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5 Great Ways To Leave A Tip

pfadvice.com — Five origami that work with dollar bills that you can leave as a tip the next time you dine out

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  • SnottsdaleAz, on 10/12/2007, -21/+311You know a great way to leave a tip? On the table!
    Having to unfold a tip when you're busy waiting tables is irritating.
    It doesn't have to be cute, it just has to be big.
    • AllenS, on 10/12/2007, -222/+45Great ways to leave a tip? Are you stupid? I'm already disgruntled about the fact that I have to shell out more cash to tip some guy for doing something that he's supposed to do anyways. And now you're suggesting I fold the cash all pretty for him? Why don't I just forgo the tip and just bend over the table and let him ram me up the ass, instead?

      (Sorry, if I'm being a prick, guys. I'm just having a ***** up day.)
    • TheReport, on 10/12/2007, -23/+83"Great ways to leave a tip? Are you stupid? I'm already disgruntled about the fact that I have to shell out more cash to tip some guy for doing something that he's supposed to do anyways"

      While I think this is a retarded Idea as well I'd like to make it known that the way I feel about this article is exactly how I feel about your attitude towards people who wait tables for a living. You've obviously never been a server or known a server who's had to rely off of the tip that you so aptly feel reluctant to give.
    • mark1372, on 10/12/2007, -4/+12Great for you, bad for the server.
    • thomasknowland, on 10/12/2007, -13/+134@alien
      You think you're having a ***** up day, try waiting on assholes who don't tip all day for three bucks an hour...plus tips.
    • DarkCheerio, on 10/12/2007, -14/+72"Great ways to leave a tip? Are you stupid? I'm already disgruntled about the fact that I have to shell out more cash to tip some guy for doing something that he's supposed to do anyways."

      What they're supposed to do? What they're supposed to do is treat you well so that you will tip them well. Where I live servers make 2.13 an hour. My paycheck is usually around 6 bucks working full time.

      If you don't want to tip, don't go to a restaurant.
    • tastypastry, on 10/12/2007, -84/+16I hate leaving tips. Its there ***** job. And I hate the argument that people say "its all they get". If they really wanted to make more money then they would get a real job.
    • blapierre, on 10/12/2007, -18/+30@snottsdaleAZ

      It's irritating to get money? Tell me where you work at and I'll be sure to not irritate you with a tip when I leave.
    • DarkCheerio, on 10/12/2007, -5/+36@Tastypastry: It's not that it's all we get, it's that it's our version of wages. If there was no such thing as tipping then you would see about a 15% price hike in what you pay for food so that the restaurant could afford to pay their servers.
    • Lyph4, on 10/12/2007, -24/+37Why work for $3/hour? Go get a job that pays well enough so the customers don't have to pay you twice? That $3/hour comes out of what we pay to eat, and we have to pay you directly too?

      That makes the job of a restaurant owner pretty easy.. The customers pay the workers and he keeps all the money from the food..
    • 2000, on 10/12/2007, -7/+40@TheReport

      Calm down, Mr. Pink.
    • shinynew, on 10/12/2007, -10/+14@allens
      Then don't go out. Its basically built into it, it is so ingrained into our society that it has no chance of leavening any time soon, learn to deal with it.

      Dont do this ***** if its a busy day, it may be cute and all that *****, but it will not change anything unless they have the time to do anything but find the next table that needs something. On a slow day this would probably be very much appreciated, not nearly as much as a big tip, Don't be doing that ***** with one dollar bills.
    • bloodmoney, on 10/12/2007, -10/+13@allens

      I kind of get a feeling in my gut that you are the epitome of everything that is wrong in our country
    • jakhtar, on 10/12/2007, -15/+47Why tip someone for a job I'm capable of doing myself? I can deliver food. I can drive a taxi. I can and do cut my own hair. I did, however, tip my urologist. Because I am unable to pulverize my own kidney stones.
    • dvsbastard, on 10/12/2007, -9/+75I believe a tip should be a reward (or a bonus) for a job well done, and NOT be a part of staple income...

      In Australia, although waiters don't get paid massive incomes, they still don't have a complete income reliance on tips and can still make a reasonable living without them - however, a friendly, efficient and helpful waiter stands to make a lot more money.

      This is how this system should be...
    • 2000, on 10/12/2007, -11/+2Yeah... my comment was meant for allens
    • VTmruhlin, on 10/12/2007, -4/+45"If there was no such thing as tipping then you would see about a 15% price hike"
      And it'd really be better for everyone. No scumbags under-tipping you, no dirty looks from stuck up friends who think 25% is a low tip.

      I had one of these conversations a while ago, and got to thinking later.... Waiter gets tipped, but the cook doesn't. If I say"no pickles", and get them anyway.....do I decrease the tip or not? I have no way of knowing who messed up unless i review security tapes.
    • SleepJunkie, on 10/12/2007, -3/+31I still don't understand the "tips" thing. Why don't they just pay servers the normal pay? I always give a nice tip, but I'd much rather leave a tip when I had excellent service instead of being obligated to do so.
    • aussieNickuss, on 10/12/2007, -1/+17dvsbastard

      I think that there is more of a problem with the industrial system in the US that makes the employees rely on tips. Like in AUS, the wages should be sufficient for the staff.

