On 6/5/2010 8:31 PM, Larry wrote:
> heyjoe wrote:
>> On Sat, 5 Jun 2010 10:39:47 -0400, James Silverton wrote:
>>
>>> usually tips 20%
>> Back in the day, the cost of an item on the menu was determined by the
>> cost
>> of the food (food cost was about 35% of the total cost on the menu). If
>> that's still an accurate cost basis, is it reasonable to tip 20% of an
>> item's price for just the server(s), when the folks behind the scenes
>> have
>> more to do with the taste and presentation of a meal than the server(s)?
>>
>> I realize that tips are traditionally done by percentage, but why?
>>
>> Does a couple (2 people) eating a $40 meal require/use less of a servers
>> time/skill than a couple eating a $70 meal? Does breakfast require
>> less of
>> a servers time than dinner? Tipping based on percentage of a meals cost
>> seems (to me) an ineffective, indirect way of compensation for a servers
>> time and effort. Tips should be based on which meal is served (breakfast,
>> lunch, dinner, dinner with drinks) and the number of people in the party,
>> in other words a base line per head that increases based on the skill and
>> attentiveness of the server(s).
>>
>> Personanlly, the current tipping scheme needs a fresh look, based on
>> current economics and trends. Tipping a percentage based on the cost a
>> meal is antiquated and needs to go out the window.
>>
>>
> I agree. If you stop for breakfast and the bill is $8.00 it would be a
> shame to leave a $1.20 tip. In this case I would leave $5.00. Delivery
> guys often get the shaft. People seem to forget that they have the drive
> to your house. Sure, they don't come back to refill your drinks but they
> usually are driving their own cars. I'll always give them well over 20%.
> It doesn't amount to a lot more money and they need it more than the
> restaurant staff that isn't driving around to bring you food.

I used to give the pizza guy a ten for a medium pizza and tell him to
keep the change, which was generous. Then one day I realized there
wasn't a whole Hell of a lot left out of ten bucks. Then I started
giving him 15. Now I give him 20 and keep the change but around here
it's reaching the point that I feel like that's stiffing him.