Tipping

[sammibabe]

I also want to challenge the oft-stated position that service in Florida restaurants is generally better than that in british restaurants. This is absolutley not my experience.



Finally I would say that 10%, 15% even 18% is not considered a good tip. In my experience, they are looking for thirty, forty, even fifty percent.

We have had more good experiences in Florida compared to here, but not to say we have had no good ones here. Also not necessarily bad experiences just mediocre service.

Never felt we undertip and we have a handful of restuarants that we use a few times in any one trip (and often see the same server). In these places we are greeted in a cheerful and friendly manner and receive good service which is why we return. I can assure you we never tip at those percentages; couldn't afford to even if we wanted to.

[LiesaAnna]

i do think sometimes this whole tipping business gets out of hand... good service nice tip.. lousy service no tip....

[AAJA]

Hi,
I had a look at this a few years ago in Kissimmee as it was on a wall in a shop I went into for vertiacl blind fittings. Therefore, the rates may now be out of date but I will use it as a way of example.
It stated the normally hour rate was $7.50/hr for general workers i.e not just in restuarants.
For people who working in restuarants, serving, the minimum hourly rate was $2.50. It went on to say that this was because there was oppotuntities for these people to make tips. It also stated that if the tips do not reach the normal $7.50/hr then their employer in duty bound to make up the difference from $2.50 up to $7.50.
As someone above has aready mentioned somebody serving say just 4 tables in an hour each with a spend of £50 equals $200 and with 18% tip for each that would be tip of $36.
Why should we tip so much??

What do you think ?

[florida4sun]

Simple they do not get the whole amount, they are taxed on it and it also gets split between staff. You do not have to tip anything, it is totally up to you. If you don't tip, don't good service next time you visit. The whole situation requires an understanding of the economics of who the USA as service based economy has always worked. Comparing it to what we do in the UK is wrong.
As I said, it is each to their own. I tip and tip based on the experience, which in the USA is typically far superior than in the Uk and most of Europe.
That said would everyone be if device was built into the price and they just whack 18% on everything? Thus losing the choice on what you tip?

[SteveandJan]

Reading this very interesting post, many restaurants that we visited had the tips worked out, 15%, 18% and 20% on the bottom but it was always on the whole bill i.e. with sales tax so if you do pay the 18% on the whole bill, it works out slightly more in real terms because it was worked out with sales tax. Hope that's clear.

[Val]

The tipping requirement is the one thing I hate in American and I must say we still tip what we feel the service and quality warrants, good food and service good tip, lousy food and service small or no tip.
Val

[Katys Grandad]

I have read a couple of articles recently that suggest that many US restaurant owners are really struggling in these difficult economic times and are freezing or often reducing staff wages in order to stay in business. That has caused a lot of wait staff to become more proactive in ensuring decent tips. I've noticed that the practice of writing "gratuity not included" is becoming more common and I hope it's not limited to UK visitors.

[vickk]

I I've noticed that the practice of writing "gratuity not included" is becoming more common and I hope it's not limited to UK visitors.

That was exactly my thoughts that prompted me starting this thread.

[Katys Grandad]

That was exactly my thoughts that prompted me starting this thread.

Yes I know - was it at the Cheesecake factory in Naples because that's 1 of the places it happened to me for the first time a few weeks ago? I also had the same note at an Outback in Fort Myers.

[steph_goodrum]

I'm quite happy when they write Gratuity not included because then I can use my discretion and tip according to service etc. It's when they write 18% gratuity included which bugs me because if it isnt discretionary/voluntary then it is a service charge and should be called such.