      Also, can you imagine trying to make this origami out of our plastic tender!?!
    • dvsbastard, on 10/12/2007, -2/+11aussieNickuss
      "I think that there is more of a problem with the industrial system in the US that makes the employees rely on tips. Like in AUS, the wages should be sufficient for the staff."

      That is very true, however, with our recent IR reforms I wouldn't be surprised if Australian restaurants follow suit (I sure as hell hope not).


      "Also, can you imagine trying to make this origami out of our plastic tender!?!"

      That was the first thing that came to my mind! It is hard enough placing our plastic craptastic notes into a wallet, without them flying all over the place, let alone folding them into something creative! :)
    • EmperorAwesome, on 10/12/2007, -0/+13Having been a server, I tip well every time, but I still hate it. I don't know how automatic tipping came to be, tips should only be for exceptional service. The restaurant management shouldn't be such a ***** pay provider and tax tips they assume the wait staff is getting. I'm not gonna be the one to start a no-tipping revolution, but I wish there was some way to stop the complacency of restaurant managers without hurting the servers.
    • Myztry, on 10/12/2007, -5/+16In Australia, the waiters gets a reasonable wage. Tipping is completely optional and is done via a tipping jar at the counter. Change and rewards go in there. That is divied between the waiters at the end of the shift. And any half assed waiter(ess) gets shown the front door, as they don't attract tipping or repeat customers.
      Paying pathetic wages and the very idea of having a waiter staring at me desperately hoping to get enough money to live off sickens me. It may be ingrained into American culture, but there are better cultures in this world !
    • Parasocks, on 10/12/2007, -15/+13No offense, but if you want to make more than $3 an hour and still complain that what, maybe 15-20% of people don't leave a standard size tip for every single purchase regardless of service, then perhaps learn how to do something that requires.... a skill.
    • malavalla, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8people who also take the time to write a note saying how they enjoyed your service is a nice touch, with cash under it
    • Tenoq, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8Kinda redundant here in Aus. Waiting staff get at least $12/h, even at a cheap restaurant. Tips are reserved purely for excellent service or a particularly good meal. Even then, 10% would be a fair tip. I have no doubt food is significantly cheaper in the US though, so I guess it's six of one, half-a-dozen of the other. :P
    • Splizxer, on 10/12/2007, -5/+35Lick the bill and stick it to her ass is probably the best.
    • 0x0000ff, on 10/12/2007, -5/+11Yeah, also from Aus. I've tipped a waiter about 3 times in my whole life, because the food was incredible and the service was excellent. This is what a tip is for.

      People who expect tips don't stand to get much from me at all.
    • cannibal666, on 10/12/2007, -10/+5I worked as a bartender, if some ***** left me a tip like that, I'd probably whip his ass.
    • aaronadms, on 10/12/2007, -13/+6@allens

      you guys really make me sick. you think a tip is extra? that really is all a waitress makes. $2.50 an hour after taxes equals a zero dollar paycheck. people who have crappy jobs are not second class humans. in fact i'd guess that most of them are in the process of obtaining a college degree , and are simply to busy with classes to have a full-time job. many of them count on that tip (the only income they get) to feed their families (my mother for instance). you act like tipping is some kind of scam. it's not. it is the price of the luxery of going out to eat at a sit-down restaurant. people who leave less than 15% are no better than common theives.

      it's common knowledge that you can judge a person by how they treat the waitress.

    • unlimitedorb, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7There are exactly 4 ways to leave a great tip on that page and not 5...That's false advertising.

      Now I'm pissed...
    • Dominatus, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6If there was no such thing as tipping the quality of service would go down. I was a waiter once and I found out quickly that if I act very nice and mannerly and work especially fast I would get 20% tips or more. If I were to just "do my job" I would get around 15%. Therefore, every night I would work my ass off to get the higher tips.

      Considering how most people who wait tables are only doing it as a transition job (while in school for example) what other reason could they have to give you good service, since they clearly don't care about job promotion at a temp job, and they won't get fired for simply doing their job. Hell, they probably won't even get fired for doing a below average job.

      The quality of service at a restaurant around where I live is far far higher than you get from the people at the movie theatre, or food court, or any other service job where they don't rely on tips.

      Furthermore, tipping doesn't hurt anyone. If there was no tipping, prices would go up to reflect that. So you wouldn't save any money. Instead, consider that when you go to a restaurant you are both buying prepared food and hiring someone to serve you.
    • VTmruhlin, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6"Lick the bill and stick it to her ass is probably the best."

      Man, you don't know where a dollar bill has been. But it's probably safer than licking the stripper directly.

      "I was a waiter once and I found out quickly that if I act very nice and mannerly and work especially fast I would get 20% tips or more. If I were to just 'do my job' I would get around 15%. Therefore, every night I would work my ass off to get the higher tips."

