As far back as I can remember, a fair tip consisted of 15 percent of your total bill at a restaurant or $1 for delivered food. This is no longer the case!Receiving 15 percent tips will no longer pay the bills. Servers most likely get paid $2.13 an hour plus tips. The sad part is that they never see that money because Uncle Sam takes it in the form of taxes. If you tip 15 percent at a franchised restaurant, such as Outback Steakhouse, you are really only tipping 12 percent. Where did the other 3 percent go? Servers are required to tip out 3 percent of their total sales, which goes to pay the hostesses and bartenders.
Then some people want to rationalize a 15 percent tip by saying, “Well, a meal takes about an hour, and if everyone tips 15 percent in a 4-table section, that’s easily averaging over $10 dollars an hour.” Wrong! Ask a server how often they get a 4-table section, that is always seated, and in which everyone tips at least 15 percent. It doesn’t happen!
Also consider what the server is currently going through. You may not be giving them a hard time or asking for numerous refills, but the table that just got up next to you probably did and also left a tip consisting of a few measly dollars. Nowadays, 20 percent is a fair tip. If your service is good, go the extra mile and throw an extra dollar or two down for your server. The only time a 15 percent tip should be left is if the food was cold, and you received no refills.
If you decide to order in and have a pizza delivered, a single dollar is not enough! When tipping a driver, there are a few things to take into consideration. The first is the size of the order, something like at a restaurant. If you order two pizzas and two 2-liters totaling $20, a minimum of $2 is fair.
Think about it: that’s a lot to carry! How far do you live from the store? If you live right around the corner, you don’t need to add anything extra on to the tip. Although, if you live ten minutes away on the other side of town, throw in a few extra quarters. In addition, what is the weather like? If it’s raining, snowing, or extremely hot outside, it is miserable to drive in and even less fun walking in.
Last, but not least, don’t forget about the rising gas prices. Drivers pay for their gas out of their tips. Not only do they pay for their gas, but they also must keep their vehicle running. The last time I checked, car repairs weren’t cheap either. If you put yourself in the driver’s shoes and take into consideration everything I just explained, how would you feel if you received a dollar tip?
What about places where tipping isn’t necessary, but there is a tip jar by the cash register, such as Chipotle or a coffee shop. People at these places get paid average money. They definitely aren’t making $10 an hour to pour coffee in a cup and mix in some whipped cream. They don’t expect anything, but what are you going to do with the 75 cents you get from your ten-dollar bill? Just throw it in the cup, and help them out a little.
Here are a few guidelines to make everyone’s tipping experience a little easier:
1) When at a restaurant, never tip less than $4, no matter how much the bill totals.
2) If there is a tip cup by the register, toss in your change, no bills necessary.
3) When placing an order, think of how much you want to spend, considering what you plan on tipping.
4) Take care of the server/bartender/driver: they can take care of you also.
5) An exceptionally good tip can make or break someone’s day.
6) These are everyday people, just like you and me, serving you. They too have bills to pay, children to feed, and fun to have. They depend on a fair tip!