View Full Version : tipping
tezz7628
09-06-2004, 20:55
i've beentold the norm for tipping is now 18%
and the person will actually be taxed on the assumption that he is getting that ammount
which i find absolutely disgusting
Who told you that it was now 18%?
tezz7628
09-06-2004, 21:02
my english cousin went to america with his job and married an american lass
living in south carolina we try to combine visits there with florida
ctgirlscout
09-06-2004, 21:04
As far as I know, it is still customary to tip 15%, but you tip according to how good (or bad) the service is. You are always free to tip more or less as you see fit.
tezz7628
09-06-2004, 21:10
its not the % that grates its the taxman assuming 18%
i guess there the same the world over
there were three of us last time we went
they were putting one customer on the bill
which i'm assuming helped them eg there getting three tips but only have to declare one
i said nowt!!!!!!!!!!
We were told on our last visit that it really depends on several things what amount you actually tip. The minimum is 10%. If you have a buffet meal and the server only brings drinks etc. Most places now expect 15% but if you have had really good service then 20% is becoming the norm. Several restaurants now leave a cheat sheet in with the bill so that you don't have to tax your brain too much whilst on holiday, it's worked out for you - Chilli's springs to mind for this. Our in-laws really can't get their heads around tipping and we keep saying that whether we agree with the system or not that's just the way it is, the tip does form part of the servers wages. If you think about it the food is excellent value in Florida, even when calculating in the tip and you still couldn't eat for that in the UK.
We only tip depending on the service we receive but minimum 10%. If we intend returning to a particular restaurant then we always make sure we've not been tight with the tip. One time in New York, the server was waiting for us to come out of the toilets because we apparantly hadn't left enough tip! Quite embarrassing at the time but amusing now! Don't forget you tip the sub-total amount not the total with tax![msntongue]
Cheers
Silver Dollar
09-06-2004, 21:19
I'm a typical Brit in the fact that I find it appalling (I don't care how low a boss pays his worker, that's not my business) that tipping there is almost 'mandatory'! I would rather have a larger fixed price than to be misled by some manufactured low price - what with taxes and tipping...it's not so cheap after all is it?
The worst cases I think are when I go into an all I can eat buffet and basically SERVE MYSELF and still I'm expected to pay a tip....for what? What service is that?? Bringing me the diet coke I already paid for??? Or bringing me the plates to eat the food off, that i ALREADY PAID FOR!
I'm sorry (I'm sure I'll get a lot of abuse for this) but as far as I am concerned tipping is a discretionary amount between client and the person performing the service (IF you are satisfied) but I'm sure I'm not the only person who finds this custom quite abusive.
tezz7628
09-06-2004, 21:45
i too detest tipping not for the ammount i'm paying but because im doing math on my holiday and i'm noy that good
only ever had i crib sheet it was from a travel agent in england rounded of to $10s $20 etc
keep meaning to take a calculator
i once asked the waiter to figure it out for me and they got quite shirty
if you assume for a moment the average is now 18% and you only tip 15% you could be offending someone quite unintentionally
Hi Silver Dollar
On one hand we agree with you, it should be up to the boss to pay the wages? We think that we end up paying for it one way or the other anyway, like you say higher fixed prices in the UK everything included. It is still quite cheap and good value for money in Florida. On the other hand, we love going to America and don't get bogged down with this tipping thing because that's just the way it is! You are not expected to tip as much for a buffet because there has not had to be as much service by the server. The amount is still discretionary but between 10% to 20% depending upon how good the service was. You could try not leaving a tip if you feel that strongly about it, but I wouldn't recommend then returning to the same place.
Where do you eat if you feel it's not cheap?
Cheers
Ray&Sarah
09-06-2004, 22:02
We were recommended, by an American fiend, to always leave a tip in US restaurants. If the service is bad just leave a dollar, that way the waiter knows you haven't forgotten and that you were unhappy. We haven't actually done this yet, we find most service pretty good.
Having been to the US quite a bit we always leave a tip in the UK restuarants too, after all most waiters are quite poorly paid.
chrizzy100
09-06-2004, 22:12
I don't do a %...I leave whatever I feel like leaving....I know most of the servers on the Cape where I live....so I leave a larger tip here then most places.....if I'm using the same places in FL most of my stay....I leave a larger tip....word gets round....and you get good service......
Regardless of how you may feel about a particular custom, surely when in a foreign country you go along with whatever customs they have? It's not up to visitors to impose their own idea of what is and isn't the correct thing to do. It's the norm to tip 15% in Florida restaurants, so you tip. Simple. No need for argument, it's the custom.
I think tipping is an excellent idea. Have you ever come across waiters and waitress's as attentive as the US ones are. They do an excellent job and deserve every penny they are tipped. If they just received a wage we would have waiters and waitress's just like at home and who the hell would want that kind of indifference.
steph_goodrum
10-06-2004, 11:50
I find it a shame that in this day and age that the waiters and waiters are not paid a decent salary but have to rely on the whims of their customers as to whether they get a decent tip or not. It doesnt all come down to service they can be the most attentive people going but if the chef is not up to scratch and the food isnt very good or takes too long, guess who suffers?
Also some people just will not tip regardless of how good the service is they just feel its a voluntary thing and they are choosing not to do it so again the staff dip out.
kay9jess
10-06-2004, 12:02
hi all,i have no problem with tipping,the amount dependant on the level and quality of service,but what does annoy is if you go to a restaurant with 6 or more dinners the tip becomes a mandatory 20% which is automatically added to the bill.from that point forward there is no incentive for the waitress to give good service...:(
Ferrari, I have come across several servers who are as attentative here as in the USA , myself and those I work with. [:0] We get paid the minimum wage so these TIPS (To Insure Proper Service)are needed to make a decent wage packet.
Thank you Steph for sticking up for us, it's a hot, sweaty, frustrating job but somebody has to do it;)
In the restaurant I work in an optional 10% service charge is added to parties of 8 or more. This still doesn't stop you from working your socks off as this service charge is split between the servers and the kitchen staff so servers often get a couple of extra bob thrown in for the good work.
I know tipping is not compulsory but it really is quite disheartening when you've given your all and everybody syas what a brilliant time they had, the food was great, the service too and then walk off without leaving as much as a brass farthing. And you've still got all the tables to clean, plates to be s[bad language filtered out]ed,glassware to wash and sort and your sections to be spotless before you can crawl home to bed in the early hours of the morning:( Then you've got to try and get the stains out of your uniform before your next shift - JD glaze and BBQ sauce is a nightmare[msncry][msncry]
Being a waiter or waitress is certainly not a glamorous job[msnsad]
Jacqui
Forgot to add that at the end of the night I have to tip out other people in the restaurant from my tips - the person that runs the food, the busser (who clears away the last glasses left after the guest leave, wipes and relays the tables), tyhe person who makes the desserts and the person in the service bar. The bar tender expects 1% of your total sales and the rest expect 10% of your tips. Mind you want they want and what they get are 2 different issues. Those that work hard for me get rewarded, those that don't get told so. It's awful having to tip out someone who's worked really hard for you on a busy night shift a pitance cause you had skinflints for guests.:(
Calamity Jane
10-06-2004, 13:41
My eldest son has recently left his job as a Bistro Supervisor ( of 6 years) in a large hotel, the staff rely on tips to make up their wages to a decent level and before anyone says " then they shouldnt have gone into this job" well where would we all be if we wanted to eat out or stay in a hotel.
Anyone serving the public has a hard enough time to start off with as "Joe Public" can be very demanding and often shows no respect for the very people who work hard and always have to put a smile on their faces in the heat of trauma.
Tipping is an integral part of US life especially in the tourist areas and if we cant be a part of it for the length of time we are over there then its a poor state of affairs, restaurant staff are not just waiters either, there are people working in the background working very hard to make your evening or stay enjoyable.
Calamity Jane
10-06-2004, 14:06
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Silver Dollar
I'm a typical Brit in the fact that I find it appalling (I don't care how low a boss pays his worker, that's not my business) that tipping there is almost 'mandatory'! I would rather have a larger fixed price than to be misled by some manufactured low price - what with taxes and tipping...it's not so cheap after all is it?
<span style="color:blue">The worst cases I think are when I go into an all I can eat buffet and basically SERVE MYSELF and still I'm expected to pay a tip</span id="blue">....for what? What service is that?? Bringing me the diet coke I already paid for??? Or bringing me the plates to eat the food off, that i ALREADY PAID FOR!
I'm sorry (I'm sure I'll get a lot of abuse for this) but as far as I am concerned tipping is a discretionary amount between client and the person performing the service (IF you are satisfied) but I'm sure I'm not the only person who finds this custom quite abusive.
[/quote]
Does it not matter that these people are catering all day and cooking the food and constantly putting it out for you and fetching and carrying your drinks for you,
I would say to people who say things like this...dont eat out, stay in and get your wife to cook for you or even cook yourself.
I also dont think there is such a thing as a typical brit, I personally would hate to be classed under that category:(
Carla
We quite agree with you. It's a case of when in Rome do as the Romans do! Tipping is customary in the USA so if you want to go there, you tip!:) It's hard work waiting on tables and most of the servers deserve the tips they get.
Cheers
davebrighton
10-06-2004, 16:29
I dont agree with compulsory tipping but I feel like most brits that tips should depend on service.Like somebody earlier was pointed out when visiting a buffet you queue up to pay for your food you queue up and serve your own food take it to your own table and the waitress/waiter brings you a drink which quite often isnt included in the price of the buffet.
Having worked in the restaurant trade for 20 yrs I was very please when I received a nice tip because it meant to me I had done a good job not just gone through the motions of giving good service.
Quite a number of waitresses/waiters you will notice suddenly turn up at your table 10 mins before you leave with a refill of coke for the kids just to remind you how much they have done for you.
Now dont get me wrong I am not knocking all service staff just the ones that feel they dont have to give excelent service because they will get the tip anyway.
I always gave my best when serving and cooking not just because of a tip but because I liked my job and I liked people and I feel that no matter what industry you are in people parting with their hard earned money deserve the best you can give them.
How many Villa owners on this site would last if they didnt give 100% servise and let their villas slip into dis-repair not many I imagine
The tipping of $1 to show you are not happy with the sevice is a great idea very much like not tipping in the UK
After saying all this on my several visits to Florida I have only come across 2 or 3 restaurants that have given sub standard service the majority are excelent and the staff deserve all the tips they can get.
steph_goodrum
10-06-2004, 16:42
"The tipping of $1 to show you are not happy with the sevice is a great idea very much like not tipping in the UK"
I havent heard the dollar tip before but heard that a bigger insult than not leaving a tip was to leave a cent with the head facing up which indicated that you were not at all happy with the service.
We have always been told by friends from Orlando to leave a cent if we were unhappy.
flyrr100
10-06-2004, 17:59
I understand most Brit's feelings concerining tipping in the United States. Look at it this way. America is a foreign country where tipping is an accepted custom. It's what the servers expect. They earn just about nothing if you take away the tips. I know in most of the free world tips and tax are included in the published price. But you are in the United States. Belive me, in extreem cases you will be chased out of a restaurant if you leave a penny or a zero tip.