      I learned pretty quickly that if I work my ass off, I get a raise. That should be enough incentive for waiters too.
    • nixonrichard, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3In case you want to know the minimum amount your waiter gets paid (before tips) in your area:

      http://www.dol.gov/esa/programs/whd/state/tipped.htm

      Don't think for a second waiters everywhere in the US get paid $2.13/hr plus tips (the federal minimum wage). In Washington (where I live) waiters get paid at least $7.93/hr plus tips.
    • Myztry, on 10/12/2007, -5/+5America (and this is an American tradition) is not the 'most civilised' country. It doesn't treat it's people half as well as it pretends. I don't care if food service was traditionally done by slaves. The waiting staff aren't treated too much better. Let alone the multitude of homeless and crimes of desperation.
      Australia doesn't justify it's slave mentally with tipping. We weren't founded with slavery, and it's just not part of us. Yet we still get good service. Decent pays attract good hard working people. Optional tips provide the ability to reqards explemplary service. I'd much rather be served by a happy proud waiter than a desperate suck holing waiter any day ! Keep your "yesum massers' to yourself.
      I'm proud to be an Aussie - MATE. And so very glad I'm not a desperate cut throat Yank.
    • priceless721, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2i left a tip for a guy at the chinese restaurant because he was the only server and seater and he literally ran and busted ass to be sooo nice after i had walked out of another restaurant because the service was sooo bad. we just left him tons of change in a huge smiley face with paper bills for hair it was a VERY genorous tip (btw no change was pennies) and there was one fiver too but well deserved best 20 meal i ever had.
    • linuxpenguin, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1@aliens:

      from what I've heard, most waitresses make less than minimum wage because it's actually expected that you will give them a tip.
      You're an ass if you don't leave at least *some* tip.
    • REBELinBLUE, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3If you are "expected" to give a tip, why not forgo this crap and just put the prices on the menu up? It equates to the same bloody thing; then people can tip extra for service they feel deserves it. In the UK minimum wage means minimum wage, I don't see how you can have minimum wage in the US that the service industry doesn't pay.
    • WaterDragon, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1@ nixonrichard
      "Don't think for a second waiters everywhere in the US get paid $2.13/hr plus tips (the federal minimum wage)"

      You are lying about this. That is total BS! (But why do I bother responding to someone whose every comment seems to be crap, for the longest time now?)

      http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/wages/minimumwage.htm
      The federal minimum wage for covered, nonexempt employees is $5.15 per hour. The federal minimum wage provisions are contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Many states also have minimum wage laws. In cases where an employee is subject to both the state and federal minimum wage laws, the employee is entitled to the higher of the two minimum wages.




    • aussieNickuss, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4The only people I tip are taxi drivers. For two reasons...

      At the end of an awesome night...they can come up with good convos. Also...I'm just slack and hate handeling change while "intoxicated". If its $18...I'll give em a $20 etc. etc.
    • sbenskin, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7the only reason you are paid 3 "bucks" plus tips, is that years ago, employers paid people a decent wage. When people started tipping, the jobs were changed to a lower paid rate, because the employer would be able to say "you get paid tips on top".

      If no-one ever tipped, then less people would work for that low pay rate, and so employers would be forced to raise the pay rate to attract employees

      tipping should be to indicate that a job was done particularly well, not mandatory

      if you haven't guessed, i'm from england, where tipping works correctly. Let the negative digging begin
    • evilpig, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2If you don't like getting paid $3/hr get a new ***** job.
    • REBELinBLUE, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I disagree with this "get a new job" stuff people keep saying. A lot of people have these jobs because they can't get anything else. I also get the impression that those who choose the job because they enjoy it are the ones who realise they should earn tips and so go out of their way to give good service and to please the customers, where as alot of those who have the job because they need a job and aren't able to find anything else are the people who think they are entitled to a sizeable tip no matter what.

      As for tipping used to make their wages up to minimum wage http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/whd/whdfs15.htm says "If an employee's tips combined with the employer's direct wages of at least $2.13 an hour do not equal the minimum hourly wage -- $5.15 an hour effective 9/1/97 -- the employer must make up the difference.", which to me seems much more reasonable than making out that the customer is responsible for their wages. So if you give bad service you get minimum wage, if you give good service you get more than minimum wage, if your employer tells you otherwise it seems they are breaking the law.
    • flygirl62, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Hey, if we didn't tip, prices would be 15% - 20% higher. I actually like the idea that the sever *knows* that I have control of 15% or more of his/her pay... (a) it's likely to cause them to treat me better and (b) gives me some say/control over how much they deserve.

      It's a simple fact that the more control you have over someone's pay, the happier they try to make you.
    • 4degrees, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1they forgot to mention the "space ship".
    • 4degrees, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1@darkcheerio

      and if you want to make better money... get a better job. A tip is EARNED not implied.

      your logic is flawed.
    • tomarocco, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Bunch of whining food service workers (a.k.a. MCSEs). Get a real job.
  • OregonTrail, on 10/12/2007, -21/+9Sweet, I can get away with a one dollar tip now!
    • shinynew, on 10/12/2007, -4/+5 careful what you eat next time you visit that place.
    • xxNIRVANAxx, on 10/12/2007, -3/+6A movie called Waiting comes to mind...
    • ne0n, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Ahh, of course...Waiting. The vivid picture of the ***** customers getting all kinda of nasty ***** in their food...and enjoying it.
  • MDrake, on 10/12/2007, -4/+17If you really like pissing people off, do this!
  • Switchnig, on 10/12/2007, -4/+255 great ways to not get that cute waitress's number
    • SpectralSounds, on 10/12/2007, -4/+39That waitress already has 100 reasons why she doesnt want to give you her number.
  • joeycerone, on 10/12/2007, -8/+1mirror?
  • slapded, on 10/12/2007, -6/+57if i get bad serrvice can you teach me how to fold a penny into a middle finger?
    • InsideTheAsylum, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10You can dump the pennies into a glass of water, place a coaster to cover the top of the glass and then flip the glass and coaster and place it on the table. If you do it fast enough, you'll have the cup sitting upside down on the coaster. After that, you quickly yank the coaster out and leave the glass sitting upside down on the table. It's annoying to clean up. I've never had anyone do service bad enough to deserve that, but it's an option I have :p
    • jmp120, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2@insidetheasylum

