Question:
I tip 20% minimum, and up to 30% if the service was fantastic. The only places I buy food are places where tipping is expected. This goes for delivery as well.
I don't know what I'm compensating for; I guess I just feel bad for service workers in Duluth's crappy economy. That and the whole karma thing.
-ben

Answer:
I tip my local daily lunch spots waitpersons at least $3 even though most bills are below $10. I get great service and smiles.
However, bad or indifferent service at other locations get 10%. I go up to 20 % only when service is at least adequate.

Answer:
I worked in the service industry for about 10 yrs, off and on. I worked at high end restaurants, swanky bars, scuzzy bars and doughnut shops. The doughnut shop was the hardest. And there I got the lowest tips. So I usually tip everybody. That said, I absolutely disagree that if you can't afford to tip then you can't afford to go out. Why should people who don't make or have much money be punished and told to stay home? It bugged me when someone who cleary could afford it stiffed me, but if it was some young couple (for example) that obviously hadn't been out in awhile and didn't have a lot of extra cash that didn't tip I just let it pass. Most people tip. It all evens out.

Answer:
I overtip when, in reality, it's not an overtip but compensation for my boys. If they knock over a coke or, as very recently happened, two cokes, I up the ante. I am insecure! I'm afraid the wait staff will see us coming and draw straws--loser waits on us.
I would still round out a 2.00 surcharge up to a decent tip.

Answer:
Originally Posted by gregmech26 I agree on giving a 15-20% tip when you dine-in, but only if the service is good. People who "over-tip" are often very insecure. Ask any psychologist.
I was focusing on whether or not people leave a tip when they pick-up a carry-out order, or when the pizza place ALREADY charges a delivery FEE. Isn't that double dipping? Wow. Are you a psychologist? Do you have any medical training whatsoever? Where are you getting your data that overtipping means insecurity? I guess you've never worked in the service industry, or else $2 is a financial hardship for you. Like pellen said, if you're poor it shouldn't preclude you from going out and having a good time...but if you can afford it, like I can, I see nothing wrong with tipping. I went to graduate school, I worked my ass off to get a good job, and in turn I believe that folks who provide good service should receive tips.
Folks in the service industry struggle to make ends meet. Wait staff get about $3.00 an hour and the rest of their income is tips. Pizza delivery folks make minimum wage.
If I'm picking something up at the restaurant for take-out, I usually leave two dollars as a courtesy. If I'm dining in the restaurant, I always leave at least 20% unless service was poor. I have only received poor service a handful of times in my entire life -- most of the time, the wait staff treat me very well. The exception is restaurants that have a fixed service fee, usually 18%. In those cases, since the meal and wine is so expensive, I usually just stick with the service fee that they have added to the bill. If service was exemplary then I'll add more for the waitperson.
Nobody's forcing you to tip, but I don't understand why anyone would be a stingy tipper unless the service was poor. If you love yourself and love life, then why wouldn't you be inclined to treat those around you with kindness and positivity?
I'd rather treat those around me with kindness and generosity...but then again, I also put my money where my mouth is and volunteer to help those less fortunate than me (in 2006 I did over 900 hours of community service between the nonprofit events, victim advocacy, church events, nonprofit boards I serve on, and Fire/EMS - that's about 17 hours a week for the entire year in addition to my 50 hour/week job). Sadly, there are a lot of selfish people in the world. Altruism not only helps those around you, it makes YOU feel better.

Answer:
I agree with linnea. I over-tip frequently, but it's not insecurity. It's knowing exactly how hard those people are really working and the crap they have to put up with.

Answer:
"Few customs offer as much insight into someone's personality than the age-old practice of tipping. Those who make it a practice to leave extra large tips to a restaurant server may be naturally generous, or perhaps just thought the service was excellent. But, psychologists say, grossly overtipping can also be a sign of a large ego ("look at this money I'm throwing around") or a thinly veiled attempt by an insecure person to buy approval. "
http://www.forbes.com/2006/02/08/tip...08tipping.html
check mate

Answer:
Originally Posted by greyhueofdoubt I tip 20% minimum, and up to 30% if the service was fantastic. The only places I buy food are places where tipping is expected. This goes for delivery as well.
I don't know what I'm compensating for; I guess I just feel bad for service workers in Duluth's crappy economy. That and the whole karma thing.
-ben
You tip 30% on delivery?
I doubt anyone would have "bad karma" for not tipping the California Pizza Kitchen teenager who put pasta in a bag for a customer to pick up. Just like I dont feel bad for driving through the Micky Dees drive-thru and not leaving a tip.
Too each his own I suppose...

