Dr Phil and tipping

[canoehead]

Did anyone see the Dr Phil show on etiquette where they recommend tipping at least 20%? They had a sample table there and the waitress would have made $80 just from the tip at 20%. Even if you assume that it took 2h to complete the meal and that was her only table she was making twice as much as I do per hour. And no bedpans or life and death decisions.

I could go for a career change right about now. I have a firm rule that I don't tip so the server is making more than I do per hour. How much do you all tip when you go out?

And when will nurses be allowed to start accepting tips??

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by Mel D

At my restaurant the management declared our tips to the IRS for us. We had no choice. I think they claimed 15% for us.

Gwenith--I remember at a restaurant in Australia once I tried to send back my entree because it had pork in it, but the menu did not list any meat in the dish (I was veggie at the time). I was not able to send it back! The waitress said, 'it's already made, how could I send it back?' Here in the states if you don't like something, or if it's overcooked, undercooked, whatever, you can send it back and get a new one or something else for free.

Mel - They were playing "silly beggars" with a tourist!!! They should have taken that dish back especially if they did not least pork as an incredient on the menu! Serving a dish with an ingredient such as pork that is not mentioned on the menu can be considered false advertising.

[kookyscientist]

I tip 20% or more. I also tip at ice cream shops and Starbucks, basically wherever they have a jar reading "TIPS."

I think it is rude not to at e.g Baskin Robbins ice cream where around here most of the workers there are highschool kids working a summer job. It takes some muscle to scope all that icecream on busy days. The least people can do is let them keep the change (coins). I also think that if you go out to eat with a group, $2 a piece for a tip even if that equals way more than 20%. Anyway, my mom raised us on her tips as a waitress and it was instilled in us not to be cheapskates.

[Teshiee]

If the waitress works in an upscale restaurant then an 80$ dollar tip isn't uncommon especially if the service is exceptional. The most I ever tip anyone was $20 because he was an awesome server. I am not worrying about what I make that is not even the point when your are dining out. Sounds like someone is drinking haterade on this thread!!!!!!!!

[NurseRachy]

WOW what an intersting topic. Having just came back from the US a couple of days ago from my first ever visit I must admit I was absolutley petrified at the beginning about tips and how much to give. I soon got the hang of getting a fist full of change and instantly handing back some money, but in Australia where there is virtually no tipping culture (and a damn sight higher minimum wage) I must admit that it took a couple of days to feel comfortable doing it. I have worked as a waitress before in England whilst on a working holiday in 2000 and really hated the job, but when someone left a tip of a couple of quid I was very greatful. I do tip in Australia, especially the bar staff in nightclubs as they strain to hear what i am saying and am working whilst I am partying. I personally think that it is WRONG for employers to be able to get away with paying staff around $3-4 per hour and expecting tips to make up the majority of their staff's wages. Shouldn't tips be a thank you guesture for a job well done - like a bonus?? Wow - i really feel silly for my ignorance and now very happy that I tipped virtually everyone who did anything for me.

Rachel

[debyan]

Wages for waitresses were 1.65 back when I waited on tables and even back then the IRS took out their share. I taught my kids to tip 20% for great service and 15% for good. It is hard work to manage to keep all you tables happy and content. deb

[AmyLiz]

As a rule of thumb, I usually just look at the tax, double it & leave that amount as a tip. Usually (depending on where you live) it comes out to around 13-18%. Then if it's exceptional service, I add on a bit more.

I do it that was so that I don't have to think too hard.

[Liddle Noodnik]

I don't have to constantly kiss a$$ with every customer/patient I come in contact with to make every dollar.

Ha! I WONdered why I didn't mind nursing as much as waitressing!

sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssstill have to kiss butt (get "silverware" thrown at you, get punched, work past the time you're supposed to, walk a lot, run some, forfeit breaks, hold your pee, pick up the slack for those who don't show up, fetch and carry several items one-at-a-time instead of several ONE time, smile when you don't want to, listen to complaints, see people with ill manners eat, get bossed around, lose vacation time cuz so-and-so got it first, train people over and over cuz of turnover, treat the customers [including doctors] with kid gloves, WELL! it ain't so different after all!).

And the tips, why they are fewer and farther between (someone gets better, a smile, a thank you [altho' I've yet to get one from a Dr...]).

I remember when I used to get tips from this one guy when I was a waitress, he'd give me a whole dollar and tell me to "go buy a pair of nylons".

[nialloh, RN]

Originally posted by cheerfuldoer

...........against waiters/waitresses only being paid $2.13 per hour! That's SHOCKING to me! How do employers of restaurants get away with that? Would they like to work for such a measly hourly wage? I THINK NOT!!!

If you think this is bad, there was a lawsuit out here in the past couple of months against the owners. If you put your tip on a credit card, the owner took it off the $2.13 (or whatever it was). When the $2.13 was covered, the waitress got the tip that was left. Cash wasn't touched. Why anyone would work for someone like this I really don't know.

Oh, bye the way, the owner won the court case. He could keep the tips to cover wages.

[RNConnieF]

Originally posted by Brita01

Does anyone know if you're expected to leave a tip for the person who takes your order and brings your food to you in a bag in a take out situation? Applebees or Outback Steakhouse to go, for example.

Please, DO tip the take out at Outback; my daughter works there and she needs the money for nursing school. She makes $2.05 an hour plus tips. Folks tend to be light tippers because they feel if it's take out what are they tipping for. I can understand this but the servers depend on your tip. My daughter also has to tip out to the hostesses, bartenders, bus boys, and kitchen, THEN the IRS gets 12% of total checks before she gets to take any money home. Working more than 40 hours she takes home about $200 a week. Not a lot of money. So, please tip her- I need the help! :)