE . CONTACT . CHAT  
                  Quick Links   TOPICS . TREE-VIEW . SEARCH . HELP! . NEWS . PROFILE
Archive through May 21, 2008

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: General Discussions ARCHIVES: Apr. 2008 ~ June 2008: Paying in a restaurant: ARCHIVES: Archive through May 21, 2008 users admin

Author Message
Mocha
Member

08-12-2001

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 11:32 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mocha a private message Print Post    
Yep Eeyore. I thought it was odd but figured it was a new policy.

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 11:36 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
Geez, I started an interesting thread!

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 12:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
Question, Eeyores. What would you have thought in my instance . . . single diner put gift card and a little cash in the folder with instructions as to how to apply card. So there was no tip included in the folder. (I could have, but didn't at that point.) Would you have been concerned at all about the tip then? With all your experience, you can probably "read" people and would get a sense of whether tip would still be coming? And with less than 25 cents change due, would you have returned that?

The more I think about it, the more I wished I had, after Pepe had taken the folder the second time, asked for the change then. I would probably have gotten the folder back. Then would have left the $5 tip in the folder. That would have made a point with him?

Racsan
Member

04-09-2004

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 12:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Racsan a private message Print Post    
This is why it is disheartening to serve tables where someone only tips a dollar a head, or .50 cents per child, no matter what the bill is.

Not sure if this was aimed at me or not but if you go back to my post this is the LEAST amount I tip with terrible service, with only a few times - after much trying to get better service - leaving a penny. But when I leave only a penny, or only based on how many people are in my party, the waitstaff AND the manager know EXACTLY why the amount of tip was left.

If a waitress is making $8 base wage then I probably wouldn't be as generous as I am. It's the watiress that make $2 base wage an hour that deserve the larger tip IN MY OPINION.

And, like I said before, waitstaff KNOW what their actual wage is BEFORE taking the job so I don't care to hear about not getting what THEY think they should get in tips or having to tip out. And no you are NOT paying to serve me if I tip $4.00 and you have to pay out $6.00 because you still have your base salary. Unless I was your ONLY customer in an hour's period and then that is not MY problem.

I also have a problem with tipping on the COST of the meal. Why does a person that serves me a $10.00 meal deserves less of a tip than a person that serves me a $40.00 meal, esp if the first person did a much better job? I tip on service, not how much my food cost. And for the most part everybody that I tip is usually very happy with the tips I leave. If I couldn't afford to be that generous I wouldn't be, and I'd still go out to eat.

I would prefer that the tip be incorporated into the cost of the meal - not as a charge or a tip but part of the actual food costs. Sure it would be higher but then I could choose if it was worth me going to eat or not. Sure it might mean some waitstaff might not be as nice, but then again that's where complaining to the management would come into play.

I know this is about restaurants, but tipping in my opinion, has gotten out of hand. Seems like almost EVERYBODY thinks they deserve tipped these days. I'm waiting for the lady at Walmart to hold out her hand and ask for a tip for checking me out.

Jimmer
Moderator

08-30-2000

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 12:32 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
I would think that the concept of tipping more for more expensive meals is that the service provided for the more expensive meal is greater than the service provided for the less expensive meal. All else being equal, we can hardly compare the effort and knowledge required serving a meal in an upscale establishment with the effort required to serve a meal at McDonald's.

Racsan
Member

04-09-2004

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 12:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Racsan a private message Print Post    
This is true but you don't tip at McDonalds. Well since I haven't been to one for over 10 years, you didn't USED to tip in McDonalds. But I have been to some places that wouldn't be considered upscale, but I wouldn't say they were nasty. Best service in my life, best tips I gave in my life. And from my experience, base wage is more at upscale establishments than mom and pop places, so in a sense it has been taken care of. I do get the concept you are giving Jimmer.

Darrellh
Member

07-21-2004

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 12:47 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Darrellh a private message Print Post    
The restaurant I worked in tracked the dollar amount of food you sold that day. This is done by having to use the computer to place your order. The restaurant then declared 8% of what you sold as earnings. (Based on the 15% rule people go by. 8% covers the fact that some will stiff or under-tip you, while others will give more than the 15%.) The $2 base pay and the 8% is reported to IRS. I used to work at a place we called the Crimson Crustacean. LOL.