I moved here in the 1980s from Twickenham and had the same feelings as most Brits do. You have to get over it. Have a great vacation. Tip 15%. Drive on the right in cars with ridiculously large engines at speeds slower than the avarage British A road, watch infomercials at 3am, live the American dream for a week or two!
Oh, most entrances to Disney World are Florida Highway Patrol speed traps. Don't go over 45mph as you pass under the Disney arch.
Remember, have a wonderful vacation.
steph_goodrum
10-06-2004, 18:52
"They earn just about nothing if you take away the tips"
Thats what bugs me, Jeff and Amy . It's nothing to do with it being the custom or accepted norm, it's the fact that everyone of us expects to do a fair days work and get a fair days wage at the end of it, and personally I think all jobs should be paid on that basis and then any tip is really a bonus rather than as has been said needed to make up the wage to a more reasonable level.
If a restaurant is empty there are still things that need to be done in the quieter times so the staff can be working just as hard and if there are no customers and no tips what incentive is there for them to try and keep up the standards in the place.
flyrr100
10-06-2004, 19:01
Ms Boo... I'm not disagreeing with you. But it's the way it's done. You won't change it, and most servers like it that way anyway.
chrizzy100
10-06-2004, 19:25
My next door neighbour worked in Olive Garden.....and not all staff in every place has a poor wage....not adding her tips.....she paid for the house....and two new cars last year.....and set up a child minding company that she now runs.....her husband works in a shop on a much lower wages and it paying most of that out in child support......not all servers are as underpaid as they would like you to think.....then again a lot are.....so you pay for the service you get.....and not because you feel sorry for them.....I'm an ex server..so I know how hard the job is.....but I still feel a tip is a sign that the person is doing his/her job right.....
ujpest doza
10-06-2004, 19:42
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by chrizzy100
My next door neighbour worked in Olive Garden.....and not all staff in every place has a poor wage....not adding her tips.....she paid for the house....and two new cars last year.....and set up a child minding company that she now runs.....her husband works in a shop on a much lower wages and it paying most of that out in child support......not all servers are as underpaid as they would like you to think.....then again a lot are.....so you pay for the service you get.....and not because you feel sorry for them.....I'm an ex server..so I know how hard the job is.....but I still feel a tip is a sign that the person is doing his/her job right.....
[/quote]
That goes some way to explaining why, although the food was lovely, the service was poor on our visit to the Olive Garden.
The staff are well paid and do not have to work hard on service and rely on tips!
Seriously though, the manager did come and ask everyone in our area of the restaurant if everthing was okay and gave the impression that he knew everything wasn't and wanted confirmation in order to bring the lad who was working that area in line.
weavemswee
10-06-2004, 20:31
I find it interesting that the reward for providing a good service is assumed to be a financial one.
I suppose it's a reflection of the money driven society we live in but why can't a sincere 'thankyou' suffice as a gesture of appreciation.
I am happy to tip whatever is expected of me but money can seem so cold.
I worked as a waiter for a couple of years and always felt more satisfied when a customer made a special point of thanking me rather than just chucking a couple of quid on a plate without saying anything.
Surely intending to leave a tip, doesn't prevent anyone from being pleasant, using manners and saying please or thankyou at any time during or after the meal, weavemswee?
Maybe that's why we get great service and get welcomed back by servers!!! We always smile, use "please may I have.... " for anything that we'd like, are pleasant and friendly with the servers, and, whenever they bring anything to our table we always say thank you. AND we tip by at least the proper amount.
We do the same in the UK, too.
:D:D:D:D
Quite right Carla. it's a case of treating others how you want to be treated in return. Manners don't cost anything and personally we have never had really bad service. [msnsmile2][msnwink]
armagedon
10-06-2004, 21:54
I have owned hotels for many years in the Las Vegas of the North got it yet "blackpool":D
and i can say the British are tight when it comes to any type of thanking for service it doent matter how much sucking upto someone you do even after they have stayed with you a week they leave very few tips and even when they do its £2. Work it on the american system £160 for the week with dinner and breakfast in the hotel, thats £24 at %15 you've no chance. and thats per person. I have no problem tipping when i go to the states or even in the Uk because i am on the other side of the coin and see how much hard work it can be, and lets face it you eat out in Orlando it costs you nothing to what it would back home and because they need the tips to make up their money they are a lot friendlier than some staff in restaurants back home, some of my staff would have a face like a smacked ars* sometimes you have to tell them to 'smile' look happy.
mark
weavemswee
11-06-2004, 01:03
Sorry - didn't mean to imply that courtesy and tipping were mutually exclusive (of course they're not).
I just wanted to say that respect and good manners are more important to me personally than money.
I have a friend who has lived in Japan and he tells me that waiters over there would feel insulted to be offered money, so I guess each place has its own custom.
Courtesy, however, would surely be welcome anywhere.
As an aside - I've read that the word tip may have started as an acronym for 'To Insure Promptness' suggesting that years ago money was given up front as a sort of bribe in order to get preferential treatment.
Now - there's an idea !!
steph_goodrum
11-06-2004, 01:18
weavemswee
I was always told tips stood for "to ensure proper service", I was obviously brought up wrong because my mum always told me if you were doing a job you did it to the best of your ability everytime and not for just what you thought you might get out of it.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Carla
Regardless of how you may feel about a particular custom, surely when in a foreign country you go along with whatever customs they have? It's not up to visitors to impose their own idea of what is and isn't the correct thing to do. It's the norm to tip 15% in Florida restaurants, so you tip. Simple. No need for argument, it's the custom.
[/quote]
I was trying to word a response but I couldn't put it better than you did Carla. It's the custom, just like paying in dollars, you couldn't expect to pay in sterling because it's our custom.
benfilo
Weavemswee, never heard of that acronym, but will have to remember it next time the in laws moan about tipping!
There is one thing that made me giggle
The Brits were called tight earlier cos we dont tip, but sorry thats our custom, we are told
we must tip cos its the american custom, but when we adopt our custom were called tight
hehehe oh well enough said
I agree servers in Florida dont get paid much, but has anyone actually found out what they
do earn including their tips, Some of my friends actually earn more than the person they
are expecting to tip them
So I see it from both sides :D
anyway thats my bit, better go before I get told off
I think that the American system is right.
It encourages good service, which is what we expect. It is also rarely apparent in the UK.
My experience of employing people seems to mean continually having to cajole and encourage staff to do the job that they are paid to do. Measuring performance - reviewing, warnings, return to work interviews - sickies (extra holiday), not even turning up for the whole day ! It seems to be a UK problem in that people that I employ - mostly young I might add - seem to think that having a well paid job, and having to work hard, are not one and the same.
I didn't realise until reading the much earlier posting by the waitress lady (sorry forgot name), that the tip is split many ways. It makes a lot of sense, as even the employees will drop badly performing team members, as they affect their earnings. In my experience the UK system is 'if you can get away with less than 100% - then you should'
If service is good - pay for it - if it isn't, punish poor service. I like that. Prices in US are better than UK - even with the tip - unless Hard Rock Cafe etc...
What better way than thru the wallet. I wish it was that easy at work. With all of the rules now in situ - employing people is to be avoided at all costs.
Sorry if that's seen as wrong by some - but it is the world I'm living in.
Come on brits - when in Rome....
Colin
I have to say that I've never enquired as to what the servers do earn.
On a lighter note, when in Vegas a couple of years ago, we were waiting for a taxi and the man who was opening the doors for you had a huge bundle of notes and was counting them in broad daylight. Neil being Neil and I agree with him I must add, said "I'm not giving him any money for just opening the door, he hasn't even had to call a taxi they are just lining up" When this guy went to open the door and we just hopped in with no tip he couldn't shut the door fast enough and caught Neil's leg in the door ouch![msnmad] It was like he was proving a point that we were in the wrong for not tipping him. It was almost a case of loose a leg or give a dollar? We can see the funny side of it now but Neil wasn't amused! In this case he didn't deserve a tip, he did nothing. At least bell boys etc do have to lift and carry heavy bags and get them to your room, just like servers having to get your meals.....
Everyone should do their job to the best of their ability, but not everyone does a job that receives tips, shopworkers don't get high wages but you wouldn't give the till operator a tip or the person on the deli would you? McDonalds staff don't get a high wage but do you tip them?
I work in a school, I ring mums and dads when children feel ill and look after them while they wait, I enjoy my work and try to do a good job, I believe I do as the children all seem to like me and tell me so, but at the end of the year the teachers get the chocolates and the flowers and I go home with nothing but the knowledge that I have done a good job!
As a Brit, well actually im English I love the way some fellow Brits keep on about tipping and
say we are wrong when we feel odd about tipping. Thats not wrong thats just us our culture
As I always say, when they say you get better service in america, of course you do cos they are
only after a tip. If they wasnt after a tip I bet you wouldnt get such good service
Also the saying it encourages good service above, backs this up, If there was no tipping then
there would be no good service surely
What happened to doing the job you are employed to do, cajole or whatever, if there is a tip involved then 'Good Service' will be there, thats natural
And as ive said please ask some servers how much they actually do earn, I am sure you will be
shocked at how much it actually is.
I do accept working on the minimum wage is hard, ive done it in england, but I got myself trained
worked double shifts and moved to get a better job
anyway as you all know tipping and me dont go down well, ive raised this before,
anyway little rant over :D
tezz7628
11-06-2004, 03:12
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by tezz7628
i've beentold the norm for tipping is now 18%
and the person will actually be taxed on the assumption that he is getting that ammount
which i find absolutely disgusting
[/quote]
WOW thanks every body for your contributions thus far into my first go at forumming
going to florida was my first time into tipping back in '80
its the one thing that spoils an other wise fantastic time i have there
do i tip them, how much , i dont want to offend etc
and this year to find out from my cousin about the tax issue on an already low paid worker i found disgusting
i have no reason not to disbelieve my cousin but this part doesn't seem to have been mentioned in the threads yet!!!!
tipping to me might as well be alongside
giving sweets to your children for being good
or lion tamers with whips and chairs trying to train them
chrizzy100
11-06-2004, 03:12
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Colin
I think that the American system is right.
It encourages good service, which is what we expect. It is also rarely apparent in the UK.
My experience of employing people seems to mean continually having to cajole and encourage staff to do the job that they are paid to do. Measuring performance - reviewing, warnings, return to work interviews - sickies (extra holiday), not even turning up for the whole day ! It seems to be a UK problem in that people that I employ - mostly young I might add - seem to think that having a well paid job, and having to work hard, are not one and the same.
I didn't realise until reading the much earlier posting by the waitress lady (sorry forgot name), that the tip is split many ways. It makes a lot of sense, as even the employees will drop badly performing team members, as they affect their earnings. In my experience the UK system is 'if you can get away with less than 100% - then you should'
If service is good - pay for it - if it isn't, punish poor service. I like that. Prices in US are better than UK - even with the tip - unless Hard Rock Cafe etc...