      I sometimes do something similar to that but its easier with a menu then a coaster. I usually put a really big tip in there not pennies, like 30% . Its more fun to use dollar bills then pennies because wet paper money sucks. But the fact its a ten dollar bill makes up for it I would hope.
      • purzzzell, on 04/06/2008, -0/+1for bad service, you do it with a bill, but first you stir sugar into the water - it soaks in the bill, crystalizes, and then, when dried, the bill flakes apart...
  • tastypastry, on 10/12/2007, -16/+2My girlfriend and I usually hide the tip somewhere on the table.
    • mavisbeacon, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1wow, you actually do that!! that is so funny
      you also actually don't have any class
    • sv650touring, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1That is kinda rough, because they might throw the money away by accident.

      What I like to do is (in addition to the tip, which they don't have yet) say to them with a flat tone of voice and a straight face "Can you please send a manager to the table." and then I go back to my meal or conversation. They usually get a terrified look on their face, and when the manager arrives, it is obvious they got the "I don't know what's wrong. I gave him good service." story. Then I tell the manager what a good job the server did, and how I ran them around a bit, but they took care of me very well. The manager is relieved that they don't have a bad service situation, and often want to "play along" just to let the waiter sweat, until they see the 30-40% tip and then get the truth from the manager.
  • tabaczka, on 10/12/2007, -7/+0Thats sort of disappointing that they don't tell you how to make the #1...

  • jestershinra, on 10/12/2007, -7/+2...down after 78 diggs...


    http://www.pfadvice.com.nyud.net:8080/2007/02/21/5-great-ways-to-leave-a-tip/
  • RidesAPaleHorse, on 10/12/2007, -7/+1Damn, even Duggmirror didn't get it!
  • asspants, on 10/12/2007, -13/+4I got a tip for ya: get a better paying job.
  • dvsbastard, on 10/12/2007, -4/+25I'd love to try putting the spider down the thong of a stripper at my local nudie bar...
    • nick0909, on 10/12/2007, -4/+8So thats what the kids are calling it these days...
  • SpectralSounds, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3Heres a tip. If you have enough time to fold your tips into stupid shapes, then you have too much time on your hands.
    • SuzyQueue, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Hey, at least all of this gives you something to do while you wait forever to get the check.
  • elnerdo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9Anybody got instructions for the accordian?
  • TedTschopp, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5I can't believe that it doesn't have the Butterfly.

    http://members.cox.net/crandall11/money/butterfly/

    That site is actually better than this one.
  • greedonever, on 10/12/2007, -1/+12Long time bartender chiming in here... Don't do it. If you have a crush on the bar maid or waitress then perhaps a tip AND an origami-spider.
  • D3koy, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2In cash, at least 15% left subtly under a plate or cup...best possible way, Always...
    • malavalla, on 10/12/2007, -4/+1@myztry also Europe is mostly non tip that's why America servers hate waiting on them they think its same here, but really i think they know cheapies
    • michaelfedigan, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Tips are expected, and its because the "wages" are way below minimum wage. The servers are only earning above minimum wage once you account for the tips they receive. If you don't like to tip (expressed in many of the comments here) then we could use a system where tips are eliminated, but wages go up near market rate. I always give about a 15% tip - and if the service is good I'll give 20%. If you can't afford to tip go to a cheaper restaurant, you typically don't need to tip anybody at McDonalds.
  • plncrzy, on 10/12/2007, -3/+38Back and forth between the "get a real job" and "if you don't tip you're an *****" comments...

    To all you "get a real job" types -- if everyone "got a real job" then who would be left to bring you your wine and lobster tail, you pretentious prick?

    ...and to the rest of you "if you don't tip you're an *****" folks -- if you don't do a good job, don't expect a tip. It's not de-facto. It's called a "gratuity" for a reason. ...and before you jump down my neck -- I waited tables for 4 years in different places ranging from Applebee's to a very nice steak house. I've been there.

    The truth is -- tipping is customary in most civilized countries as a social practice. I have no problem tipping, in fact I usually tip fairly generously. I usually leave a minimum of 15%, assuming the service and food and everything was good. If something was terribly bad, I try to weigh how it affected my overall experience. If my experience was very pleasant I tip 20%-30%. If the staff and the food and the entire experience was astounding, I've been known to tip 50-60%.

    However, food service folks have started to take an attitude that they EXPECT tips as a RULE, and people -- it's not. Your JOB is to serve the food and whatever else you HAVE to do. For that, you get paid a wage. It might not be high, but you get paid to do a JOB. Beyond that, if you WANT to EARN a tip, then a smile and polite, attentive service is where it starts. If you're one of those people who snarls and is rude and just does the bare minimum, expect the same back from me when I leave. It's a SERVICE job, people. Bad service = bad returns.

    More on-topic -- people often think they're being "cute" with these sorts of tactics, but understand that it comes across as a bit condescending and I can assure you the person you're tipping won't find it cute or funny.
    • dvsbastard, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10Tipping is almost compulsory in some places, which is ridiculous.

