On Sat, 02 Feb 2013 10:27:59 -0500, Dave Smith
> wrote:

>On 02/02/2013 9:31 AM, Gary wrote:
>> Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>>>
>>> You can make arguments both ways, such as paying a good wage and
>>> eliminating the tip. As long as you know up front, I don't have a
>>> problem with the 18% add on. Every year at our Christmas party (about
>>> 40 people) they add the 18%. Unlike the cheapo pastor, the bill is
>>> paid with additional tip added.
>>
>> I don't eat out often but when I do I always tip 25-30 percent. I know
>> that's high but I also realize that waitresses get paid very little and
>> count on tips. I appreciate their care (if it's good) so I don't mind
>> paying that.
>
>You're right. It is high.
>
>>
>> If I wanted to save money, I'd cook at home for much cheaper, even without
>> the tip.
>>
>Sorry, but I don't buy into the argument that if you can afford to eat
>out you can afford to pay a larger tip. I am not into playing Mr.
>Bigshot and expecting wait staff to jump when I snap my fingers. They
>aren't trained dogs. The taking of orders and delivery of food is part
>of the service that you get when you eat in a restaurant. If I have to
>pay extra to get a smile and the patronizing tip soliciting behaviour I
>will take the food without the smile and save the money.

You obviously don't eat out often or if you do you think national
chain restos is fine dining. Tipping has nothing to do with servers
hopping about like trained seals... it's what the servers do behind
the scenes that can't be seen is why I tip well, they make sure to
tell the kitchen that I'm a regular, makes all the difference in the
world to the quality of my meal. If you tip minimally (15% is
minimally) there is no way you can convince me that you get a quality
meal on your return visit, no way whatsoever... you'd be very lucky to
receive a meal that passes the minimal health code standard. And
experienced servers can tell quickly who tips well and who are the
cheapskates... the cheapos always give themselves away by ordering
from the menu by price, and from how they stiff the barmaid during the
meal... I tip for each drink, early on during the meal I get up and
tip the bartender too, I receive real 2nis and more than my tip in
comped drinks. I never put tips on plastic, all my tips are in green
money directly into the hand of my the server, I never leave a tip on
the table. Those who don't carry cash are the worst of the
cheapskates.