[Kelsie52]

We have been here 5 years --I do not think I can remember any more than 2 times we had bad service --

I find service here and around the villages to be fairly good in restaurants

We always tip 20 % of the entire bill including tax --its easier to calculate

We usually tip in cash --our son was a waiter in NY while in highschool and college --the owner would hold back the credit card % when paying the server

the wait staff usually has to also take care of the cooks bartender and runners

We have found if the wait staff are bad they will not last

I also agree your tip should be based on your bill before any coupons

I am just so happy and blessed to have lived long enough to enjoy this place

[Christine G]

We tip on the bill before tax and give it as cash not on any card. If the service is good then we leave a good tip, regardless of the cost of the meal and always at least 20%. If not good service, then maybe speak to the manager so they can correct that. The minimum wage in Florida is $8.05 and sometimes much less with reliance on tips, so with we try and do what we can. The same applies to good service with tradesmen and especially hairdresser! It must be nice however for some people to be able to dine out several times a week lol!

[Skip]

Originally Posted by Christine G

The minimum wage in Florida is $8.05 !

Minimum wage for Florida servers is $5.03, not $8.05 !

Skip

[Yorio]

Whenever they do a decent enough job, I try to give a few percentages more than 20. Still reminds me of my college days working when I was so appreciative when customers tipped me a little etc. if one can afford now, why not help out.

[biker1]

I believe the law states that the $8.05/hour figure must be met by a combination of the $5.03/hour plus tips (tip credit) or the employer must make up the difference so the employee makes at least $8.05/hour.

Originally Posted by Skip

Minimum wage for Florida servers is $5.03, not $8.05 !

Skip

[Skip]

Originally Posted by biker1

I believe the law states that the $8.05/hour figure must be met by a combination of the $5.03/hour plus tips (tip credit) or the employer must make up the difference so the employee makes at least $8.05/hour.

I think you're right. It's called "minimum wage make up" and it was enacted because some employers decided they wanted to pay some employees only the lower rate so they put out a tip jar at the register. The employers thought they were only responsible to pay the lower rate plus the tips in the jar (which could be zero).

The law was changed so that the employer had to make up the difference between "low" and "minimum" per hour.

Sneaky bosses!

Notice places like Dunkin' Donuts have "tip jars" at the registers?

Go to Europe, especially Holland, and tips are an insult to most workers. They will give tips back to their patrons.

Only the US abuses their employees with low wages (especially teachers).

Skip

[goldseekur]

Originally Posted by Ozzello

I live here full time. When I eat out (several times a week), I tip at least 20%. More if I feel the waitress/waiter provided good service. They don't even make minimum wage before tips. After taxes, most make about 50 bucks a week on their paychecks.

I hear it is common during 'season' for a few of the folks that stay here only a month or 2 during the winter, to sit down with 5, 6 or more people for a dinner, and tip 5 or 10% (or less even), like they do in Canada (where they make a LOT more by the hour) , or in Europe.

A 'comped' tip on your bill would be 18%. I know it isn't because you don't have the money, that you aren't tipping a fair rate. I am going to figure it is because you didn't know, and now that you read this ... you know. In my opinion, tipping a waitress/waiter anything less than 18% is stealing from them.

Most folks do tip properly, and some maybe didn't know what should be tipped in this part of the world. Some of you knew, don't, and never will. I feel sorry for you almost as much as I do for the people who wait on you.

I habe nothing against leaving a nice tip. What I DO NOT like is when the staff assumes that I do not want any change back from the cash I pay the bill with. This happens many times when I pay in cash. Just last night, the bill was $29.87 and I left $40 cash. The waitress did not bring any change back and when I asked, she seemed surprised that I would ask for the change!!.

That is NOT their decision to make, but mine unless I say, "Keep the change."

[biker1]

So she assumed you were leaving a 33% tip? That's pretty presumptuous.

Originally Posted by goldseekur

I habe nothing against leaving a nice tip. What I DO NOT like is when the staff assumes that I do not want any change back from the cash I pay the bill with. This happens many times when I pay in cash. Just last night, the bill was $29.87 and I left $40 cash. The waitress did not bring any change back and when I asked, she seemed surprised that I would ask for the change!!.

That is NOT their decision to make, but mine unless I say, "Keep the change."

[biker1]

Salaries, in most cases, reflect the amount of revenue/profit that an employee brings into the business and/or the supply and demand for their skills. This is not a statement about what they should be paid because of the their value to society. This is the way things generally work in a free market environment. If you are looking for "fairness" you need a socialistic environment but that does not come without other issues, such as what we are seeing in Greece. Pick your poison.

Originally Posted by Skip

I think you're right. It's called "minimum wage make up" and it was enacted because some employers decided they wanted to pay some employees only the lower rate so they put out a tip jar at the register. The employers thought they were only responsible to pay the lower rate plus the tips in the jar (which could be zero).

The law was changed so that the employer had to make up the difference between "low" and "minimum" per hour.

Sneaky bosses!

Notice places like Dunkin' Donuts have "tip jars" at the registers?

Go to Europe, especially Holland, and tips are an insult to most workers. They will give tips back to their patrons.

Only the US abuses their employees with low wages (especially teachers).

Skip

[beachx4me]

Originally Posted by Skip

Minimum wage for Florida servers is $5.03, not $8.05 !

Skip

You are correct. I bet my daughter wishes it was 8.05!!! The only time they make more than the minimum is when they are training. After training is through, they go to the minimum plus tips.

For the people who are poor tippers, I wonder who they think they are getting over on??? And then those who brag about not tipping good, it just disgusts me. If people can't leave a proper tip for good service they don't need to be eating out. It is like a package deal.

Many of these folks are working second jobs to make ends meet and/or trying to get their education. Have people forgotten what it is like to be young and struggle to make ends meet. Ok, my rant is over.

[biker1]

Does your daughter live in FL and does she have a server position that is subject to the $8.05 minimum salary plus tips with a shortfall made up by the employer? If so, are you saying that your daughter's employer is violating the law?

Originally Posted by beachx4me

You are correct. I bet my daughter wishes it was 8.05!!! The only time they make more than the minimum is when they are training. After training is through, they go to the minimum plus tips.

For the people who are poor tippers, I wonder who they think they are getting over on??? And then those who brag about not tipping good, it just disgusts me. If people can't leave a proper tip for good service they don't need to be eating out. It is like a package deal.

Many of these folks are working second jobs to make ends meet and/or trying to get their education. Have people forgotten what it is like to be young and struggle to make ends meet. Ok, my rant is over.

[jnieman]

What about workers who come to your house to do a job. Do you all tip them? I always give them a bottle of gatorade or a bottle of water. Occasionally I will give a tip. It just feels awkward when they just stand there like they are waiting for it.

[RickeyD]

Originally Posted by jnieman

What about workers who come to your house to do a job. Do you all tip them? I always give them a bottle of gatorade or a bottle of water. Occasionally I will give a tip. It just feels awkward when they just stand there like they are waiting for it.

My awkwardness fades once I close the door behind them.

[Skip]

Another good question is...
Do you tip the owner of a restaurant when he/she waits on you?
What's your opinion?

Skip

[RickeyD]

Originally Posted by Skip

Another good question is...

Do you tip the owner of a restaurant when he/she waits on you?

What's your opinion?



Skip

No, never, no way