What better way than thru the wallet. I wish it was that easy at work. With all of the rules now in situ - employing people is to be avoided at all costs.
Sorry if that's seen as wrong by some - but it is the world I'm living in.
Come on brits - when in Rome....
Colin
[/quote]
My daughter was offered a summer job for $12 an hour....plus tips......
tezz7628
11-06-2004, 03:16
i hope that business of employing senior citizens to pack your groceries and take them to the car etc is their idea
and not something they have to do to earn a crust of bread
They often do it for peanuts, just to get the Company paid Health Insurance, Tezz. It's worth working a few hours each week for that alone, as once you add the pittance that they are paid and then put the Health Insurance on top they have a reasonable deal.
Chrizzy
Thats more than my wife gets for a full time job with no tips. Our meager house here costs £300k
but in Florida we could get a bigger better house with a pool for approx £140k, puts it in
place for me
But I dont want to be told off so will shut up
Apart from saying try paying for clothes, food, gas etc in England :D
flyrr100
11-06-2004, 03:35
Publix posts notices telling customers NOT to tip the bagers.
Must admit when we went shopping last year, as there was 2 of us I went and packed anyway
The only place that made me laugh was Walmart, I went to the back to pack and the girl just
handed me the bags already packed :D confused me
One point though, Im sure we didnt need the 100 bags, we could have fitted the food into perhaps
10, but oh well
tezz7628
11-06-2004, 03:48
carla do they have to keep working to get the health insurance
flyrr100 i know i've seen it, the threads are including low paid workers as well i didnt say they got tipped
just having senior citizens carry out bags of groceries etc when you'd give em seat on bus and open doors etc seems very strange to me
Well you need some telling off, Chris!!! :D:D:D
It doesn't matter what you do or don't earn, or how much you paid for your home. That is totally irrelevant. Why would anyone in America care about that information? If you can afford to go travelling to another country then you can afford to, and, have to, fall in line with all of that country's customs. Either pay up and do things their way, or don't go there.
Now please, be decent Brits and don't let the side down. :D:D:D
Tezz, they get something called Blue Cross when they are about 65, I think, but this only covers basics etc.. If they wish to maintain the kind of cover that they have had during their working lives, then they have to buy supplementary health insurance. A friend of mine pays US$700 per month for hers (just for one person) and some things aren't covered.
Oh well
Knew I would be told off :(:(:(
By the way people Carla is a lovely person, just she likes telling me off
:D
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote: Oh well
Knew I would be told off :(:(:(
By the way people Carla is a lovely person, just she likes telling me off :D[/quote] And remember that, just for once, it wasn't me! :D:D;);)
chrizzy100
11-06-2004, 06:52
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by chrisj
Oh well
Knew I would be told off :(:(:(
By the way people Carla is a lovely person, just she likes telling me off
:D
[/quote]
Everyone likes telling you off Chris.....and then you get me told off........[msncry][:o)]
:D:D What are you 2 like
Chrizzy
its you that leads me astray, your a naughty influence on me :D:D:D
My main concern is not knowing when to tip. A restaurant is obvious but how about take aways where you phone through an order then pick it up yourself. If these are delivered, how much would you tip the delivery person? Have your MCs or cleaners ever received a tip?
I don't want to upset anyone but equally I don't want to add 20% to everything I spend.
Ian
May be it's best to ask yourself what you would do in a similar situation in the UK Ian? Would you tip the delivery person in the UK? If you were in a hotel, would you tip the maids then?
Normally in the US you tip everyone who has done a personal service for you or who looks as if they rely on tips for their living and is probably on a low wage.
chrizzy100
11-06-2004, 18:08
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by chrisj
:D:D What are you 2 like
Chrizzy
its you that leads me astray, your a naughty influence on me :D:D:D
[/quote]
Me.....[msnoo]......
I was quiet and shy until you started posting...now I'm always on the rocky road toward some kind of forum crime.........[msnembarrased][msnembarrased]
chrizzy100
11-06-2004, 18:13
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by IanW
My main concern is not knowing when to tip. A restaurant is obvious but how about take aways where you phone through an order then pick it up yourself. If these are delivered, how much would you tip the delivery person? Have your MCs or cleaners ever received a tip?
I don't want to upset anyone but equally I don't want to add 20% to everything I spend.
Ian
[/quote]
A lot of places have a jar for tips....and you just leave the change.....
You give a few $$ to the delivery person......
I think I would tip the cleaner in a villa if she were cleaning while I was staying there......I spend so much time in hotels....I would do it without thinking.....
I tip the cleaners a few $$ everytime we have a clean in an hotel....
davebrighton
11-06-2004, 19:57
But I still dont understand why tipping should form part of the US waging structure.When I finish my holiday in July would I be expected to tip the Villa management company (I am not saying I wouldnt so dont shout at me)for something ive already paid for or is tipping primaraly for waiting staff if so how much would be appropriate
Floridalover
12-06-2004, 00:23
I know girls that waitress as a side income in Minneapolis to their already reasonably paid day jobs. Their motivation is mainly around the social aspect aswell as the monetary aspect. Some of them gross more than $100 per night in tips.
My experience is this: you tip well and treat your waitress/waiter like a human being you will get excellent service ( you should always be getting good service regardless, that's their job)At a particular hotel that I stay at every month (for the last 2.5 years) I have always tipped $1 per Bud (can add up to quite a few dollars a the end of the night[msnsmile2][msnwink][msntongue][msnscared]) and from day one it has ensured a beer at my side even before the old one is gone. Granted, thats a built up relationship, but the principle is tried and tested in many bars[:p][:p]
Relax, your on holiday, tip away.....as long as the service is over and above what you expected. Dont leave a cent, its not very nice, if your not happy with something, why not say it ?
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Floridalover
I know girls that waitress as a side income in Minneapolis to their already reasonably paid day jobs. Their motivation is mainly around the social aspect aswell as the monetary aspect. Some of them gross more than $100 per night in tips.
My experience is this: you tip well and treat your waitress/waiter like a human being you will get excellent service ( you should always be getting good service regardless, that's their job)At a particular hotel that I stay at every month (for the last 2.5 years) I have always tipped $1 per Bud (can add up to quite a few dollars a the end of the night[msnsmile2][msnwink][msntongue][msnscared]) and from day one it has ensured a beer at my side even before the old one is gone. Granted, thats a built up relationship, but the principle is tried and tested in many bars[:p][:p]
Relax, your on holiday, tip away.....as long as the service is over and above what you expected. Dont leave a cent, its not very nice, if your not happy with something, why not say it ?
[/quote]
Matt,
Im starting to worry about your alcohol consumption!!:D:D:D:D
Would you any duty free?
Floridalover
12-06-2004, 02:02
Oh don't worry.......I don't[msnwink] says he drinking G&T from a pint glass [:p][:p]
That's what happens when you share a house with 2 other male flatmates, all the smaller glasses are broken !! I wonder what I'll do when the last pint glass breaks:(
Oh well, there's always the bucket........:D:D:D
now, about that Duty Free......any gallons of gin onboard this evening ?
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Floridalover
Oh don't worry.......I don't[msnwink] says he drinking G&T from a pint glass [:p][:p]
That's what happens when you share a house with 2 other male flatmates, all the smaller glasses are broken !! I wonder what I'll do when the last pint glass breaks:(
Oh well, there's always the bucket........:D:D:D
now, about that Duty Free......any gallons of gin onboard this evening ?
[/quote]
LOL!!
;););)
davebrighton
12-06-2004, 16:23
I was doing a bit of maths(or Math)which I admit has never been my good point but somebody check this out for me.
If a server deals with approx 100 customers a day(which is quite normal in a fast turn around restaurant) and the average check being about $25 per table and the tip is 15%.
15% of $25 = $3.75
100 x $3.75 =$375
so does this mean that each server gets $375 a day on top of their regular wage
ok yes some of the tip will be shared between kitchen staff but still this is quite an amount.
$375 x say 5 days working = $1875 per week plus whatever the basic wage is
Do they have to pay tax on that amount? A lot of the servers are students and might only work 1 day a week![msnsmile]
SunLover
12-06-2004, 19:21
Also don't forget that a lot of servers also pay for the bus boys to clear and set up the tables in their section.
chrizzy100
12-06-2004, 19:33
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by gromit
Do they have to pay tax on that amount? A lot of the servers are students and might only work 1 day a week![msnsmile]
[/quote]
There is a space on the US tax form for tips....I'm not sure if they are taxed at a different rate....
Silver Dollar
13-06-2004, 06:50
I still don't understand much of the concept of tipping. I mean seriously what is the difference between sitting in Denny's and tipping a waitress for serving you a burger meal which is more expensive than a McDonald's one, yet you wouldn't think to tip the guy who served you at McDonald's if he brought your meal to your table right?
I can agree that possibly these people are low paid and I can agree that these tips will bring them up to a more acceptable wage but seriously, no one expects a waitress to earn the same as an office executive right? I seriously DO try to tip quite healthily where I feel a level of service has exceeded 'the norm'. I don't think it's always appropriate. I remember being in a bar one night and paying $4 for a bottle of Budweiser and then being reminded to tip the guy behind the bar SIMPLY for flipping the lid off? Why should I tip for that? Was I supposed to rip the top off with my teeth? He literally bent down, grabbed the beer, and handed it straight to me. I'd already paid for the beer....where's the service in that? And when it comes to self service buffets...chances are they are already going to get around $60 or so out of my family for eating for the evening and we eat no where near that amount so I really don't see the need to tip any further for simply bringing me the drink I've just paid for because I help myself to the plates too!
I don't see why only certain trades are considered suitable for tipping...after all we all work hard these days and going that extra mile is pretty much standard for any line of work....and that's not assuming that everyone IS well paid outside tipping anyway.
PS to the person a few posts back who said that they are attentive...I agree sometimes they are TOO attentive to the point that I've often felt I'm being 'groomed' FOR a tip. And let's be fair, who wouldn't (even in England) be extra attentive if you were going to be tipped around 15% extra every time you attended to a client? Remember tipping at percentage levels is based on how much the client spends. Does a waitress really spend less time on a person who say spends $10 compared to a client who may spend double that by simply ordering a more expensive item on the menu? Of course not, they are only serving one meal, one drink. I think it's pretty unfair. I agree if you are in a foreign country to some extent you have to live by their customs, but I've watched tipping a lot in restaurants and buffets and the locals just leave a few $1 dollar bills rolled up whilst the foreigners are leaving $5's and $10's.
PPS it IS all about the tipping and not about the service in Florida because if you happen to tip what you deem acceptable but what they consider unacceptable, then you are advised NOT to eat in the same place again.....again what kind of service is that??
chrizzy100
13-06-2004, 07:30
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Silver Dollar
I still don't understand much of the concept of tipping. I mean seriously what is the difference between sitting in Denny's and tipping a waitress for serving you a burger meal which is more expensive than a McDonald's one, yet you wouldn't think to tip the guy who served you at McDonald's if he brought your meal to your table right?
