Should I *continue* to tip even if I tend to frequently visit that (favorite) restaurant?

Question

There is this restaurant that I like very much. The prices are a little high, but I go there many times. I am tipping about 10% everytime. But I think it is getting expensive as I visit frequently.

I live in Richmond, BC, Canada. Do you think it is "OK" to tip only occasionally, but not everytime? This means saying "No" to tipping in the credit machine and the waitress may feel bad about it. :-)

Answer 1

You should tip everytime, the waitress depends on tips....their salary usually is pretty low.  If you can't tip ten percent at least leave what you can.

Answer 2

As a general guideline one tips roughly 15% - at the START of the service. Then add or deduct based on your experience. A server can lose their tip for a crappy night...but we've also made a point to tip the cook or the bartender instead of a poor server (or in addition to).

HOWEVER if it's a mom and pop joint and there are no other servers, and they see you often enough to know you, they'll know that you tipped well last time, and likely will next time. Tho try not to go more than one or two visits without tipping, they may think you have stopped all together.

Answer 3

No matter what your suppose to tip. If you don't want to tip get the food to go.  

Answer 4

I think you should tip only when you feel the service is good. If it is go ahead and leave a tip, even if its 5$, they appreciate it. Dont tip when you have bad service.

Try eating out less and cook @ home also :)

bestwishes

Answer 5

you tip for good service.. the standard tip is 15-20%

From your description though, the owner is also the server, a place that you normally wouldn't tip at all....

I would continue to tip as you are now... if it's costing too much, maybe you should eat at home more often...

Answer 6

I would tip 15% and order something less expensive. Since you frequent the place often you obviously like the food and the service, so it would be rude to suddenly stop tipping. If you can't afford to eat there, you should really eat at home.

Answer 7

I am an excellent waitress, I always give top notch service. I do not appreciate anything less then 20%. This is not charity, if you can't afford to tip then find a restaurant you can afford. It is never ok to not leave anything less then 20% if the was excellent.

Answer 8

My rules for tipping:

1. I tip about 20% every time. If I can afford to eat out, I can afford to tip. Period. The lowest I've ever tipped is about 15%.

2. I don't tip if the service is absolutely HORRIBLE, i.e. rude waiter, an hour late, something totally unacceptable. If they're just having a bad day and look like they're gonna cry, I will go ahead & tip them anyway.

3. Tipping 10% is very uncool.

4. With Mom & Pop restaurants, I know the overhead is high and that they're struggling for every penny. And if you go there often, they're like friends to you. Why cheat your friends?

In answer to your question, no, it's not OK to undertip, especially in these circumstances.

Answer 9

You should always tip no matter how Frequently you visit. If you think it is to expensive to tip then you dont need to be going out to eat. Either quit going or find a cheaper place to eat. Would you like it if you were a waiter and the regulars tipped you occasionally?

Answer 10

I really hate that we MUST tip here in the US or it's considered rude.  If the business would only pay the employee the proper wage it would not be up to the customers to make up the rest of their income.  Now you get into if he or she did not pay 15% in tips then the waiter feels snubbed and there for has a lower self esteem or will now give you bad service.  It' really ridiculous if you ask me.  So, being that you can't change the view of time honored tradition I would suggest that if the meal is $20.00 you give at least $2.50 to $3.00 extra.  

If the owners serve the food leave at least $1 to 2 if they bring it to your table but if it's more like they give you a number and you pick up the food yourself then there is no need to tip.

Answer 11

I would continue to tip, especially if it is a favourite restaurant of yours.  Tips are a way of saying you appreciate all that the server, cook, and restaurant are doing for you.  By not leaving a tip, a waitress my start to question what she is doing wrong.  It may make her boss wonder what the problem is.  I think if the service and the food are good, tipping is a very important way of showing it.

The other thing is, leave the tip on the table.  That way, there is no paper trail for audit purposes and you know that the tip is going where it should be.

Answer 12

I would say tip anyway.  The fact that they do not have a waitress combined with the fact that the prices keep rising suggests they may be having some financial issues.  Just keep tipping that 10%.  Another problem is you already locked yourself in for that 10% tip.  They expect it.  If you didn't tip this time, they may tamper with your food next time.

I agree with another person.  If the cost is getting too high, you may want to frequent it less often.  If the restaurant is going to go belly up, not even a few extra bucks and price rises is going to save it.

FYI: Actually 15% is now average... at least for waitresses/waiters, but if you keep being nice to them and going to their restaurant, they should know you like the place and aren't trying to be rude.  20% is in exceptional cases... not because certain waitresses think they are entitled to it.

Answer 13

Tipping is part of the expense of going to a restaurant, unless there's a built-in service charge.

Actually 10 percent is a rather low tip.

Furthermore, if you go there frequently enough and they know you, you really should consider buying them a personal gift at Christmas.

It all sounds kind of costly -- but it's hard to find a favorite restaurant. Keep on their good side!

Answer 14

If you can't afford to tip each and every time I think that is ok because they know you will be back to give them business.Just make sure you tip at least every other time.

Answer 15

Tips for good service should be 20%.  In your case, 15% - 17%.  Factor in the cost WITH the tip.  It's part of the deal.  Already you've discounted the cost of patronizing them by 10% and I really wouldn't go any lower.

Good question.

**EDIT - Okay, then, what you are telling us is that the OWNERS are also THE WAITRESSES/SERVERS - in which case they should be treated as such.  You can stop tipping if you want them to stop making you want to come back to thier establishment.

Answer 16

Going out for dinner is a luxury for some people - you do not HAVE to do it - tipping is mandatory - that's how servers make their money - that's awful that you only tip 10% - clean up your act and start going out to eat less or go to cheaper restaurants...

Answer 17

If you cant afford to tip to pay for your service each time, go to a cheaper restaurant.