Another exciting Tipping thread

[pepper24]

A high end place where the food is always the best and the service is always top notch I think this approach would be great. I'll use a place like Caesar's Steakhouse as an example.

If it's a normal restaurant like an Earl's or Moxie's where you wait for a table, the place is loud, families with kids are present, you have some 20 year old kid serve you food, average menu etc. I'd like the option of what amount of tip I wish to leave.

[Clever_Iggy]

I consider myself a very good tipper. If the server is efficient and doesn't try to chat me up too much he/she starts at 20% and regularly sees 30-40%.

This idea is simply terrible. I can stomach the idea of automatic tipping above 8 people because it's fairly uniform across the industry. This, however, is bogus for the numerous reasons stated (what "Knalus" said).

What would you do if I asked to talk to you and stated that based on this auto-tipping policy, I won't be tipping at all? The service was fine, the food was good, but this is a statement against your policy?

With the economy turning and people looking for work, you shouldnt have any trouble finding a crew of very good servers. This is definitely not the answer. If you do implement this policy, please eventually list your restaurant so I can avoid it.

[Knalus]

Originally Posted by driveway

1. Our service is almost always excellent. We are a small place and we have very, very good servers.

2. We are not a normal restaurant. No one else in the city does what we do. Considering that we are the only people who do what we do, would people be more or less willing to see automatic gratuities? Knowing that you can't simply go elsewhere and get anything similar to our food - would you feel trapped into paying the gratuity?

Now I'm curious. I love going to new restaurants, and if it's a new kind of restaurant in Calgary, I'd love to check it out. There's not enough variety in the local scene.

[driveway]

It seems that the general consensus is that people hate the idea of not being able to choose to tip. Even though people almost always tip and, in many cases, tip more than we would be asking them to.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by driveway

It seems that the general consensus is that people hate the idea of not being able to choose to tip. Even though people almost always tip and, in many cases, tip more than we would be asking them to.

Yup. It reeks of greediness, even if that's not the intention.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by driveway

It seems that the general consensus is that people hate the idea of not being able to choose to tip. Even though people almost always tip and, in many cases, tip more than we would be asking them to.

People don't like the feeling of having to do something. They want to have their own input on what that server deserves for their service.

Also just because your restaurant is the only place that offers that type of food would not stop me from going to the Keg instead where I am not forced to give someone 14% for crappy service.

I'll ask again, what do the servers think of this idea? The ones I have spoken to hate the idea because they feel they can get more if they put in that extra effort, and if they knew it was a standard rate they may actually care less.

[driveway]

Originally Posted by HOOT

I'll ask again, what do the servers think of this idea? The ones I have spoken to hate the idea because they feel they can get more if they put in that extra effort, and if they knew it was a standard rate they may actually care less.

Our servers like the idea - this is going to sound strange, but I'll try to explain myself - because they don't like feeling they have to earn their tips.

Our servers really like their jobs. We are a great place to work, we have awesome customers (for the most part) and our servers are very good at and enjoy what they do. They feel that with automatic tipping, they would be free to simply enjoy giving great service, as opposed to feeling like they need to prostrate themselves before our customers for cash.

It's the difference between working on salary and working on commission. It works for some people, it's motivating for some people, but for a great many people it's simply stressful and the effort frequently not worth the reward.

It can be disheartening when you give exactly the same effort to one table that you do to another, treat them the same way, and one table leaves you 20% and the other 5. Perhaps one table had had a bad day, maybe they just didn't have another 5 in their wallet, who knows? It's still hard on a server when that happens, and it can impact the service they give to other tables.

We think an automatic gratuity policy "levels the playing field" for both our customers and staff.

Though, judging by the reaction from this board, we may re-think our plans.

[Ice]

Good servers will regularly get tipped 20% or more, so they'd essentially be getting a paycut. What likely will happen is your best servers will leave to work in restaurants where they can do the same work for more tip money. I can't imagine a scenario where lower guaranteed tips doesn't turn into worse service.

I'm a good tipper, usually 25-30%, and when I've stumbled into restaurants with gratuity included on the check, I don't add to that. If they only want their server to get 15% fine. Its mildly insulting. I've ever gone back to a restaurant with gratuity included. Even when its a larger party, its like getting a discount when they include a tip, because they never add in as much for that tip that I would have left if they simply left a bill on the table with the food/drink total. I've never understood how helping my table of 12 is any more challenging than three tables of 4 anyway.

Obviously my vote is no. Its a terrible idea.

[Ice]

Originally Posted by driveway

Our servers like the idea - this is going to sound strange, but I'll try to explain myself - because they don't like feeling they have to earn their tips.

I'm probably not alone in wanting my server to feel they need to earn their tip. That IS the point.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by driveway

It can be disheartening when you give exactly the same effort to one table that you do to another, treat them the same way, and one table leaves you 20% and the other 5. Perhaps one table had had a bad day, maybe they just didn't have another 5 in their wallet, who knows? It's still hard on a server when that happens, and it can impact the service they give to other tables.

But your current plan would only get servers 3% further ahead...

I'll be curious to hear about customer's reaction the first month or two that you implement it. Notices on menus or inside the bill folder is insufficient.

