Tipping at restuarants??

[Cheesemaker]

A lot of the restaurants are starting to automatically add in a 18% tip/gratuity into the bill.  How do you feel about this? 

I feel that the amount of tip a server receives, depends on how well of service I get.  I will tip more than 18% if the service was awesome.  But, if I receive poor service, I'll leave only a few dollars, if any. 
There are a few restaurants I used to go to, but now I won't, because they automatically put in the tip in the bill.  There are a lot of other factors that plays into the amount of tip, but I could go on forever.   

What do you all think? 

[*FFC*]

I totally agree with you.  The amount of the tip should depend on the quality of service you get.  I think it's crap that they automatically tally in the tip

[WHITE_TRASH]

I tip based up on performance.  I usually tip about 20% anyway but if I get great service I'll tip up to 50-60%.  I actually tipped a waitress about 300% while back.  I left her the typical 20ish percent and paid my bill with my debit card and left.  I looked at the receipt when I was checking pockets to do laundry and realized she had comped my meal due to them not having what I wanted and just charged me the drink and side salad...   The next week I tipped her the price of the meal and told her why I did it.  I've never gotten better service than I have from her every time I'm at that flying J.. 



Adding to the bill without your ok is just wrong, if they have good waitress's then there should be no need for automatically adding it on.

[Duffil]

this tipping automatically, it's for the birds.

[79coyotefrg]

post what restaurants  do the automatic tip crap

um  when did it go to 20% i thought it was 10%   um  $50 meal  i leave $5 but ONLY  if the service was there,  cause  let me tell ya  if the service sucks they WILL know about it 

and possibly everyone else in the room if its REALLY sucky


its rare that i get to eat out 

[Duffil]

around here people normally go 15% or 20% if it's good service. I tip off of the effort, attitude and service I receive, and sadly, I very rarely tip 15%. About the only place I seem to get good service is at the bar.

[Toymin8r]

Most places automatically put in a tip of 18% if your party has 6 or more people, even if you split up the tab into separate bills.  I kind of get aggrevated about that because I usually tip between 20-25%.  When I see an automatic amount put in there I don't ad any additional.  Unfortuantely they have to do that because enough people don't tip at all or not enough.......or if you like Glen and haven't been to a restaurant in 20 years and still think the rate is 10%.  Sorry Glen I couldn't resist.   


Also, I try to tip more if I order alcohol because the waitresses are usually required to tip out the bartenders at the end of their shifts.

[yota18]

as being a former server, Most of them live off there tips because severs only get half of minimum wage that is why they started to do that. when i live in CT i got payed 3.25 an hour for severing. So i lived of my tips. So i think it is a good idea to do it at the tip to the bill. A lot of people like to stiff the waiter even if the went above and beyond to help the guest.

[BLACKDOG]

A tip is just that, a tip, based on quality, speed, and accuracy of service.   IMO, its theft, plain and simple, to add the tip to the bill (except in the case of a large party).  Raise the prices on the food, and/or pay your servers more.  Its that simple. 

I understand that servers often live off their tips, but they know that going into the job, so I don't feel that is a valid excuse.  Sure, many people stiff their server, but oftentimes, other people make up for that with their tips, if the server is a good one. 

[*FFC*]

A tip is just that, a tip, based on quality, speed, and accuracy of service.   IMO, its theft, plain and simple, to add the tip to the bill (except in the case of a large party).  Raise the prices on the food, and/or pay your servers more.  Its that simple. 

BRAVO Well said Jason

[jimbo74]

usually 15-20%


they cant jsut add the tip toy uor bill, unless it's a part of 8 or more usually and they have it written on the menu that there will be a blah blah gratuity for 8 or more people

[*FFC*]

usually 15-20%


they cant jsut add the tip toy uor bill, unless it's a part of 8 or more usually and they have it written on the menu that there will be a blah blah gratuity for 8 or more people

Whether they can or not, some of them do regardless of the party size.

[jimbo74]

Whether they can or not, some of them do regardless of the party size.

they aren't supposed to, at that point, i would walk out....

not 100% sure, but it may actually be illegal for them to add it, especially without prior disclosure

[Rocksurfer]

 :bull crap: If it is added into the bill it is now part of the price of a meal, not a gratuity. If they are going to demand 18% then they should just raise the price and pay the staff by the hour and not expect a tip.

[jimbo74]

time to find another restaurant

[79coyotefrg]

Most places automatically put in a tip of 18% if your party has 6 or more people, even if you split up the tab into separate bills.  I kind of get aggrevated about that because I usually tip between 20-25%.  When I see an automatic amount put in there I don't ad any additional.  Unfortuantely they have to do that because enough people don't tip at all or not enough.......or if you like Glen and haven't been to a restaurant in 20 years and still think the rate is 10%.  Sorry Glen I couldn't resist.   ......

   and i thought you was my friend 

[Toymin8r]

usually 15-20%


they cant jsut add the tip toy uor bill, unless it's a part of 8 or more usually and they have it written on the menu that there will be a blah blah gratuity for 8 or more people

I meet with a group of Toyota enthusiasts once a month and there are ususally 6-10 of us but we always get separate bills.  They always automatically add the tip.

   and i thought you was my friend 

[kneedownnate]

I've never seen it, but to me that's essentially begging.  I'd much rather give something to somebody because I want to, not because I have to.  It no longer makes you feel as though you're doing something nice if you have to.

As has been said, it's a gratuity based on performance and attitude.  A server can have your food to you as ordered, refill your drinks when they're low without asking, but if they carry a shitty attitude they're not deserving of a good tip.  If they offer excellent service and a good attitude I tip accordingly, though I very, very rarely ever tip below 15%.  If I get an $8 meal I usually leave $3-4, $15 meal usually gets $4-5, accordingly ofcourse.

[Rocksurfer]

A quick cure to this issue, I would imagine that you are informed of this policy before you dine there. During this announcement by the waiter/waitress get up and walk out. If you were not informed and it is just a part of the check, then request it be removed as a fee you were not informed of this policy before-hand. Now my guess is this is occurring at higher-end (over priced) restaurants of which I don't dine at since they are a total ripoff.

[kneedownnate]

Werd, I've never had it happen down to the burger king or taco bell 

[bgiffie]

i always notice after the fact it's written nice and small on the menu's.

[Shamb]

I agree Cheesemaker alot has to do with how well the service was.

Typically... I tip over 18% so it would probably balance itself out for me personally.

Wouldn't you think that's illegal in some way?!