The digital tip jar

[Doctor Phibes]

Aqua, you're basically saying anybody who doesn't agree with you doesn't understand how awesome tipping is. Sure, they've lived in countries without the system and it apparently works fine, but it can't possibly be as amazing as here, right?

Maybe you're so ingrained in it that you don't understand how bizarre the rules are?

Meanwhile, restaurants apparently continue to struggle to find people willing to work....

[Aqua Letifer]

@Doctor-Phibes said in The digital tip jar:

Aqua, you're basically saying anybody who doesn't agree with you doesn't understand how awesome tipping is.

Tipping isn't "awesome," it's something we do here and it works in certain contexts. I already said that with your moving example, that's not really the best application. I don't think it works just anywhere.

(I still do it, though. Because I know it's not the fault of the guy driving the truck and don't take it out on him.)

Maybe you're so ingrained in it that you don't understand how bizarre the rules are?

I never said it wasn't weird. Really how I feel about it is that it is strange, but it also helps to balance out difficult jobs which could use some balancing out.

Inflation is up, and a recession is well in swing. While the rest of us are sitting on our ass, pontificating about how hard our life is to be asked by a tablet screen to give 2 extra fucking dollars for our seasonal latté, the motherfucker making that latté is going to put in 60 to 80 hours during the most stressful week out of the year. He's going to deal with Karen smearing shit on the bathroom walls because she didn't like the consistency of her topping. So yeah I pay the two fucking dollars.

Meanwhile, restaurants apparently continue to struggle to find people willing to work....

It's because they keep hiring stupid people who deserve to be stiffed on Christmas because they didn't get an MBA.

[89th]

@Aqua-Letifer said in The digital tip jar:

You also used to snap your fingers at waiters until it was pointed out to you that isn't okay.

Did I? I do remember one time in IHOP like 20 years ago I did that as the waiter was walking by and we were trying to grab his attention after finishing a delicious rooty tooty fresh 'n fruity. Literally the only time I can recall, unless my old man brain is forgetting other stories?

[Jolly]

Went out tonight and ate something I don't eat too much of anymore...Fried oysters and catfish. Food was decent and the waitress was ok. I realize a fish shack ain't haute cuisine, but it ain't a truckstop, either. I got honeyed and papa-ed every time she came by.

I tipped her 16%.

[taiwan_girl]

@Aqua-Letifer

If waitresses were paid by salary (that was equal to what they made if they were getting tips), do you think that the average quality of service in restaurants would decrease?

[Aqua Letifer]

@taiwan_girl said in The digital tip jar:

@Aqua-Letifer

If waitresses were paid by salary (that was equal to what they made if they were getting tips), do you think that the average quality of service in restaurants would decrease?

I've been to plenty of restaurants that follow that model. I know that's what happens.

I'm not even saying "service" is even a thing everyone should value. When I get my shitty coffee at Panera, I don't expect an experience. But "service" is a thing, and under the right circumstances, "service" and tipping do work well together.

[Aqua Letifer]

@Jolly said in The digital tip jar:

Went out tonight and ate something I don't eat too much of anymore...Fried oysters and catfish. Food was decent and the waitress was ok. I realize a fish shack ain't haute cuisine, but it ain't a truckstop, either. I got honeyed and papa-ed every time she came by.

I tipped her 16%.

My baseline's 20, but that's just me and that's assuming I even chose to go somewhere to get waited on. I've done some ridiculous shit like 500% before but those were fairly unique circumstances.

I've also stiffed waiters before, but also under unique circumstances.

Speaking of Panera, I almost never tip using those stupid tablet systems. Except around the holidays.

My local coffee shop, though, also has a tablet payment system. I always leave a tip at that one, even if I'm just buying a bottle of water. Because they were hit hard with building issues in the summer, their foot traffic went way down and hasn't picked back up to the level it used to be.

[George K]

Wait, Are We Really Supposed to Tip 25% Everywhere Now?

https://www.foodandwine.com/fwpro/tipping-is-out-of-control

[Aqua Letifer]

@George-K said in The digital tip jar:

Wait, Are We Really Supposed to Tip 25% Everywhere Now?

https://www.foodandwine.com/fwpro/tipping-is-out-of-control

I do 20-25 most places. Or nothing, depending on the nature of the service.

