How to Tip in a Restaurant! Appreciate your Server or Pizza Delivery Driver!
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The Level of Service to Expect
Everyone from time to time enjoys eating out or having the local pizzeria deliver the goods. I know I do. But do you know how good your service should be? I have 5+ years experience working in the food industry, most of that working for pizzerias which include Papa Murphy's, Godfather's, and Papa Johns. I have done everything from working on the make line, to delivering, to management. I am going to tell you what you should expect when you eat out or have a delivery to your home and I'm going to give you some suggestions on how to reward those who provide excellent service.
Restaurant Expectations
Here is a short list of expectations you should have when you eat out. And quite frankly, it shouldn't matter if you eat out at Shari's or Red Lobster. Obviously, you would expect more if you're paying more for your meal, but I feel that excellent service should come from every level of dining. Here is what you should expect:
- Be greeted within 1 min of walking in,2 mins max
- When you're seated, you shouldn't wait more than 3-5 mins for your server to greet you and ask about beverages
- All the servers should be extrememly friendly, even if they're not assigned to your table
- Server should take your order remembering special requests!!!
- Even on a busy night, I wouldn't expect the wait for your food to be more than 15-20mins. Depending on the restaurant, maybe a little bit longer.
- You server should check on you every 10 min approx, no more or no less
- When finished, they should offer desert, start to clear your table, then leave the check
- Bring you all of the change when paid with cash
All in all, it should be a pleasant experience. You shouldn't be bothered and you shouldn't be forgotten about. Your meal should arrive hot, in a timely fashion, and the way you ordered it. For most people, it's a special night out and it's very important that your server is on top of things to keep it that way. Restaurants are like a well oiled machine; there is so many parts that have to work flawlessly to provide the final product. So when you recieve great service it's because of EVERYONE!
Delivery Expectations
Just as mentioned above, it's very important that the process from start to finish is flawless so that the customer receives excellent service. Here is the what to expect when ordering food for delivery.
- The person who takes your order offers specials, is pleasant to talk to,repeats your order, and quotes you a time!
- You should receive your order either in the time allotted or faster!
- Your food should be HOT!!!
- The driver should be clean and professional
- You should never be asked "how much change would you like?" or "do you need your change?" You should expect exact change or to the nearest dollar
- The driver should smile, tell you thank you, and tell you to have a good day/night
Most times when you order out I wouldn't expect to wait more than 20-30 mins for your food, maybe up to 45 mins on a Fri or Sat night. No matter what, your food should be hot, the way you ordered it and should be a pleasant experience.
Tipping Suggestions for your Server or Driver
From being a consumer and a Driver, I will have to say that almost no matter what should you feel the need to "stiff" or not tip you server or driver. Having said that, you do NOT have to tip your server or driver and it should not determine the service you recieve. It is simply a reward for great service. I base my decisions on how I feel they performed and I basically decide on a percentage of the total bill to pay them. I've paid as low as 10% and as high as 25% depending on the quality of service. Rule of thumb is 15% of your bill as a tip. To make it simple, here is some examples:
- Tips for excellent service will vary anywhere from 20-25%. I also like to take the time to tell the server that he or she did excellent and even go as far as letting the management know.
- For average service, you should tip 15%. This would equal to approx $3.00 for every $20.oo you spend for you meal. For example, a $50.00 bill should be a $7.50 tip approx.
- For poor service I would tip 5-10%
- Something else you can do to show appreciation is to write on the receipt "good job" and leave it with the tip or fill out a comment card
- Request that server or driver next time you dine out or have a delivery
- Tip in Cash
These are a few things that I have found over the last couple years I appreciate the most or try to do for others. You have to realize that the food industry is one of the most difficult jobs to have and is very stressful at times and very fast paced. It's also one of the lowest paying job, typically paying no more than minimum wage. But it is their job regardless to make sure you receive premium service and great food.
I hope that this will make your next dining experience a little bit more enjoyable or at the very least solve the problem of not knowing what is fair to tip your server or driver. And remember as the guest, you should expect at the very least what I outlined above, and if the restaurant is any good you will definately get that and more!