I can agree that possibly these people are low paid and I can agree that these tips will bring them up to a more acceptable wage but seriously, no one expects a waitress to earn the same as an office executive right? I seriously DO try to tip quite healthily where I feel a level of service has exceeded 'the norm'. I don't think it's always appropriate. I remember being in a bar one night and paying $4 for a bottle of Budweiser and then being reminded to tip the guy behind the bar SIMPLY for flipping the lid off? Why should I tip for that? Was I supposed to rip the top off with my teeth? He literally bent down, grabbed the beer, and handed it straight to me. I'd already paid for the beer....where's the service in that? And when it comes to self service buffets...chances are they are already going to get around $60 or so out of my family for eating for the evening and we eat no where near that amount so I really don't see the need to tip any further for simply bringing me the drink I've just paid for because I help myself to the plates too!
I don't see why only certain trades are considered suitable for tipping...after all we all work hard these days and going that extra mile is pretty much standard for any line of work....and that's not assuming that everyone IS well paid outside tipping anyway.
PS to the person a few posts back who said that they are attentive...I agree sometimes they are TOO attentive to the point that I've often felt I'm being 'groomed' FOR a tip. And let's be fair, who wouldn't (even in England) be extra attentive if you were going to be tipped around 15% extra every time you attended to a client? Remember tipping at percentage levels is based on how much the client spends. Does a waitress really spend more time on a person who say spends $10 compared to a client who may spend double that by simply ordering a more expensive item on the menu? Of course not, they are only serving one meal, one drink. I think it's pretty unfair. I agree if you are in a foreign country to some extent you have to live by their customs, but I've watched tipping a lot in restaurants and buffets and the locals just leave a few $1 dollar bills rolled up whilst the foreigners are leaving $5's and $10's.
[/quote]
As a Brit living here...I find I leave a bigger tip then a lot of the locals.....I've been in places with my American friends who leave just a few $$.....I never leave a %........when I go out with my daughter ... we have our own bills so we both tip.....its always worked well for us......
Silver Dollar
13-06-2004, 07:34
I think us ENGLISH have it right....state an all inclusive price then if you feel an above service has been given to you then show monetary appreciation if you wish. Remember, sometimes your service may have been acceptable but the meal sometimes ISN'T....so what are you supposed to do then? Tip to say thank you for beautifully bringing me a dinner I hated? Waitresses are there simply because we aren't able to go into the kitchen ourselves to fetch it....and in any event, that's the whole point in eating out right????
davebrighton
13-06-2004, 17:45
Are there any servers or ex servers online who would enlighten us as to how much the low wage is that servers get.My daughter currently works in a cafe and receives just £3.50 per hour which I feel is quite low but she is greatful for the employment as she is only 16 in dollar terms that would be roughly $6.20 p/h.
She receives tips but only because she is always polite and will bend over backwards to help the customers.
The other girls working with her receive sometimes a quarter of the tips that my daughter gets because they do not give the service above which is acceptable and quite rightly too.
I will only tip a server as a reward for which I feel is acceptable.
Why tip for sub standard or average service this only encourages complacency and those servers who do give above standard service end up sinking to average service standards as there is no reward for flogging your guts out when average servers get the same rewards
davebrighton
13-06-2004, 19:01
Even though I voice my opinion against compulsory tipping,this doesnt mean I wont tip.
Just one question when tipping a bartender for your drinks
1. Do you tip after every drink (if so do you just leave it on the bar in front of you) or do you tip as you are leaving
2. In either case do you leave the tip on the bar or do you hand it to the bartender personally
If you leave cash on the bar does the bartender automatically assume it is a tip
The last thing we want is to be thought of as mean Brits even if we dont agree with tipping [msnsad]
Floridalover
14-06-2004, 06:58
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by davebrighton
Even though I voice my opinion against compulsory tipping,this doesnt mean I wont tip.
Just one question when tipping a bartender for your drinks
1. Do you tip after every drink (if so do you just leave it on the bar in front of you) or do you tip as you are leaving
2. In either case do you leave the tip on the bar or do you hand it to the bartender personally
If you leave cash on the bar does the bartender automatically assume it is a tip
The last thing we want is to be thought of as mean Brits even if we dont agree with tipping [msnsad]
[/quote]
I tip a dollar whether its one beer or 5.
Just leave it on the bar , the bartender will know its a tip. You can either tip after each round or at the end when you settle your bill.
Sorry Davebrighton I wasn't on line when you asked your question - I was out waitressing. In TGIs we get paid the minimum wage i.e. I get £4-50 an hour. I was talking to some regulars yesterday when the question of pay was raised by them. They were really shocked to learn we got such low wages - thought a big company like that would have paid more. Now they know why my son is looking for another job.:D
Silver Dollar, if your food is not up to scratch, it's up to your server to sort it for you. They are not there JUST to bring the food to your table. Let them know what's wrong and they should (if they've been trained right) get it put right for you. Managers would much rather deal with the problem instore than have a head office complaint and servers are the first person in this chain of events. I have found a few guests that are rather reluctant to complain to the management if the food was very bad (eg. took too long, too dry a hair in it or whatever)but after me intervening they have left the restaurant happy with either their meal paid for, free drinks or a voucher to return again for a free meal.
Regarding the TOO attentive servers, this bugs me as well. I hate it when I go out and they are constantly in your face. I tend to treat my guests as I would expect to be treated myself. Different types of guests have different criteria though and it's always a case of reading your guests and trying to make sure you get the attention just right. Happy guests make for a happier shift.:D
Jacqui
Definatley a case of the happier the customers are the happier you will be! Happy customers don't mind tipping! The servers are there for more than just bringing the food to the table - my father in law had cold coffee once and it was put right straight away, no questons asked and we left the appropriate tip! We could have sat there moaning about it and vowed never to return again but that would have just made everyone miserable and at the end of the day we are all human and make the odd mistake her and there, it is the service recovery after a mistake thst matters. A grumpy customer can be turned round to becoming a customer for life if the service recovery was good!:( to :)
I agree with Carla, when in Rome .......... we usually double the tax as a tip. If we are happy we do 20% ..by the way my pal is over from NYC and she thinks we are "tight" for not tipping. Just rememeber, it's all custom...
T[msnwink]
forgot to mention the IRS make assumptions on tip for tax purposes - the inland review do the same (i.e make assumptions) until you file a tax return !
bellaepovera
16-06-2004, 01:46
Wow you get £4.50 an hour for serving? Thats a great price per hour..I believe now in the states a server makes only $3.50 an hour plus of course their tips which they have to declare at the end of each shift, pay the busboy 10% also. The percentage given earlier on in the thread making $375 a day? x 5 etc...way off..nobody makes that kind of money that i know of. My last job serving was on I drive at the Holiday Inn doing the breakfast buffets waking up at 4:30 in the am to get there by 6am...setting up all that is needed etc etc on a good day from 7am to 11 am I use to walk out with over $100 but that is because the checks had an automatic 15% on the check..Seeing that their are many visitors from other countries that are not use to tipping the servers in Florida would go broke!! But I do agree if you are not waited on good, food is horrible you have every right not to tip the fair amount...
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by adh619
I agree with Carla, when in Rome .......... we usually double the tax as a tip. If we are happy we do 20% ..by the way my pal is over from NYC and she thinks we are "tight" for not tipping. Just rememeber, it's all custom...
T[msnwink]
[/quote]
I find this funny, your friend thinks were tight, but our custom is we dont tip, so how can a custom be tight, its a custom, the same as
we are expected to tip, cos thats a custom. Odd that
Silver Dollar
16-06-2004, 05:41
I still disagree with the concept of tipping. Of course the wages for a waitress are diabolically low...they are anywhere. I don't want to come across as rude or patronising...but it is WAITING on tables...it IS the lower end of the pay spectrum, like people who work in factorys or pick tomatoes/oranges for a living. Why do people deliberately become waitresses? NOT for the low wages but because of the anticipated tips! So therefore they are not earning $3.50 per hour...that is what their employers are paying them. Add up the tips from several tables per hour and their wages are significantly higher so stop snivelling!! English people aren't tight, but in Europe we expect a higher level of service simply because you are paid to do so. I prefer our attitude that if you are over and above 'the norm' we will recognize this with monetary appreciation. I really don't think that a Denny's server IS over and above 'the norm'. It's a standard service for a standard meal - the equivalent of our 'greasy spoon' - it's not a high class restaurant or anything.
As for tipping a bartender....no I'm sorry this is where I draw the line. Call me tight, I'm tough skinned enough to take it, I don't care. I refuse point blank to tip a guy a dollar for a small budweiser costing me between $4-6. That's way over and above the cost of a budweiser anyway...even HERE! Passing me the beer and flipping the lid for something I already paid way over the odds for is NOT a service worth tipping. We'd never consider it in England and our bartenders and waitresses are badly paid too! Infact our pubs would be empty. You cannot compare £4.50 per hour to $3.50 per hour because of our cost of living. Everything we pay for here is far more expensive, houses, cars, clothes etc...so stands to reason that our wages have to be somewhat more in line.
I'm sure I am going to be real unpopular with the servers in FL at the end of this week again when I return...but tight, or not, I just don't buy "have a nice day"......NO sentence is worth my five bucks!
PS Before any waitress in FL thinks that a girl on $6.20 per hour here is better off than a waitress on $3.50 there. I'd put it to you...1. you are usually compensated pretty well from the tourists who are happy and jolly on holiday and have bundles of money to spend so that automatically takes it up past our waitresses average of $6.20. Remember to be tipped in Europe as a whole you have to be seen to be really over and above average service (for anything) before someone recognizes that. 2. you file tax returns ...here you are employed...end of. You get paid, the employer takes out your taxes and that's that. There is no recompensation from the tax man at the end of the tax year. In England, unless you are self employed you see NOTHING back. You pay your taxes (quite heavily too) and you wave bye bye to them forever. I've known way too many waitresses who walk out with $150 tips a night and then complain that they only get $3.50 per hour........uhhhhh NO YOU DON'T!!!
chrizzy100
16-06-2004, 06:18
http://www.payscale.com/salary-survey/aid-10467/raname-SALARY/fid-6886
Here is a salary survey.....
Silver Dollar
16-06-2004, 06:24
I've had a quick look at it and judging by those figures I don't think waitresses have anything to gripe about. They are marginally behind cashiers and only $6000 short of an office clerk BUT bear in mind an office clerk doesn't get tips so I reckon the average waitress earns more than they do even!
Also what was surprising to note was that a FL waitress earns only marginally less than one in NY. Considering what an expensive city NY is to live in, in comparison, I think the FL waitress is far better off. Also lets still not forget the filing of taxes and any tax returns here.
