Tips...

[Barney]

Hi guys.

I was one month ago that I went first time to US. I spend one week in NYC and I had some troubles when I had to pay a lunch or dinner.

Regardless of the amount of the tips (+-18%), which I've no problem, I was surprised because in some places the bill already included the tips as "Gratuity".

This gratuity bother me a lot, because the waiter is assuming that the service and the meal was good enough to deserve the amount they write down.

I was much more comfortable in places where the bill didn't include the tip, so I could choose the amount.

How do you manage those situations?

 

[AUFred]

Most restaurants here will advertize whether gratuity is included in the ticket or not. I prefer to reward my server based on the job they do. I normally will not leave an additional tip if gratuity is added before I see the ticket. I usually tip over 20% given the opportunity if the service is good. I may tip 15%+/- if I get a waiter or waitress who is inattentive.

 

[Thornless]

We don't go to many places that do that, and if the sign isn't posted that they automatically charge extra for tip.. you can generally get it taken off.

Most higher end/well know places include tip for parties of 8 or more... but again, they need to have a sign or verbally tell you to get away with it.

I tend to tip 15-20% based on performance of the server. Worst case is a 0.01 tip if they are ridiculous and horrible.

 

[dancingpotato]

I couldnt cope with having to tip all the time, some of the service is shocking and I only tip if the service and food was up to scratch. More so the service though since it's normally the waiter/waitress who will get the tip.

 

[Thornless]

Oh absolutley, I don't tip much at buffets... sorry but bringing me drinking doesn't wow me enough. Gotta be attentive, ammuse my kids, go above filling a cup to get 10%+ from me in that situation.

 

[redliner]

Standard meal (around thirty dollars) I tip five. Does not matter to me if the service was half as good as the last time I was there. It just means it was not as busy when I went there last.

 

[dancingpotato]

I tip generously where its due. I dont wanna wait 3 hours between courses or wait til my dinner is finished to get a top up of my drink