      The tipping system should be about promoting and rewarding good customer service... A tip should not be expected... It should be earned.

      That said, it should not be about ensuring someone gets paid, and if service is ordinary, this doesn't mean that the waiter should only receive slave wages. They are still doing there job and they still deserve a respectful income - they are just not going beyond the call of duty...
    • greedonever, on 10/12/2007, -10/+3@dvsbastard
      Spoken like a person who loves a weak drink and a table by the bathroom.
      (edit: sorry that was mean)
    • Just1nD, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6no offense dude, but $2.63/hr aint a wage.i get paid to SELL the food and up sell to increase checks. thats all i get PAID to do by my employer.

      that said gratuity should be thrown out and waiters should receive an hourly wage like anyone else (determined by check average per person in any give restaurant). i've worked in food service for a while, and i've learned enough about people to stop doing it ASAP. capitalist America expecting everything handed to them with a ***** smile or all apologies. if i could only show people how well they do their job with gratuity. *****-a customer service people would be homeless.

      so half-ass your job just enough to not get fired under the security of your more livable (and consistant) wage/salary, then come see me and intentionally grade how well i do my job to save yourself 5 or so dollars determining how well i can live.
    • dvsbastard, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5@greedonever

      Nope. Spoken like an Australian where waiters / waitresses earn a decent living without relying on purely on tips, and where tight assed restaurateurs don't palm off the responsibility of ensuring a decent wage to service staff by offering slave wages + compulsory tips.

      I have even had my tip refused and was asked to keep the money because a waitress made a very minor mistake on my order (which she quickly fixed and compensated). And it was her choice... not the floor managers... But of course I left the money on the table (the place always has good service).
    • malavalla, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5servers that expect it are in the wrong line of work. i been in the hotel restaurant business all my life starting as a dishwasher up to manger a five star restaurant in Hawaii and the worlds largest buffet in Vegas. when i interview servers i always ask who is going to pay you to work here, and i get the strangest looks most the company, few get it right the guest pays you . i always look at a guest and say to myself thanks for paying my rent my car payment my food,that's the attitude you need to be a great server. also its up to the server to get money out of there wallet or purse. most could not sell there sss in a lumber yard
    • Parasocks, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Restaurants adding the price into the menu would be the WORST thing for servers ever. More people would be shocked at the prices and go back to the other place where it LOOKS like it's cheaper, even though they end up spending the same amount after tax and tip. If you've ever wondered how it cost what you paid, you know what I mean! Having seemingly low attractive prices is huge for the restaurant business, and more customers = more pay for servers.
    • unoriginal, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2@plncrzy

      Why are you leaving 20-30%? Is it to showoff to others in your dining party? I have honestly never left this much and probably never will. The waitress would have to flash me some boob in order to get more than 20%
    • LordLucless, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6'To all you "get a real job" types -- if everyone "got a real job" then who would be left to bring you your wine and lobster tail, you pretentious prick?'

      If everyone got a real job, and nobody wanted to serve anymore, then the cost of hiring a waiter would go up, in order to attract people. To cover those increased prices, the cost of a meal would go up - which is fine anyway, since everyone now has a "real job" and can afford it. I don't like the American tipping system, but then, I'm not an American. I don't like the idea that there is this extra charge on my food, that isn't really explicitly nailed down, but is a social faux pas if I forget it. If I'm buying food and service, charge me the market price for said food and service. If I think either is exceptional, I may pay a gratuity.
    • locojones, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6"The truth is -- tipping is customary in most civilized countries as a social practice."

      You have it backwards. Not tipping appears to be the custom in most civilized countries. In fact, this whole notion of tipping as some sort of automatic response to service is a distinctly North America, and dare I say, American, custom. And while I usually disdain the use of Wikipedia as a source, in this instance, it seems to be a good starting point as an amalgam of information:

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tip
    • LordLucless, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5"You have it backwards. Not tipping appears to be the custom in most civilized countries. In fact, this whole notion of tipping as some sort of automatic response to service is a distinctly North America."

      *Automatic* tipping is purely American. In other countries, a tip is a reward for extraordinary service, not par for the course (as employees in other countries already pay reasonable wages to their staff).
    • AdamZ, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2>*Automatic* tipping is purely American. In other countries, a tip is a reward for extraordinary service, not par for the course (as employees in other countries already pay reasonable wages to their staff).

      It's pretty much the norm in Canada too, although servers do make at least minimum wage here.
  • Just1nD, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2if i had to unfold bills i would probably tear the ***** out of them

    at least he recommends leaving cash instead of on a credit card, helps when a waiter claims what he made at the end of the night... shhh i didn't say that
    • colinmhayes, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1BZZ. bad idea. if the IRS ever looks into servers, they have records of what you have served (at most places that have computerized ordering systems like Aloha), and it's generally a good idea to have reported 10% of sales.
  • MaXPL, on 10/12/2007, -5/+1hugu9g

    oh thank god digg finally works for me.
  • Flamekebab, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7I give tips when I think it's worth it.
    Bad service, bad food, whatever, forget it.

