No but, you tip out on your sales.
So at most restaurants(I served for 4 years and did to go in that time also) you tip out anywhere from 1-3 percent to the bar, the bussers, and the food expediter. And at some places, the to go people are also serving(depends where you go).
When I worked at Chili's the to-go people had to tip out to the food expediter still, based on sales. So if they had crappy tips that night, they then did not make as much as they could of because they have to give to those who help them get everything together.
Quick question...We're visiting the US soon & i'm wondering if we have to tip? Are we forced to? We don't tip & don't feel we should.
CC,
The minimum wage (and typical wage) for restaurant servers is significantly lower per hour than other workers. Their income is almost solely based on tips. If you don't feel that you should tip, perhaps you could go to places where they're not a factor of the waitservers wages, such as fast food places.
For 3 days, I get to part of a thousand other journeys.
Fast food places are out of the q..blech
I guess we'll just have to cringe & tip only a small amount. I don't think it should be up to the customer to perk up someone's wage.
cc - most servers are paid under minimum wage. I don't know what it is in Canada, here in the states it's $5.85 an hour, unless you work for tips, then it's $2.13 an hour. This varies by state, but in many cases, it is very low; tips are expected to make up the difference.
It's $8-9 an hour in Canada, no reduction for making tips. In BC we also have a 'training wage' of $6 a hour for first time workers but it doesn't last long. Most people tip 15-20% depending on the type of restaurant. I don't tip in fast food places myself - only in places where I actually get served. I will tip delivery guys though - ie pizza.
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CC- practices are different in different countries. In the USA, you are not perking up someones salary, but rather their wages are calculated with the expectation that the customer will provide a tip. The customary tip is 20% for satisfactory service. If you really feel the service was bad you could give less (not the food mind you, but that the server did a poor job). While it is optional in the sense that you won't be arrested for failing to tip, to not tip for satisfactory service is just not right (in the USA, I know this is diff in other countries). But read your bill, as some restaurants do add a tip for large parties.
Another question...Do they add the tip when you pay at the counter @ the end or do you leave it on the table?