Tipping: what's the best tip and worst tip you left, and why?

[Anonymous]

I had just moved to a new area, and got into the habit of taking myself to, of all places, IHoP once a week. It was nearby, not that expensive, and I could think and read and people watch. I would routinely tip 100%. It meant a lot to them but wasn't a lot of money.

I once tipped about 10% because I'd gotten comped a bit more than half my meal (a waitress spilled food all over my lap). I wasn't really paying attention when I paid the check and just tipped on what they asked me to pay. It wasn't until the next morning I realized the waitstaff had still done all the work of giving us all the food. So I looked up their menu online, figured out what the right percentage would be of what I'd been comped and went back to the restaurant. It was pretty funny trying to describe the waiter to the manager. "Um, he was a guy, he was wearing black pants, white shirt...."

[Anonymous]

This post seems like a weird way to congratulate yourself for the 100% tips and the time you went back.

[Anonymous]

30-40 best, small bill. good service

0-worst, no service

[Anonymous]

$100 folded up into an origami star. It was the holidays

If it were terrible service, I'd always leave something. Otherwise they might just think I forgot.

[Anonymous]

40(ish)% great service.

Once we left nothing because when my DS and I received inedible, greasy food, the server got snotty and said we didn't read the description (we did-- it was poorly prepared) and didn't offer to take it back or mention it to the chef. We just paid the bill and left all the food on the table.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it were terrible service, I'd always leave something. Otherwise they might just think I forgot.

This. I once left left 50 cents for horrible horrible service.

[Anonymous]

We usually tip 20%, and can't think of a time we did more than that specifically.
Worst (and rare) was a time we were completely ignored in a very nice restaurant in Cape Cod. We were young, and looked even younger. Didn't order alcohol. They slapped our plates down and never refilled drinks, all while we watched them cater to the only other party in the room. Tipped 5%, and left a note as to why they weren't getting our typical 20% tip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:40(ish)% great service.

Once we left nothing because when my DS and I received inedible, greasy food, the server got snotty and said we didn't read the description (we did-- it was poorly prepared) and didn't offer to take it back or mention it to the chef. We just paid the bill and left all the food on the table.

Why didn't you ASK them to take the food back and re-do it less greasy? I mean, why didn't you just ask for what you want?

[Anonymous]

I didn't tip the time the server accidentally dumped a platter of refried beans down my back while serving the table behind me. I didn't even get an apology, let alone my meal comped. Another person from my party had to get paper towels from the bathroom to help scoop the beans off my back--the waitress just ran away and didn't even bring napkins or anything. I understand she was embarrassed, but I really could have used help.

[Anonymous]

The most I’ve tipped is maybe 30%. Worst is nothing. I have no problem tipping nothing for seriously terrible service. Terrible service can ruin your whole meal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:40(ish)% great service.

Once we left nothing because when my DS and I received inedible, greasy food, the server got snotty and said we didn't read the description (we did-- it was poorly prepared) and didn't offer to take it back or mention it to the chef. We just paid the bill and left all the food on the table.

Why didn't you ASK them to take the food back and re-do it less greasy? I mean, why didn't you just ask for what you want?

Much like the server at that restaurant, you're not getting it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Why didn't you ASK them to take the food back and re-do it less greasy? I mean, why didn't you just ask for what you want?

you don't ever send food back. if they bring out something you didn't order, you suck it up and eat it with your group. no way i want to sit there watching everyone else eah their food while i wait for mine, and then have everyone sit there watching me eat .

server screws up sometimes you gotta suck it up. and well the server pays the price for poor service. I still disagree with tipping. though. pay em a real wage.... and get rid of tips.

that being said Ive tipped 50% on a $100 meal. food was excellent, service was perfect. wife and I felt like we were the only two people in the room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$100 folded up into an origami star. It was the holidays

If it were terrible service, I'd always leave something. Otherwise they might just think I forgot.

I’m sitting here worried the money was thrown out because the bus people thought it was just paper garbage.

[Anonymous]

Zero for a haircut because I didn’t know tips were only cash until I was done and I didn’t have cash on me.

Sixty dollars for a car detail because I accidentally pressed the 30% tip button and I felt two awkward saying it was an accident.

[Anonymous]

Do you tip pre-tax or on whole bill?

(I really started thinking about this the other day when I was assessed a charge for paying with credit card vs discount for paying with cash and it really had nothing to do with the service or the cost of the food.)