Cheapest bar tab ever?!

[dobe12]

It's ok, we understand you don't get the etiquette. Continue to leave your measly tips and be spiteful to the rich, overpaid servers making $75/hr. And don't feel bad about it because I'll be sure to tip a little extra to make up for your short comings. I want to make sure all servers can pay their Mercedes bill.

 

[BreezyBrew]

So the tip looked bad, but I did make it up with the food. They made $10 for a tip where my food and drink total was $18. I'd say that's pretty generous and most folks wouldn't have tipped that much.

 

[hunter_le five]

Professional restaurant accountant/payroll admin here.

People often misunderstand the whole "wait staff makes less than minimum wage" thing. The thing is, that's not really true, and I'm not just talking about counting tips.

In most states, the nominal minimum wage for tipped employees is $2.13/hr, with a huge caveat: employers must guarantee that the tipped employee makes AT LEAST $7.25 an hour, WITH OR WITHOUT TIPS. Generally, a good waitress or waiter will make up this difference themselves via tips (known as tip-credit), but if the waitress/waiter does not make enough tips to cover the $5.12/hr difference (or doesn't declare enough), then the EMPLOYER must make up the difference.

TLDR; So even of a waitress makes ZERO tips, they are still GUARANTEED to walk away with a MINIMUM of $7.25/hr. Anything less is patently illegal. Any waitress that claims to work for "just tips" is either a liar, misinformed, or works for criminals.

We had some of our wait staff make $50k-$60k in 2013. Is that typical in the industry? No, but not all waiters and waitresses are exactly living below the poverty level is what I'm saying.

Does that mean you shouldn't tip well for good service? Hell no! Those people work their asses off. Just trying to clarify some points that are being made. And besides, counting on the notion that they will make "at least $7.25/hr" is lame, because it's pretty damn hard to live on even $7.25/hr.

 

[LAHammer]

Wait staff generally work hard and many of them are making a living at it. Tipping is a personal thing (as witnessed by all of the heated discussion). The bottom line should be that you and your waiter both should be satisfied with what you tip.

Every once and a while, make them really happy. It doesn't really cost much.

 

[ittybittykittycommittee]

The real issue here is not what we tip, but that these people are forced to depend on tips to make ends meet....

 

[BGBC]

I've never been one to criticize another persons tip because you never know their situation, and tip philosophy can get as touchy as politics.

What I think he was trying to point out is that even though the tip was 30% of the tab, the beers were 1/2 off but the wait staff still worked the same amount. On a normal day this would equate to a 15% tip.

Sales always suck for wait staff because most people tip based off of the tab price which means a reduced tip for the same work. A good practice that I find is to tip based on the number of drinks and not how much they cost, but again that gets into personal philosophy...

This is basically what I was getting at, and has been repeated and expanded upon more eloquently by others as well.

I live in a country (Canada)

That explains it...

So the tip looked bad, but I did make it up with the food. They made $10 for a tip where my food and drink total was $18. I'd say that's pretty generous and most folks wouldn't have tipped that much.

Yes, without seeing the add'l food tip, it's a different story. Why was the bill split? Was the food bill from the same server? Or did you start at the bar and move to a table?

PS - Sorry for derailing your thread.

 

[cheezydemon3]

But not on a big tab?

Why not?

Why am I expected to still tip at least 15% on a $200 bill, but up to 50% on a small tab?

It sounds like the correct amount is neither a percentage, nor an absolute, but rather whatever those poor, underprivileged wait staff feel us distasteful rich folks owe them for having the nerve to be richer than them. So how do I figure that out? Just ask them? Pull out my wallet and slowly keep peeling off 20's until their frown goes away? What's my penance for having the audacity to actually expect to be able to get a meal and a drink for the price advertised on the big sign out front?

It is a simple matter of what is meaningful.

If a waiter (in the US at least) waits on you, whatever the tab, whatever you do or do not get, anything under $3 is meaningless. You took up a spot, whether they were busy or not, they had to get you things, whether it was a glass of water or a peking duck.

