OT: America's Fight Over Tipping at Restaurants Comes to Its Biggest Battleground Yet

RUevolution36

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For all those saying Europe does it better, I traveled a lot on business in Europe in my past. The waiters told us to never tip because it goes to the owners. That being said, when the staff is only paid a wage, there is no incentive over there to keep the restaurants/pubs open at times (whether early or late). For example, we would be out at the pubs and they would be crowded at 10 PM. Bartenders would call last call since they wanted to go home. Since they were being paid a wage, there is no incentive for them to stay open. We used to try to convince them to stay and we would tip them directly. Usually never worked. Those pubs could have stayed open until 2-3 AM and the servers would have done much better in a tip culture. If the US switches, get used to restaurants/bars closing early.
Fast food restaurants are already wage based and not tip based. They don't close early or open late. Why would you think that would be any different if the practice were to spread?
 
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RutgHoops

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I am a generous tipper and will continue to be whatever the system. Waiters, baristas, the counter guy/gal at a bodega are barely making a livable wage. I assume most here actually graduated from Rutgers with a degree and everything, right? Mods please delete this thread as I feel it makes Rutgers alumni look bad. Its one thing to be the worst donating fanbase in the country, it is another level to not want to tip your waiter.

Is our degree devalued to the point where we have become this scene from Bridesmaids.

 
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fsg2_rivals

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For all those saying Europe does it better, I traveled a lot on business in Europe in my past. The waiters told us to never tip because it goes to the owners. That being said, when the staff is only paid a wage, there is no incentive over there to keep the restaurants/pubs open at times (whether early or late). For example, we would be out at the pubs and they would be crowded at 10 PM. Bartenders would call last call since they wanted to go home. Since they were being paid a wage, there is no incentive for them to stay open. We used to try to convince them to stay and we would tip them directly. Usually never worked. Those pubs could have stayed open until 2-3 AM and the servers would have done much better in a tip culture. If the US switches, get used to restaurants/bars closing early.

Probably different in the country, but never had a problem in city finding bars open to 2,3,4 ...
 
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MoreCowbellRU

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If you pay by card in Europe there is no line to leave a tip or add to the bill. The US seems like the only ones that use this stupid system.
I think they should pay the server employees minimum wage but also allow tipping for those that deserve it.
Not sure where you mean, but many places a gratuity for the server is on the bill already. That could be the reason.

I would always tip more in cash if I felt it wasn't sufficient. My wife was a server through college so we are OVER tippers for the most part. Unless the service is garbage. I would never hold a good server responsible for bad food as suggested in another post. We just would not come back again.
 

brgRC90

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I am a generous tipper and will continue to be whatever the system. Waiters, baristas, the counter guy/gal at a bodega are barely making a livable wage. I assume most here actually graduated from Rutgers with a degree and everything, right? Mods please delete this thread as I feel it makes Rutgers alumni look bad. Its one thing to be the worst donating fanbase in the country, it is another level to not want to tip your waiter.

Is our degree devalued to the point where we have become this scene from Bridesmaids.

Actually, many of them do pretty well. Of all the part-time jobs I had, waiting tables was by far the best-paying. I can remember a New Year's Eve where I worked my a** off but made $200, almost $500 for a night of unskilled work in today's dollars. I was the food runner at that same restaurant on Friday and Saturday: came in late, left early and made the equivalent of $250 per night. And servers get 18% or 20% now. I got 15%. Lots of other part-time/service workers make just a wage and make much less money. They need help a lot more.
 

Section124

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Fast food restaurants are already wage based and not tip based. They don't close early or open late. Why would you think that would be any different if the practice were to spread?
Bad comparison. I don't know where you live but by me the restaurants (diners included & fast food) are not open super early anymore and close early. Even if open, it's minimal staff/ drive through only. All the 24 hour diners by me maybe open at 7 AM and close by 10 PM. Fast food restaurants don't have high quality staff either.