Eeyoreslament
Member

07-20-2003

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 12:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Eeyoreslament a private message Print Post    
Colord, I've learned over the years, that until the person has left the building, don't even BOTHER thinking about what they are tipping you. Just do the job properly, and let them be the judge. I NEVER take change for granted, unless they have obviously given me the amount, PLUS what seems like a tip. For example, if their bill is 101.50, and they leave me 125, I am going to assume they do not need change, because they wouldn't have left a 5 and a 20. With that said, I take it, and I wait a couple minutes, do other things for my section, and if they haven't left the table, I will break the 20 into two 10's, and give back 23.50 in change. But that's only if they're still sitting there. I never just "don't go back".

If I were Pepe in your situation, I'd have given you your 22 cents back, and just moved on. Honestly, if you seemed like a nice customer, I wouldn't have worried AT ALL. And if you didn't tip, I'd need to just suck it up. I would never say anything to you though.

One of the things that often happens that screws servers out of a tip, is this: let's say 3 of us go out for dinner, and the bill comes to $220. Two people give 90 bucks to me, and the third person goes, and I QUOTE, "Here's 180, and put the rest on my card." And 8 times out of 10, the person signing the card, IS NOT tipping on the WHOLE BILL, despite their friends' tips being put toward the altered total. Basically their friends were putting about 75 toward the bill, and 15 to a tip. But the person with the CARD put that 30 bucks in tip toward the BILL, and they have their card run through for 40 bucks, and they tip me like 10. IT SUCKS!!!!

But do I ever comment, or say anything like "So you'll be tipping on the entire total, or should I put 90 on your card?" I never say anything that solicits a tip. Never. You suck it up, and remember their face for what a d-bag they are. It hurts, but you do not say anything.

This is why I feel Pepe was SOOOOOO in the wrong on SO many levels.



Rascan, I am not even going to read your post, as I don't think we will agree, and it's better left there. I am genuinely insulted when anyone tells me my work isn't worth what I earn in tips. I don't mind answering questions about how a restaurant should work, or the behind-the-scenes of things, but I am not going to spend time on anything that devalues me. Sorry. I have a good friend who feels tips are out of control, and everyone else I know who feels that way has also never worked as a server. Find me a server who says tipping should be necessary, and I'll listen to their reasoning why.


Jimmer, service is definitely better than at McDonalds, but I make the exact same wage as those at McDonalds. LOL

Eeyoreslament
Member

07-20-2003

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 12:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Eeyoreslament a private message Print Post    
PS - Denecee, I make more than 33 on average. Last night, I sold 2000, made almost 300 in tips, and tipped out 85 to kitchen, hostess, bartender, and busser. Worked 6 hours. So....almost 36 and hour, plus my minimum wage 8 bucks an hour.

Kitt
Member

09-06-2000

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 1:08 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kitt a private message Print Post    
Wow. I'm going to tip less.
Joking.
Mostly.

Scooterrific
Member

07-08-2005

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 1:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Scooterrific a private message Print Post    
Yes Darrell is right...servers/bartenders are taxed on 8% of their gross sales...which is why many people base their tip on the price of the meal.

Cinnamongirl
Member

01-10-2001

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 1:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cinnamongirl a private message Print Post    
$44 an hour?? I'm in the wrong business

Racsan
Member

04-09-2004

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 1:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Racsan a private message Print Post    
Rascan, I am not even going to read your post, as I don't think we will agree, and it's better left there. I am genuinely insulted when anyone tells me my work isn't worth what I earn in tips.

I don't THINK I insinuated YOUR work isn't worth what YOU earn in tips. If I said that about YOU I am sorry.

MY thinking on tips is I am so TIRED of the thought that EVERY trip out to eat should end up in a 15% - 25% tip JUST because the base wage is so low for the wait staff. This is why I believe that prices should be raised and servers should be paid more in base wage.

I'll state again I'm a very good tipper unless service warrants less of a tip but that smaller tip is after talking to wait staff and management and still not getting satisfaction. I do not base my tips on the amount I spend but on the good service I get. It's usually more than 20%.

Denecee
Member

09-05-2002

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 1:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Denecee a private message Print Post    
One question for you Eyeore, do you have to wear pantyhose? or anything uncomfortable?

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 1:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Probably just a smile when she's not in the mood!!

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 1:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Also, I totally agree. Abolish tipping altogether! Make the prices higher and the wages higher, but get rid of the tip!