Answer:
Originally Posted by linnea Wow. Are you a psychologist? Do you have any medical training whatsoever? Where are you getting your data that overtipping means insecurity? I guess you've never worked in the service industry, or else $2 is a financial hardship for you. Like pellen said, if you're poor it shouldn't preclude you from going out and having a good time...but if you can afford it, like I can, I see nothing wrong with tipping. I went to graduate school, I worked my ass off to get a good job, and in turn I believe that folks who provide good service should receive tips.
Folks in the service industry struggle to make ends meet. Wait staff get about $3.00 an hour and the rest of their income is tips. Pizza delivery folks make minimum wage.
If I'm picking something up at the restaurant for take-out, I usually leave two dollars as a courtesy. If I'm dining in the restaurant, I always leave at least 20% unless service was poor. I have only received poor service a handful of times in my entire life -- most of the time, the wait staff treat me very well. The exception is restaurants that have a fixed service fee, usually 18%. In those cases, since the meal and wine is so expensive, I usually just stick with the service fee that they have added to the bill. If service was exemplary then I'll add more for the waitperson.
Nobody's forcing you to tip, but I don't understand why anyone would be a stingy tipper unless the service was poor. If you love yourself and love life, then why wouldn't you be inclined to treat those around you with kindness and positivity?
I'd rather treat those around me with kindness and generosity...but then again, I also put my money where my mouth is and volunteer to help those less fortunate than me (in 2006 I did over 900 hours of community service between the nonprofit events, victim advocacy, church events, nonprofit boards I serve on, and Fire/EMS - that's about 17 hours a week for the entire year in addition to my 50 hour/week job). Sadly, there are a lot of selfish people in the world. Altruism not only helps those around you, it makes YOU feel better. I wholeheartedly agree with everything you have said. Very, very well put.

Answer:
Originally Posted by linnea Wow. Are you a psychologist? Do you have any medical training whatsoever? Where are you getting your data that overtipping means insecurity? [/b]
How about Forbes!
Originally Posted by linnea I guess you've never worked in the service industry, or else $2 is a financial hardship for you. [/b]
That's as absurd as saying a doctor needs to have cancer in order to know how to treat cancer. Are you saying that the rich should pay higher tips. Redistribition of wealth?
Originally Posted by linnea Like pellen said, if you're poor it shouldn't preclude you from going out and having a good time...but if you can afford it, like I can, I see nothing wrong with tipping. [/b]
Neither do I; however, when it comes to delivery or carry out then the ball game is different.
Originally Posted by linnea I went to graduate school, I worked my ass off to get a good job, and in turn I believe that folks who provide good service should receive tips.
Folks in the service industry struggle to make ends meet. Wait staff get about $3.00 an hour and the rest of their income is tips. Pizza delivery folks make minimum wage. [/b]
So why dont you tip your local MICKY DEES DRIVE-THRU PERSON?
Originally Posted by linnea If I'm picking something up at the restaurant for take-out, I usually leave two dollars as a courtesy. [/b]
Huh! A courtesy for what? Doing their job?
Originally Posted by linnea If I'm dining in the restaurant, I always leave at least 20% unless service was poor. [/b]
Same here if it's a mid-to-upscale place
Originally Posted by linnea Nobody's forcing you to tip, but I don't understand why anyone would be a stingy tipper unless the service was poor. If you love yourself and love life, then why wouldn't you be inclined to treat those around you with kindness and positivity? [/b]
I don't tip my doctor, my cashier, my intern..... they all provide great service....including the micky dees drive-thru kid!
Originally Posted by linnea I'd rather treat those around me with kindness and generosity [/b]
Ahhhh I see how it is. So money = kindness? I'm not a kind person for not tipping the micky dees person?
Originally Posted by linnea ...but then again, I also put my money where my mouth is and volunteer to help those less fortunate than me (in 2006 I did over 900 hours of community service between the nonprofit events, victim advocacy, church events, nonprofit boards I serve on, and Fire/EMS - that's about 17 hours a week for the entire year in addition to my 50 hour/week job). [/b] LOL ..so it boils down t oa pissing contest of whomever voulenters the most? Whomever gives the most of their time and chairty is the better person?
Originally Posted by linnea Sadly, there are a lot of selfish people in the world. Altruism not only helps those around you, it makes YOU feel better. [/b]
I hardly consider not tipping the CPK or mcD's boi as being selfish.