how much to tip?

[jimmpatrick]

[I]The service in the US, in general, is better than in Europe.[/I]


Ok, jimmpatrick, are you reacting to the French mode of service, which I think most of us have preconceived notions about, or other countries too? Germany? Italy?

"Service" does not exist in France except in good restaurants and in the occasional small business. I have walked out of cafes and restaurants because no one has come to take my order - and I am quite patient. This is in a country area which depends on tourism. The people are friendly, but live their lives at a slower pace. Go into a supermarket and, even when it is busy, you will have to wait until the girl on the check out finishes her conversation with each customer she knows.
I spend half of my time in France and half in Scotland. I don't know as much about service in the other countries, but the only holiday I was on where service was as good as in the US was in India.

 

[jimmpatrick]

No it is'nt . i lived in the UK for 30 years and never heard of tipping till i came to canada .

It is in the restaurants I go to. In fact, in any restaurant in this area, the staff would expect tips. I embarrass my son in London when we eat out in certain restaurants which add on 10% service charge and leave the bill open for a tip too, and I complain.
You must be an Aberdonian.

 

[300UGUY]

No it is'nt . i lived in the UK for 30 years and never heard of tipping till i came to canada .

Down in Florida, bartenders and waitstaff hate Canadians.

 

[daugen]

"Service" does not exist in France except in good restaurants and in the occasional small business. I have walked out of cafes and restaurants because no one has come to take my order - and I am quite patient.

fascinating. Sure saves on tips...

Well, I think the first time I got a good look at the waitress's armpit hair I'd probably not want to bother her too much...

 

[daugen]

Down in Florida, bartenders and waitstaff hate Canadians.

Oh I could tell some stories... My wife and I lived aboard our boat in Aventura, (North Miami) for three years, when I needed a break from the corporate world.
I was a Ft. Lauderdale yacht broker, and boy did I meet a wide variety of people down there. Turned out I hated boat sales, but loved boats, so we came home after three years.
We felt at times like strangers in a strange land.

The first group that makes their presence known, usually loudly, are the transplants from upper NJ and NY, and sometimes Chicago, who all go to the same church
and are enormously hard on the wait staff. Olympic whiners. The second group, for sure, were the Canadians. I thought they were all very friendly, the guy at the end of my dock brought
his 50' Cruisers all the way down and up each year and loved it. Owned a mfg plant that apparently was doing pretty well. He was a gentleman, his younger wife a doll, and they clearly enjoyed life.
And yes, the Canadians had a reputation of being poor tippers. Not all of them... There were certain areas north of us where all the rental places catered to Canadians.

Good example of being sure you understand the local customs. Now if I go to Canada, I bet there's quite a difference from Vancouver, to Montreal and to Quebec. Lot of different customs.

 

[D7E]

Down in Florida, bartenders and waitstaff hate Canadians.

I'm welsh ..canadians tip heavily ?

 

[tallyho8]

I'm not a high tipper. I usually tip 15% of the bill before the 9% sales tax is added.

What really gets my goat is when I get the check and the wait person has handwritten on the bottom "a 20% tip is $XXX or a 30% tip is $XXX".
This usually results in them getting a lower tip than I would have ordinarily given.

 

[Carl_NH]

Like others, I double the first one or two digits, for $50 tab tip $10. For a $$$ dinner with wine or beverages that runs up the tab to say $120 for example, I tip based on service - so $20 range. I do this in US and Canada where I travel frequently.


Traveling to other countries in Europe and Asia, I would on occasion tip if deemed good service.

 

[Western]

Sad thing is, some diners would have blamed the server for the poor preparation by the kitchen and stiffed them on the tip.

Thats is what I was trying to say in my former post, JD just said it better. Bad food or cooking is the "kitchen staff" poor service is the wait staff. I try to consider that when tipping. Servers arent "slaves" and they dont get the $ from the bill. They make money giving you fast, friendly and helpful service, that's is where I base my tipping.If the place is super busy I give some leeway for that. Most good wait staff will go the extra mile on a wrong order if you show them an ounce of courtesy mixed with humor before you order IMO.

I'm not a high tipper. I usually tip 15% of the bill before the 9% sales tax is added.

What really gets my goat is when I get the check and the wait person has handwritten on the bottom "a 20% tip is $XXX or a 30% tip is $XXX".
This usually results in them getting a lower tip than I would have ordinarily given.

In that case I would be offended, I would be tempted to write on the check what a preacher left a waitress last week "I "tip" God 10%, why would I tip you 20%"

 

[yelbike]

Down in Florida, bartenders and waitstaff hate Canadians.

I read the first few pages and I felt super cheap. I typically tip 10%, Its like a score card, get 90% on your score card you get 9% tip and so on. More if its great service.

In Canada our food price are more expensive, likely bc our wait staff are paid a minimum of $10/hr or more. 10-20% is expected. I'm not a high roller so I usually stay within the lower bracket but I don't expect the staff to bend over backwards either, just keep my drink topped up. When travelling in the US, I'll have to raise my tipping rate as I didn't know the staff was paid so little. I hope othe canadian do the same. Different system I guess. Again, when in Rome.......