tipping

**mizzy** · 07-06-2006, 15:37

please can i have some advice with regards to tipping

i have done a search but the topic is over two years old so i thought i'd ask so the info is bang up to date[msnwink]

on our last trip a tip of 20% was added automatically in most restaurants as we where a party of 8

our next visit it will just be the 4 of us (2 adults 1 teen and 1 child) should i still tip 20% or should it be more?

also what should i do if the service is very poor?

thanks Mizzy

**floridadreamvilla.co.uk** · 07-06-2006, 16:14

We'd normally leave 15-20% depending on service. If the service is truly awful (only ever happened once) we left 1 cent to let the server know they need to do a LOT better next time.

**LeeM** · 07-06-2006, 16:16

Check this out for some timely and interesting discussion:

[website link edited]

**wrightbuxton** · 07-06-2006, 16:25

We usually leave between 15-20% too.

I would still check your bill at the end because some places do add it on automatically no matter how many are in your party.

Julie

**pieman790** · 07-06-2006, 17:35

We have in the past tipped 10%-15% as we thought this was the normal however as there was 8 of us in the party this time were automatically were given a service charge of between 18-20%.
Personally i do understand that the servers get a very low wage but if you take into consideration that they have between 3-5 tables on the go during an average meal they can make a very good living. We overheard one server stating that she has made $450 in tips on Memorial day and on average was making $100-$180 per shift in tips.
good servers will go out of their way to help you and if you take into consideration that if you are drinking soft drinks during the meal the amount you save on free refills more than pays for the 20% tip.

**GrahamC** · 07-06-2006, 17:54

We normallt go for 15-20% depending on the server. If they have gone out of their way to be helpful, as many do, then they get the higher amount.

**DaveL** · 07-06-2006, 18:03

You might want to read these two articles from the 'Guides to Florida' section of the web site as they offer a more detailed view of the whole process in the U.S.

Dave

http://www.orlandovillas.com/florida...n-the-usa.aspx

http://www.orlandovillas.com/florida...ng-in-usa.aspx

**Mr G** · 07-06-2006, 18:23

I have recently read an article on the Orlando Sentinel web site re tipping. Brits apparently have a bad name for tipping.The article stated that the average waiter/waitress receives $3.50 per hour so not very good, there is no minimum wage. They rely on tips and the lowest recommended tip is 15%, with 20% the 'norm'

Some restaurants place the service charge on top, this is more common in British used restaurants, or so the article said.

**Ray&Sarah** · 07-06-2006, 21:35

We usually tip 15-20% and leave $1 per person in the self service places. We find that waiters over here get a good deal too as we tend to do the same whilst in the UK.[msnsmile2]