Do you tip a bartender when filling a growler?

[TokyoRoad]

If you can't afford a buck a drink/growler, stay home.


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I refuse to tip someone for simply doing their job. Too many service industry employees expect a tip (or 20%+) for simply not being a total screw-up.

 

[Beezy]

Most of the bars around here charge you for 4 or 5 beers when you get a growler. It can come out to about the price of a case. Not sure why they even bother. Anyway when I get Growlers its from the brewery because they charge a reasonable price. Yes I tip 2 or 3 bucks. And I don't taste every single beer on tap just the new ones, so they love me. The one brewery I frequent I think the pourers only make tips and thats it, they have other jobs but still.

 

[bovineblitz]

I used to work in Rochester NY, being a bartender meant lower minimum wage... like 4.60 an hour in 2008. We needed tips to survive and we worked hard for them. A dollar or two isn't much to spare unless your bar tender is useless, in which case them not earning tips may pursuade them into a job they're better suited.

Where did you tend bar? I grew up in Rachacha.

 

[Beezy]

I am currently a bartender and when the customer takes care of me and they come in from time to to time a few of there drinks disappear of the tab. This is pretty common and the management usually encourages it. It builds a client base so..... Tip your bartender you won't regret it!

Yeah for sure. If that has never happened to you, you need to check yourself. Not just in how much you tip either, just being a decent human being with some common sense can help here.

 

[Ravenshead]

I can tell you how those of us who were pretty good servers back in the day used to think about it: 15% - you did your job well enough, 10% - you did poorly, and 20+% - you rocked. 0% meant you had a bad customer or a European who didn't understand the local custom ( or you were probably going to be fired/quit soon anyway).

Keep in mind, we were making 2.15 an hour when min. wage was around 6-7 an hour.

A tip for simply doing your job is actually expected in these situations in the US. In Tokyo I'm not familiar with the custom.

 

[Ravenshead]

Yeah for sure. If that has never happened to you, you need to check yourself. Not just in how much you tip either, just being a decent human being with some common sense can help here.

Funny how that happens. Win-win-win for customer-bartender-business.

 

[ChshreCat]

I refuse to tip someone for simply doing their job. Too many service industry employees expect a tip (or 20%+) for simply not being a total screw-up.

If you go to the same places regularly, I hope you enjoy the flavor of saliva in your food.

 

[jd3]

I refuse to tip someone for simply doing their job. Too many service industry employees expect a tip (or 20%+) for simply not being a total screw-up.

I agree.

I am a paramedic by trade. I do the job because I love it, not because I expect to get rich. Thats a good thing, because I get paid crap.

I bring people back from the dead, and I can't get tipped for it. I don't expect to, either.

Someone picking up a glass and pouring me a drink does not get a buck out of me just for the effort.

IF they give me good advice, great service, and make the stay enjoyable, I'll tip ok. But merely existing and doing the basic functions of their job does not give them some special rights to a tip.

 

[rizomee]

Reservoir Dogs, anyone??? (the scene where their eating breakfast)

 

[bob1852]

Reservoir Dogs, anyone??? (the scene where their eating breakfast)

well played

 

[Zamial]

I can only speak for how things are around here...Pretty much the only places that do growler fills are brew pubs. They do not distro their beer in bottles so a growler is the only way to take some home short of a keg and that may be iffy to get one (I have never tried..lol).

If I am in the pub having some drinks and want to take a growler home, then yes I will most certainly tip. If I am just running in for a growler fill probably not and the reason is simple. I do not tip the liquor store person for selling me a 6er, if a 6er was available of the specific beer I would probably not be getting growlers filled...The exception is if I get service right away and they go above and beyond, then I will tip a bit but not like I would if I was sitting in the pub. IMO growlers are a rip off 99% of the time to begin with...(doesn't mean I don't have any lol)

 

[deflagratio]

I've posted about tipping before and according to most people my metric for tipping is way off but I strongly believe in bribing the servers. You take care of them and they take care of you. You notice your drinks are coming out a little stronger, you food arrives before the next table, and of course the occasional free drink. As much as some people here complain about it American wage law revolves around the concept of tipping. Sure others are doing harder more dangerous or more important jobs but you're not making 2.13 an hour in a system that when federal minimum wage got increased by $4 dollars tipped employees did not increase at all. If the tipped employee wage were to be done away with tomorrow many of these non-tippers would be complaining about the costs of restaurants as they now have to include these wages into the product.

 

[GuldTuborg]

Most people who work jobs where tips are expected earn utter sh*t for wages. Less than $3/hour, as noted above, is not uncommon. I generally tip 20% as a rule, adjusted up or down for quality of service. Something simple like running up to the bar for a quick growler fill before leaving, I leave a dollar or two, regardless of the cost of a growler. That might change, too, if service is particularly good or bad. Refusing to leave a tip, as a general rule, shows either ignorance about how the tipping system works, or disrespect for others.

 

[ChillWill]

Where did you tend bar? I grew up in Rachacha.

The old toad on Alexander street. Was there for a year.

 

[bovineblitz]

The old toad on Alexander street. Was there for a year.

