What is the proper percentage to tip?

Question

I was always told that when dining out the tip should be 15% unless the service was extremely good. My sister, who waits tables, said that it should be 20% which I think is a bit much for normal, take your order, bring your food, kind of service.

Answer 1

20%

Answer 2

Technically 15%. That's what I'd tip if I experienced excellent service. So, usually closer to 10%. Of course a server's gonna start spreading the word about 20% tipping. If I really loved my dinner that much, I'd go tip the cook.

Answer 3

The norm is between 15 and 20%. I don't know about where you live but waitresses  where I live they make between 2.50 and 3.50 an hour so if my ticket is 20.00 they get a 5.00 tip.

Answer 4

You are right 15% is the norm,it does depend on the qualiy of service received.It is totally up to you.If you eat where your sister works,givw her more if she earns it.I always tip according to quality of service.

Answer 5

15%

Answer 6

To everyone who thinks 15% is the standard: It's 2008, the standard is now 20%!! It does not matter whether you are being served breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, or dessert, either! Good service is good service, regardless of the restaurant or the meal served. Servers wait on you, cater to your special requests, keep your drinks filled, make sure everything is ok, etc. That's only the part you see. You don't see them helping other tables, answering the phone, running food, refilling ice bins, cleaning, etc. It's a tough job, and anyone who thinks 15% is adequate needs to try being a server for a day!

Answer 7

You are correct - it's 15%.

I usually do 20% because the math is easier for me.

Answer 8

The good thing about it,is that it is up to you.I agree with your sister. Most waitresses don't even make minimum wage. So a good tip is nice. But the least you should do is 15%.And more if you think they went beyond their duty. The thing about it is what about these buffet type places. All they do is bring a drink and take your dishes away. Should you not tip them also?

Answer 9

If you received adequate service (all your needs were met, but the server did nothing above and beyond) an appropriate tip is 15% of the total for casual restaurants and 20% for fine dining establishments.

If you received excellent service, the tip should be 20% or 25%, or more, depending on the service.

On the other hand, if you felt as if you received poor service (i.e. your needs were not met or server was rude), complaining to a manager and lowering the tip percentage are completely appropriate courses of action. Make sure to let the server know what was wrong in this situation.

Answer 10

I always thought it was 15% too. But I guess the price of everything else goes up... why shouldn't our tips. That kind of makes sence.

Answer 11

I agree with you.  15% for general service. Good service and in a nicer restaurant - 20%

Answer 12

i do 99.99 beacasue im so rich u know i could pay like a million for my tip well im so rich  i need to go yawnnnnnn

Answer 13

15% is the minimum that anyone should leave.  

18% to 20% if the service is really good.  

I usually leave 15% at lunch time and 18 to 20% at dinner.

Answer 14

I think it is 15%.

Answer 15

I think 18-20% is appropriate for service unless it was exceptionally good or if it was just plain terrible

Answer 16

dont forget that your server gets paid an average of 3.75 an hour, in the united states. we are glorified beggars... so if the service is good, opt for 15-20%

Answer 17

I usually look at the sales tax and put double that amount plus a few dollars on top depending on how well the service was. Here in California the sales tax is 8.25% so I put anywhere between 16.50 to 20% so your sister's suggestion isn't too bad.

Answer 18

I am a server and I am satisfied with 20% for dinner... I usually tend to think that if I got anything less than 20% that I may have done something wrong. Some people say 15% for lunch, 20 % for dinner... I say 20% no matter what time of day and if it exceptional then give a few bucks more. I say 75% of poeple leave 20%... and it makes a big difference. If 10 people come in and tip $8 on a $40 (20%) instead of $6 (15%) thats 20 extra dollars for me. Keep in mind that servers have to pay taxes on all tips that are recieved through credit cards and are also heavily taxed on our hourly wages. All servers in Maryland make around 3.18 - 2.50 an hour, and then taxes eat up our entire paychecks. I get a 60 dollar paycheck for 2 weeks of work after taxes, and I also have to tip 18% of my tips to the busser, bartender, and BOH workers (food runners, salads, etc). We live off of tips. Mosdt people don't realize how important it is to know we are doing a good job when we work d**n hard for our money.... atleast I do. Just keep in mind next time you go out, if your server is making a good effort to please you and give you a nice experience, they deserve a decent tip (20% or more).

Edit: It also goes to show that when gratiutiy is added (at my resturaunt, you can add it to parties of 6 or more) it is 18%, not 15%. Most businessowners want to ensure that their employees are making enough money. There is nothing more dissapointing than giving your all to a table and grabbing the check presenter off the table and finding it empty... it can almost be depressing. But I don't feel like poor service should necessarily recieve a good tip. A server should know when they have done something wrong, or are not putting enough effort into their service.

Answer 19

As a former waitress I believe the rule of thumb is 20%, and in my experience the greater majority of people leave 20%. I will leave 25% if its really good service and the server has been really busy. Being a waitress was HANDS DOWN the hardest job I ever had, its not as simple as just take your order, bring your food, etc.. Also keep in mind servers have to tip out the bartender, the busers, and the runners, so that 20% tip you leave ends up being maybe 10% take home, and wait staff make about $3/hour, which ends up being nothing because it just ends up going to pay taxes. I never got a paycheck for more than $3 in the 6 months I waited tables. So basically I lived entirely on tips.