Tipping: Assessing When and How Much is Enough

What is the proper amount to tip?

Tipping…does anyone ever leave the proper amount? In my opinion, tipping depends on the type of service you are given from a waiter or waitress, etc. When you have someone who waits on you and provides you with special information about menu items and whether it’s good or not; attends to all your requests and needs in a efficient manner; is kind and courteous; treats you as though you are a special customer, etc., they deserve to be tipped at least a 20% tip.

When you are having a big dinner party and there is a lot of attention put into the party by the waitresses and the business, it’s usually wise to leave at least a 20% tip along with an additional amount of tip if several waitresses served your group. When you treat waiters/waitresses with respect and consider them as excellent servers, they will take especially good care of you whenever you book another large group of people who you’re entertaining. They will also see to it that you are properly taken care of in the future or if you and your spouse stops by to dine. 

When a waiter/waitress gives mediocre service, your food is served cold, you have to flag down your waiter/waitress to get a refill of water, drinks, etc., I then…only tip 15%. When you are paying a lot for a good meal, you expect for the service to be good and the food excellent. Many waiters/waitresses do not deserve a 10% tip if they’re inconsiderate, a poor server, lax, and actually ignores you as the customer whenever you try to get their attention.

Fast food and buffet tips:

When going to a fast food service, if you are served at the counter, a tip is not required because these servers are paid a minimum pay by their employers.

When going to a buffet type meal and you prepare your own plate, a 10% tip is enough because the waiter/waitress only took your order and brought you a drink. They usually get paid minimum or close to minimum pay pay from their employers.

When going to a Mama and Papa’s restaurant, pizza huts, etc., a 15% tip is satisfactory unless you have a large group of people and then the tip should be at least 20%.

Summation:

This is my way of rating tips and how much I give for their service. Tips can add a lot to a trip out to eat or when you are on a vacation. There are a lot of people out of work today and money is hard to come by just like it is for a waiter/waitress. In these day of lay-offs, recession, etc., everyone must cut back on their tips to make it through the month.