Originally Posted by mtdjed (Post 2437286)

I am not advocating elimination of tips but let's cut the Myth of poverty.

First, people chose that occupation, not for $13/Hour, but for the opportunity for the tip income. As one poster indicated from firsthand sources, that tip income can average $250 to $300 per day. At the lower number that equals $65,000. Add to that the Tipped Minimum wage ($8.98/Hour) $18,000/year for a total of $83,000.

Originally Posted by ChicagoNative (Post 2437314)

A little tangent: How did we get to the point of thinking that everyone deserves a “living wage” for any job they have? Many restaurant jobs, particularly of the fast food variety, have traditionally been part-time and stepping stones into the world of work for young people, or retirees looking for something to do or add some spending money to their pockets.

Some who’ve decided to make hospitality their career will work their way up into higher end establishments where, as mentioned, the total compensation is pretty good. Even if one stays with a fast food company, they can work into a store manager or possibly a franchise owner. The key words are “work their way up”.

If anyone isnt satisfied with their station in life, they need to educate themselves, either through traditional schooling or even better, through an apprenticeship program to learn a trade. But that’s hard work! It’s much easier to whine about someone else’s privilege, protest, and demand $15-20 an hour to make a cup of coffee or flip a burger.

It all reminds me of the lyrics sung by the great Mavis Staples:

🎼“If you're walking 'round thinking that the world owes you something ‘cause you're here
You goin' out the world backwards like you did when you first come here, yeah.”🎼

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2437330)

Some posters on this website have admitted that they tip 20 percent even if they get bad service. That is one reason that there are a lot of mediocre restaurants.

Originally Posted by Regorp (Post 2437253)

Wait staff rely on tips as income and soon they will be tax free. Be generous to these hard working and underpaid service workers.

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580 (Post 2437372)

I disagree with some of this. First off, prices are already 20% higher if you figure in the tip. Plus, the customer, has to deal with the emotional side of the oftipping. Oh, the poor single mom with 4 kids that all need braces. Oh, the guilt of not funding their futures.
As for the servers, the don't need try to be your new BFF. Just be polite and professional. No tip expected because you get it without fawning over every table. Easier for everyone at tax time, too.[[/LIST]

Originally Posted by wanttoknow (Post 2437380)

noticed most responses indicate that tips should be based on total of bill. so if one person orders and the bill is $100.00 they should tip 20%. but if two people order and their bill totals $100.00 - they should tip 20% also? seems like the wait staff did more for the party of two than the party of one. so why is the tipping suggested based on the total bill rather than the service given?

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580 (Post 2437372)

I disagree with some of this. First off, prices are already 20% higher if you figure in the tip. Plus, the customer, has to deal with the emotional side of the oftipping. Oh, the poor single mom with 4 kids that all need braces. Oh, the guilt of not funding their futures.
As for the servers, the don't need try to be your new BFF. Just be polite and professional. No tip expected because you get it without fawning over every table. Easier for everyone at tax time, too.[[/LIST]

Originally Posted by Plinker (Post 2437388)

Consider two evenings out for a couple.
Evening #1 is at Texas Roadhouse with a total bill of $80. The service was very good and the tip is $16.
Evening #2 is at Stirrups in Ocala with a total bill of $250. The service was very good and the tip is $50.
I chose these two restaurants as we have eaten at both.
As the amount of work at each location to serve us was the same, why would the tips be so different? Also, do you tip $8 on a $40 bottle of wine and $16 on a $80 bottle of wine?
It makes no sense. Why not come up with a standard tip amount without considering the amount spent? Instead, consider the amount of work involved. If you experience truly superb service, then leave more.
Please don’t answer by saying if you can afford to eat at an expensive restaurant you can afford the larger tip.

Originally Posted by mtdjed (Post 2437416)

Nobody said working is easy. Go into the back room and watch the cook, dishwasher , busboy. They likely work just as hard as waitstaff. They likely work at minimum wage. Are you going to be generous to them and tip them also?

Also, I sense that waitstaff job is becoming easier. Yes, they take the order, but often the food is delivered by a runner who has no idea how you wanted delivery, extra butter, plate, drink refreshment, etc. Many take the order on electronic devices, so they have no interaction with the kitchen staff
Bills are electronic based upon their input. Taxes automatically added as are tips which may or may not be on the bill including taxes. Often you are asked to
do your own payment on table machines. This allows waitstaff to take on more customers.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2437284)

If the restaurant is adding the "tip", it is not a tip. Tips are optional and the amount is determined by the customer.

Originally Posted by mtdjed (Post 2437286)

I am not advocating elimination of tips but let's cut the Myth of poverty.

First, people chose that occupation, not for $13/Hour, but for the opportunity for the tip income. As one poster indicated from firsthand sources, that tip income can average $250 to $300 per day. At the lower number that equals $65,000. Add to that the Tipped Minimum wage ($8.98/Hour) $18,000/year for a total of $83,000.

Further these poor people have garnered an upcoming bonus of no tax on tips. That gift was given to these folks at the expense of the rest of us. By that I mean that what they don't have to pay, we have to make up.

Not all tipped wait staff receive that level of tips. Depends on the restaurant, location, level of business. But the best staff tend to get the best jobs. You are likely to find lower paid in rural areas , diners, etc

Not saying that even the example mentioned above is ideal, but I would guess there are many residents of the Villages that don't currently have that type of Income.

While we have typically given Tips in cash, it would seem that we were enabling staff to understate Income. No real reason to do that anymore.

Originally Posted by asianthree (Post 2437375)

Just returned from lunch at Mallory. My guess is a few posters also had stopped.The place was packed with skeleton staff. Our waitress had 7 tables of 4-6 patrons. Before our glasses were half empty drinks were refilled, our food was delivered in 18 minutes (kudos to kitchen staff). Next table of 4 golfers ordered the wing special $6 each plus drink $2.99 for soda. Total with tax $10.69. Each left $11 cash. It’s just sad. Our waitress picked up the cash, continued to smile and thank us for stopping.

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2437398)

I still tip the same way... (and I'd be hard pressed to find that any servers, who tend to be young and healthy DIED due to Covid...

Thinking that over tipping is actually harmful to the employees sounds like a cop out reason NOT to tip...

Originally Posted by jimhoward (Post 2437356)

I think good servers could make that in the villages if they could get enough hours. But restaurants limit them to far fewer than 40 hours per week to avoid paying benefits. They are also quick to cut them on slow days.

Originally Posted by Pugchief (Post 2437384)

You wouldn't. The pre-tax amount is clearly listed on the bill. It's just as easy to calculate 20% of the pre-tax amount as the post-tax amount.


Agree 100%. Either all income should be subject to tax, or no income should be subject to tax. Special carve-outs are ridiculous.

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As for the fantasy of tip culture in the US ever going away, there are close to 750,000 restaurants in the country. Unless you can get all of the owners to agree to prohibit tips, it's never gonna happen.