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Papa Johns is pretty good..I've worked at so many different chains I think it would be best if I can make a hybrid. LOL!!! 15-20 mins is only a ballpark as each restaurant differs. I can honestly say though that I've probably never sat in a restaurant for more than 1 hour in most cases..Most times even less!!! As far as mistakes are concerned, it is very hard to be a server because they're who the customer see's and it's not very nice or professional to point the blame even if it's someone else's fault. That's why I feel everyone should be tipped regardless of service. Effort has to count for something!!!
As a non American I find the whole tipping thing bremusing - I certainly would never tipped for BAD service - I mean why? It makes on sense at all! I actually found the last time I travelled in the uS - which was a few years ago I got consistently bad service- seated at a table near the back, usually near the WC and ignored. It wasn't about my tipping - they didn't know I wasn't going to tip in advance - the only thing I could figure was because I was female and alone - though generally smartly dressed as I was working. So I don't buy that tipping provides good service - and yes I definitly walk out without tipping for bad service in the US - though I would note the restaraunt so that I ddin't go back my accident.
I also think that often bad service is not the fault of the waiter - the kitchen stuffs up the order/looses it is under-staffed - so why should they be out of pocket? Is a weird system for a civilised country.
On the other hand I always tip in 3rd world countries- though not a % - your just round the bill up
You just contradicted yourself. You just stated that often the poor service is not the waiters fault. It's typically the cooks, or other waitstaff...so why would you not leave a tip? It makes sense to leave something. However, if the waiter is so bad that they ignore you or mess up your order than I can possibly understand it. And I would agree that tipping doesn't provide you with great service, because it shouldn't. It should be the reward of great service. But I have found that even with great service I have gotten no tip!!! And why is that? 99 percent of people in the food industry are there to make tips because they make minimum wage at best! I just want to be clear that I wasn't stating that you need to tip to receive great service, but I do feel that great service should be rewarded with a tip.
And when I do go out I do tip well...especially if the service is good along with HOT food. My pet pieve is warm food...if you serve my food warm I will eat it...from fear of what they might do to it if I were to say anything...but the tip will be minimal...
My daughter is a waitress...and a good one, because she likes people and likes to see them happy, and I would guess likes good tips too...
Although you speak of the small wages they make...I feel school teachers are very under paid and they get no tips...Just a comment...
I like your attitude and can imagine you are good at your job and thanks for the information my dear...G-Ma :o) hugs & Peace
Well thank you very much! I would have to agree about teachers being underpaid while also aknowledging other professions that do alot for very little! There are alot of jobs out there that people do and do not get noticed! I would like to think I'm good at what I do...I think anybody can if they put the effort into it!! And as far as warm food...yuck. If I want warm food I know where my microwave is...lol...the other thing that would bother me is food that is hot but dried out from the heat lamps...that's no good either!!
A nice informative look at an often overlooked subject. Thanks
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I and wee one always tip 15-20% and more. It's a tough job and the pay is minimum. Good job hubbing, and congratulations on being nominated.
This is a fun hub for me as I have literally worked in every position possible in the restauarant industry from cook to server to front of house manager, restaurant manager to pizza maker (ten years) delivery driver and owner.
So my comment on tipping is this:
Ive never appreciated or understood the whole percentage thing...if I go to dennys and buy two meals I may pay 20-30 bucks, If i go to El frenchies Bistro (or other upscale establishment) I may bay 100 for the same meal.
Why does the dennys server deserve less? I tend to tip based on the amount of time I take up the table and the amount of trips I send a server on..so if my date keeps asking for extra sides, refills etc...taht server gets tipped well no matter where they work, but an upscale server is not going to get 20% of my bill just beacuse the restauarnt charged me 35 bucks for the lobster.! and 10 per mixed drink!
As far as tipping goes in general, if you cant tip or are to cheap to tip well, then you shouldnt eat out. Period. If you see yourself leaving 2 bucks on the table, go collect some cans or something until you can afford the extras of being "served" or get a to go order.
Lissy...your server usually has no say in where you are seated...you are merely sitting at their station, if you have a problem being near the wc, ask for a different seat and say you are willing to wait.
BUT, it is a servers job to ensure your plate comes out exactly as ordered, if the cook "stuffs" it up, then they should notice and deman it is remade or replated before ever bringing it to you, even if it means coming out to inform you that your meal will be slightly longer.
Tip Good!
Definitely!! I appreciate the comments!
