Tipping/Gratuity on Restaurant tab - FIL tipped 11-12%!

[Anonymous]

why would you be offended that someone said that blacks don't tip? it is their observation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my waitressing experiences, it was the white Europeans who didn't tip.

Do we have most shades of potential non-tippers covered now? Did we miss any?

I would have to agree that it was the Europeans (of all races) who are bad tippers. When I went to Europe, I realized that tips are usually either a) included in the price of the meal or b) minimal (2-5%), so this makes sense. I don't have any experience of African-Americans or Hispanics tipping badly. In fact, the lower the socio-economic class, the better the tippers, generally (this does not imply that AAs or Latinos are of low socio-economic class, of course).

[Anonymous]

Here's the thing though, tipping is cultural. And in the US, don't Americans usually tip for meals?

[Anonymous]

I think you are being too harsh!! 10-11% is not bad. Tip should be on pre-tax amount and there is also the issue of how to tip on alcohol, especially on wine. Also perhaps his entree was not very good, or he did not get what he ordered and decided since he was treating everyone and in the interest of good manners he would not say anything, then his tip would reflect that.

And since we are talking about good manners here, I guilty you might also be guilty of a small breach here. My understanding is that it is a no-no to check how much someone else is tipping. If I treated you to a meal and then say you look at the check on the way out, I would not find that endearing and might be less inclinded to go out for dinner with you again unless you were treating!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:why would you be offended that someone said that blacks don't tip? it is their observation.

Are you really that dense? This is not a scientist reporting the results of a sociological study, with statistical analysis.

[Anonymous]

Study shows blacks tip less -- but they may have good reason
By Jane Engle, Times Staff Writer|March 26, 2006
"THAT waitress sized us up in two seconds. We're black, and black people don't tip," says Anthony, a character complaining about restaurant service in a scene from "Crash," winner of this year's best-picture Oscar.

That's not just Hollywood talking, a Cornell University associate professor says: Research indicates that African Americans, on average, leave smaller tips for servers than whites do and that they're more likely to leave nothing.

ok, that make me less dense?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's the thing though, tipping is cultural. And in the US, don't Americans usually tip for meals?

America being so well known as having completely homogeneous behavior, of course. All Americans act exactly the same, right?

[Anonymous]

OP again. Please no more generalizations about tipping practices among various ethnicities/nationalities. So not an issue here or anywhere else for that matter. For those who suggested I supplement the tip with cash, I totally wish I had the wherewithal to do so. As I was sliding out of the booth to leave, I saw the total amount, the tip handwritten in and thought, "that doesn't look right." It didn't look right to me, because I tend to tip a minimum of 15%, and will tip more for really good, attentive service. I'm not as bright as you DCUMers who can calculate tips in your head. Anyway, I couldn't stop thinking about the tip, and when I got home I calculated what 15% would be on the total. FIL left between 11-12% of the total including the wine. The problem here is a disconnect between how I tip and how FIL tips. If FIL wants to treat us to dinner in the future, I'll bring cash to covertly slip to the waiter or insist we bring along the kids and go for pizza.

Perhaps this is what I get for not averting my eyes when I slid out of the booth. Is it better to know and be ridden with angst or be blissfully ignorant?

[Anonymous]

I don't know what Cornell professor said that, but in my college sociology classes we learned that white folks are the worse tippers. And in fact most minorities tip better overall if only to combat the thought that they tip badly.

So take that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my waitressing experiences, it was the white Europeans who didn't tip.

Do we have most shades of potential non-tippers covered now? Did we miss any?

One more, when I waited tables, I found the fanatical church-going folks to be really poor tippers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know what Cornell professor said that, but in my college sociology classes we learned that white folks are the worse tippers. And in fact most minorities tip better overall if only to combat the thought that they tip badly.

So take that!

what sociology class? love to see the studies. never met a waiter (honestly, from working in many restaurants) black or white, who wouldnt complain when a large black party came to their section. maybe things have changed since the 90s .... hopefully so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: FIL left between 11-12% of the total including the wine. The

OK, so if you know the approximate value of the wine, you can work backwards and see what he tipped on the meal.

Anyone know what is the usual tipping percentage on wine?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know what Cornell professor said that, but in my college sociology classes we learned that white folks are the worse tippers. And in fact most minorities tip better overall if only to combat the thought that they tip badly.

So take that!

Did they teach you to cite any evidence in your college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't know what Cornell professor said that, but in my college sociology classes we learned that white folks are the worse tippers. And in fact most minorities tip better overall if only to combat the thought that they tip badly.

So take that!

what sociology class? love to see the studies. never met a waiter (honestly, from working in many restaurants) black or white, who wouldnt complain when a large black party came to their section. maybe things have changed since the 90s .... hopefully so.

Unfortunately I think you're right (I waited tables too). I think the younger generations (X and lower) are starting to break the stereotype. I've never been out with my friends where anyone tipped less than 15, and it's normally 20.

[Anonymous]

I don't know why 20% is considered the norm. My norm is 15%, and I'll go above for great service, and below for bad service.