    I would probably do this kind of thing with my tip, except here in the UK I can't imagine I'd give a £5+ tip, being a student.
    For those USians amongst you who don't know - generally speaking, the lowest denomination of note we have over here is £5 - nearly $10.
    • LordLucless, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7Also note, UK restaurants actually pay their serving staff real wages, not half-a-wage and hope that someone tips.
    • chapium, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2At most restaurants servers cant control the quality of the food to a great extent, but if you ask they can send it back for you. If you never ask though, the server will just assume you are cheap without knowing why.
    • elnerdo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1You could always leave coins.
  • dvsbastard, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7I have realized the error of my ways - Digg me down
  • gossipninja, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2well I do tip, only because wait staff make horrible low wages. However, I do not like the system. I like Steve Buscemi's take in "resevoir dogs". I did crap jobs where I waited on people, yet it wasn't a "tip" job. So i did the same thing as waiters and made just over minimum. Some say that if you eliminate tipping that restaurants will just raise food prices but when you think about a waiter, they have more then one customer an hour so if they get 3 bucks from lets say each of 3 customers, they made 9 dollars, and since most don't report the taxes, its tax free. The restaurant could raise prices a meager 3-5% but spread amongst the number of customers and items ordered, they should bring in more then enough money to pay the wait staff at least minimum wage, probably a bit more, plus is eliminates those who just don't tip (cheap people) and it doesn't let these people get over the tax system.
    They say that waiting tables is one of the few jobs any person can do and squeak out a living, if that is true, I'd imagine a fair number of wait staff use govt programs, and since they aren't paying into the system what they honestly owe, they are basically robbing everyone else. I try to always tip so long as service wasn't terrible, but i tend to do it with the credit card, so they can't claim they didn't get that tip money come tax time.
  • djjester, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7Having a system where tipping is relied upon to subsidize below acceptable wages promotes these wages being kept so low. Countries with reasonable wages typically don't tip and as such wages are kept higher as tips aren't factored into employees pay.

    In saying that I generally tip, although I am in a country where tipping isn't common place or relied upon. Businesses are increasingly donating tips to charity or putting them towards employee social programs.
  • martin308, on 10/30/2007, -1/+7Tipping sounds really odd to me as no one does it here in NZ, I've had Americans + Canadians try and explain it to me before but it just sounds like an excuse to pay people ***** and double charge the customer for it. Why not just have a minimum wage?
  • vwvwvw, on 10/12/2007, -3/+0I don't see what the problem is. If my bill is $10, then I get to decide if the server was good enough for the extra $1.50. Otherwise the bill would be $11.50 and the server could treat me however the hell they feel.

    Let me give you an example of service without tipping. I went to the deli at the grocery store to get a sub. I ordered a custom sub with meat that needed to be sliced. The a-hole employee gave an annoyed sigh and asked if I would like a pre-made sub instead.
    • dvsbastard, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3"the server could treat me however the hell they feel."

      That is what floor managers are for. To ensure that waiters are at least serving to a reasonable standard which will not damage the reputation of the restaurant. A good waiter gets good tips, repeat customers, and most importantly... they keep their job...
  • dime, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5I got a tip for ya...

    Don't bet on the horse with three legs buddy.

    ohh! badabing! /cue rimshot
    • malavalla, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3@dime, here's a tip for you the comedy thing is not working out keep your day job
  • gojcaj, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7I used to make rings out of dollar bills in elementary school and sell them for profit. ahhhh the early years of hustling
  • LanceUppercut, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2I currently work on contract .net work and serve at nights. It is like forced exercise :)

    I make $20/hr on average while serving so it definitely isn't money to sneeze at. This is in ohio so it is ok money nothing fantastic. It is what i make writing BLLs and whatnot during the day. I get to work with a bunch of attractive girls and it introduces you to another 40 people to hang out with etc. At my place of employment the people that try really hard and are really good make $1k a week...not too bad for a lowly server.
  • attention, on 10/12/2007, -9/+2tip? TIP?

    pshh. your lucky if a pay for the dinner!

    -dine and dash-
  • malavalla, on 10/12/2007, -6/+2Bill Gates tip me 400.00 when i waited on him and his wife when they got married
    • malavalla, on 10/12/2007, -6/+2why u hating don't hate the player hate the game
  • JonestownTea, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6I personally thought this should have been labeled "5 great ways to fold a dollar bill before you stuff it in a G-String."

    But maybe it's just me.
    • colinmhayes, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1if you're lucky enough to live in a state that'll still allow you to do that instead of sitting on your hands.
  • vuthy, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3Restaurants or bars, I tip 20%, more if the service was excellent or if it's an establishment I often frequent. And what has this gotten me?

    I often get 3 or 4 free drinks from my bartenders, my servers usually apply their employee discount to my meal. They know that just because they make MY bill lower, they're not making what I tip them lower. I'd rather give the extra money I would have spent anyway to my server/bartender. Last Saturday my bar tab for 2 Guinness, and Amstel, and 1 Cocktail was $4. The tip I left my bartender was bigger than the bill. You may not LIKE tipping, but since you kinda have to do it anyway, it does pay to tip well.,

    And no, I'm not rich, I just live in Los Angeles and I know a lot of ppl who depend on tips to live.
    • malavalla, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@vuthy 3 0r 4 free! how many do you buy? i think you need to talk to Bill W
    • chapium, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Doing favors for regular customers is common knowledge for bartenders. Its part of the training, so don't let it fool you. The favors are an investment for both the server and the business. Casinos are magnificently good at this practice as well.
    • nomadxx7, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2In Atlantic City I was playing blackjack all night and saw a wait staff about once every 45 minutes. Now on the other hand, a friend and I used to play pool all the time at this local pool hall. We'd always leave a decent tip for the ladies behind the bar. Guess what? Down the road they would be coming over to us to get drink orders as soon as we walked through the door. They did this for no one else in the place. Were they doing it because we tipped well? Probably. But let me tell you. When you're in a pool hall and attractive women are coming up to you and taking your order and not doing it to everyone else it makes you feel like a VIP.
    • manual, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Places that I regularly visit, the pub for example, I usually tip pretty decent. It's true that you get some 'free' drinks and lightning-fast service.