I loooove the Toad, I try to go there every time I'm back in town. I wasted far too many a night there.

 

[Nightbiker]

Well I've ridden into a lot of bars over the years -few things better to knock the dust out of the throat than a good tall cold glass of brew -and I've always tipped -even for less than perfect service. Just the way I am -and I know I wouldn't want to do customer-service related work anyway. People as a general rule are- uhm, well I just don't have much respect for the general public.
At least not in that setting.
As for growlers -I've never had one filled at a bar (but then the bars I've been to wouldn't have offered up anything beyond the bmc anyway and why on earth would I fill a growler with something I can get at any of the finer refueling establishments along the highway?
In truth, I purchsed my growler to take a couple of liters of my own brew with me when I want to. MY beer is worth the effort (grin) -but then, you can't purchase mine in any refueling establishment.
LATER this year (late fall) my wife and I intend to head up to Virginia for vacation. I WILL bring my growler and I expect to visit a few microbreweries or brewpubs and will certainly bring a growler full to the room to enjoy -and I WILL be tipping. Not only do most of these employees live off of the tips (or greatly suppliment their income that way) but its a nod and tip of the hat in their direction.

 

[Boy]

I've been a barista, server, busser, bar back, and bartender. Some at the same time at different jobs. Baristas work the hardest by far when it comes to building drinks. Biggest thing I have now realized is that with serving, bussing, or bar backing you can always escape a-hole customers. NOT with bartending. But you say, "Well I'm not one of those people." One day you will be. Dollar a beer is fair for a tip(or less if that's the leftover change). If your drink requires a shaker or more than 3 ingredients, 2$ is fair.

What most people do not realize about take out is that 9/10 times that tip goes to the cooks. So the statement of, "I'm not tipping someone for passing me food." is complete BS. How about tipping the guy who made it? You can always ask the take out person if the tip is going to the cooks.

Lastly the whole argument of no one tipping you for doing your job is also bogus IMO. If you want tips, go work in the service industry and get yelled at a lot. If working at a bar were great or no hassle we wouldn't get shift drinks to boost morale.

Sorry for the rant.

 

[jd3]

and I've always tipped -even for less than perfect service.

THIS is the problem with this entire system. What in the world would make you tip someone for giving less than perfect service.

If I do less than "good" or "as expected" at my job, I get warnings, sent home, or could lose my job--not to mention the fact that if I am not on my game I could be sued and someone could die.

 

[mlg5039]

Agreed. Tipping even when the service is bad is reinforcing that behavior. Wait staff and bartenders really aren't goingg to care about their service level if they are continually handed tips for ****ty work.

Like you said, in almost all other professions, they'd be reprimanded for less than desirable performance.

But to the OP, yeah I tip a dollar to a nice bartender for filling a fresh Growler.

 

[rycov]

What most people do not realize about take out is that 9/10 times that tip goes to the cooks.

where do you work? you're getting hosed. i've worked in several restaurants and the cooks never got tipped. they get paid by the hour. servers/bartenders do not. if your server does a bad job you can tip them a little less, but still not none. that would be like if your boss didn't like what you did today so he didn't pay you.

 

[jd3]

if your server does a bad job you can tip them a little less, but still not none. that would be like if your boss didn't like what you did today so he didn't pay you.

If your boss doesn't like what you're doing they CAN not pay you. They can send you home, without pay in about 70% of US states.

Tipping is a reward for doing well. Tipping someone who does ****ty is like giving your dog a treat for ****ting on the floor.

Their JOB is to provide good service. If they can't do their job, they don't get the reward of extra pay from me. If they do well, they will get a good tip. BUT you are not guaranteed a tip.

It isn't hard to do well. Hell, you could screw up really bad, but if you just say "I'm sorry, I'll fix it" instead of the usual pass the buck, it's the cook's/bartender's/manager's/someone other than me's fault song and dance, you'll usually still fair pretty well.

In no way, shape, or form are tips REQUIRED even if you provide me crappy service. If you want to make more than 2 bucks an hour(BTW, about 50% of states require wages somewhere around twice that for tipped workers) then do your frigging job.

Merely filling a growler doesn't mean you get a tip. Congrats, you did the most basic function of your job, here's a reward!

 

[rycov]

the by the hour usually goes to tax.the biggest check i got from waiting tables was 10 dollars for a week. the tip isn't extra, its their pay. i agree, its one of those jobs that you have to work to get money. but i'm willing to bet more people are willing to give zero tip for mediocre service than they would be to pay zero for mediocre food. how is it different? if your a waiter/server/bartender whatever you should be expected to have a good (if not great) attitude. but to pay some one nothing is VERY rarely acceptable. i think everyone should be required to work in a restaurant for a week before they can eat in on.