[ResAlien]

Originally Posted by Ice

I'm probably not alone in wanting my server to feel they need to earn their tip. That IS the point.

Agree whole heartedly. If I sat down and saw the "you will be automatically charged a 14% tip for this meal" sign, I'd be back in the parking lot before the server brought my cutlery.

I sort of understand what you're saying driveway, but isn't the purpose of a service job to try and entice your employees to give better service? I see the automatic tipping policy leading to complacency by the staff. Sure, maybe not right away, but when in essence you are shaming patrons to "be the bad guy" and explain away a tip, what real incentive still lies there to really do a good job? Of course barring the good employee, I'm making generalisations, you know what I mean.

[llama64]

Originally Posted by Ice

I'm probably not alone in wanting my server to feel they need to earn their tip. That IS the point.

Exactly.

Why do server's think they are entitled to anything but their base pay? Sounds like some entitlement bullcrap to me.

The entire point of a tip is to get better service then you would otherwise recieve.

If the tip is automatic, there is absolutely no incentive for the server to do anything beyond what is absolutely required -- which to me sounds like a recipe for disaster for the restaurant owner.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

But your current plan would only get servers 3% further ahead...

I'll be curious to hear about customer's reaction the first month or two that you implement it. Notices on menus or inside the bill folder is insufficient.

Agreed. There needs to be a sign on the entrane to your resturant specifying tips are included as part of the bill. It can be an uncomfortable situation for some to be seated, handed a menu and then discover the tip included policy.

[V]

I think it's a great idea, but that's probably because I despise tipping. As soon as you make it automatic, you remove everything I hate about tipping. I can view it as just another markup on my dining experience. This idea is good by me.

[Torture]

Originally Posted by llama64

Exactly.

Why do server's think they are entitled to anything but their base pay? Sounds like some entitlement bullcrap to me.

Might be because servers make minimum wage...

[Kerplunk]

I see tipping as a reward for above average food or service, not something that should be automagically be added to the bill. If I get poor service, they don't get a tip.

If I was by myself and saw a 14% rolled into the bill, I walk. Simple as that. It should be my choice how much above and beyond I should give for the service provided.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Ice

I'm probably not alone in wanting my server to feel they need to earn their tip. That IS the point.

You are not alone in this regard. I also feel the server has to earn that tip.

My brothers wife works in the industry and makes a ton in tips. She would be insulted if her employer tried to institute this policy. She makes a lot more than the standard 14%.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by driveway

Our servers like the idea - this is going to sound strange, but I'll try to explain myself - because they don't like feeling they have to earn their tips.

That is strange. If I don't feel that person is deserving of or has not earned that tip why should have be forced to leave one?

That is my money that I may have felt I earned why should someone get it for not giving me the same effort?

Our servers really like their jobs. We are a great place to work, we have awesome customers (for the most part) and our servers are very good at and enjoy what they do. They feel that with automatic tipping, they would be free to simply enjoy giving great service, as opposed to feeling like they need to prostrate themselves before our customers for cash.

If they are enjoying their job, customers will see that. If they are good at their job, customers will see that. If I see a server enjoying his or her job and is doing a good job they will be tipped and a lot more than 14%.

It's the difference between working on salary and working on commission. It works for some people, it's motivating for some people, but for a great many people it's simply stressful and the effort frequently not worth the reward.

Someone should simply be able to do their job commission or salary. No matter how you are paid if you do it well and love it, the money will come. if they can't handle that "pressure" of doing their job well they need to find a new one.

Commission workers have to sell a product, a server just brings you want you order. It's not like I sit down, wait for the waitress to sell me on the restaurant then order or go somewhere else. I am ordering no matter what.

It can be disheartening when you give exactly the same effort to one table that you do to another, treat them the same way, and one table leaves you 20% and the other 5. Perhaps one table had had a bad day, maybe they just didn't have another 5 in their wallet, who knows? It's still hard on a server when that happens, and it can impact the service they give to other tables.

How can that impact their service to other tables? So you mean to tell me if you go 20 from one, 5 from another you just made 12.5% avg on those two tables.

So that 3% is bringing down the service of an employee?

We think an automatic gratuity policy "levels the playing field" for both our customers and staff.

Though, judging by the reaction from this board, we may re-think our plans.

It levels the playing field for the server, not the customer. This means the server will now guarantee themselves 14%+ for a tip because some people will still leave more if they get good service.

So if the server is having a bad day and doesn't do their best they know the tips will keep rolling in. I'm sure some will complain but if you have a $50 meal how many do you think will make the uncomfortable conversation with the manager over $7? Personally I would just write it off and never come back.

If you guys do change it over, I'd be curious of the to get a report back in 6 months with the amount sales and tips have changed. Maybe I am in a small group but the fact I leave more than nothing they should be grateful. Tipping is so overrated now and expected no matter your customer service level.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by Torture

Might be because servers make minimum wage...

And?

Do I tip the guy I buy my jeans off of because he got me another fit when I was in the change room?

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by fotze

Really, thats brutal.....maybe, they should find another job, they are getting screwed!

So do some janitors/cleaning staff...we should tip those people who clean public washrooms. Now that's someone who goes above and beyond.