Finally, let's not forget tipping is in CASH. A lot of people who tip will pay what they deem appropriate and not a percentage so I really don't believe that all waitresses are honest enough to declare what they really received from a table...how would you prove it? Tell me honestly, if you were left $30 on a table in $5 bills...would you really declare $30? or hold back $10 and declare $20 at best? No one would ever know would they? And I believe most waitresses would think like this...therefore they wouldn't pay out as much taxes etc. If a waitress only earns $32 a day from even an eight hour shift that automatically takes her gross earnings up to $7.50 an hour (assuming she already receives $3.50 an hour from her employer). Waitresses BRINGING HOME $3.50 an hour? I say pshhhh, no one could survive on that as a net income and no one would turn up for work. Let's stop feeling sorry for waitresses because as a regular visitor to the buffets there, I say I bet they earn more than a lot of people!
chrizzy100
16-06-2004, 06:40
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Silver Dollar
I've had a quick look at it and judging by those figures I don't think waitresses have anything to gripe about. They are marginally behind cashiers and only $6000 short of an office clerk BUT bear in mind an office clerk doesn't get tips so I reckon the average waitress earns more than they do even!
Also what was surprising to note was that a FL waitress earns only marginally less than one in NY. Considering what an expensive city NY is to live in, in comparison, I think the FL waitress is far better off. Also lets still not forget the filing of taxes and any tax returns here.
[/quote]
I just found out my hubby is underpaid......and that for his job....he'll get the best pay in FL......the trouble with staying with a company to long is that you fall behind in pay.......he missed out on a pay rise last year because of the buyback......and he'll never regain that money......[msncry][msncry]
chrizzy100
16-06-2004, 07:11
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Silver Dollar
I've had a quick look at it and judging by those figures I don't think waitresses have anything to gripe about. They are marginally behind cashiers and only $6000 short of an office clerk BUT bear in mind an office clerk doesn't get tips so I reckon the average waitress earns more than they do even!
Also what was surprising to note was that a FL waitress earns only marginally less than one in NY. Considering what an expensive city NY is to live in, in comparison, I think the FL waitress is far better off. Also lets still not forget the filing of taxes and any tax returns here.
Finally, let's not forget tipping is in CASH. A lot of people who tip will pay what they deem appropriate and not a percentage so I really don't believe that all waitresses are honest enough to declare what they really received from a table...how would you prove it? Tell me honestly, if you were left $30 on a table in $5 bills...would you really declare $30? or hold back $10 and declare $20 at best? No one would ever know would they? And I believe most waitresses would think like this...therefore they wouldn't pay out as much taxes etc. If a waitress only earns $32 a day from even an eight hour shift that automatically takes her gross earnings up to $7.50 an hour (assuming she already receives $3.50 an hour from her employer). Waitresses BRINGING HOME $3.50 an hour? I say pshhhh, no one could survive on that as a net income and no one would turn up for work. Let's stop feeling sorry for waitresses because as a regular visitor to the buffets there, I say I bet they earn more than a lot of people!
[/quote]
My daughter works in a shop.......the start pay there is $7.25.....a lot of the women leave to work as a waitress because they say the pay is better........they start in places like pizza hut......and try to get into places like the Olive Garden........which is the top place to work where we live......I wonder if a lot of the time....we mix up the pay a waitress would get in a little cafe.....which is very bad......with ones that work in a chain........I can still remember over hearing the waiters in a breakfast place in FL talking about buying a second home by the sea........and a new boat.....so who knows......I still give a tip for good service.....less for bad...
Silver Dollar
16-06-2004, 07:25
Precisely my point! Let's not forget that Florida is a state visited by millions of people every year. It's not an inexpensive trip for any person coming from overseas. The average English family of four shells out around $10,000 (often before they get there, if they book with a high street travel agent). For a lot of families it incurs years of savings and for some it only occurs once in a lifetime or the visits are far and few in between. So therefore when they have saved that long and paid out that much money to go, they want to make it a worthwhile, no scrimping and s[bad language filtered out]ing, trip of a lifetime and these are who these waitresses benefit from enormously from these tourists generous often over and above tips because they DON'T want to appear tight. I've been to FL for numerous trips over the recent years and I can tell you that these waitresses are CREAMING it in and whether I appear tight or not, I don't work all year round to save for our family holidays only to throw good money up the wall to give some high school drop out or any other waiter/tress for that matter OUR holiday money for simply bringing me my dinner.
No waitress in Orlando, especially within decent distance of Disney, earns $3.50 an hour.....as in BRINGING that home as a whole wage. Stop whinging waitresses and bartenders. I for one don't buy it.
chrizzy100
16-06-2004, 07:41
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Silver Dollar
Precisely my point! Let's not forget that Florida is a state visited by millions of people every year. It's not an inexpensive trip for any person coming from overseas. The average English family of four shells out around $10,000 (often before they get there, if they book with a high street travel agent). For a lot of families it incurs years of savings and for some it only occurs once in a lifetime or the visits are far and few in between. So therefore when they have saved that long and paid out that much money to go, they want to make it a worthwhile, no scrimping and s[bad language filtered out]ing, trip of a lifetime and these are who these waitresses benefit from enormously from these tourists generous often over and above tips because they DON'T want to appear tight. I've been to FL for numerous trips over the recent years and I can tell you that these waitresses are CREAMING it in and whether I appear tight or not, I don't work all year round to save for our family holidays only to throw good money up the wall to give some high school drop out or any other waiter/tress for that matter OUR holiday money for simply bringing me my dinner.
No waitress in Orlando, especially within decent distance of Disney, earns $3.50 an hour.....as in BRINGING that home as a whole wage. Stop whinging waitresses and bartenders. I for one don't buy it.
[/quote]
I agree that I can't see many waitresses taking home just $3.50 an hour....I think we just all have to do what we think is right.......I don't like to be told what to tip......I dislike it when its added to the bill.....I never go back to a place that does that......the thing is.....women at one time took jobs as a waitresses for pin money......and now they are trying to keep a family on that kind of money....$6-9 an hour....a good wage for a college or school kid...but I'd not like to have to keep a family on it...I'm more then happy to give a tip I feel OK with.....I'm not happy being told its a % of the bill.....I may give more or less....that is up to me......and me alone.......
bellaepovera
16-06-2004, 12:14
The $3.50 an hour is their hourly pay which does not include tips. I am guessing on that one and assumming its around that sum hourly as the last time I did this job it was under $3.00 hour but you got your tips also. I am not whining or anything else I was just stating facts. You all have good points and I have to agree on many. That is just the way it has been in the states since I can remember. You went out and ate, and you tipped at the end. If you want to go deep in a servers life, and say oh yeah they make loads of money..well remember this most places do not offer health insurance, paying for your hospital bill etc etc...car insurance..not to mention raising children and all they have to dish out for them. Here in Italy going to the doctor is free and going to the hospital too...I am not sure how it is in the UK or any other country..but living in the USA is very expensive. My girlfriends father just died recently and it costed the mother $10k just for the ambulance to pick him up and a half hour to try to save his life at the hospital..His insurance only covered $200. So yes going home with anywhere between $50-$100 a day on a sometimes 8-12 hour shift, 5 times a week is peanuts for what they have to dish out monthly on paying just to have all the services needed to live.
I have to say this one more time - When in Rome do as the romans do! Even with a tip the food is still good value for money and people on a once in a life time holiday who have saved for years usually have read up on the customs and know about tipping. (Silver Dollar) It isn't always where you eat either, can't remember who said it, but Denny's well yes it may be a cheap standard restaurant but it's how nice and attentive etc the servers are and not just the food that you are tipping for. It has to be said that Denny's do a cheap $5.99 grand slam breakfast, the servers have to come with OJ, coffee and the meal and refills etc, bear in mind breakfast times are really busy, yet tipping on this meal is not a lot for a lot of service is it? I know someone who only ever orders water as it is free and they therefore can pay a smaller tip, everyone yes has a limit to spending but penny pinching like that is sad, afterall the server still has to get the water and do refills but it costs nothing for them to get a tip on!
I guess because I have travelled around the world with work I can just accept the different customs a little more easily than some. I visited the Palace and mosque in Istanbal years ago and it was on the condition that to enter you have to remove your shoes and cover up your shoulders, I knew this before going inside and accepted this was the custom for this religion - just like when travelling to America I realise tipping is customary, if I didn't want to tip then I shouldn't eat out, just like if I didn't want to remove my shoes then I don't visit the palace etc. We don't have to agree with other countries rules and customs and we don't have to like them either, but you have to accept these for where ever you go. If you can, then you'll have a far better time than moaning everytime you go into a restaurant.
My advice is to just pay your tip and spend more time planning your fantastic holiday, thinking about the interesting people you'll meet, the weather, the shopping, lounging by the pool, no work for a week or two and less time getting worked up about the concept of tipping! :D
Have a great holiday everyone.....
bellaepovera
16-06-2004, 17:44
When in Rome indeed!! In Italy you have to pay $1.00 for the bread they put on your table each person whether you like it or not. And this doesnt even go to the server as it goes into the owners pocket, not that to me is a bunch of bull....
davebrighton
16-06-2004, 20:07
Somebody wrote "But I do agree if you are not waited on good, food is horrible you have every right not to tip the fair amount..." Surely if you are not waited on good then you DO NOT TIP if the food is horrible again DO NOT TIP.
We are supposed to tip for good service and food if either or both of these are not acceptable then why reward them for bad service or bad food.It is up to the chef to produce quality food and up to the server to give quality service.
a final point:-
If customs are to be followed would that mean that an American will not tip when in the UK
Silver Dollar
16-06-2004, 22:05
Everyone says "when in Rome" and this seems to apply everywhere other than England. Whoever applies that phrase when in England? No one!!! When in England everyone seems to continue with their culture and overlook ours (we are so bad here it's even been in the recent press that English people were told to take down their St. George flags so as not to appear 'racist')...I'm not saying the "when in Rome" phrase is wrong, I'm just saying all the time we are told to respect other cultures when no one seems to respect ours either long or short term.
I will continue to tip as and when I deem it necessary. Of course waitresses are running around busy...it's usually during the height of the tourist season in a tourist area that's why! But let's be fair, we all work at a fast pace these days. It's just today's world. Ordinary bosses and Joe Public don't even think to say "thank you" for going that extra mile, let alone give a monetary reward for extra efforts. You wouldn't think to tip someone behind the counter at McDonalds who equally works as hard under poor conditions would you? You wouldn't even think to tip the poor person at the checkout at Walmart either who is equally under stress in exchange for a poor wage. So I really don't understand the concept of tipping at Dennys! Another big problem I have is tipping the cab drivers out there because even coming from England, I have to say the taxi drivers in Orlando charge extortionate amounts of money for going relatively short distances and for people who live there they seem to totally capitalize on tourists by always heading towards the most congested areas whilst running their meters. I once paid $120 to go from Kissimmee to Metro West which I was totally disgusted at. I'm sorry but to see the sign "tips are accepted gratutiously" really $%&£*! me off because this guy charged $120 for a half hour journey...and before anyone says that you might pay that in England, in England our gas prices are 3-4 times higher thats why! Yes, we also pay high car insurances and road tax too....no excuse...grrr
With regard to the person who said America is very expensive to live in, I agree. However I would put it to you that here in England we pay 2-3 times for our houses than you do in FL, the same for food, clothes etc. We also don't have free healthcare...it's deducted from our wages directly at source. Prescription medicines aren't free, we have to pay for them. It's no more expensive if you add it up than here. If someone pays £10k for an ambulance then that's simply because they haven't taken out insurance...that's the whole concept of insurance!