 

[deflagratio]

If the service is so bad your not leaving a tip you had better get the manager involved. This is a serious problem for the business and the boss should know if someone is doing a bad job. Like you said some posters have said why should he tip for bad service. You shouldn't. Sometimes you have to appreciate when your server is stuck with a party of 12 and she might miss a drink refill or two but no one here is saying that to tip for the server who has to be summoned to refill drinks and brings the food out wrong.
Instead of thinking of tips as a reward system realize that wage law keeps the costs of food unnaturally low. If servers were paid even just minimum wage you can expect every single item on the menu including alcoholic beverages to increase by around $2 each to cover payroll.12-15% is standard drinks were filled order was correct not much interaction. Tip lower if there is some problems keeping the drinks filled. Complicated orders you should possibly tip a little more because the waiter then has to go argue with the cooks to get them to make it right. If the waiter is friendly and takes care of you then tip 20+% and ask for that person next time you go in. This is what every server should be striving for and it results in some amazing service.
I had a whole Buffalo Wild Wings trained. I would walk in and the server would bring me a water and told me what's new on tap. Some of them had memorized my order and all of them knew my tip is based off of my water glass. There was only one or two servers who didn't realize I was a good tipper but unless half the staff was out sick and they were slammed I got the best service in the world there all because I tipped around 25% for the first few weeks I came and then lowered to 20% after that. Remember the not real acronym of tips To Insure Great Service.

 

[wildwest450]

All I know is being a good tipper has resulted in a LOT of free drinks and outstanding service. A good return for a small investment.


_

 

[ChillWill]

I loooove the Toad, I try to go there every time I'm back in town. I wasted far too many a night there.

Well that's 2 people on this site I found that go there... must be the beer. I miss working there, was a lot of hard work at times but the customers were great and getting to try so many beers was awesome.

 

[ReverseApacheMaster]

I disagree with the tipping = wages concept but I realize that's how the system works. I don't tip people who aren't paid wages based on tipping unless they went above and beyond their service duties. I find it ridiculous and slightly offensive when I go to a fast food place and they write in or print a tip line on the receipt. If you're making $8/hr you don't need a tip for the two minutes it took to put my sandwich together and put it in a bag.

I'm also not a believer that bad service means I should still tip or waste my time telling the manager his or her employees are not doing their job. That is, after all, the manager's job -- managing. Crappy service just means no tip. Personally I think if you're going to put a line on the credit card receipt that lets me adjust the total it should work both ways. Really bad service means instead of adding to the total I should be able to subtract from it. However, I've yet to try it out. I haven't gotten THAT bad of service in a very long time.

I'm also a believer that the work expected out of you justifies more of a tip. If you serve my table for an hour with taking orders, bringing drinks/food, filling water, etc. you deserve a tip (and more of a tip) than somebody who takes a two minute call for a take out order and two more minutes to ring it up. However, I do usually tip bartenders well above the norm as long as the service is good. I take the quality of service into consideration of how busy it is. If you have all full tables in your section I can understand some wait. If I'm your only table, my water glass shouldn't sit empty.

To the OP, yeah, I'd tip for filling a growler just like ordering a beer. It's pretty much the same thing.

 

[rycov]

i guess too it depends on why the service was ****ty. if its a person with a ****ty attitude that is rude to customers, i can see that being a reason not to tip. but if its some one trying hard and just can't get it all right, then that deserves maybe a smaller tip, but not no tip.

 

[the_trout]

Well that's 2 people on this site I found that go there... must be the beer. I miss working there, was a lot of hard work at times but the customers were great and getting to try so many beers was awesome.

Make it three. I used to hang at the Toad in the early 90's. It was an awesome bar then and one of the few places you could get good beer. I assume it's still awesome. I think I'm just too old for the Alaxander St. crowd nowadays.

As far as tipping goes, yes. I also follow the $1/draft rule. I'd probably go with a duece on a growler. If I'm gonna be there awhile I'll run a tab and tip a minimum of 10% for even medioce service. If I've got a cocktail waitress running for me she'll get 15%+. If a $20 round of drinks mysteriously disappears from my tab an extra $10 mysteriously appears on the tip.

I have also done the full round of resturant work, everything from dishwasher to bartender and all points in between. Pretty much anyone you have interaction with is working for considerably less than minimum wage and relies on tips to pay thier bills.

 

[downtown3641]

I agree.

I am a paramedic by trade. I do the job because I love it, not because I expect to get rich. Thats a good thing, because I get paid crap.

I bring people back from the dead, and I can't get tipped for it. I don't expect to, either.

Someone picking up a glass and pouring me a drink does not get a buck out of me just for the effort.

IF they give me good advice, great service, and make the stay enjoyable, I'll tip ok. But merely existing and doing the basic functions of their job does not give them some special rights to a tip.

You get paid more than a couple bucks an hour to do your job. Always tip your sever if they are at least adequate. I don't care if you tip your bartender. I do, but they at least aren't completely relying on tips.

I can't believe people who feel like they should tip servers unless they're unbelievably great. Stay home.

 

[Boy]

where do you work? you're getting hosed. i've worked in several restaurants and the cooks never got tipped. they get paid by the hour. servers/bartenders do not. if your server does a bad job you can tip them a little less, but still not none. that would be like if your boss didn't like what you did today so he didn't pay you.

Tipping the cooks has been either required or recommended at every restaurant job I've had. Generally around 10% of either tips or food sales. If it's food sales then it really sucks for the bartender since most people did not tip when ordering food from the bar.

The difference is probably that in OR everyone gets full minimum wage.