Tipping culture in the USA

DoctorEvil · Sun. 1:44am

Just saw this on my Facebook feed today:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CfLECGJMk/
Now, thankfully I don't have to deal with this issue much here in Australia. You only tip if you feel the service was good and you wish to reward it. However, I hope to travel to the USA one day and I hear that tipping there is obligatory. I want to do the right thing and not put people's noses out of joint. So, just what exactly is acceptable these days for a tip? I'd like to do a straw poll with our USA based members if I could. Thanks in advance for your responses and have a great day!

Walrus · Sun. 2:54am

I call BS. I waited tables for years getting through school. If I left a note like that I’d be fired. It does stink as wait staff can be paid less than the state minimum wages due to the pay bring based on tips.

I did quite well waiting tables and bartending but there will always be bad tippers. 15% before taxes is and should be a fair tip.

There is a big anti tipping push amongst a very loud group putting out things like I see you posted. Certainly could be true but I doubt it.

I think COVD changed our eating habits and many people get to go. Along with grub hub and uber eats

If they think I’ll pay 15% on take out that’s crazy.

That’s where I find tipping annoying but I still remember a few times running around like an idiot for a 500 dollar plus table and getting stiffed on the tip was disappointing but that’s life.

Trev · Sun. 2:56am

Walrus
I call BS. I waited tables for years getting through school. If I left a note like that I’d be fired. It does stink as wait staff can be paid less than the state minimum wages due to the pay bring based on tips.
...

Image looks AI generated.

US tipping culture is pretty frustrating and I'm so glad we never need to deal with it in Aus. Of course we tip if we're in the US, but they're counting on it and would be extremely rude not to. Aus service industry have much higher wages.

Vinz Clortho · Sun. 3:07am

Yes, the tipping culture is a thing in the US.

As @Walrus stated, this is probably one of those posts where it's BS.

For the sake of argument, say it happened. Whoever the waitress is, she seems a touch entitled to say the least. She can think it, but never should do it.

If any server would drop this note on me, I would have the manager come over, void out the transaction, re-ring it and she would have gotten nothing. Out of principle.

But I'm usually pretty generous when I go out, as most times I'm getting served, don't have to dishes, and usually it's for something I'm normally not eating at home. Usually not doing much takeout or delivery.

That being said, it comes down to where you're dining at, what you're ordering, size of party. Here are a few examples:

Dining out at a restaurant. Casual sit down to sit down restaurant, usually 15-18% is a fair/good tip, 20% if generous or really good service. For fine dining like a steak house, 20% min but usually 25% or more is a good tip. Usually there will be an automatic 20% tip on parties of 6 or more. Anything on top is your own prerogative.

I'm in the Midwest so those living on the coast in large cities might have a different perspective.

DoctorEvil · Sun. 3:08am

Walrus
I call BS. I waited tables for years getting through school. If I left a note like that I’d be fired. It does stink as wait staff can be paid less than the state minimum wages due to the pay bring based on tips.

I did quite well waiting tables and bartending but there will always be bad tippers. 15% before taxes is and should be a fair tip.

There is a big anti tipping push amongst a very loud group putting out things like I see you posted. Certainly could be true but I doubt it.

I think COVD changed our eating habits and many people get to go. Along with grub hub and uber eats

If they think I’ll pay 15% on take out that’s crazy.

That’s where I find tipping annoying but I still remember a few times running around like an idiot for a 500 dollar plus table and getting stiffed on the tip was disappointing but that’s life.

Thanks for your info. Would I be expected to tip a pizza delivery person 15% as well?

Walrus · Sun. 3:10am

DoctorEvil
Thanks for your info. Would I be expected to tip a pizza delivery person 15% as well?

See that’s where I get confused myself. I don’t order a lot of delivery. I need to research but 15% I don’t think so the drivers get paid on a different structure.

Vinz Clortho · Sun. 3:17am

Walrus
See that’s where I get confused myself. I don’t order a lot of delivery. I need to research but 15% I don’t think so the drivers get paid on a different structure.

Usually with pizza delivery, the drivers are paid minimum wage, so 10% on the order is usually good. Sometimes certain places charge a delivery fee because people didn't tip, so if that's the case, then a couple bucks on top rounds out the overall tip.