Silver dollar, I agree with the sentiment when in Rome..... if that is the custom. The issue about the flag is that sadly it has been hijacked by one or tow far right groups and it represents other things to them. I work in a government department and no-one has told me to take the flags down (and I in charge). I guess the reason taxi's are expensive is that, probably, only the tourist use them.........wouldn't you capitalise on that ? I am not sure about the pay stuff but what I do know is that in the US they have a far meaner social safety net, few holiday etc...
T
Silver Dollar
16-06-2004, 23:00
Sure you would capitalize on that...but again, I reiterate that's not what I call SERVICE is it? That's just capitalizing on apparently 'tight' UK tourists!
Silver Dollar
16-06-2004, 23:02
Whatever their holidays, whatever the pay for a waitress....does NOT mean that tourists should have to make up the shortfall does it?!
chrizzy100
16-06-2004, 23:11
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Silver Dollar
Whatever their holidays, whatever the pay for a waitress....does NOT mean that tourists should have to make up the shortfall does it?!
[/quote]
Well if your pay UK taxes you pay the shortfall for married shop workers........etc......most are on income support of some sort......if they have kids....its just swing and roundabouts.....we all pay out to help the underpaid one way or the other....
Silver Dollar
16-06-2004, 23:12
But I don't pay people on Income Support BY CHOICE do I??? I have no choice when they remove my taxes from my wages. If I had a choice I wouldn't pay for them but that's another story.
Err I'm a married shop worker with kids, where do I get income support please :D:D
I was ordered by my local council to take down my flag, So I went out and got a bigger falgpole
and bigger flag.
Anyway thats a side thing
I do tip, what I dont like is being told I have to tip x percent. I also think that the issue that the americans call us tight is wrong. In my opinion we are both sort of wrong. The americans should know
that the Englsih custom/culture is we do not generally tip, they should respect this
Likewise the american custom/culture is one of tipping, we should also respect this
I think the answer is both sides perhaps meeting in the middle
chrizzy100
16-06-2004, 23:26
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Silver Dollar
But I don't pay people on Income Support BY CHOICE do I??? I have no choice when they remove my taxes from my wages. If I had a choice I wouldn't pay for them but that's another story.
[/quote]
But no-one is saying you have to tip.......so don't.... you have a choice.....
chrizzy100
16-06-2004, 23:32
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by rosieuk
Err I'm a married shop worker with kids, where do I get income support please :D:D
[/quote]
Well my friends hubby worked a 40 hour week for a take home pay of 100 pounds.....and had 4 kids to look after......how supermarket owners get away with paying so low a wage I'll never know........that was a while ago now granted...but it was still just over five thousand a year.....full time.....in contrast my hubby was bring in 40k English pounds a year......
Silver Dollar
16-06-2004, 23:35
I'm not saying you have to tip but if people are saying that they advise "don't eat in a restaurant where you haven't previously tipped" I would say that if you were, for example, on holiday without a car and had to eat in the same few local restaurants you really wouldn't have a choice.
I agree with the woman above about being married and no income support. Income support isn't payable to low paid married couples and especially homeowners. Like America, you fall on hard times, you have to get on with it
Tell me about it chrizzy, Al works the same hours as me and earns more than 10 times what I do, oh well such is life.
I love my job and its paying for our villa so I've got no complaints :)
chrizzy100
16-06-2004, 23:43
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by rosieuk
Tell me about it chrizzy, Al works the same hours as me and earns more than 10 times what I do, oh well such is life.
I love my job and its paying for our villa so I've got no complaints :)
[/quote]
I like shop work.....I would help out my friend in her shop while she was starting up......a new age shop....I miss that....:(
bellaepovera
17-06-2004, 01:10
When I am in the Uk and I go out to eat, I tip all the time..I left £5 and it made me so happy to see the server smile back and give me a big thankyou! I did not even know that in the UK tipping is not a thing they use until I read this post. Believe it or not people working at McDonalds receive min. wage so are making more an hour then a server so that is why servers depend on tips. Working breakfast at Dennys on a real good morning and I mean running your buns off, and they clean their own tables most of the time can make the most $50-70 so if you call that pulling in the dough!! The good money is working banquets!!
well done bellaepovera.we do the same:D
Floridalover
17-06-2004, 02:16
I have discussed this thread at length with all my friends here (I'm in Minneapolis) and they think its funny that there are 6 pages of replies about tipping. They cannot understand why the Brits as awhole have such an issue with tipping. Last year, a friend of mine came over from Minnesota to England and I took him to the pub. He was tipping the barman and it was only after about 5 pints and exceptionally attentive service that I realised that he was buying 2 pints for a £5 and tipping the rest of the £10 note !!!
We DO tip in the UK. I personally do not know anyone who does not tip here. We might if we had bad service and appalling food leave either nothing or a very small tip, but we usually leave at least 10%. I tip taxis, porters, my hairdresser, the girl or boy who shampoos my hair, my cleaner & gardener at Christmas, our bin men, post man, milkman - this is something that has ALWAYS been done. So where is this "we don't tip here in the UK" come from?
10% has always been the agreed sum here in the UK, but we have been advised that it is 15% in the US, so that is what we leave. I don't begrudge paying it if we have had good service and a good meal. Far too many times the waiters are all over you until you are not ordering any more and then you are dropped like a hot potato for my liking, but we still leave the tip. We always tip a taxi here, porter, chambermaids etc. so what is the difference - we have had 6 pages of angst about 5%. As people keep saying - when in Rome etc.
The only tip I give our bin men is 'This is how you pick up a rubbish bag' :D
Silver Dollar
17-06-2004, 02:57
It's not the concept of 'tipping' per se, that gets me. I see nothing wrong with showing that extra monetary appreciation for someone who has gone above and beyond the call of 'normal duty'. What I find very difficult to understand is why only certain sectors of workers are deemed totally suitable for tipping while the rest of us arent. I really don't see the difference in someone being either a low paid barmaid/hairdresser/waitress/checkout girl. To me they are all low paid. So why is it we think to pay a tip to a hairdresser for cutting our hair well when we have probably already paid them £100 for the priviledge anyway...which lets be fair is a normal price for standard hi-lights and a cut and blow dry. Out of that lets say products probably cost around £20 and the £80 residue is pure profit (and before people run to say well they have salon costs, let's assume for the sake of the argument they are mobile hairdressers and all it's cost them is £3 petrol to get to you!). But we wouldn't even contemplate tipping the person on the checkout who is billing and packing our shopping whilst still making polite chat and making a very poor wage. And why? Because we believe that is what she is PAID to do. I believe the same then should apply to all sectors in that case.
Well I only pay £70 for a cut, blow dry and high lights! I have long hair too. £100 is a lot for a mobile hairdresser! I don't tip the hairdresser every time I go as it is not expected, but I do always give at Christmas etc. Of course when eating out in the UK if there is a space for a tip on the bill then we give - but it isn't expected of us to the same extent as in the US. Likewise if people do us favours on the side eg, just today we had some documents delivered and the driver very kindly waited whilst we signed them so he could take them on with another item he was collecting from us - he didn't have to and indeed was not meant to wait,he did us a favour and we gave him something for his time! I know people who work in supermarkets and the wages are ok!
Silver Dollar
17-06-2004, 03:51
Like I said, in the UK we acknowledge 'over and above the call of normal duties' and rightly so that is appreciated accordingly. Bringing me a dinner I have already paid for is NOT above the call of duty.
sunseeker
17-06-2004, 03:58
its not about how much a person gets paid, its about personel service. i dont tip checkout girls/boys but i do tip servers and bar staff, these people i get to know by name and they can also provide a means of entertainment too. so for me tipping in the US is no different than being at home in the UK.
Dave
Silver Dollar
17-06-2004, 04:16
But in all honesty...can you tell me how you really get to know someone at a buffet on holiday better than the woman packing your shopping at Walmart? You know the help I appreciate more? The woman at Walmart! Because she's doing a job for me that I really hate and does it graciously with the knowledge that no matter how much shopping I inflict on her on the conveyer belt, she won't get an extra penny from me and I've often wished I could slip a checkout girl/boy a few quid to say thanks when I've had over heating hyperactive kids to deal with at the same time.
You're right tipping there is no different to tipping here. And I have a hard time dealing with it here too. Whoever just singled out certain public sectors ought to have been shot. These people work no harder than anyone else today. Sorry peeps! To add insult to injury I cannot abide when people add tips TO my bill. They ASSUME I am overly satisfied. To add a tip to a bill to me means just giving the owner further profit because not only am I now paying for the food, but I am now literally being sectioned off to pay his staff's wage. I find it appalling. Anything the rest of us are asked to do over and above our normal call of duty in the work place is merely expected. Regardless of how many times we might argue "that isn't in my job description" we are basically told "do it or clear your desk". There's no thanks or 'tipping' for that extra mile. I say restaurant owners, pay your staff a more decent wage because tipping will not stop regardless and leave me the £$%&*^ alone to eat my dinner in peace without some slip of a waitress in my face every five minutes asking me if my meal is ok (I'm throwing it down my throat...what does that tell you?) or asking if I need another drink when the one I have is 3/4 full. I don't think it's great service I KNOW you are in my face for a tip...and that in my books is a no no.
sunseeker
17-06-2004, 04:53
i spend about the same amount of time in retaurants on holiday as i do at home, which is considerably longer than i spend at checkouts,so i guess this how i get to know servers and bar staff on a more personel level.
Dave
Silver Dollar
17-06-2004, 05:02
I think I see the cashier more because the server spends about 20 seconds bringing me my plate possibly another 10 seconds bringing me a coke whereas the woman on the checkout could possibly spend around 5-10 minutes at a time with me - I still have more time for her than my waitress because I know the waitress only pretends to be interested for a further tip. The checkout girl doesn't have to or need to make conversation with me at all. She's usually better at it too!
sunseeker
17-06-2004, 05:17
im sorry silver dollar, but 30 seconds is hardly in your face is it.i think somebody has already said that it isnt compulsory to tip,so if you do not think they are worthy of a tip then dont do it,its that simple. i agree with you on the gratuity added to the bill though, i think this should be left up to the individual and not forced upon you.
Dave
Silver Dollar
17-06-2004, 05:58
No 20 seconds IS hardly in your face but i'm just making comparisons here. There are waitresses who only bring your plate and then periodically ask if you need another drink even though you already have one and then there are others who constantly approach you at buffets to ask if everything is ok. If I need anything, it's a self service anyway, I'll go back with another plate and get a different dinner if I dont like it. You're right it isn't compulsory I'm just merely enjoying this discussion.
One final thought before I end my opinion. Before ANYONE even dares to breathe how 'tight' us English are, I would kindly remind everyone just how much money we inject into FL tourism and real estate. So before anyone thinks we are tight because we may moan about tipping certain people, I would like to emphasise that without our money going into Florida in such huge chunks a lot of these people may not even HAVE a job! We are responsible for keeping a lot of people IN work! Just remember that. And on that note, I have to pack for my own trip in the morning!
