How To Properly Tip A Server

Tipping may seem to be obvious to most people, but considering how many times my ex has embarrassed me, and even argued about the amount of tip I've left ("That's too much!"), I think it's a topic that needs a step by step analysis.

Here's some easy steps to determine how much to tip:

Step 1:

Evaluate your own behavior.

How difficult of a customer were you?

Did you change your order 10 minutes after you ordered your food?

Did you send back food that was too cold or that the cook got wrong? (There's nothing wrong with sending back cold food or a wrong order, but it's not the server's fault, it's the cook!)

Did you or your kids make a big mess around and under the table?

Remember, if the cook screwed up your order, the server can only take it back and try to get it fixed. Having worked in food service, I can tell you that some cooks and chefs can be very difficult to work with...

Add 10% to your tip if you were difficult.

Step 2

If you were a difficult customer, how was the server's attitude?

Was it service with a smile, no matter what?

Apology for wrong orders and an "I'll fix it" attitude?

Or did the server have a surly attitude?

Subtract 10% for a bad attitude.

Step 3

No matter what else happened, did your server take care of you?

Water, coffee, beverages delivered quickly and with a smile?

Mistakes handled with a smile and an apology?

Dirty plates picked up fairly quickly?

Bill delivered in a timely way?

Plus 10% for good service.

Step 4

A normal tip for good service is 15 to 20% of the total bill. So if you had great service, you should add another 10% to the tip. If you had poor service, you should subtract 10% from the tip.

Step 5

Last, please remember that servers are taxed on their tips whether or not they actually receive them!

Yes, the Feds have figured out how to "do" the underpaid servers too, you aren't alone...

Things To Remember:

• Be honest.
• Whether or not you and I agree with subsidizing low wages because the restaurant is too cheap to pay living wages is immaterial, the server has to work because he/she needs the money!
• Servers are taxed on tips whether or not they actually receive the tips.
• Cheap tippers receive poor service if they're regular customers. The reasons are obvious...
• Cheap tippers often don't get more than one or two dates, unless they dating another cheapskate.
• Cheap tippers often become cheap husbands/wives. Carefully consider if this is a deal breaker for you. Do you want to live with this for the rest of your life?