After having a tip culture, do you really think bar / high end steak house employees will work for minimum/decent wage on weekends when they know how much they pulled in via tips prior? From the owners perspective what is the waiters incentive to sell cocktails and expensive bottles of wine? Sure waiters may do better on off nights but the real money is Thursday - Saturday (even Sunday). What is the incentive to work when the crowds are there? Service will only get much worse.
 

wheezer

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You could sure change the rule that allows owners to pay everyone minimum wage. Nobody brought up changing the minimum wage, just having everyone gets the current minimum wage.
And everyone getting minimum wage is a bad idea, because it is bad for the restaurant and its employees
Tips will certainly suffer
 

Section124

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Probably different in the country, but never had a problem in city finding bars open to 2,3,4 ...
Friday & Saturday nights usually not an issue. More the result of the owners forcing them to work the hours to get hours. The rest of the days, was tough to keep them open.
 

WhiteBus

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For all those saying Europe does it better, I traveled a lot on business in Europe in my past. The waiters told us to never tip because it goes to the owners. That being said, when the staff is only paid a wage, there is no incentive over there to keep the restaurants/pubs open at times (whether early or late). For example, we would be out at the pubs and they would be crowded at 10 PM. Bartenders would call last call since they wanted to go home. Since they were being paid a wage, there is no incentive for them to stay open. We used to try to convince them to stay and we would tip them directly. Usually never worked. Those pubs could have stayed open until 2-3 AM and the servers would have done much better in a tip culture. If the US switches, get used to restaurants/bars closing early.
That's fine with me. Not everyone wants to drink all night! BTW most restaurants are closing early as they can't get enough help. Most places I've seen that would serve lunch at then close at 2am no longer do that. Many places have gone to a one shift business. Opening at 4pm and closing at midnight or 1am. Just become a day drinker. You'll feel better in the morning. The European model is better then the tipping model X 1000. Although I still tip over there but have to carry Euros.
 

RUevolution36

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Bad comparison. I don't know where you live but by me the restaurants (diners included & fast food) are not open super early anymore and close early. Even if open, it's minimal staff/ drive through only. All the 24 hour diners by me maybe open at 7 AM and close by 10 PM. Fast food restaurants don't have high quality staff either.

After having a tip culture, do you really think bar / high end steak house employees will work for minimum/decent wage on weekends when they know how much they pulled in via tips prior? From the owners perspective what is the waiters incentive to sell cocktails and expensive bottles of wine? Sure waiters may do better on off nights but the real money is Thursday - Saturday (even Sunday). What is the incentive to work when the crowds are there? Service will only get much worse.
its a lot less stressful if the servers knew how much they are going to take home every week. and not every restaurant server works at a high end steakhouse. i worked at a medium to high end steakhouse, and a buddy worked at Outback. like I said, it was a tourist town, and some weeks were great, some were terrible. it would have been a lot easier if we knew what we were taking home after every shift.
 

RUAldo

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So are all the crazy extras on hotel bills.
How hotels get away with “facilities fees” , “resort fees” and fees that let you use the gym, pool, park your car, etc. has always blown my mind. ALL OF THAT CRAP should be included in your stay.
 

Section124

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That's fine with me. Not everyone wants to drink all night! BTW most restaurants are closing early as they can't get enough help. Most places I've seen that would serve lunch at then close at 2am no longer do that. Many places have gone to a one shift business. Opening at 4pm and closing at midnight or 1am. Just become a day drinker. You'll feel better in the morning. The European model is better then the tipping model X 1000. Although I still tip over there but have to carry Euros.
Most Euros are actually insulted if you tip them. It took our bartenders a while in the UK to take them (and it was a Marriot they worked at). Euro model is better for the customer. However, tips are based on service level so you are incentivized in the US. Depending where you work that could be much better.
 

RUAldo

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Miami has the biggest racket in the US where they bang you for a service charge + a separate tip. I got suckered a few times until I did some research. Apparently it became a thing because so many foreigners/tourists go to Miami and would stiff the wait staff.
 

