Advice on tipping etiquette please

[ChrisinHove]

We’re visiting New Orleans over the holidays and I’m unclear on when & how much to tip*

I don’t want to be either a cheapskate or a philanthropist! Any advice would be very much appreciated!

Thanks,
Chris

* UK it’s 10-15%, but often included in the bill, and not much expected in lower end establishments at all. Much of Europe it’s just few coins.

[akapennypincher]

In the USA it is common for people to Tip 15-20%, as a RULE. If it ids me the food has to be good, c and cooked to order. The service has to be good, not with I am doing you a favor being your wait, waitress. I do not TIP into Tip Jars at Fast Food.

A Tip is a Reward for doing more than your job crappy, or with attitude.

[JSumm]

If you are just passing through, I would tip 15-20% depending on service at sit down waited on restaurants. I would not at fast food or other establishments. Often times, wait staff at sit down waited on type of restaurants make a very low wage that is dependent on tips.

[Mk-211]

This has been a touchy subject for the last few years. Some people don't think that they should have to tip, others do.

I tip at places where there's a waiter or waitress, and on their performance. If they're on it, I'll leave a good tip, if not leave a penny or three.

Small places where you get it to go, I always throw my change in the tip jar. Fast food, don't tip and most don't have/allow a tip jar.

As was posted, 20% is the average tip at most places.

[twinboysdad]

Under 15% is often a message that you felt underserved

[Ankerson]

Normally 15% at sit down places with waiters/waitresses etc.

[Evil D]

We almost never eat anywhere that $20 wouldn't be fairly generous, for us that's typically at least 30% and sometimes 50%, but in general I'm an extremely generous tipper because I grew up with a mother that was a server when I was very young and I was old enough to understand her reaction when she had a light night in tips. We can debate about the necessity of tipping or fair wages in a different thread but my opinion is that as long as you make sure my food gets to me hot and don't let my cup run dry you'll be tipped very well.

I think everybody should have to work a little while in the service industry and retail, because they're two jobs that work you to death for less money than they really should pay.

I try to remember that my server is dealing with other customers, other servers, the kitchen staff and management, in a fast paced stressful environment so even if I don't get blown away by their efforts I also understand what they're dealing with. I don't bother doing the math unless it's a really big part and a really big bill, they're getting at least a $20 whether it's Waffle House or a steakhouse. If I can't afford that I can go to McDonald's.

[TkoK83Spy]

$1 for every $5 spent has always been my motto. If the bill is $50, then I tip $10, etc. I tip better at our regular and favorite spots, as we've got to know the staff over the years.

[James Y]

As others have said, in restaurants where you are being served by waiters / waitresses and other servers (not fast food), it is generally 15 to 20%. Assuming the service was at least decent.

In my youth, I worked a couple years as a busboy in 2 different restaurants, and the waiters / waitresses would split the tips with us. It makes a difference. Busboy is considered a low-level job, but we worked our butts off (or at least I did) for little pay, and the partial tips we received made a big difference. That is why, on the few occasions I eat out anymore, as long as the service is decent, I will always give a good tip.

Jim

[Naperville]

We haven't gone to a restaurant for years. My mother is currently unable to travel and I don't go anywhere without her at the moment.

20% is the standard tip for us.

We order fresh uncooked cheese pizzas, 5 at a time, and bring them home to make for the week. I usually tip the high school kids 20% for making the pizzas. They have a life too.

We are not rich, we just appreciate the good service.

[ChrisinHove]

Thank you, all. It’s very difficult to navigate these things, sometimes.

[DSH007]

^ Shoot for a 20% tip for decent service in a sit-down restaurant.. that's the only time I ever do any math for tipping and the only real "rule" I abide by.. if the service is excellent, I throw a couple bucks on top. For everything else, a few dollars will do if the person provided a service.. like a delivery, driver, valet/parking. For things where you physically go to the location yourself, like a coffee shop, fast food, sub shops, or restaurant take-out/pickup, I don't normally tip. However, if someone goes above and beyond in some way, I may give them a couple dollars.. it always seems to feel appreciated, not expected. You don't "need to" tip just because the little pay pad devices try to include it hahah. In spite of what the internet would have you believe, there aren't actually any Tip Police here in the USA.. no need to overthink it.. do what feels right, you'll be just fine. Worst case scenario, some entitled barista you'll never see again thinks you're a jerk for a few minutes..

Enjoy your trip!

[zhyla]

Thank you, all. It’s very difficult to navigate these things, sometimes.

It's also not a huge deal here. You can just do 15% and not worry about it. More if you feel like it. And don't tip for bad service. I never penalize the waitress for bad food -- seems like not her fault.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Thank you, all. It’s very difficult to navigate these things, sometimes.

It's also not a huge deal here. You can just do 15% and not worry about it. More if you feel like it. And don't tip for bad service. I never penalize the waitress for bad food -- seems like not her fault.

I'm with you on this, zhyla. That is a very good policy.

I have heard of people who go further and tip the kitchen staff and even the restaurant manager. I tip the immediate server or delivery person if the food is delivered, but to me tipping others in the establishment is overboard.

[akapennypincher]

Tipping is City in China.

[270ultimate]

Both the wife and I have waited tables in the past, and most of that was with an hourly wage of $2.13. We expected good, bad, and ugly gratuities, and we saw all that and more.

Haven’t read any responses so far I would disagree with. We tend to overdo it on tipping, but we know plenty of people will not. One rule of thumb for us is that if service is horrible, we do scale it back. You never know if it could be an off day or a relative or pet died, but we also don’t want to send the message that the service level was fantastic when it wasn’t.

I would also caution as previously mentioned that iPad or POS screens may prompt you for a tip. Sometimes that happens even when service wasn’t necessarily provided. Additionally in some places a gratuity may be automatically added to the bill. The adding it on by the establishment may vary by your party size, and it isn’t always advertised or super obvious when looking at the check.

Hope you have a fantastic trip!

[TkoK83Spy]

Of course this won't be approved until tomorrow since I'm on probation here...but hearing about the terrorist attack from last night in New Orleans has Chris on my mind. I hope you and your family are safe.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Do you believe when famous billionaires like Warren Buffet and Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk and Donald Trump and Xi Ping and Kumar Birla and Vladimir Putin dine out they give at least a 100 dollar tip regardless of their meal type or location? A friend told me they'd feel insulted if they were a food server and someone with that amount of money did not tip at least 100 dollars. I once heard of a waitress single mom working at a diner receiving a tip of over 1000 dollars and the meal was less than 100. She broke down in tears thanking God and the customer.

[SpyderEdgeForever]

Chris are you and family safe ?

[Naperville]

I never had money, never been wealthy always been poor. IDGAF anymore about money, it never helped me do much. I've only survived.

About 10 years ago I got laid off and had some cash so I gave it away to homeless people in Chicago. I gave away at least $3500US. I gave one guy $100 and he was in tears.

I am not saying to do this, not everyone, it's very hard to do. But if you ever want to change someone's life just try it. Give a $100 bill to your server for a small meal. Give $100 to a woman laying on the street.