Tipping

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:[i]
Well, on the basis that my 10-15% is, without exception, 'accepted' by the server, I'm assuming that from their perspective, it's seen as 'acceptable'.

I've never had it turned down so far![msnwink][/quote]Of course not! What are they supposed to do anyway?

In my experience, proper "tipping etiquette" (I think that's what the OP was talking about) in the US means at least 15%. Anything under is relaying the message that service was not good enough. No tip at all means you consider you've been mistreated somehow, and then you should have already talked to the manager.
I'm talking restaurants with table service, and buffets when you've had the lines well stocked, your table kept clean and your refills done smoothly.
In a bar I'll usually tip $1 with my drink. When having several rounds with several people we'd adapt, but that was a long time ago [msncry], so I'm not sure what is considered proper now.
I also tip maid service in my hotel room, taxi drivers, valet parking attendant, helpful airport bus driver, and the pizza delivery man....
Now, again, it's a personal thing. I've worked as a waitress when I was a student, and when studying in the US I've known a lot of people who did those "under minimum wage" jobs. I know how important the tip is on their income, so I guess I sympathize....
Now that I can afford to tip, I just do it. [msnwink]

My point is that they're never sufficiently offended to turn it down. I can assure you that if I felt the service wasn't up to scratch I'd communicate that much more directly than by leaving a 10-15% tip!

Above all, I believe that what is or isn't an appropriate amount shouldn't just be based solely upon the opinion of the receiver. As the person paying for the service, surely I'm entitled to have a view on what's it's worth?

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Katys Grandad
My point is that they're never sufficiently offended to turn it down. I can assure you that if I felt the service wasn't up to scratch I'd communicate that much more directly than by leaving a 10-15% tip!

Above all, I believe that what is or isn't an appropriate amount shouldn't just be based solely upon the opinion of the receiver. As the person paying for the service, surely I'm entitled to have a view on what's it's worth?[/quote]You're absolutely right, as I've said it's very personal. Plus a 10-15% tip is definitely not insulting.
To press your point even further, I'll add that I'd never accept the so-called compulsory 18% gratuity for "large" parties if I ever felt the service was not up to it. Then I've sometimes tipped more when the larger party was mainly constituted of pain-in-the-you know what kids and the waiter obviously went much out of his way when I was ready to strangle one myself.
No matter what the "etiquette" says, people do what they feel comfortable with, and it's fine with me.

Its personal but I thought it was generally accepted that the tip should be between 15% and 20% with 15% being for acceptable and satisfactory service. Whilst no server will turn down any tip I think they will feel dissatisfied with less than 15% and wonder what they have done to warrant less than 15%.

You pay your money and make your choice but I tip between 18 and 20%.

Just check some bills as even with small groups I have seen 15% automatically added so don't tip twice. This irritates me and on those occassions I pay the 15% rather than more - their loss for adding it and maybe assuming I would give less.

I agree that a tip of between 15 and 20% is generally acceptable, but the one thing I didn't agree with when we were in FL in October was when we were in Beef O'Bradys on US27 and the waitress came and took the check and money off of our table and didn't bring me back any change, when I asked her where my change was (about $18 I think) she said she thought it was a "done deal" that the change was her tip. I asked her for my change back which she duly but very sulkily gave me and I did leave her a 15% tip on the table when we left, it would have probably been more had she not taken it upon herself to take her own tip. This is the only time this happened to us but I did think it was a bit cheeky.

Wendy I agree with you that was very cheeky of the waitress - must admit I've never had that happen and if it did I wouldn't like it!

I would have left a dollar! Do not like anyone taking the Mickey!!!

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by kitch50
I agree that a tip of between 15 and 20% is generally acceptable, but the one thing I didn't agree with when we were in FL in October was when we were in Beef O'Bradys on US27 and the waitress came and took the check and money off of our table and didn't bring me back any change, when I asked her where my change was (about $18 I think) she said she thought it was a "done deal" that the change was her tip. I asked her for my change back which she duly but very sulkily gave me and I did leave her a 15% tip on the table when we left, it would have probably been more had she not taken it upon herself to take her own tip. This is the only time this happened to us but I did think it was a bit cheeky.
[/quote]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by florida4sun
I would have left a dollar! Do not like anyone taking the Mickey!!!


[/quote]

Same here. If anything, she should have asked if you wanted any change. Bad manners. Come to think of it, I probably wouldn't have left anything!

I'd have left a cent [msnwink].

We've only had to do it once, where the service was just a joke. The server was totally disinterested and we kept having to go to the bar and interrupt her chat to prompt her to clear things away etc etc.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by florida4sun
I would have left a dollar! Do not like anyone taking the Mickey!!!
[/quote]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by floridadreamvilla.co.uk
I'd have left a cent [msnwink].

We've only had to do it once, where the service was just a joke. The server was totally disinterested and we kept having to go to the bar and interrupt her chat to prompt her to clear things away etc etc.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by florida4sun
I would have left a dollar! Do not like anyone taking the Mickey!!![/quote][/quote]I take it you never went back then John?[msnwink]