WhiteBus

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Most Euros are actually insulted if you tip them. It took our bartenders a while in the UK to take them (and it was a Marriot they worked at). Euro model is better for the customer. However, tips are based on service level so you are incentivized in the US. Depending where you work that could be much better.
Yes so true. As soon as I tried to tip most said "where in America are you from?" even at places that I gave the greetings in Flemish (Belgium Dutch) they knew I was American because we are the only ones that insist on tipping.
Most relented but one. A part owner of Het Waterhuis aan de Bierhant in Ghent. Refused to take money. We came to and agreement. I suggested let's give my tip to an older couple sitting at a near by table. His response was awesome. They just celebrated their 55th anniversary a week earlier. Word got around and everyone chipped in and we covered everything. The owner threw in a free celebration meal/drinks for another day.
6 months later I returned. Order a Delirium and the bartender said this is on your friend, the owner. Cool stuff!
 
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GoodOl'Rutgers

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A national battle over tipping has come to one of America’s culinary capitals.

Servers, restaurant owners and lawmakers in Chicago are debating whether waitstaff and other restaurant workers should be able to earn the city’s minimum wage of $15.80 for larger businesses.

Right now, their wage isn’t that cut and dried. Under the so-called tipped wage system, in Illinois and other states, employers can pay below minimum wage to workers who also earn tips.


https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/com...p&cvid=87fcfd3bd31d452abdf0a434338da09a&ei=10
While so many look at europe for standards.. wait help is not tipped. Why doesn't anyone talk about shifting to that standard?

(and, yeah, I tip within the norms.. but I am old enough to know the standard used to be 15%.. so what happened when it went to 20%.. was that so the restaurant owner did not have to pay them more?.. what's next.. 50%?)
 

GoodOl'Rutgers

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... Those pubs could have stayed open until 2-3 AM and the servers would have done much better in a tip culture. If the US switches, get used to restaurants/bars closing early.
Would that be the worst thing ever? Most bad stuff happens at 2AM 3AM etc.
 

ashokan

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I have a lot of restaurant owner/worker friends.
A lot of waitresses are single mums who like cash pay and flexible schedules.
There are also some older women who have been working for decades at same place.
Good looking women bartenders do the best - guys overtip like crazy.
When I lived in the Hamptons my local joint had a dude with a degree from London School of Economics and he was cleaning-up.

I knew a girl paying her way through law school and a whole gang of us used to to out when she was working.
It was a lot of fun and worked good for her.
Tip jars don't bother me because local rents doubled in a few years due to illegals swarming the housing.
A 1k apartment became 2,150 (illegals overfill and split exorbitant rents).
Working people cant even get interest on their savings while the stock market was converted into a taxpayer funded boomer slush fund for overpaid office workers.

"You have socialism in this country for the very wealthy and for the very poor. And you have a brutal form of Darwinian capitalism for everybody else. You’re one paycheck away from oblivion."

 

RW90

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My son bartends at a popular place in Somerset. On a good night, their bartenders get $40/hr or more each in tips.
 
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AdventureHasAName

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Its one thing to be the worst donating fanbase in the country, it is another level to not want to tip your waiter.
I don't want to tip my waiter. It's a stupid system and our country is the only one that seems to use it for some reason. And in general, waiter service has gotten worse over the last decade, not better.
 

AdventureHasAName

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GoodOl'Rutgers

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This thread reminded me of this recent story ...


The creators of South Park recently renovated and re-opened Casa Bonita in Denver. They didn't want tipping in the restaurant, so they prohibited it and instead upped waiter salaries to $30/hour. Well, the waiters are bitching and moaning because they want to go back to minimum wage and tipping.
Thanks... good story.

Response to the workers: Maybe Casa Bonita is not the right place for you. Thank you and goodbye.

Of course, I'd make sure there is demand for that $30/hr no-tips service job to replace them first.
 

