Tipping in restaurants

[WaldoMcFroog]

Would you leave a tip for good service if you knew that it might never be seen by your waiter/waitress but might be skimmed off by the restaurant..?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-brit ain/tipping--the-unpalatable-truth-867545.html

[jake-the-peg]

This has been going on for years I *always* tip personally and I *never* put it on the bill if there's a gratuity box

[youngmafbog]

Personally I have always tipped in cash. This includes familly run businesses as I object to the crdit card company taking a cut for 1.

Always have any discrecionary tip removed is a good policy but some places aer not keen to do this. This is fine if your out with people your comfortable with but I am sure many peolpe are out to give a good impression on their dining partners and would not wish to cause a scene. I suspect the restrunt owners know this and that is why they do this.

I hate Nanny state interference but maybe the policy should be stated clearly if it is an 'automatically ' added item.

[naomi24]

No, I wouldn't. I don't add tips to the bill. I tip in cash.

[Trotbot]

I usually ask the staff if they get the tip if I put it on the card. If they do, I charge it (makes expenses claims easier on business) and if they don't, I tip in cash

[lajohn]

Due to diet restrictions and being a health and hygiene conscious person, I don't ever go to restaurants so I'm not qualified to answer this question.

But, has anyone ever thought about this - you go to a restaurant and buy their foods then you have to pay to have it serve to you (tipping). Why? Restaurateurs should be grateful enough that people patronise their business. They should be paying the waiters and waitresses a decent salary; they charge a hell-of-a-lot for a meal!

[keyplus90]

I have two different experiences.

1 - I have worked myself in a restaurant's kitchen when I was a student. Our manageress (she was beautiful) used to count the tip for the evening and line it on the table in equal proportions for all the staff, waiters, waitresses and the kitchen staff. And I know what those 5,6 pounds mean for a student who are not living with family and is miles from home or anyone who has people to take care of.

2 - Second experience when I moved to the other side of the table. I am a kind of person who would never leave place without leave few quids. But yes always cash even if I pay bill using debit or credit card.

[China Doll]

I always tip in cash too as I want the person serving me to get it. I don't tip if the service was bad though and I got told off for that recently.

[coco pops]

I never tip at one local hotel because the staff don't get it .THe money goes towards the staff Christmas party which has never been held so the money goes into the pocket of the owner. The staff MUST hand over any tips .

[123everton]

No.
I always tip the waiteress (or waiter) in cash usually around 10% sometimes a bit more.

[Jillius]

I sort of agree with lajohn on this. We always tip the waiters/waitresses but as lajohn says.......why do we do it ?
They get paid for doing a job like anyone else. We don't tip the cashiers at the supermarket or the man in the garage.
Just habit i suppose.

[rov1200]

I knew someone who worked in the kitchen. Don't you think they are entitled to a portion of the tip? That is why good management collects all the tips so that they can be fairly shared amongst all the staff not just those on the front line.

[Booldawg]

I'm sure there are plenty other low paid jobs where tips arent given. Stupid ridiculous European idea that wasnt practised over here until recent years.

Its got to the point whereby its more or less compulsory. Just pay better wages, charge more for the food if you have to ffs. Jeez, just how much more charity to we have to endure?

[buildersmate]

Don't think it originated from Europe, Boo - came from the US.

[Ethel]

I don't tip now that we have the minimum wage which all restaurant staff should be getting.

[Ice.Maiden]

We always tip the waitress, in cash, as a means of saying thank you.

[flip_flop]

I don't tip. Ever.

I just don't see why I should tip somebody for bringing something to me that I'm going to be paying for.

I think that's probably why I don't go to the States, where tipping is expected and not tipping elicts abuse, but have on a number of occasions been to Japan where tipping is frowned upon.

[Oneeyedvic]

I tend to tip when going out if I have had good service.

Since we often go back to the same restaurants, and they know I tip, it also means that I get very good service next time.

We also often get a free bottle of wine or a free spirit at the end of the night.

It also means that I rarely get a waitresses bodily fluids on my meal ;-)

[welshwil]

agree with rov, my missus works in the kitchen for minimum wage and long hours. she doesn't see any of the tips as they go to the waitresses, they should be shared equally

[rov1200]

http://thebristolblogger.wordpress.com/2008/03 /05/local-authority-pensions-shocker/