      On vacation, I immediately make the rounds and pre-tip all the people whom I know can make my stay more pleasurable. All the bar-tenders, big tip on the first day for the cleaning staff, etc. It makes a huge difference. Calling it tipping, greasing, whatever. It works, and it's worth it to me.
  • antoniojvr, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12Cute, but whatever happened to earning tips? I hate this whole "mandatory tip" mentality.
  • mehworld, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3I agree with antoniojvr, its the clients choice to give a tip or not, its not mandatory!
    If your going to complain about not getting paid enough then why not get another job?

    Its quite stupid, its like me getting some odd job where I clean cars for a living and get paid $3 and I start complaining because no one is giving me extra money for doing a job I'm already being paid for.
  • funkspiel, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3I stopped going out to eat due to all the cooties.
  • pezz453, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5As far as the folding money goes: Yeah, OK, neat. But we have to figure out how to unfold that and hopefully not rip it while waiting on 5 tables and bouncing around orders and drinks. I wont go so far as to say I would hate it. I could handle a couple here and there, no problem. Come see me and you can leave one for me ;)

    For the rude people:

    OK I'm going to break it down the best I can for you.

    A servers income is based mostly on their tips because the hospitality they show to the customer is directly related to how much money they take home. If they do a bad job, they get less money, if they do a great job, more money. This in turn, motivates servers to give you the best service possible so at the end of the day you are happy, the company is happy, and the server themselves are happy. If a server was paid a flat rate, there would be no REAL motivation behind the job. It would be just as easy to work another job where you didn't have to work in sales.

    The servers get the better pay because they SELL the product. Servers in fact are SALES PEOPLE. The kitchen are the assembly line. There are very few men and women in sales who's paychecks do not directly reflect their expertise and dedication.

    Hopefully this helps some of the rude people who think just because they can do it themselves, think that someone else shouldn't be rewarded for DOING IT FOR YOU. If you would rather not leave a tip, fine, the very very least that you can do is thank your server and let them know how your experience was.

    This coming from a fully trained server.

    Please tip the hospitality that take it upon themselves to make sure your experience, anywhere, is the best it can be.
    • formatreinstall, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7I always have to remind myself that in the U.S. minimum wage doesn't apply to wait staff - that would drive me nuts if I lived there. Why even call it a minimum wage if waiters make $3 an hour?

      Sales people make at least minimum wage, so that really isn't an accurate comparison (at least, I HOPE U.S. sales people get minimum wage - otherwise... wow... American economics would be even more f***ed up than I think it is).

      And as for good service - do you tip at McDonald's? Would you tip your doctor if they treated you well? If it's all about rewarding good service and not what wage someone makes, shouldn't you tip your lawyer?

      Tips today are an excuse for restaurant employers to pay a wage that wouldn't support someone living in the 70's, and these same employers have somehow convinced everyone that if you don't tip, you're a bad person. Instead of me supplementing a person's wage, why can't the employer pay them properly?

      What would happen if no one tipped? Well, by what I read here no one would be able to make even a meager living as a waiter/waitress, so they would have to move on to other jobs to survive - which would deplete the hospitality workforce, and force employers to PAY WELL. Never gonna happen, but I still feel bad for anyone in the U.S. who has to work below minimum wage - that is so messed up.
    • nomadxx7, on 10/12/2007, -4/+4Since the concept of tipping eludes most of you (especially non-Americans) I'd say watch the movie Waiting. You'll see why you should tip well (or even tip at all). I understand that people hate to do it and it should be a reward for a exceptional job but unfortunately the system hasn't, won't and never will be set up that servers will be compensated for their work. Look the the federal minimum wage hike do you see what fields are more or less exempt? Small businesses and restaurants.

      For the ones that say they can do it themselves... the reason you probably went out in the first place is because you didn't want to cook yourself or it was too late to cook. Also figure that you don't have to prepare teh food or even clean up after yourselves. So if you take 2 people out and average a $50 tab for drinks and the meal and you tip 15% you're leaving an extra $7.50. Now figure out how much it would have cost for you to eat at home and also do the dishes (i.e electric to run the dishwasher, water bill for water in the dishwasher, etc).

      If you can't find it in your heart to realize the system has been set up with tipping in certain fields as customary than please don't go out to eat. I myself don't work as a server but I have friends that do. Making just what the restaurant pays you is nothing compared to a "real job."

      I also understand people's belief that the tip should be included in the meal price since that would make more sense. Unless any of you actually call the government to change this set up than sit down, shut up and tip your server.

