4 ms·

This is really important to understand that people often miss. Tipping to me is way more than just some subjective criteria that I use to judge whether or not a

This is really important to understand that people often miss. Tipping to me is way more than just some subjective criteria that I use to judge whether or not a server "deserves" a certain percentage. Maybe your service at that particular night was off. Sorry to hear that. Here is why you should still leave at least a decent tip. 1. Word will spread around the wait staff that you are a good tipper, even if the particular bad server you happened to receive that night didn't spread it -- other servers will take note: "Wow, even Josh got 15% from that guy" 2. Once Word spreads, that's when the preferential treatment starts. Stronger drinks, larger portions on your side items, extra samples. You always want to establish a relationship at your favorite restaurant. Get to know the managers. They love regulars, and then next time, even they will make sure your service is 100%. It really is a win-win.

usrusr 12y ago
"Stronger drinks, larger portions on your side items, extra samples." I'd be interested to hear where exactly you'd want to draw the line to bribery. Also, i'm pretty sure that the mechanisms of being a regular are working just as well in countries without a tipping tradition. (I live in a sometimes-tip country and I have experienced the best service in a neighboring no-tip country)
- treehau5 12y ago
  First of all, to equate what I said to bribery would mean you have to make the assumption that I am tipping higher _in expectation_ of receiving these things. I don't. Tipping higher provides economic incentive to the server to perform at a higher level for me and whatever guests I bring. And actually it is not bribery, restaurants are alloted to give certain guests freebies to either keep them coming back, or to enhance their experience -- whether it be giving you a free dessert, or other low cost/high yield item off the menu such as side items, or offering you a "unreleased" beverage sample or maybe going out of their way to make a particular item they no longer carry. But besides all of that, I tip higher out of my own virtue, because I worked as a server/bartender for 8 years, so I understand what they go through.
- KevinEldon 12y ago
  Another take might by... In the United States' tipping economy employees who can attract and retain customers can achieve higher per hour wages and can bring more money to the business they work for by offering incentives to the customers they recognize as "good" (customer who spend alot, both on the business by showing up regularly and on them through tips). Everyone can win. Alternatives are the traditonal command and control or employer/employee relationship where one entity gains all of the benefit and then chooses to dole out limited incentives to the other persons.

usrusr 12y ago

"Stronger drinks, larger portions on your side items, extra samples." I'd be interested to hear where exactly you'd want to draw the line to bribery. Also, i'm pretty sure that the mechanisms of being a regular are working just as well in countries without a tipping tradition. (I live in a sometimes-tip country and I have experienced the best service in a neighboring no-tip country)

treehau5 12y ago
First of all, to equate what I said to bribery would mean you have to make the assumption that I am tipping higher _in expectation_ of receiving these things. I don't. Tipping higher provides economic incentive to the server to perform at a higher level for me and whatever guests I bring. And actually it is not bribery, restaurants are alloted to give certain guests freebies to either keep them coming back, or to enhance their experience -- whether it be giving you a free dessert, or other low cost/high yield item off the menu such as side items, or offering you a "unreleased" beverage sample or maybe going out of their way to make a particular item they no longer carry. But besides all of that, I tip higher out of my own virtue, because I worked as a server/bartender for 8 years, so I understand what they go through.
KevinEldon 12y ago
Another take might by... In the United States' tipping economy employees who can attract and retain customers can achieve higher per hour wages and can bring more money to the business they work for by offering incentives to the customers they recognize as "good" (customer who spend alot, both on the business by showing up regularly and on them through tips). Everyone can win. Alternatives are the traditonal command and control or employer/employee relationship where one entity gains all of the benefit and then chooses to dole out limited incentives to the other persons.