Tipping take out

[Triskeliongirl]

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.

[crazycanuck]

Another question...Do they add the tip when you pay at the counter @ the end or do you leave it on the table?

[Triskeliongirl]

It depends on whether you pay with cash or a credit card. If you pay with cash you just leave it on the table. If you pay with a credit card, there is a place on the slip where it can be added and then you tally up the total.

I didn't mean to sound harsh in my last post, its just that practices are different in different countries, and I do feel strongly if someone is going to visit another country they need to follow the practices of that country. As for tipping on take-out, the point of this thread, as you see from the replies, practices vary widely. But there is no question that if you are served food in a restaurant, it is expected you will tip 20% for satisfactory service.

[crazycanuck]

Trisk..i've travelled & can follow different practices...I'm cool with toileting a different way or eating way cool foods a differnt way..

It's being reminded that you guys tip in the US..

[KSH]

Trisk..i've travelled & can follow different practices...I'm cool with toileting a different way or eating way cool foods a differnt way..

It's being reminded that you guys tip in the US..

So when you eat at a sit down place... do you not have to tip? You just pay the bill as is, even though a server has helped you?

I haven't been to Austrailia so I'm not sure how it works over there.

I know in other countries the tip was added to the bill already. I didn't like that at all. The server knew he was getting tipped bad service or not.

[SadieKate]

Don't forget that here in the US, a gratuity is freqently automatically added to the bill for groups of 6 or more. In a culture that does use tips for rewarding performance it makes me a bit cranky as I've paid 18-20% tip for horrible service.

PS to the servers out there - please don't sit down at the table or kneel on the floor next to me. I'm not a child. I'm your customer. Act like a professional.

[Blueberry]

Don't forget that here in the US, a gratuity is freqently automatically added to the bill for groups of 6 or more. In a culture that does use tips for rewarding performance it makes me a bit cranky as I've paid 18-20% tip for horrible service.

Or worse, they don't disclose the auto tip adding anywhere, and end up getting more. I've talked to the manager on occasion when with a very large group with a mandatory 20% tip, where I sat for 30 minutes with nothing to drink. However, I'll also add additional tip where someone is particularly accommodating (eg voluntarily splitting a check for 10 people).

In restaurants, I generally tip 18-20%. For takeout, I usually don't tip. I get annoyed at places like Mama Fu's where you order at the counter, pick up your food, and they still have a tip line on the receipt. The cooks are the ones who package the food, yet the checker gets a tip.

CA

[kiwi girl]

So when you eat at a sit down place... do you not have to tip? You just pay the bill as is, even though a server has helped you?

I haven't been to Austrailia so I'm not sure how it works over there.

I know in other countries the tip was added to the bill already. I didn't like that at all. The server knew he was getting tipped bad service or not.

Certainly in New Zealand you don't 'have' to tip. Peopel earn at least minimum wage so any tips are bonuses. In a nice sit down resturant I might tip for excellent service, and there is one regular place we go to where we tip a bit (and always get good service). But normal service in a middle of the road resturant I don't tip. Some receipts have a line for adding a tip - but its quite OK to ignore it. You don't have to tip taxi drivers here - I've even had cab drivers seem surprised when I say 'keep the change' from $10 on a $9.50 cab fare (which I would always do).