Michelle
17-06-2004, 13:00
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Silver Dollar
I think us ENGLISH have it right....state an all inclusive price then if you feel an above service has been given to you then show monetary appreciation if you wish. Remember, sometimes your service may have been acceptable but the meal sometimes ISN'T....so what are you supposed to do then? Tip to say thank you for beautifully bringing me a dinner I hated? Waitresses are there simply because we aren't able to go into the kitchen ourselves to fetch it....and in any event, that's the whole point in eating out right????
[/quote]
I disagree with your comment re generalising and making an asumption that it is only the English, when in fact any one from any country asking for full inclusive price. We have always tipped servers , and if we feel we have had more than the average service then we will give a little more. We have been going to the States for over 15 years now, and have never quibbled about give a tip if it is warrented, if we have had bad serveice and have not given a tip, Geoff has actually told the server why, but this has only ever happened twice in all the time we have been going to States. So give the servers a break ah.
As teh saying goes each to their own.
bellaepovera
17-06-2004, 13:06
Silver dollar the only one that mentioned that Brits are tight has been you!! You must of said it 3 times already!! Nobody has said that, nobody has said anything about who brings in the money in Florida etc etc. I cant remember who asked but someone earlier on asked if someone had any experiences in serving people or bartending..Well i have, I voiced my opinion and know how much a server makes. Whoever made that comment about my friends father dieing and dishing out 10k and saying they should of got insurance...well smart answer..IF they would of had the money they would of. You are seeing as living in the USA as an easy trip but you are wrong on that. Also if you think back on the tipping who started it way back when? I remember the English did in their taverns!!
Glad to hear that most Brits do tip as I was beginning to wonder..
And saying the server is being false, and coming to your table cause they want their tip...well ask yourself if the lady bagging your groceries is really also enjoying that? Is she doing it cause she loves to or because its paying her salary??[msnscared]
Michelle
17-06-2004, 13:12
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Carla
Regardless of how you may feel about a particular custom, surely when in a foreign country you go along with whatever customs they have? It's not up to visitors to impose their own idea of what is and isn't the correct thing to do. It's the norm to tip 15% in Florida restaurants, so you tip. Simple. No need for argument, it's the custom.
[/quote]
Quite agree with every word you have just said Carla.
Michelle
17-06-2004, 13:18
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Silver Dollar
No 20 seconds IS hardly in your face but i'm just making comparisons here. There are waitresses who only bring your plate and then periodically ask if you need another drink even though you already have one and then there are others who constantly approach you at buffets to ask if everything is ok. If I need anything, it's a self service anyway, I'll go back with another plate and get a different dinner if I dont like it. You're right it isn't compulsory I'm just merely enjoying this discussion.
One final thought before I end my opinion. Before ANYONE even dares to breathe how 'tight' us English are, I would kindly remind everyone just how much money we inject into FL tourism and real estate. So before anyone thinks we are tight because we may moan about tipping certain people, I would like to emphasise that without our money going into Florida in such huge chunks a lot of these people may not even HAVE a job! We are responsible for keeping a lot of people IN work! Just remember that. And on that note, I have to pack for my own trip in the morning!
[/quote]
See, there you go again assumming that all English or Brits are of the same thinking as you, we are NOT.
Silver Dollar
17-06-2004, 14:46
I agree with Carla too actually to a big extent. Just wondered (from experience of living here for over 30 years) just how many people respect our English custom. Not many. Most people come here not wanting to change a thing and we just tolerate it. You hardly ever see that "when in Rome" syndrome in our country do you?
bellaepovera
17-06-2004, 17:24
Well glad to see you finally agree with someone on this thread!! Thats great..I personally have never heard of anyone not respecting any English customs, as its visa virsa..Most complain about the USA.
Are there any English customs that different then the USA of course in the travelling aspects that is or going on vacation?
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Silver Dollar
I agree with Carla too actually to a big extent. Just wondered (from experience of living here for over 30 years) just how many people respect our English custom. Not many. Most people come here not wanting to change a thing and we just tolerate it. You hardly ever see that "when in Rome" syndrome in our country do you?
[/quote]
davebrighton
17-06-2004, 19:42
I think Chris hit the nail on the head about tipping.Its not the act of tipping we (brits) dont like its being told how much to tip.I tip quite regularly in The UK but only when I feel I want to i.e when the service and food are above my expectations.
If I receive bad service or food I will tell the waitress or manager much to my daughters embarassment.She will say things like dont worry Dad I dont mind if the pizzas a little burnt I`ll just cut of the burnt bits off. WHY !!!! If I wanted that sort of service and food I would stay at home.
I am very good at burning food and being miserable at home when I want to be and I dont have to pay for the priviledge.
My daughter suggested having a push button bell on all tables in the restaurants.If you are not happy with the service or food then just press the bell anonymously.Beleive me If you were to walk into a restaurant that had bells ringing left right and centre like a Las Vegas casino you would soon be out of the place.
I would pay a tip just to watch the manager running around like a headless chicken.
Quite a few restaurants have customer suggestion cards on all tables where you can grade the service and food and give your comments maybe we should be filing in these cards more often but honestly when something goes wrong
But please remember my views are aimed at a small minority of restaurants most places in florida are excelent and deserve all the tips and praise they can get
Pleaazzze, we are English and British and proud of it. Just like the welsh, Irish and Scottish are proud to be. We are not tight fisted, we love the US and accept the concept of tipping....so what. We complained once in a restaurant in New York City about the service, the food was cold the waiter was unattentive. We got the food and drink free and an apology from the owner. In general we find customer service better in the US (bet that gets a reply) than here. But also tip here, if its the cab driver of waiters (resses). It's a personnal recognition. We don't tip checkout staff because they are not providing us with a personnal service, though we say thank you and if the cashier has been very helpful always tell the manager. When you say most people come here not wanting to change a thing where is you evidence for that- I work for the government in a very diverse service adn I do not see that. I can tell you that MOST people I deal with who are not born here are proud to be here, think very highly of Britain what it stands for and it's people. Most people want to be accepted and know that we have a proud history of being tolerant and understanding. If allowing someone to keep their cultural identity is interpreted as not wanting to change .... well that's daft and small minded. Being diverse is what makes the UK and US adn I guess many other places such great and rich places to live (what if we only had fish & chip shops). We live in west London there are about 30 natinalities all getting on together mixing and sharing..... it's great !!!
Tony
Quite right Tony, just be proud to be who you are and accept things as they are sometimes will make life a lot easier! Customer service in USA in my opinion is really good. Silver dollar doesn't want the server coming to his table asking if he wants another drink, but I bet if they didn't do that it he would miss it! You are never going to please everybody all of the time but I think service and what goes with it in the US is great!
Floridalover
18-06-2004, 01:08
I went to a restuarant in Minneapolis last night where the food and service and everything was excellent. I tipped 20%......the waitress was so happy she arranged 2 free cocktails for me and my guest......now that was exceeding my expectations[msnwink][msntongue][msntongue][msnsmile2]
So I will always tip big....as long as my expectations are met or even better, exceeded.
To tip or not to tip
If you can afford to either holiday in The States or buy a property there I don't think a few dollars here or there for the service, normally a pleasant smiling face at that ( false or otherwise )should really come in to it. You probably tip for a worse service at home
anyway, either thru' actually giving a tip or over inflated prices.
there are loads of extras in florida, taxes , car park fees in the parks, taxes, tips and more taxes , out of these, tips I don't mind, you're on holiday,feeling fantastic, just had a great feast why not spread a little good will, especially if you plan to return to the restaraunt.
benfilo
Silver Dollar
18-06-2004, 02:25
well how bout directly tipping the poor chef who has to personally cook all those meals in a sweltering hot kitchen (probably as underpaid as the waitress) instead of a little chick who just brings a plate to your table? Doesn't that make more sense? Sorry no hard work involved there.
Little chick - please explain
Little Chick = young waitress
don't they pool it?, I'm not rich and personally think a few dollars would be a reasonable tip to leave considering the volume of customers , but if %15 is the custom I'll go with that. If you don't want to tip don't
benfilo
Re- little chick - sarcasm
Wow, I'm a little chick :D:D:D Personally I would describe myself more as an old buzzard[}:)]
The kitchen staff in my restaurant are paid different rates to the serving staff and there are 7 people involved in cooking your meal, all working on their seperate sections. They get 30% of any service charge paid by parties split between them. This can mount up over the busy periods and with share of the food sales commission their pay packets aren't bad. I know, I used to work in the kitchen before going front of house as a waitress.
Jacqui
Matt, have you managed to find Sunshine Factory yet?
bellaepovera
18-06-2004, 12:05
Ohh if you heard what cooks make in the USA you would quit your job and become one!! Chick!! Havent heard that one since the 70s. What do you call a server who is male?
If he's tall then 'Sir' :D
So, small and it's 'hoi, you' is it? :D:D
I am so looking forward to going to Japan next spring, because there is no tipping there at all and you just don't even have to think about it!
I hate being told what to tip, and when I am told, I just ignore it and tip what I decide to tip. Not that it is neccessarily less of a tip, but I decide on my own.
bellaepovera
18-06-2004, 21:40
Ahh but wait for how much you have to dish out for a decent meal!! My cousin was stationed in Asia with United Airlines and she use to bring her own food from the STates, cans of sauce, noodles...She told me a can of coke back then costed $5 and said forget even trying to eat a steak!! But the countries are very beautiful over there...
SunLover
18-06-2004, 23:55
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Silver Dollar
well how bout directly tipping the poor chef who has to personally cook all those meals in a sweltering hot kitchen (probably as underpaid as the waitress) instead of a little chick who just brings a plate to your table? Doesn't that make more sense? Sorry no hard work involved there.
[/quote]
No hard work involved ? When was the last time you saw a waitress in Dennys for example, carrying a single plate ? We have many friends who work at the Dennys on the 192, and most of them suffer from severe back pain, damaged knee joints and hip complaints from having to carry huge trays often containing 5 or 6 full plates of steaming hot food above their heads, plus tray stands. That equates to a lot of weight, especially over a long shift, and I for one am glad that I don't have to work that hard.
caroline
19-06-2004, 00:14
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by SunLover
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Silver Dollar
well how bout directly tipping the poor chef who has to personally cook all those meals in a sweltering hot kitchen (probably as underpaid as the waitress) instead of a little chick who just brings a plate to your table? Doesn't that make more sense? Sorry no hard work involved there.
[/quote]
No hard work involved ? When was the last time you saw a waitress in Dennys for example, carrying a single plate ? We have many friends who work at the Dennys on the 192, and most of them suffer from severe back pain, damaged knee joints and hip complaints from having to carry huge trays often containing 5 or 6 full plates of steaming hot food above their heads, plus tray stands. That equates to a lot of weight, especially over a long shift, and I for one am glad that I don't have to work that hard.
[/quote]
Never a truer word said - I did some waitressing when I was at college, it was incredibly hard work. They deserve every cent and dollar they get.
bellaepovera
19-06-2004, 02:44
And dont forgot about the vericose and spider veins that start popping out of their legs after many years of hard work...
