Tipping: Should it be one-size-fits all?

[ChriswUfGator]

Thank goodness I haven't had a "bad" server in a very long time. I forget the last time I wanted to just leave 2 cents. 

Ironically, it never happens to me either at "normal" restaurants. My usual haunts, e.g. Carmine's, Kickbacks, the Brick, Harpoon Louie's, are generally great with service. The outrageous experiences I've had in Jax have been at the allegedly high-end places, especially AIX and BB's. I don't know what's behind this phenomenon, but with the exception of Orsay, I find the high-end restaurants around here usually have the shittiest service. Go figure.

[manasia]

The only time I do not Tip, is if I have HORRIBLE, and I mean HORRIBLE service from wait staff. I never not tip because the food is bad, that is on the Chef not the wait staff.

I have the following scale based upon the percent of the meals cost:

0 - Horrible Service
5 - Bad Service
10 - Okay Service
15 - Good Service (this is typically the minimum I tip, and I think it is the standard)
25 - Stellar Service
50 - Memorable Service

I think everyone should have some similar scale.

[emptycagegirl]

I feel pretty bad for servers out here. First of all many of them make less than minimum wage and then on top of it they are taxed on their gross sales by the government. If you are not tipping 8% then your server has to pay out of their own pocket for you to come and eat there (waiting on you, touching your gross napkins and half eaten food). Pretty messed up eh? I tip based on the amount of my food total prior to tax. 15% for average service 20% for good service and it goes up for phenomenal service. I don't think I could ever be a server out here in Jacksonville since they do not have to pay their servers minimum wage and I see many restaurants so over staffed with servers just standing around hungry for a table.

[AntigoneStarr]

Tips have nothing to do with what the Chef does or the cook do... or what the manager buys for product. If you ahev an issue with the food, speak to the owner or manager. More than likely your bill ends up being reduced if you have a complaint. If you don't want to eat at chain restaurants and only go because your friends go, MAKE NEW FRIENDS. Or take them for a surprise meal someplace else that you prefer.

Tips are a servers wages. Restaurants whose servers tips don't add up to the national minimum wage including their $4/hour have to pay their servers to make whatever the full current minimum wage is. If service is crap, tip less or don't tip and put in a complaint. If service is good, leave a tip. Regardless of the quality of food. Servers have very little to do with food. Servers deal with people when they're hungry, angry, in a hurry, have no clue of what they're eating (countless times being asked why a sushi place doesn't serve eggrolls or duck sauce), or just plain rude and condescending a good bit of the time. Then they get paid very little on top of it. It's their job to deal with all of that, get paid crap, smile through it and be genuinely nice and polite to earn that 15%-20% tip on top of the hour (or 6) they've been waiting on you and your friends. If you don't tip because you dislike the restaurant, don't go back.

And if this whole thread is because you feel bad wasting gift cards, give them to someone else to use in exchange for cash maybe?

[AntigoneStarr]

Also, if you receive a giftcard for a restaurant it doesn't mean that you are obligated to go eat there.

[danno]

I forget the last time I wanted to just leave 2 cents. 

Until now?

Blame FBC.

Blame FBC... Thats my line!

[danno]

The tip is about the service... not the food, chef or if you like the resturant.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

I forget the last time I wanted to just leave 2 cents. 

Until now?

Blame FBC.

Blame FBC... Thats my line!

danem, danno, dammit, confusion