If you knew restaurants/pubs took a cut of tips, would it make you think twice about tipping?

Question

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7353613.stm

When I worked in a bar over a decade ago, the brewery used to claw back half the tips that we made. I remember thinking at the time it seemed unfair, but I was only 18 and too timid to say anything.

To discover that it still happens in this day and age makes me angry. Especially if tips are used to top up pay to the minimum wage. Why are employers getting away with scabbing money off the poorest paid employees?

I've always where possible left a tip in cash on the table for waiting staff (as opposed to adding it to my payment by debit card). I assumed this would ensure they got the tip in full, but now I'm not so sure.

Answer 1

i tip only if the service was up to a good standard.  If it is not up to standard, what are you tipping for?

Answer 2

I would secretly tip the waitresses. Besides, most of their paycheck comes for the tips they earn.

Besides I think it's unfair that the bar is taking more money from the employees!

Answer 3

I own restaurants in the US and I can't imagine taking a cut of the tips. As far as I'm concerned, tips are a transaction between the server and the customer.

If I found out that an establishment was trying to take part of it, I'd hand a cash tip to the server and probably never go back.

We do insist that servers tip out to their bussers and bartenders. It's only fair, since servers would make less money if they had to make their own drinks and clean their own tables.

Answer 4

I wouldn't cut back because that would hurt the server more than the restaurant. I would find creative ways to sneak more to the waiter. I would also try to be an advocate for the wait staff and contact legislature to see if you can sway them to turn this around.

Answer 5

I all ways tip in cash,because most restaurants take the credit card charge they have to pay, out of he wait staffs tip

Answer 6

I'm personally a fan of sticking my tips under the empty glasses on the table. That way, no one else can come by and scoop the money before the wait staff can clear the the table.

I've also seen little kids go around restaurants before and peak at tables and take tips that are left in the open, no lie. And some parent's don't even question from where their 3 year old is getting money. Hello!

So to answer your question, I wouldn't cut back on tipping waiter unless s/he didn't deserve the standard 10 % - 15  % tip. It would hurt the wait staff more with a cut in tips.

I hope this helps.