Excellent hub, very well written! I've been working food service and retail for as long as I have been working (six years) so I know what you're talking about! I love that you agree that there is NEVER a reason to not tip. Servers make less than minimum wage - it's finally made it up to 4.65/hour in some places! My biggest pet peeve is people that don't tip - or "tip" by scattering a hand full of change across the table. This is not amusing and we do not enjoy it. Yes it is money, but 1) if it's scattered across the table picking it up is more hassle than it's worth 2) odds are good that it's covered in syrup, catchup, or some other substance that I will have to wash off the money and myself before tossing it in my pouch and 3) then I have to lug aroud all this change all night long. That gets heavy! It strains the neck, hurts your back, and besides its noisy!
Now on to the "no tippers" - look, no matter how bad the service is, that server is still only making 4.65/hour (if he or she is lucky) and he/she DID wait on you. You never know what could have happened. Maybe the cooks were giving the server attitude. Maybe the food got dropped or knocked onto the floor. You just don't know. Leave 5-10% even if the service is awful. It's just good manners. And especially if your meal was comp'd! The most classless thing you can do is to have your meal comp'd or discounted and then not tip. You made the conscious choice to go out to dinner, so even at a casual dining spot (assuming you did not go alone and plan to pick up the entire tab) you planned to spend at least $20. Then your meal was free because you recieved poor service, so now your belly is full and you didn't pay a dime. At least tip the server so she can buy something to put in her belly! I was working at Cracker Barrel (2.13/hour at the time, in case you were wondering) and I had a party of five. Three of them ordered steaks (well done - another pet peeve of mine). It was a busy Friday night and as the expediter was setting up the tray, she dropped it. All 3 steaks hit the floor. I immediately turned on my heel and explained the situation to my table, giving them the option that I could bring out the second tray so that they could eat that while the first was being recooked or I would have the entire order scrapped and re-cooked. They wanted to eat as a family (which I totally understand) so they chose the latter. My manager went back on the line, and personally re-cooked the entire order in record time. I brought it out them, they said everything was fine, and the next thing I know I hear them talking to my manager saying that they expected better service. Their glasses never went more than halfway before I brought them refills, I offered dessert, did everything by the book. Perfect. The manager comp'd their meal. It had to be $80, at least. My tip? The scratch on my ankle from the plate of steak that shattered when it hit the floor. Not one red cent. I was a little irritated.
One more thing, and then I will shut up, I swear! If you order a steak, you should be aware of how long it takes to cook. It should go without saying that the more well done you want your steak and also the larger the steak, the longer it will take to cook. Also factor in things like quantitiy - restaurants "pull" or thaw out a certain amount of meat at a time based on average yearly sales at the same time prior years. Let's just say that todays sales topped that number. Now the cook has to start with a piece of meat that is frozen solid. A good server will tell you an approximate cooking time, but just in case she forgets, here goes. For your average, say 8 - 10 oz. sirloin, cooking times are rare (about 2 mins if the cook is paranoid really it should be more like 1), medium rare (2 minutes on each side - 4), medium (4-5 minutes/side - 10), medium well (6-7 minutes/side - 14), well - provided that it is not butterflied (8-9 minutes/side - 18), extra well - 20 minutes plus depending on the level of charcoal that you prefer to ingest. If you order a steak well done, don't expect your food in 20 minutes. It can't be done. The server has to walk away from your table to the POS, enter the order, the printer in the back of the house has to print, the cooks have to gather the necessary materials then start cooking. Once the order is up, the server has to check to be sure that nothing was left off, garnish, add things like steak knives, grab the steak sauce or other condiments, and carry the tray(s) to your table. You're lookin at like 25 minutes minimum if everybody in the restaurant is on their toes and you're the only customer there.
Ok, I will shut up now, great hub LOVE IT!
I appreciate it! My mom worked at Craker Barrel a few years ago in Texas. And that sucks because they don't make minimum wage..they make half and make up the difference in tips. Up here ( in washington ) you don't get as much in tips but you make minimum wage which is $8.50
Not to be mean, but it sounds like an obvious conflict of interests when waiters or former waiters are trying to convince me I should leave tips no matter what.
Sorry guys, your salary is your problem, between you and your manager, I as a customer should not be concerned with this. I have enough headaches with my own income. :) The cost of the average service is included in my bill already, or my meal wouldn't cost several times more than if I made and served it myself.
