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DEL.ICIO.USMore on Tipping
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A reader sent this to me over the weekend about my blog entry last Friday on tipping; I thought it more than appropriate — ashamed I didn’t think of it myself, and humbled to share it here. So, thanks Mary Jo, for sharing.
“I think the thing that surprised me most was that not one comment was made about contacting management to comment on exceptional service by a server. Unfortunately, I believe that servers and management only hear complaints. As a former educator, I found that parents were shocked when I would call them to share good news about their son or daughter’s academic progress or achievement. Students love to hear the good in their academic lives. My personal philosophy has been to report good news to management, not just complaints. I tell the employee I will do so, and then I do it. To me, it just seems the responsible thing to do. The employee, the manger and I all feel good about our interaction. I believe it encourages each of us to try harder in our daily lives to be more worthy of such experiences.”
And Jason, from Doraville, also asks: Do you tip based on the total of the entire bill, or do you tip MINUS the wine you ordered? What if the wine was very expensive?
The answer: You should tip based on the total amount of the bill, including wine, regardless of how expensive the bottle was. Servers are responsible for wine service as well as food service.
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: Dining
Comments
By Brando
October 27, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
I don’t encourage tipping. I think it’s a lot like giving beggars and derelicts money. It just encourages them to stay in the crappy rut they’re in and does nothing to make them better themselves with, for instance, a job like mine with a salary usually in the $500K’s.
By Martin
October 27, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
I usually give 20% if the waiter does not make eye contact with me. If they get all friendly and tell me their name and where they are from it is automatically lowered to 10%. Hello, you are the help — do not speak unless spoken to.
In my house I only speak with the head maid and she then relays all of my orders down to the more people toilet cleaning maids.
By Steven
October 27, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
I like to tip only the more Democratic looking staff because they deserve a transfer payment from me.
By Barefoot Contessa
October 27, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Robby’s real name is Dew Shabag.
By Rachael Ray
October 27, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
It just encourages them to stay in the crappy rut they’re in and does nothing to make them better themselves with…
If they didn’t stay in that rut, who would bring you your slop, I mean food?
And, Obama is coming after you for some of that $500K. You obviously don’t need it all……..that poor wait person at the restaurant you wont tip could really use a handout……..and you are just the one to take it from!!!
By Giada Laurentiis
October 27, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
OMG Brando and Martin tell me about it! When I visit restaurants abroad the only way I make it through the segment is imagining I’m putting out a Dunhill cigarette on the wait staff’s wretched little faces. They make me SICK! The proletariat masses stink on ice!
By Meridith Ford
October 27, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
I think someone had too much coffee today ….
By Rodney
October 27, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
I think the reason I don’t go out of my way to make mention to the resto management of a server’s aptitude is because, well, good, even great, service is expected. I expect great service and if I get it, you’ll be tipped accordingly.
I’m not going to go the extra step of seeking out your manager to tell him/her that you did your job well. The hefty tip I leave you will cover any obligation I may have to reward your service.
By Phil Lanier
October 28, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
Wow, I never thought there would be so much resentment over tipping wait staff! As one who prepares a goodly portion of our family’s meals, I appreciate it IMMENSELY when the wait staff gets things right — not as easy a job as one might think — as it’s all part of the “experience” I’m purchasing. And when the overall experience is excellent, not only do I tip and compliment the staff, but II make sure that the manager or host knows of my approval. Kudos to those of you who do likewise. Shame on those who begrudge such a small kindness.
By Stacey
October 28, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
I agree with Rodney that I don’t go out of the way to comment to the manager that the waiter/waitress did what was expected. Perhaps if they did something completely above and beyond I would (though I can’t think of a circumstance at this time). Now, I have had managers stop at my table and ask about my visit and in that case I would comment that waitperson did an excellent job. Otherwise, I think good tip suffices.