Also depends if it's a chain delivery or a little local pizza place, mainly because of the quality of the pizza.

Walrus · Sun. 3:22am

Vinz Clortho
Usually with pizza delivery, the drivers are paid minimum wage, so 10% on the order is usually good. Sometimes certain places charge a delivery fee because people didn't tip, so if that's the case, then a couple bucks on top rounds out the overall tip.

Also depends if it's a chain delivery or a little local pizza place, mainly because of the quality of the pizza.

Are they paid state minimum wage in the states that have 15 dollar and up? And I’ve read that fine print it says deliver fee does not go to the driver. That’s sounds kind evil. Well dominoes which is horrible anyway days that I can’t speak for them all.

Vinz Clortho · Sun. 3:34am

Walrus
Are they paid state minimum wage in the states that have 15 dollar and up? And I’ve read that fine print it says deliver fee does not go to the driver. That’s sounds kind evil. Well dominoes which is horrible anyway days that I can’t speak for them all.

Know things are changing, but think they're paid on a lower scale if they just do deliveries. Think it's to cover car maintenance, etc. but not nearly enough. As for delivery fees, depends on the place and the fine print on if it goes to the driver or establishment.

Pretty much given up on the chains for the most part because the pizza is horrible. If I want delivery style, will usually call a local place by the house, pick it up on the way. They make much better pizza and worth the few extra minutes to run in and grab it.

Rasputin · Sun. 3:45am

Some restaurants are now requesting tips for take out and often surreptitiously tack on a tip when picking up food or ordering through their app.

Walrus · Sun. 3:59am

Vinz Clortho
Know things are changing, but think they're paid on a lower scale if they just do deliveries. Think it's to cover car maintenance, etc. but not nearly enough. As for delivery fees, depends on the place and the fine print on if it goes to the driver or establishment.

Pretty much given up on the chains for the most part because the pizza is horrible. If I want delivery style, will usually call a local place by the house, pick it up on the way. They make much better pizza and worth the few extra minutes to run in and grab it.

Correct that’s my thinking and I usually pick it up on my way home from work where they still want a tip. I have no problem throwing a few bucks in the jar or what have you but I’m picking it up and serving myself.

I live in the U.S. and I’m confused by the tipping culture, I can’t blame someone visiting being confused. It’s not even about the money but if I’m getting it myself and bringing it home I really don’t think I need to leave much of a tip. If any. But I always do as look back and remember my days in the hot kitchen I always hope they give it to the dishwasher guy.

YY77 · Sun. 4:13am

As a Dutchman visiting NYC I had dinner in a restaurant, the 2 Germans at the table near me got the bill and left ca. 10% tip, the waiter looked at it and put it back on the table saying it's wasn't customary to leave such a low tip.

DoctorEvil · Sun. 4:39am

YY77
As a Dutchman visiting NYC I had dinner in a restaurant, the 2 Germans at the table near me got the bill and left ca. 10% tip, the waiter looked at it and put it back on the table saying it's wasn't customary to leave such a low tip.

That's the thing. I don't want to be "that person" who's a bad tipper. But equally, as a tourist I don't want to be taken advantage of. A waiter could tell me that I'm expected to add 20%-25% before tax and I wouldn't be any the wiser. In some countries, adding 10% could be fairly standard if one is tipping. It might even be considered generous. In Japan, it's actually considered rude to tip because they pride themselves on providing good service all the time.

hen · Sun. 5:51am

Its a f...ed up system. I know either way the cost is on the end user/ consumer. The employer dont have to pay more than the $2,18 or 7,25 combined. I as a consumer do not have to pay tip. So the responsibility for giving a living wage is transferred from a billion dollar Corporation to me, the consumer.

I thank God that I have always worked in Union controled jobs in a civilized, social democratic country. With protection from unjust fiering by employers. Wages set by employer/Union/government and backed by a welfare state.

I usually pay extra tip depending on my blood alcohol level, we were served by a cute young couple that was clearly in love with each other on July 4th, with rising blood alcohol. Or a hard working about 70 years old woman at a packed diner in the California desert. In those instance we gave about a $50 dollar/50% tip. Most times I dont tip that well back home in Norway, since the staff have a decent wage and are probably earning more than me anyways.

blufinz52 · Sun. 5:53am

DoctorEvil
That's the thing. I don't want to be "that person" who's a bad tipper. But equally, as a tourist I don't want to be taken advantage of. A waiter could tell me that I'm expected to add 20%-25% before tax and I wouldn't be any the wiser. In some countries, adding 10% could be fairly standard if one is tipping. It might even be considered generous. In Japan, it's actually considered rude to tip because they pride themselves on providing good service all the time.