[jon-nyc]

20% has been my default for decades.

[kluurs]

I tip well - and make sure I tip for takeout - as it takes as much time to prepare the takeout as to put a plate on the table. There's a little middle eastern restaurant near my house - and when the takeout meals were only $10, I still tipped $3. The folks at the restaurant always take exceptionally good care of me.

In my job, I went to some very fine restaurants and spent thousands of dollars. At times, it seemed a little weird to pay hundreds of dollars in tips, but we did. Of course, now there's typically an 18-20% assured "service fee" for huge expenses - and then there's an option to go higher - which seems crazy. If a particular server seemed exceptionally helpful, I'd typically give cash to separate him/her from the herd.

I did that once a wedding - at a time in my life when money was especially dear (around 1977). There was a long table with distant family members on one half and friends on the couple on the other half. The food was brought to the family side - and they shared all the food amongst themselves and gave the empty plates/bowls to the friend group. This went on for quite a while. Finally, their plates were overflowing, and they weren't able to stuff anymore food onto them. Just as they were going to hand the half full bowl to one of our group, it was dropped on the floor. I thought a fight might break out. I got up, walked in back where the servers were, handed the head server a $50 and said -"make sure our side gets some food." All of sudden, food appeared by multiple servers to our side of the table.

One thing I think is good to do - I bring donuts to the local post office during the holidays. It feels good to let them know they're appreciated. I regret I didn't do something similar for the local police department after the BLM protest in our town.

[Copper]

If you need the money raise your prices.

If you are depending on the kindness of strangers, you might be disappointed.

[xenon]

My one weird tipping situation is when I go back to my old neighborhood. It’s almost majority Indian. Indians, on average, tip poorly. I tip well - especially considering my old hood is in Canada and I tip by higher American standards.

Now - wait staff in Canada often give me bare minimum service. Rational thing to do, odds are they’re right.

Puts me in a weird spot. Do I tip to prove them wrong, or validate their stereotype by tipping poorly…

[Aqua Letifer]

@Copper said in The digital tip jar:

If you need the money raise your prices.

If you are depending on the kindness of strangers, you might be disappointed.

I never was when I worked for tips. Although sure, maybe that wouldn't be the case with you.

[Aqua Letifer]

@xenon said in The digital tip jar:

My one weird tipping situation is when I go back to my old neighborhood. It’s almost majority Indian. Indians, on average, tip poorly. I tip well - especially considering my old hood is in Canada and I tip by higher American standards.

Now - wait staff in Canada often give me bare minimum service. Rational thing to do, odds are they’re right.

Puts me in a weird spot. Do I tip to prove them wrong, or validate their stereotype by tipping poorly…

There's a vibe put out that even half-decent wait staff can easily pick up on. If they see you appreciating what they're trying to do and you make that obvious, see if they don't respond to it. I bet some will.

If they don't, hey, fuck 'em.

[Mik]

As I’ve said many times, I love to give a big tip 25-35%. It means I had great food and service, what I came in for. On the other hand, I’m not hesitant to leave any other amount I think is justified, from 0 to 20%. It really depends on the server. Do the minimum? Get the minimum.

But you have to be fair, and consider the circumstances the server is working in. Don’t blame them for things beyond their control.

[Mik]

Oh, also? If you just drink water, be sure to tip as if you had a soft drink or tea. They still have to do the same work.

[LuFins Dad]

@Mik said in The digital tip jar:

Oh, also? If you just drink water, be sure to tip as if you had a soft drink or tea. They still have to do the same work.

And if I had a beer? Still the same work…

I don’t mind tipping, I do mind how the goalposts keep moving. I also mind the sneaky new service charges with tip then added on top… I also don’t care for the shift in attitude from tips being gratefully accepted to tips being resentfully expected.

[George K]

@Mik said in The digital tip jar:

Do the minimum? Get the minimum.

What, in your opinion, is the minimum?

Bring menu (sometimes), take order, deliver food, deliver check. That about it?

[Mik]

It’s like porn. I know it when I see it. Minimum is more an attitude than an action.

And I agree with you on the shifting goalposts. For instance, if I have to stand in line to order my food? No tip, or small (10%) if it was good service for the environment. To go? I agree with Kluurs. They have to do nearly as much as for tableside service so I tip there but more inclined to b 15%.