re: Tipping for drinks at dinner

20% of total food and alcohol

Tipping threads are so amazing. The idiocy spans a wide range, from those that tip inappropriately on the low end to those who think tipping 18% means you can't afford to patronize a restaurant.

Sorry but if 4 people go out to dinner and food runs an average of $80 per person, that’s apps, entrees, and deserts. Delivering the food to the table and picking up the plates etc....I have no problem tipping 20% on $360 food bill. Now on top of that food, if we order 2 $300 bottles of wine there’s no wag I’m paying that same person $120 extra to pop 2 corks and pour a glass of wine. Sorry, not sorry.

Exactly. Why would I give them more money for opening 2 bottles of wine than I would for busting their arse bringing out and picking up multiple plates and dishes?

Tipping has gotten a bit out of control with the "acceptable" percentage. I'm in my 40's and remember when 10% was a good tip; then it went to 15% and now is 20%+ (I did give a 30% tip once). Service hasn't changed that much just what we as dinners assume is acceptable to our server. The wife (no pics) and I have followed suit with what is the norm and typically tip 20%. But as some previous posters have suggested; if I order the $25 pork chop instead of the $55 Tomahawk Ribeye, the waiter has completed the same task of taking my order and delivering my food but I'm "supposed" to give him/her an extra $6 tip (20%)(for the Tomahawk) because I ordered a high price entree? WHY????

While I'm Ranting; be sure to check your ticket if you are paying for a large group. I use to take large parties out for dinner at conferences. My largest bill which will be small to most OT's was $5,800. With a large party they tell you it will be an 18% gratuity which i have no problem with, They are dealing with a large group and someone in that group is going to be an arse. Since I've paid for several of these meals I've looked at the receipts and know what gets charged. One of my biggest complaints was when I was charged $120 for bottled water, they reduced it to $60 so nice of them. Back to the 18% gratuity it is charged against the total bill. The total bill includes tax so your 18% on total is actually about 20% on food/services. the more you know.

Your logic is flawed. What if you ordered some food made with some super expensive ingredient, like some rare truffle? Would you stiff them on the tip because the bill would have been much less had you ordered a dish that didn’t have the truffle?

Huh?

Tip whatever % you normally tip on your meal. Your server is not your bartender and does not expect $1 per drink on top of 20% for your food.

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Geaux-2-L-O-Miss

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I get what you're saying but the answer is simply.. because that is how it is in the US.

Until restaurants mark all their shite up 20% and start paying their servers 20% of their sales (so that they won't quit - this is what most average), it is just the way it is. And both of those have it coming out of your pocket. Except the way it currently is, you technically get a choice.

Waitstaff would love to switch to getting a guarantee 20% instead of having to depend on you. The people who shouldn't want it to switch are the customers ..because it is now built into your price instead if left in your own hands.

Any restaurant worth a shite is going to do what I mentioned. The ones who switch over to $10/hour or some shite are going to lose all their employees and you're gonna get Burger King service at your beloved Sammys.

Lotta poor home-training up in here.

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The total bill includes tax so your 18% on total is actually about 20% on food/services. the more you know.

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This is blatantly wrong and destroys a good post otherwise.

You should not tip on tax because the politicians had nothing to do with the service. That’s just stupid.