OntheBanks

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My rule is you come to my table, take my order, bring my order you get a tip.
For someone who regularly waits on us and gives us very good service, I will hand them the tip. Otherwise, the tip goes on my credit card.
Tonight at dinner, I'm going to ask our waiter if they would rather have a set higher hourly wage or receive tips and their current low hourly wage.
 

daveo13

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My daughter waitresses at a restaurant for the summer and makes between $200-400 depending on the customers. The owner has them pay 18% out of their tips for the bus boys. I find that over the top since the bus boys are being paid minimum wage, not the waitresses.
 

RUinPinehurst

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Lots of anonymous input here re: tipping "generosity." Big spenders. LOL. Wonder what the reality is? Consumer and credit card debt at all-time highs. Folks spending what they don't have. And sheepishly supporting a restaurant dynamic of mismanagement and unsustainable menu price increases, while escalated tipping as a percentage goes to an under-salaried staff. All in all, the industry needs a reset. Any likely economic downturn will accelerate that.

I worked in the industry as a bartender in grad school, at a higher-end establishment. Made good $. Management looked the other way re: cash tips. But I did see behind the curtain as to how the place was run. Also, the whole bar waitstaff and bartender culture had its own community and afterhours social scene (Raleigh-Durm-Chapel Hell). Pretty wild at times (mid-80s). Incredibly short-sighted in terms of money management and personal responsibility. Management was not too far removed from it. Actually many were part of it.
 

wheezer

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Thanks... good story.

Response to the workers: Maybe Casa Bonita is not the right place for you. Thank you and goodbye.

Of course, I'd make sure there is demand for that $30/hr no-tips service job to replace them first.
$30/hour sounds like a decent pay for many looking for a job, even if it is a traditional tip job
The existing staff might not like it but there should be applicants just based on salary
 

RU-Kidding

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Yes, this practice is becoming more common in restaurants! The restaurant will quietly add a 10-15% Tip without telling the customer that the tip is already included. Another new practice that is becoming more common is the venue charging a 3% fee for using a credit card. Back in the old days, the restaurant bar would eat the cost of processing the transaction.
Went out to have dinner in Red Bank last weekend, they added 4% to the bill if you paid by card versus cash. The bill actually showed 2 different totals depending upon which way you were paying. Crazy!
 

gef21

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Tipping was introduced because restaurant owners didn't want to pay their staff.
 

MoreCowbellRU

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Most Euros are actually insulted if you tip them. It took our bartenders a while in the UK to take them (and it was a Marriot they worked at). Euro model is better for the customer. However, tips are based on service level so you are incentivized in the US. Depending where you work that could be much better.
I've never had someone insulted for me giving them extra money. Finding that one hard to believe.
 

MoreCowbellRU

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Went out to have dinner in Red Bank last weekend, they added 4% to the bill if you paid by card versus cash. The bill actually showed 2 different totals depending upon which way you were paying. Crazy!
Why is that crazy? Are they supposed to eat 3+ % of your bill for your convenience? I don't blame them one bit.
 

RUBlackout7

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Bad comparison. I don't know where you live but by me the restaurants (diners included & fast food) are not open super early anymore and close early. Even if open, it's minimal staff/ drive through only. All the 24 hour diners by me maybe open at 7 AM and close by 10 PM. Fast food restaurants don't have high quality staff either.

After having a tip culture, do you really think bar / high end steak house employees will work for minimum/decent wage on weekends when they know how much they pulled in via tips prior? From the owners perspective what is the waiters incentive to sell cocktails and expensive bottles of wine? Sure waiters may do better on off nights but the real money is Thursday - Saturday (even Sunday). What is the incentive to work when the crowds are there? Service will only get much worse.
Take the L buddy. I’ve never experienced restaurants closing early and the service seems to be about the same.
 

mildone_rivals

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I always found that service workers, like waitstaff and bartenders and all, really like it a lot when I pinch their bottoms while sliding a twenty into the front of their pants. Guys and girls alike. I do it every time they visit the table or bring a drink or whatever.

Highly recommended approach.