Itemize Tip of the Day

Tipping at restaurants is incorrectly called "gratuity." Gratuity implies you are GRATEFUL for your service, not obligated to leave an obligatorily obligatory 15%. Sometimes you want to leave more if your server does a good job, but often you'd prefer to leave less, but want to avoid being, "that guy". So, I'd like to introduce a new concept known as "Tip Itemization." On the little tip line on your bill, break down your tip to show how good or bad the service was, and what, specifically you're leaving money for. Example, on a good server:

Amount: $15.75
Tip:$2.25
For bringing refills quickly: $1.00
For being pleasant: $0.75

For a bad server:

Amount: $15.75
Obligatory Tip: $2.25
Refills: $0.00
Pleasantness: $0.00
Order accuracy: $0.00

That'll show 'em! If they're good, they'll get a kick out of you recognizing them. If they're bad, well, maybe they'll do better next time.

Comments

Pete said…
This is seriously one of the best tips ever! One question, can you have negative line items?

ie. Expecting me to know what your thinking when you stare at me holding your little note pad: -$0.50
Amanda said…
I just had a conversation about this the other day. I also don't think that tipping should be expected/required.

And I notice that refills are important to you - I feel you there. Go Big Gulpers!
Anonymous said…
Another thing someone told me recently if you're upset with your server is to tip them %15 (so that they don't just write you off as a jerk) and then tell them that you're giving them %15 but they don't deserve any of it.

-Thor
Jay said…
Pete and I JUST tested this tip tonight, and it does work wonders. Only problem is, you have to be pretty exact in your math to avoid over-tipping. We're proud to say that I gave our server at "Tumbleweed" a $0.59 upgrade because of her bringing us timely refills and a to-go cup without asking!

Come to think of it, who names a restaurant "Tumbleweed?" Tumbleweeds are usually present only when there's NOTHING else. Hmm...
JCo said…
You can also leave a penny - isn't that a sign of good service when you leave a penny + your normal tip?
Pete said…
Personally I am more of a round number tipper anyway and not really that concerned about percentages. So your basic tip at Applebee's maybe $1.50 and a bonus tip may add 50¢. None of that crazy 59¢ stuff to me. Unless of course it makes a nice number in the end. like $20 total bill.
CGrim said…
Uhmmm.... unless it's included in the bill, a tip is not required. And places that include it in the bill only do so because they know their service sucks, but they don't want to pay their waiters more.

If someone gives you crappy service, give them a crappy tip, and mention that in your itemization.

"Tip: 15% standard
-5% for bringing dish with olives on it, despite a specific request to the contrary
+3% for refilling waters without being asked
-4% for bringing straws only after being asked
-5% for being snippy when asked if one can get garlic bread on the side
-2% because the only time you were attentive to this table was the 5 times you came back to see if I was done writing this yet
Total: I am 2% grateful"
Jay said…
Good call! Do the percentages BEFORE figuring out how much to leave. Also, Thor, I really like the % in front of the number. I'm going to start using that. That makes today about %8 better.
Amanda said…
I thought the penny addition was a sign of bad service.
JCo said…
There seems to be differing opinion on the penny thing, but I like this explanation: Also, some may also not know that if you leave a tip with a penny sitting on top of it it means that you received outstanding service, but this is only if you leave a nice tip for your service if you have a 40 dollar check and you leave a dollar and a penny then it is just an insult.

Found at: http://www.helium.com/tm/177688/thanks-latest-minimum-served

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