Don't over think it: leave a 20% tip and everybody's happy. Enjoy your stay in the US.

Faz · Sun. 6:24am

We have a similar tipping culture up here.
My rule of thumb: Bad service = 0%. Average to OK = 10-15%. Good to exceptional 20% +

If for some reason the waiter handed me a note like that, I’d have a word with the maitre D’ or manager and file a charge dispute with my CC company.

Although this is certainly a fake image, judging by the tip amount, this party didn’t get very good service. However, if for any chance they did get good service, these people would be considered cheapskates by the standards up here.

Donn Chambers · Sun. 7:15am

One thing to know about the US - wait staff are paid way below minimum wage (sometimes as low as $2-3 a hour), with an expectation they will make up for the pay with tips. The IRS also assumes they get at least 15% tips for tax purposes. It’s a horrible system, one that is routinely abused by restaurant owners. Some states (like California) have mandated minimum wage for servers, but not all. Some reputable restaurants have also implemented this policy and usually state it on the menu or receipt.

My philosophy is that I make a good salary and they don’t. A 20-25% tip is not going to hurt my pocketbook as much as a 10% tip (or none at all) will hurt theirs. So, on expensive meals, I give 20% (or a little more to round up). On cheaper meals (like breakfast at a diner where the waitstaff often works harder), I often leave way more than 20% - say $10 on a $20 meal.

I see it as a way to pay it forward.

Deafboy · Sun. 7:26am

In Boston, a bunch of restaurants now put a kitchen fee (3-5%) on the bill. I never understood why restaurant owner don't simply factor in the price. From a legal point of view, the kitchen fee isn't a tip for the kitchen; the owner can do whatever they want with the fee. I find it very frustrating when I see this on my bill. On top, the minimum expected tip is 18%. Payment machine show a range of 18 to 30% though one can enter another amount. I much prefer no-tipping approach, like many countries, where living wages are factored in the price on the menu.

DoctorEvil · Sun. 7:35am

Deafboy
In Boston, a bunch of restaurants now put a kitchen fee (3-5%) on the bill. I never understood why restaurant owner don't simply factor in the price. From a legal point of view, the kitchen fee isn't a tip for the kitchen; the owner can do whatever they want with the fee. I find it very frustrating when I see this on my bill. On top, the minimum expected tip is 18%. Payment machine show a range of 18 to 30% though one can enter another amount. I much prefer no-tipping approach, like many countries, where living wages are factored in the price on the menu.

That's interesting. I wonder if anyone has questioned what this "kitchen fee" actually is and what it pays for?

DoctorEvil · Sun. 7:40am

Donn Chambers
One thing to know about the US - wait staff are paid way below minimum wage (sometimes as low as $2-3 a hour), with an expectation they will make up for the pay with tips. The IRS also assumes they get at least 15% tips for tax purposes. It’s a horrible system, one that is routinely abused by restaurant owners. Some states (like California) have mandated minimum wage for servers, but not all. Some reputable restaurants have also implemented this policy and usually state it on the menu or receipt.

My philosophy is that I make a good salary and they don’t. A 20-25% tip is not going to hurt my pocketbook as much as a 10% tip (or none at all) will hurt theirs. So, on expensive meals, I give 20% (or a little more to round up). On cheaper meals (like breakfast at a diner where the waitstaff often works harder), I often leave way more than 20% - say $10 on a $20 meal.

I see it as a way to pay it forward.

How is it possible that someone can be paid below minimum wage? Isn't that illegal? Here in Australia there have been cases of restaurant owners and convenience store owners who have been prosecuted for "wage theft".

Tipping culture in the USA

DoctorEvil

Walrus

Trev

Vinz Clortho

DoctorEvil

Walrus

Vinz Clortho

Walrus

Vinz Clortho

Rasputin

Walrus

YY77

DoctorEvil

hen

blufinz52

Faz

Donn Chambers

Deafboy

DoctorEvil

DoctorEvil

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