Tipping to veins bad backs etc [:0] where is this leading
I'd have changed places with Silver Dollar yesterday and he could have discovered just how hard waitressing is. Mothers day is supposed to be the busiest day in restaurants but yesterday fathers day was horrendous. I started work at 11:00, finished at 18:00 and only managed to grab a quick glass of water all day. I wished I'd had a pair of roller skates to work with - my feet, kenns and back were killing come the end of the shift. I reckon I must have walked miles that day and my section was quite close to the kitchen - glad I didn't put myself over the far side. I'd probably have been crawling by the end.:D:D:D
Jacqui
bellaepovera
21-06-2004, 14:42
Jacqui how were the tips?
The tips - well, mine were actually better than a lot of the others.
On total sales of £859-82 I got £46-40 in tips. By the time I had tipped out the guy in the service bar, (oh how much he loves making milk shakes:D) the food runner, the dessert weedie and the brilliant young girl who cleared, cleaned and relaid my tables when I was busy I went home with £31-40 - and not one miserable awkward guest did I encounter. So I notch that up as a good day even though I arrived home absolutley knackered:D
Jacqui
Silver Dollar
24-06-2004, 04:43
Just to bump this up with an update on this thread...I have had several experiences since arrival. Had two waiters in the past week who I made run ragged ...they did and both got a real good tip from me. However today and this is what really gets my goat I had the most horrendous [bad language filtered out]py chinese buffet with a real poor selection of food and [bad language filtered out] service and they automatically added it to my bill...had I had the choice I'd have left nothing...but I DIDNT have the choice. I complained to my American friend and he said the accepted 'custom' for adding service was 6 guests at a table and over. There were only four of us, no refills offered even though it was advertised. Just a thought...
I would have asked them to take it off and explain why, im not sure of the law but in
the UK your not allowed to add the tip, even though places try it on
bellaepovera
24-06-2004, 12:52
Silver dollar you are allowed to go up and complain and have the tip taken off the bill at any time. And if you go up a notch with your voice they might even of given you a discount!! I agree with the Chinese buffets if you went on one on the 192 as most of them are not that great if awful!
Now why am i not surprised you had to waiter run ragged!!:D
Talking of Chinese buffets, if the ones on the 192 arnt that nice, where are some that are
yummy
SunLover
24-06-2004, 16:27
On our last trip we tried the Ace Chinese Buffet just East of the Lindfields entrance on the 192. Driven by hundreds of times before and never stopped in.
Although the decor is a little bland, and the lighting a little harsh, we found the food was great, good choice and plenty of it. But perhaps more importantly, it was hot, not tepid ~ a particular peeve of mine !
I think the trick to buffets is going when it is perhaps busier rather than quiet, as you are more likely to get a faster turn around of fresh cooked items constantly being replenished on the buffet.
Anyhoo, we ended up going there twice, and were happy with the food both times :)
Silver Dollar
24-06-2004, 21:19
yeah we usually eat at Ace too and I really like that one but I made the mistake of going to one that I had already been caught at before a long time ago and only realized after (i'll drive down 192 later and inform you of the nearest marker so you NEVER go there!!!). Also what is this concept that any child over 11 is considered an adult? Ok I admit it's not just here in FL either but oh my goodness I really do resent paying adult prices for my skinny ribbed 11 year old girl who eats like a pigeon! I'll update you all with more gripes later! [msnmad];)
bellaepovera
24-06-2004, 22:00
Usual age is 12 and over...no refills and an 11 year old charged at adult prices..well you learn and you dont go back!!
Silver Dollar, put all of your efforts into having a great time, rather than looking for "more gripes later". I'm sure that everyone around you will appreciate a positive approach too.
:D:D:D
bellaepovera
24-06-2004, 22:37
Well said Carla!![msnwink]
Silver Dollar
25-06-2004, 00:21
LOL I'm having a great time actually - I just like acting miserable!;)
We are a family of 5 (3 kids 11,9 and 3) and are in Florida this July. My nephew 18 is spending two weeks with us. Does this mean we will have our tip added to the bill as we will be a six or do they take into consideration that half of the party are children?
If you work it out as a percentage of the total bill, it won't matter how many of you there are.
Silver Dollar
25-06-2004, 04:13
I actually thought about this thread in Denny's this afternoon when I took the kids there for a late lunch. I watched the female waitress who served us as she darted around the room and you're right, some of them do work hard...so the harsher comments I'll take back. I don't say this applies to everyone though, but simply because of this thread I tried to take a different stance on this and I felt so bad I actually left her a tip of $25 which for me is unheard of! You guys have changed my way of thinking! LOL I'm a new woman.... [msnembarrased]
SunLover
25-06-2004, 07:33
Silver Dollar, you will have made one of my waitress friends VERY happy with that tip ~ thank you :D
They can put it towards their hip replacement ;)
Enjoy the rest of your stay :)
Good on you Silver Dollar. Now I have an apology to make, I thought, throughout your postings that you were male.[msnembarrased]
When we add the optional service charge to parties over 8, we are only allowed to count the adults, unless the children eat an adult meal - if that makes sense.:D
Jacqui
bellaepovera
25-06-2004, 12:14
Way to Go Silver!! As Dennys is one of the places they receive low tipping and low pay. I also thought you were male!!
Great stuff Silver Dollar. We're proud of you. Now you can throw away the "Beware of me I'm a mean Brit" badge!! :D:D:D
Have a great vacation and don't wear out the waiting staff too much, 'cos I'll need them on top form next week myself.:D:D:D
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Silver Dollar
I actually thought about this thread in Denny's this afternoon when I took the kids there for a late lunch. I watched the female waitress who served us as she darted around the room and you're right, some of them do work hard...so the harsher comments I'll take back. I don't say this applies to everyone though, but simply because of this thread I tried to take a different stance on this and I felt so bad I actually left her a tip of $25 which for me is unheard of! You guys have changed my way of thinking! LOL I'm a new woman.... [msnembarrased]
[/quote]
davebrighton
25-06-2004, 21:49
Me too I thought Silver Dollar was male.So I give in now I promise I will tip waitresses as long as I get good service or at least some service.I wont promise $25 but you lot have to promise that I wont get nagged at for watching the football while im over there.Is that a deal. 6 days and counting [msnsmile2]
By the way Lunn Poly have told me that they will match any tourist exchange rate if I change up $1000 or more so if anybody has found a better rate than marks and spencer could you let me know before tomorrow.The better the exchange rate the more tips I can give [msnwink]
Ray&Sarah
25-06-2004, 22:39
This tipping business works the other way too. We are Brits and because we go to the US lots we now add a tip to the bill in the UK ourselves. Its sort of become a custom with us.:D
bravo silver dollar (LOL):D:D
I can't wait to tell Camilla that Silver Dollar is female. She too assumed that you had to be a man! Perhaps thats a reflection on me!!!;)
Silver Dollar
05-07-2004, 06:19
Here's another update on the tipping thread!! I got one of those freebie voucher booklets from Walmarts last night and in there was a 'restaurant guide' for tourists, which said it was customary to tip between "15-20%" for "outstanding service". Now last night I was in Captain Nemo's which by 192 standards isn't a cheap place to eat. It's around $29.99 each and there was four of us. The waitress we had was dire. She brought one drink and passed our table time and time again as the plates piled up around us. Just as we were eating dessert she came up and asked if we wanted a refill (by that time we were almost ready to go anyway). She came up and put the bill on the table and added around $17 as gratuity. Now I was fuming at this because I'm sorry but Captain Nemo's is a self service buffet and she wanted that amount to bring us a coke each which we already paid for??? NO WAY! I paid almost the exact amount SIMPLY because she added it to the bill (custom is to add gratuity for 6 guests and over)...and she got just 26cents outta me.
Today I ate in a Southern Buffet down on 192 where it appeared me and my husband were the only locals and I watched as people ate and left. It appeared that even though every one was being charged $10.49 each for dinner, and there were groups in excess of 6 people per table (except ours) most locals just leave $2-$3 tip....so is this 15-20% concept only being enforced with us tourists?
Brits...watch yourself, there are a lot of rogues in the buffet industry who know most of us don't know the customs and then are cheeky enough to automatically add 15-20%.
PS YES I did ask the waitress to remove the gratuity from the bill. The service was far from outstanding and for $29.99, actually the food was (rhymes with TRAP)!
I agree if the service is Trap as you say then I wouldnt leave a tip, I also dont agree
with automatically putting a tip on the bill, after all its down to the customer to decide
how much to tip not the Server.
I have always said that holiday makers are charged nore than locals, Have seen this for myself
in Orlando when we go out with our american friends.
Achilles2k
05-07-2004, 22:47
When it comes to tipping my wife says I am as tight as a frogs _ _ _ _. Now I'm really that bad - I will tip for good service (doesn't even have to be outstanding) but do object to being expected to pay more than the locals just 'cos I am a dumb tourist. AND - if the service is Trap then I will leave a single penny in plain view. AND - if they dare to add the gratuity to the bill themselves then someone had better duck [}:)][}:)][}:)].
We are meeting some American friends while we are over there - and she used to waitress at Outback - so when we all go out we will see what kind of tip SHE leaves ;).
Silver Dollar
07-07-2004, 06:59
Watch the locals carefully as I've been doing every day. In standard places to eat (the places which are outside the 'touristy buffets' most of them don't even leave tips...the ones who do only leave about $2-3 per table, regardless of how many are there. I am beginning to believe only us English do the 15-20% because I sat behind some German tourists and they did the same as the Americans. It's only us who leave $5's $10's and $20's. These people are so used to us NOT knowing where we stand that's why they are so keen to rip us off by pre-charging it. If they do that, do what I did, and tell them to remove it immediately. I'm sorry but I cannot be the only one who thinks charging $17 (about 10 quid) is taking the mick for bringing me a coke.
Incidentally, on the night we went to Captain Nemo's I asked two other tables (which were Americans) if I could look at their bill...and what do ya know, NO GRATITUITY was added to their bill only mine? So what can I deduce from that? My accent out here is a money spinner for some.
Calamity Jane
07-07-2004, 11:01
Hi Silver Dollar...Do you live in Florida or are you on vacation ??
Must admit Silver Dollar, We did watch americans etc last year and they either left a
very small tip or none at all.
We have some friends in orlando and when we go out with them, we let them do the ordering
etc and have always felt they are charged less than us, the same if were out shopping .
Saying that if you go to Brighton in the summer, the prices go up etc.
I dont like the idea of tipping, saying that I will leave a tip if we have been served
nice, just dont agree that we are Expected to tip x percent or when they add it to the
bill.
Anyway first breakfast we have, were going back to denny's where that rather large coloured
lady served us and mothered me cos I couldnt finish it, now she made us laugh so much that
we went back a few times and we did give her some good tips.
Silver Dollar
08-07-2004, 03:01
I'm here for a few months. I've been here many times before but I guess because I actively use this forum, several things now have been brought to my attention....go figure