Denecee
Member

09-05-2002

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 1:26 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Denecee a private message Print Post    
I could never eat at Eyeore's restaurant unless somebody else was paying.
The restaruants I like and can afford are going down in numbers because the quality of the food has gone down or the wait staff is not very good.

Eeyoreslament
Member

07-20-2003

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 1:50 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Eeyoreslament a private message Print Post    
It's cyclical Denecee. I'm not pointing at ANYONE, but this is a general rule. Good servers go where the money is good, PERIOD.

So, you've got a place where they make the prices cheaper, so this brings in a cheaper clientele. That cheaper clientele tips less as a whole, which drives away some of the servers. Restaurant gets desperate, and hires servers that may not have "made the cut" before. Those servers then drive away the few GOOD tippers, due to a few bad experiences. Restaurant makes less money. So nowhere in that equation can a restaurant embed enough money into the food, to afford the GOOD servers.

Good servers go where the tips are good, and they don't leave. I just got into a place where I am working with a group that have all worked there for anywhere from 8-15 years. And now I know why. The money is consistent, and phenomenal. And that money wouldn't be AS consistent, and AS phenomenal, if it weren't for the customers always knowing they will get consistent and phenomenal service back. It's a give and take.

But at the casual diners like TGIF or Olive Garden, in order to get the service to improve, you need to get management to KNOW there are problems. Lots of these corporate places have a sort of disconnect between what management THINKS can be done, and what actually CAN be done.

The restuarant I last worked at stuck a hostess on as a manager for weekend brunches. They wouldn't let her schedule a host, or a bartender, and only one or two servers, in a restaurant that could hold 200 people if the sun comes out and people start walking by the waterfront restaurant. You don't know how many times I have gone in at night, to hear the horror stories of just ABYSMAL service and working environment that the management made her try to make work. But if nobody writes in and says "nobody said hello or sat us for 10 minutes, and then we didn't get our drinks for 20 minutes and our food was cold", then management never realizes that the shift needs a hostess and a bartender, so that the servers aren't so busy getting the door and making drinks, that they can't run food when it comes up or anything. Seriously, sooooo many managers have their heads so far up their butts, that they lose their connection with what works on the floor. All they start caring about is their OWN numbers, as the expense of guest satisfaction and employee morale.

Eeyoreslament
Member

07-20-2003

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 1:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Eeyoreslament a private message Print Post    
Oh I forgot to answer, I wear a white dress shirt, a tie, and black dress pants with black polishable shoes. And an ankle length white apron.

Darrellh
Member

07-21-2004

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 2:01 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Darrellh a private message Print Post    
I've seen prospective waitstaff interviewees look at the menu of a restaurant and the table setting, and then leave. They can figure out how high or low the range is they can make there.

Eeyoreslament
Member

07-20-2003

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 2:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Eeyoreslament a private message Print Post    
Oh heck yes Darrell!! I also won't work in an area of town that is mostly tourists, because it means low tips.

Cinnamongirl
Member

01-10-2001

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 2:11 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cinnamongirl a private message Print Post    
Just curious... Do you see any famous people? not necessarily Brad Pitt types but maybe the occasional Canuck or News anchor??

Pippin04
Member

10-26-2007

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 2:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Pippin04 a private message Print Post    
my hubby and I often go to the same restraunts so the staff knows us. We are known as big tippers so the staff is always attentive. If you want great service go to a place frequently and tip well. A normal tip for us is 20% but my husband has been known to tip up to 50%.

Serving staff work very hard and deserve every penny they make.

Also I always read my bill and make sure nothing is forogtten. I would hate to have the server pay for something I ate because of a computer error. If something is missing from my bill I inform the person and still pay for it.

Once we were eating as aparty of four and a party of ten was at the next table. Our server mixed up the bills and we were given a bill of over $500.00. The other table paid our bill of $150.00 and ran out. We told the server we had the wrong bill and only paid $150.00 but I felt really bad for her. If you eat and drink for $500.00 you should own up and pay for it.

Sorry just my two cents.

Escapee
Member

06-15-2004

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 2:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Escapee a private message Print Post    
That's sad. I wonder if she had to cough up the additional 350.

Pippin04
Member

10-26-2007

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 2:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Pippin04 a private message Print Post    
We asked and she said she did. She was almost in tears.