      Anyways this is my rant.
    • pezz453, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2It's pointless to argue. It goes nowhere. I'm right, because It's what I do. You're right because thats how you see it. It's all about how you look at it. It works now, and it's worked for decades.

      If you want to make up excuses to be a tight ass. Be my guest.
    • mitrovarr, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4"Since the concept of tipping eludes most of you (especially non-Americans) I'd say watch the movie Waiting. You'll see why you should tip well (or even tip at all)."

      What you really see is a reason to just avoid restaurants entirely. That's certainly the feeling I get when I read threads like this where waitstaff make it so blatantly evident that they feel entitled to screw with your food because they think you're a bad tipper, they're having a bad day, or are just jerks.

      If I wanted to handle a restaurant's payroll I'd have majored in Business.
  • ohmar, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2HA! I actually do leave oragami for my tips when i eat at a restaurant. I do the paper crane, an old classic. I love the responses that I get from waiters/waitresses.
  • Swailcat, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2I tried to making that spider last time it was posted on digg...wasted 30 minutes of my life and thing looked like crap.
  • mehworld, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3pezz453 thats just stupid, If I was a server getting paid a decent pay I would still be motivated. If your not motivated and just don't give an ass about your job while being paid a flat rate then thats not the job for you and you will most likely find yourself without that said job very quickly.
    • pezz453, on 10/12/2007, -4/+1Thank you for making it painfully obvious that you are not, and never will be a salesperson.

      *thumbs up*
    • numptydumpty, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1@pezz


      and that's a bad thing?

      pffft
  • nbcivic, on 10/12/2007, -2/+45 great ways..........wtf? just leave the cash and get on with your life.

    I always leave at least 15-20% and LOVE it when the waiters call me boss, you know? They say "Sure thing, boss" but i'm not a boss or anywhere near a boss, but still, love it, i don't care if the service ends up being mediocre, if he/she calls me boss w/that accent, it's over, 20% here i come. lol.

  • TimmyJ, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4I think Dwight Schrute said it best:

    "Why tip someone for a job I'm capable of doing myself? I can deliver food. I can drive a taxi. I can, and do, cut my own hair. I did however, tip my urologist, because I am unable to pulverize my own kidney stones."
  • IrwinRSchyster, on 10/12/2007, -4/+4America is probably the worst country when it comes to tipping rules. I have no idea how the customer is somehow responsible for the wages of waiters. Don't come crying about how your wage is $3/hour and make customers feel guilty about not helping you with your rent/car payments. Customers are customers for a reason. They are not your employer. If where you work are not satisfied with the $ taken in, look for a job elsewhere.

    Never EVER put any burden on the customer. It's almost like if I buy something from the store and the store manager asks me to pay more than retail just because he's having a bad month. How would you feel about that?

    Asia is the best - you get excellent service and there ARE no tips! You pay for what is on the menu and that is it.
    • pezz453, on 10/12/2007, -6/+3Thanks for making it obvious you can't understand things. At all.
    • Scoresheet, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6I have no idea at all why tipping seems to be an almost compulsory thing in America . It is starting to be this way in the UK. A tip should be an entirely voluntary act. I believe there are restaurants that add a "service charge" to their prices, which in my opinion is a disgusting way to do business.
    • REBELinBLUE, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Yeah Scoresheet it seems it is. Where I work, we manage a series of websites for a major London bar/restaurant chain. I have recently been working on a system to allow companies to book venues for events and when the administrators create the invoices there is an option next to each item on the invoice called "charge compulsory service", I was a bit surprised at first as I hadn't realised that that system was catching on here.
  • elf25, on 10/12/2007, -4/+1We did this many times, always with great joy from the waiterss... THE best way to leave a tip is with the RING. If you are a single guy, make it ahead of time using a $5 or $10 bill - so that the denomation is showing on top, size it to your pinky, you'll learn to judge her hands and get close enough - and then when she comes over to give you the bill, or return your credit card.. make her close her eyes and hold out her hand... slip on the ring and tell her this is a symbol of how much you appreaciated her attention and service.
  • demonotaku, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3I tip when the service at the restaurant is good. If the waiter is being an ass, then they don't get a tip. If the get all pissy about that later (which they do, trust me) well then it's their own damn fault. And at the people saying "They should get a real job." So hauling things around for hours, getting burned, dealing with ***** customers who bitch about everything (I had someone say their fruit was too spicy), and having an overbearing boss who gets pissed at everything means that you don't have a real job. Give me a break.
  • kanapeas2, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I think at first I would be like--oh cool someone left me a tip folded in the shape of a shirt-- then i would feel, at the end of the night, when i was trying to count my tips, that my feet hurt and all i want to do is cash out, go home & relax, instead of trying to unfold the bill....I mean I could keep it folded, but i WOULD be waiting tables for the money--- maybe the guy at the gas station or grocery store would accept it as is?
  • rubicante, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3This is an article about origami, I don't know what you people are talking about. If getting a cute little origami t-shirt with your $20 tip pisses you off (as a server), you need to relax. Give it to a child and spread the love. Enjoy your life!
  • RK77, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Now we know who crumples all the bills...
  • Murphious, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1So.. Why are you guys still using paper bills?
  • defy, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3I don't tip because society says I have to. Alright, I tip when somebody really deserves a tip. If they put forth an effort, I'll give them something extra. But I mean, this tipping automatically, that's for the birds. As far as I'm concerned they're just doing their job.
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