On a huge check, 15% is a meaningful amount of $, so % is ok.

On a $3 sandwich and a glass of water, 15% is an insulting, meaningless amount of money.

If you want to tip a meaningless amount, buy a sixer and go home, or eat at Mcdonalds.

If you enter a sit down place with bartenders or waitstaff, tip an amount that is worth your server's time.

That wasn't my point though.

My point was: The server took care of you, so take care of them so that they remember you as an appreciative good tipper. This, in the end benefits you, not them.....well, it benefits them too, but since you may or may not care, the tangible benefit is to you.

 

[Hello]

So boys and girls, what have we learned here today?
When boasting about your awesome bar tab, please take measures to crop out the tip & total line before posting online.

I don't care that the OP tipped $3. It's not rad, but he gave what he likely wanted to give. I don't roll that way, but that's a personal opinion and we all know what they say about opinions.

 

[TheZymurgist]

I really hate that this dude's thread has turned into this. Good job on the score, that's an awesome price for four beers. And I'm not commenting on your tip amount, I see that you did compensate the waiter on the food tab. Even if you hadn't, I personally would not mind a $3 tip for serving only 4 beers, unless you sat for a long time, but that's not what happened here.

That being said, as a former waiter and lover of the foodservice industry:

It is a simple matter of what is meaningful.

If a waiter (in the US at least) waits on you, whatever the tab, whatever you do or do not get, anything under $3 is meaningless. You took up a spot, whether they were busy or not, they had to get you things, whether it was a glass of water or a peking duck.

On a huge check, 15% is a meaningful amount of $, so % is ok.

On a $3 sandwich and a glass of water, 15% is an insulting, meaningless amount of money.

If you want to tip a meaningless amount, buy a sixer and go home, or eat at Mcdonalds.

If you enter a sit down place with bartenders or waitstaff, tip an amount that is worth your server's time.

That wasn't my point though.

My point was: The server took care of you, so take care of them so that they remember you as an appreciative good tipper. This, in the end benefits you, not them.....well, it benefits them too, but since you may or may not care, the tangible benefit is to you.

This is right on. If you disagree, you've never waited tables for any meaningful amount of time. Yes, the standard is 15%, but what happens when one person comes in during the lunch rush and orders a $5 sandwich and a water? Is the waiter's time and effort only worth a $0.75 tip, especially when an entire table is being taken up and could have been filled by another table that could have a higher tab?

What about a group that has a $50 tab, but stays and talks for two hours? Is really ok for them to tip only $7.50 when that table could have been turned at least once more? Aren't they then robbing the waiter of their time and potential income?

15% is the standard for most situations. It's not a hard and fast rule, but even if it were, there are exceptions to every rule. Discretion and common sense should always be used. People should be aware that tips are a waiter's livelihood.

 

[cheezydemon3]

AND....to the actual OP...

Embassy suites paid for by company....$347.00

Various meals paid by company $135.00

Free open bar with amberbock every night? Not quite priceless, but yes, the only bar tab that could be cheaper would be getting paid..

I gave that bar tender a $20.

Having the bar tender at a damned Hotel remember you from 2 months ago and treat you like royalty? Now that's priceless

Wait what percentage is $20 of $0?

Oh crap!!!! I tipped infinity percent! What a fool I am!

 

[TheZymurgist]

AND....to the actual OP...

Embassy suites paid for by company....$347.00

Various meals paid by company $135.00

Free open bar with amberbock every night? Not quite priceless, but yes, the only bar tab that could be cheaper would be getting paid..

I gave that bar tender a $20.

Having the bar tender at a damned Hotel remember you from 2 months ago and treat you like royalty? Now that's priceless

Wait what percentage is $20 of $0?

Oh crap!!!! I tipped infinity percent! What a fool I am!

In fairness, he did say he tipped additionally on the food tab.

