Tipping in the States

[goldstone]

I haven't read all the posts on this thread, but my recent experience in western USA was that the "suggested" gratuity shown on the bill was 18%, 20%, or 25%!! Definitely a jump from a minimum of 15% which I reall from previous visits. 25% is effing outrageous. And the gratuity was based on the total bill including tax.

First, there's no way I'm giving a gratuity on the tax amount, and secondly 15% is quite enough, thank you!

So my policy is 15% max of the bill amount net of tax. If they don't like it, hard luck.

 

[severnside gull]

I haven't read all the posts on this thread, but my recent experience in western USA was that the "suggested" gratuity shown on the bill was 18%, 20%, or 25%!! Definitely a jump from a minimum of 15% which I reall from previous visits. 25% is effing outrageous. And the gratuity was based on the total bill including tax.

First, there's no way I'm giving a gratuity on the tax amount, and secondly 15% is quite enough, thank you!

So my policy is 15% max of the bill amount net of tax. If they don't like it, hard luck.

Too true! I've never offered more than 15%.
In fairness most staff are fairly adept at giving the correct amount in small change in order to make it easy for the customer.
I do wonder if the tip culture is the reason why they haven't adopted paying for everything on plastic in the same way we have

 

[AlbionPics&SouthCoastTwit]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27xkt3RQc_c

 

[Bozza]

This is a long read but really, really interesting insight into US tipping - the hows and why etc, and one restaurant chain which is seeking to do away with tipping.

"I’d see nights where waiters were crying because somebody from Europe, where they don’t have a tipping culture, would walk out without leaving a tip."

http://ny.eater.com/2015/10/14/9517747/danny-meyer-no-tipping-restaurants?mod=e2this#_1

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

This is a long read but really, really interesting insight into US tipping - the hows and why etc, and one restaurant chain which is seeking to do away with tipping.

"I’d see nights where waiters were crying because somebody from Europe, where they don’t have a tipping culture, would walk out without leaving a tip."

http://ny.eater.com/2015/10/14/9517747/danny-meyer-no-tipping-restaurants?mod=e2this#_1

Interesting article.