I tip if I get a good experience, to show my appreciation of your effort. If I get a bad experience, there is nothing to appreciate, and I don't tip.
I don't aggree with that but "to each his own" I think it's got to be realized that you only see one part of the whole process. Unless you've done it, it's hard to explain/understand.
I also noticed that you said you have enough headaches with your own income....if that's the case, then why eat out? I have alot of people that I provide with excellent service but they pay in exact change. It's not mandatory to tip but it is a service and if you can't afford to tip then you probably can't afford to eat out.
LOL income headaches don't always depend on its size :)
I can afford occasional dining out, and I always make sure to have enough cash to pay good tips. This is not a problem. And I usually pay 15% for good service. I do pay more if the service was excellent. And I pay less or don"t pay at all if the service was bad.
You guys have it seriously backwards over here, and not only in the food industry. Almost everybody is expecting to get paid for the time they spend, not for the results they achieve. But customers wants result, customers could not care less how much time and effort it takes to produce something they don't like - customers are not going to pay for that.
Granted many American customers still demonstrate this same mentality and pay for nothing, but I think coming depression will put things back into perspective for them. Very few people will be able to afford dining out, and those who can will count their money much better...
Misha
"The cost of the average service is included in my bill already, or my meal wouldn't cost several times more than if I made and served it myself."
No, not at all, the price of your meal is covering all the costs of the restaurant from property tax to advertisng EXCEPT service - the average servers wage in Buffalo, Ny (syracuse and poughkeepsie and newburgh were similar) was 4.85-5.15, if you were very lucky minimum wage (very uncommon) ...this wage pretty much covers the time you spend with sidework, cleaning and restaurant maintanance not directly related to your tables.
That being said I know these wage levels well because of my experience as a Restaurant Manager-but I always made much better money workingas a server or barback (100-150 w/ wages included in a 4-6 hour shift, although I only worked peak times) so most of us could afford the occasional stiff-but if your order made it from the kitchen to your table, you owe them something.
You think its easy pretending to like every miserable prick and pretending every stupid little issue means the world to us! Your paying for the charade.
I hope when you stiff the server or tip poorly, you know better than to return nay time in the next 90 days, beacuse, all the stories are true...never piss off your food handlers.
not that i condone or take part in such behaviors, but they def happpen.
"hey chico...remember that prick that ruined my night last friday, 5 bucks on a 75 ticket?...well yeah hes at table 8 can you believe that?"
"Oh honey, dont worry lets see what we can do about that....oops, still good.
(...overheard many of times while doing shots in the kitchen with the rest of the barstaff, true story)..But, never to my tables
Out of the box Hub! Excellent piece of work. I usually make a point to leave around 10% as tips but I am very particular about the kind of service I am offered. If don't find it satisfying then the percentage value decreases and even goes as down as 0% .......
sunforged - I couldn't agree more - I don't know how many regular stiffs have eaten steaks that were spit on or dropped on the floor...I watched a guy rub his....genitalia....on a piece of chicken and stir the carrots with it once....and yeah there might just be a lil something "extra" in that "special" sauce at the McDonalds if you just called the girl at the register a "god damned yankee" ... again! I personally just could not bring myself to do something like that to someone, but I have stood by and laughed hysterically while watching someone eat something that was unsanitary at best.
Misha - I'm simply going to have to agree to disagree with you here because on this occasion, you sound very much like someone who has never worked with the public....which should be a requirement before anyone is allowed to GO out in public, let alone participate in something such as shopping or dining!
Appreciate the comments guys!!!
ParadigmShift... 3 years ago
Great hub!! People need to know this stuff! I think it should also be said, that if the kitchen messes up your order, it is NOT always a reflection of your server! Your server has no control over how your food is actually cooked, he/she can only put in the order.
Also, a really good restaurant (manager) will come out to apologize and offer you a free appetizer or soup (or something) if your order has been totally screwed up. This happened to us at The Cheesecake Factory and the manager came out to personally apologize and HE brought out a free cup of the soup of the day!
15 - 20 mins to get your food? I don't think i've ever seen that on a busy night! But it would be awesome if someone could make this happen! You should open up your own place!
BTW I think Papa John's pizza is the absolute best of the big pizza chains! Ofcourse, in San Jose we have Pizza Chicago's which is pretty much the best pizza on the planet!