 

[masteraviator]

I waited tables for YEARS and managed waitstaff also (grew up in the food business). The best waitstaff understands that TIPS are earned not an entitlement. Good waiters/waitresses, bartenders, and others, through superior performance earn good tips from gracious customers who appreciate their service. Poor performance deserves poor compensation.

I will NEVER blanketly leave a 20% (15% is still a norm in the US) to all servers because that negates out the value and apprecation of the good servers. I have never, to my knowledge "stiffed" a waiter but I have undertipped when the service was crappy and overtipped when the service was spectacular.

If you are in the management department... the CUSTOMER is ALWAYS right. I've fired waiters because they repeatly, and with no remorse, had the gall to complain to or in front of customers about a tip. But, contrary to that, if I were still in the industry today, a good waitstaff is the face of your business. They can make or break you so you want good 'uns. There are Point of Sales systems that provide for a $Value line (above the paid price) and tip suggestions for 15%/ 20% etc. I would ensure that my POS had that feature.

 

[DrunkleJon]

Methinks this conversation would be best continued in the debate forum.

Again I will say to the OP that you got a good steal on prices.

 

[DrunkleJon]

Doublepost. whups.

 

[okawesome]

The fact that people get so heated about tipping philosophy is I think evidence in itself that the tipping system is flawed. Restaurants should pay their employees what they deserve instead of looking to the customers to subsidize their wages.

When do you tip?
If I order at a counter and someone brings food out (like a pizza joint)- no tip or minimal.
If I sit and order- normal tip.
Pickup food to go- no tip or minimal.
Delivery - obviously tip.
My state (WA) doesn't allow people to be paid less than min wage (there's no tip credit). Should I tip less than if I lived in another state?
If I'm in a town on vacation or business and will never return to that establishment, how should I tip? Does the answer change if I'm with people or by myself? (thinking about the food-spitting theory here)

Service based on tipping probably would be found to be a sexist, racist, and ageist system, and I believe that this is true for the customers as well as the servers.

That said, I do tip, generally 15%.

 

[cheezydemon3]

I delivered pizzas for a few months in between jobs a few years ago...

People that send their kids to the door with exact change and no tip should be shot.

People who (and I only ever saw one) send their kid to the door with a 20 and a 10 on a 28 dollar tab, and tell the kid not to come back without the change, should be skinned alive.....and then shot.


All of that said, I agree with okawesome. tipping is flawed to the core.

THAT said, it is what it is, don't be a ****** like Mr. Pink.

 

[hunter_le five]

Restaurants should pay their employees what they deserve instead of looking to the customers to subsidize their wages.

Not saying that I disagree with you, but there are serious ramifications to that sentiment. Speaking as someone who works in the industry, most restaurants operate on a very narrow profit margin (1-4%). They simply cannot afford to pay wait staff more without SERIOUS increases in prices. Think restaurant prices are outrageous now? Just imagine if they had to pay their staff 3.4 times as much.

Some restaurants are experimenting with "No Tip" policies and paying their wait staff a much higher than standard wage, which is subsidized by a much higher priced menu. They are not doing very well, overall.

 

[okawesome]

Not saying that I disagree with you, but there are serious ramifications to that sentiment. Speaking as someone who works in the industry, most restaurants operate on a very narrow profit margin (1-4%). They simply cannot afford to pay wait staff more without SERIOUS increases in prices. Think restaurant prices are outrageous now? Just imagine if they had to pay their staff 3.4 times as much.

Some restaurants are experimenting with "No Tip" policies and paying their wait staff a much higher than standard wage, which is subsidized by a much higher priced menu. They are not doing very well, overall.

Imagine a national restaurant with servers (Applebees, Dennys, IHOP, etc) and national ad campaigns stating prices for particular meals. In my state, Washington, they are not allowed to pay servers less than minimum wage, yet they still exist in my state. How could this be if what you are saying is true? Also, how do people in no tip establishments survive as it currently is?

3.4 times $2.15 is what again? Not much.

