Am I a soft touch or are my friends tight?

[Riverman]

If you can afford to go out for a meal and spend £27, then you can afford to give a £3 tip.

 

[Arch]

Mmm, doesn't convince me, I don't believe that I've ever caused any bother to a waiter/ress so I'm not going to give them money for their career choice.

Your choice. But bearing in mind the overwhelming reaction here to Badkitty's friends, prepare not to have many people to eat out with....

 

[Baggy]

Mmm, doesn't convince me, I don't believe that I've ever caused any bother to a waiter/ress so I'm not going to give them money for their career choice.

I didn't realise that KFC had waiting staff?

 

[DrSquirrel]

Shockingly Tight IMHO. Oh and IIRC tipping is usually 10% of the bill. So Tight and Doubly so.

I suppose you could have broken ranks and chucked your £30 in anyway.........

Any kind of assumed percentage is total and utter bullshit.

Wedged in service charges are also annoying.

I will round up out of my own laziness - considering that they are the ones that should actually do the work so I don't see why I even do that. I guess its down to feeling awkward about asking for my change.

If I feel there is a reason to tip, I will know and do so.

Also, if they don't have to "give" it to the employer, they don't pay tax on it (im pretty sure no one will declare it) so you are technically giving them a bit more than you hand them.

 

[Riverman]

Any kind of assumed percentage is total and utter bullshit.

Wedged in service charges are also annoying.

I will round up out of my own laziness - considering that they are the ones that should actually do the work so I don't see why I even do that. I guess its down to feeling awkward about asking for my change.

If I feel there is a reason to tip, I will know and do so.

Also, if they don't have to "give" it to the employer, they don't pay tax on it (im pretty sure no one will declare it) so you are technically giving them a bit more than you hand them.

I don't mind giving tips but what I don't like is when people expect them.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

Sometimes there is a reason ... when we have supped a little wine with our meal ... just occasionally we can't do the sums... and the notes just don't come to the same total as the bill!!!

I do understand hammerage of the vino.

But seriously if I'm out for a meal with friends or colleagues I don't want to be messing about... thirty odd quid share? I throw 40 in. 40 odd quid share? Throw 50 in. Maybe add another fiver if the staff have been lovely. And I'm only a public sector worker on lowish wages. At the end of the day, it's simple. Get the bill paid so you can get out of there, and if the staff get a few quid bonus for looking after us, well that's fine with me.

Despite always throwing more into the pot than I need to, quite often I've found that the pot is still short... there's some real tightwads around.

 

[vernon]

And the equally annoying flipside - the one that decides that the bill is being split evenly.
You can always spot them - they drank a bottle of wine each, ordered oysters and they're the only ones that had a digestif.

I once had a forty quid starter, pizza and glass of beer because of two selfish women who arrived early and sank a couple of bottle of champagne and added it to the bill.

I now refuse to dine with any group of colleagues that includes them.

 

[Arch]

Also, if they don't have to "give" it to the employer, they don't pay tax on it (im pretty sure no one will declare it) so you are technically giving them a bit more than you hand them.

Eh? Just because they don't pay tax on it, doesn't mean they get MORE than you hand them. They just don't get less.

 

[Fab Foodie]

It's more complex than that. It can happen over time that you grow apart from people, and a thing like this can be the catalyst that makes you realise it. I've realised that I don't really like someone anymore, on the basis of a single remark. You don't have to fight over it, you just adjust your life to avoid being put in that situation again.

More wise words from Arch.

 

[ianrauk]

It always pay's to tip the waiters in your favourite restaurants. Good waiters always remember and pay back in kind. Finding you a table if very busy, Sitting you at a better table, a free course, free drink etc.

 

[Speicher]

I once had a forty quid starter, pizza and glass of beer because of two selfish women who arrived early and sank a couple of bottle of champagne and added it to the bill.

I now refuse to dine with any group of colleagues that includes them.

Yes, Vernon, I agree, that was very selfish of them. If you arrive early and order extravagant drinks, then those drinks should be on a separate bill.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

Am I the only one who never leaves tips?

You're not the only one. But like the others, unfortunately you are a tightarse.

Waiters aren't on much money... (minimum wage of just under £6 an hour in a lot of cases).... if they make your evening more special, if they add to the general experience with their efficiency and good humour, if they provide sound advice on menu choices, if they accomodate odd requests with good grace, if they appear exactly when needed, and keep out of your way when not, then why not show your appreciation for that professionalism with an extra couple of quid?

They could always have served you with a sullen look on their face, they could have been a bit surly, standoffish, they might have had no idea what any of the dishes were like.... yet the good ones choose not to, and try to go the extra mile for you. Even when getting the same basic wage as the poor ones.

If your policy is to not tip poor service, then I'd agree. But I get the impression that's not your policy.

 

[DrSquirrel]

Eh? Just because they don't pay tax on it, doesn't mean they get MORE than you hand them. They just don't get less.

they're earning more and not paying tax on it

Considering some people say they are low paid because of the tips they get in place of being paid properly etc.

 

[GordonB]

And the equally annoying flipside - the one that decides that the bill is being split evenly.
You can always spot them - they drank a bottle of wine each, ordered oysters and they're the only ones that had a digestif.

+1 for that. Few years ago I had a stand up row with a couple of chancers who did just that, turned out they were well known for it and after they stormed out (not before we'd got the bloody money out of them!) I was congratulated by everyone still there for having the nerve to stand up to them. Honestly, this couple of lardarses shifted almost three bottles of wine - just about the priciest on the list - and shovelled the better part of the menu down their gullets (including two liqueur coffees each) before cheerfully announcing slurring that it was easier just to spit the bill equally. Tossers.

Gordon

 

[Speicher]

You're not the only one. But like the others, unfortunately you are a tightarse.

Waiters aren't on much money... (minimum wage of just under £6 an hour in a lot of cases).... if they make your evening more special, if they add to the general experience with their efficiency and good humour, if they provide sound advice on menu choices, if they accomodate odd requests with good grace, if they appear exactly when needed, and keep out of your way when not, then why not show your appreciation for that professionalism with an extra couple of quid?

They could always have served you with a sullen look on their face, they could have been a bit surly, standoffish, they might have had no idea what any of the dishes were like.... yet the good ones choose not to, and try to go the extra mile for you. Even when getting the same basic wage as the poor ones.

If your policy is to not tip poor service, then I'd agree. But I get the impression that's not your policy.

I agree with you about the waiters, or waitresses. Often I have a question about the menu, and sometimes ask if I can have a certain item but with or without x item. Or salad instead of vegetables. A bit like the Meg Ryan character in when Harry met Sally..... no not that scene.