 

[BreezyBrew]

I mostly wanted to hear if there are rules for selling craft beer that low? Someone had made a comment about that on here a while back so maybe someone can explain that one?

 

[okawesome]

I mostly wanted to hear if there are rules for selling craft beer that low? Someone had made a comment about that on here a while back so maybe someone can explain that one?

I wouldn't expect that there would be any such rules, but rules differ by jurisdiction. I've had free wine at events before and never thought that it would be illegal. Obviously, you got a really good deal.

Sorry for assisting in the hijack.

 

[TheZymurgist]

I wouldn't expect that there would be any such rules, but rules differ by jurisdiction. I've had free wine at events before and never thought that it would be illegal. Obviously, you got a really good deal.

Sorry for assisting in the hijack.

It definitely differs by jurisdiction. When I was a waiter in college, DeKalb County GA did not allow half-priced drinks, two-for-one drink specials, or even one person to order two drinks at a time. Neighboring Gwinnett County had much less restrictions.

 

[Topher79]

So, how did we get off topic here? I thought this was a thread about a cheap bar tab, not 5 pages of tipping practices? If you don't think the OP didn't tip enough, then okay, we get it. How about we move on....or start a "People's Tip Amounts" thread, lol.

Back on topic....I think I have the OP beat. My and my FIL went to a place and an Old Friend was a manager. We had a good time catching up, and it turns out he is getting into homebrewing. Needless to say, I was surprised when I got this check....and in case you were wondering; I tipped the server $20

 

[BGBC]

$0.03 tax huh?

 

[DrunkleJon]

$0.03 tax huh?

I always pay at least $0.15 tax....

Wow. I am impressed. Though it was PBR.

 

[BGBC]

Yea that's a pretty funny tab. Was it 1% of retail price?

Sorry again for the original derailment.

 

[Topher79]

I always pay at least $0.15 tax....

Wow. I am impressed. Though it was PBR.

Thanks, so were we! I actually like PBR and High Life. Plus, normally they're $2.50 for a 24oz, so you can't beat that. I'm just over paying $5-6+ for a craft beer...after trying 750+ different crafts at a local Taco Mac, my wallet now wishes to save money, lol. I'll get some of my favorites on tap, but that's about it. The kegerator at home has me spoiled, too.

Yea that's a pretty funny tab. Was it 1% of retail price?

Sorry again for the original derailment.

Yeah...it was a 1% bill. I hope he's working next time I go back!

 

[TheZymurgist]

So, how did we get off topic here? I thought this was a thread about a cheap bar tab, not 5 pages of tipping practices? If you don't think the OP didn't tip enough, then okay, we get it. How about we move on....or start a "People's Tip Amounts" thread, lol.

Back on topic....I think I have the OP beat. My and my FIL went to a place and an Old Friend was a manager. We had a good time catching up, and it turns out he is getting into homebrewing. Needless to say, I was surprised when I got this check....and in case you were wondering; I tipped the server $20

Wild Heaven is having a tap takeover there soon!

 

[dobe12]

15% is the standard for most situations. It's not a hard and fast rule, but even if it were, there are exceptions to every rule. Discretion and common sense should always be used. People should be aware that tips are a waiter's livelihood.

I like your thinking, but more importantly, I really like your taste in beer

THIS
Kegged:
Golden Nugget Saison; Roggenbier
Secondary:
SMASH Citra Barleywine; Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout; RIS w/ Saison Yeast
Primary:
Lanier Porter
On Deck:
Barrel Aged Wee Heavy; Imperial IPA

IS A SOLID FREAKING LINEUP!!!

 

[finsfan]

I cant beat the $0.01 PBRs, but a Pizza joint here offers $0.25 BMC on mondays, without knowing the manager or such. You can get drunk for $3!

 

[fpweeks]

I cant beat the $0.01 PBRs, but a Pizza joint here offers $0.25 BMC on mondays, without knowing the manager or such. You can get drunk for $3!

How much do you leave as a tip?