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restaurant tipping etiquette

post #1 of 52
7/28/08 at 2:50am
Thread Starter 
I usually pay the main course with credit card and tip cash by placing it on the table in a discrete envelope after the meal. However, I've been noticing that most CC receipts have extra slot for "tip." Which is more polite or more appropriate, i.e. so the server gets the tip and not the establishment? Thanks.
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post #2 of 52
7/28/08 at 2:54am
People say cash is best so the staff don't have to lose out on credit card fees. But I almost always use my credit card for tip because I rarely carry enough cash
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post #3 of 52
7/28/08 at 3:18am
you put it on a descrete envelope on the table? wtf? you carry around envelopes?
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post #4 of 52
7/28/08 at 3:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by West24 View Post
you put it on a descrete envelope on the table? wtf? you carry around envelopes?
+1 I'm confused too Maybe I just have really poor etiquette or I'm from a completely different generation or something, but an envelope seems really over the top. I've never heard of this practice before... is it some sort of old skool generational thing or did/do people really do this commonly?
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post #5 of 52
7/28/08 at 3:57am
At almost every establishment, the server is master of his or her domain, so to speak. So, the tip does not go to the establishment; the server does his or her cashout at the end of the night and keeps the tips (in cash) before depositing his or her total sales with the establishment. It makes absolutely no difference whether you tip in cash or by CC, except that the extra tip cash can help maintain a float. Just, please, make sure you sign the slip!
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post #6 of 52
7/28/08 at 3:59am
I have been in the restaurant business for a long time. Never ever seen the envelope thing.

If you are tipping in cash write "cash" on the line just so no one can fill in a number. You can either hand the waiter cash in a discrete manner so you dont look tacky or just place it neatly under an object on the table in a place that it will be seen.
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post #7 of 52
7/28/08 at 4:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JD_May View Post
At almost every establishment, the server is master of his or her domain, so to speak. So, the tip does not go to the establishment; the server does his or her cashout at the end of the night and keeps the tips (in cash) before depositing his or her total sales with the establishment. It makes absolutely no difference whether you tip in cash or by CC, except that the extra tip cash can help maintain a float. Just, please, make sure you sign the slip!

It does make a difference whether or not they are tipped in cash. I see you are in Canada so it might be a different system. If the tip is in credit card it has to be claimed so you can pay taxes on it.
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post #8 of 52
7/28/08 at 3:07pm
^^ That's correct. The way it works is that you have to declare your tips at the end of the night so they can be taxed. If you get the tips on CC, you have to write down the exact amount because you can be easilly audited. If you get the tips in cash, then most people only write a fraction of the amount they recieved. If I'd recieve $40 in tips on a given evening, then I'd write down maybe $8, it was SOP.
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post #9 of 52
7/28/08 at 3:23pm
You've got to be careful with that, though. I've read that the IRS will sometimes assume that you get a fixed percentage of the check and be difficult if you don't report it. Which is another reason that some waiters REALLY hate being stiffed.
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post #10 of 52
7/28/08 at 4:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jodum5 View Post
People say cash is best so the staff don't have to lose out on credit card fees. But I almost always use my credit card for tip because I rarely carry enough cash

There are no credit card fees to deal with for the server. They get paid out in cash at the end of the night by the restaurant in the exact total amount on the receipts, not a penny less.

I have heard many conflicting stories about what happens to tips after you leave them. I suppose all restaurants do it differently. Some have to pool all tips and bussers get their cut. I have also heard that the IRS charges a flat 8% tax, i.e. the IRS presumes you will get at least 8% tip on all your served food, and anything above that goes to the servers. I don't know which particular type of employee falls under this class, I can imagine many small restaurants which could claim they don't take tips, when in fact they do.
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post #11 of 52
7/28/08 at 4:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarmac View Post
There are no credit card fees to deal with for the server. They get paid out in cash at the end of the night by the restaurant in the exact total amount on the receipts, not a penny less.

I have heard many conflicting stories about what happens to tips after you leave them. I suppose all restaurants do it differently. Some have to pool all tips and bussers get their cut. I have also heard that the IRS charges a flat 8% tax, i.e. the IRS presumes you will get at least 8% tip on all your served food, and anything above that goes to the servers. I don't know which particular type of employee falls under this class, I can imagine many small restaurants which could claim they don't take tips, when in fact they do.

i used to work in a restaurant as a server and this post here is the most accurate out of this whole thread.
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post #12 of 52
7/28/08 at 7:13pm
Thread Starter 
to clarify, I have envelopes made with my family name, Mr. X, thru my church. We give donations at the end of church service, and per customs, most people put their money donation in envelopes with their family name signed on the outside envelope, again ordered and sent to our house by the local church for free. I use these same envelopes when I go to restaurants. I think it's much better than leaving naked cash on a table. They fit like tiny checkbooks in the brief so it's not "overkill." Most servers remember me when I come in the second time so it does help.



Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnny_5 View Post
I have been in the restaurant business for a long time. Never ever seen the envelope thing.

If you are tipping in cash write "cash" on the line just so no one can fill in a number. You can either hand the waiter cash in a discrete manner so you dont look tacky or just place it neatly under an object on the table in a place that it will be seen.
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post #13 of 52
7/28/08 at 7:16pm
Thread Starter 
This is good advice. Thanks.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnny_5 View Post
I have been in the restaurant business for a long time. Never ever seen the envelope thing.

If you are tipping in cash write "cash" on the line just so no one can fill in a number. You can either hand the waiter cash in a discrete manner so you dont look tacky or just place it neatly under an object on the table in a place that it will be seen.
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post #14 of 52
7/28/08 at 8:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by G18C View Post
to clarify, I have envelopes made with my family name, Mr. X, thru my church. We give donations at the end of church service, and per customs, most people put their money donation in envelopes with their family name signed on the outside envelope, again ordered and sent to our house by the local church for free. I use these same envelopes when I go to restaurants. I think it's much better than leaving naked cash on a table. They fit like tiny checkbooks in the brief so it's not "overkill." Most servers remember me when I come in the second time so it does help.

Haha you think the church gets those envelopes for free?
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post #15 of 52
7/28/08 at 8:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by G18C View Post
to clarify, I have envelopes made with my family name, Mr. X, thru my church. We give donations at the end of church service, and per customs, most people put their money donation in envelopes with their family name signed on the outside envelope, again ordered and sent to our house by the local church for free. I use these same envelopes when I go to restaurants. I think it's much better than leaving naked cash on a table. They fit like tiny checkbooks in the brief so it's not "overkill." Most servers remember me when I come in the second time so it does help.

Now I understand. I assumed it wasnt a large manilla envelope. haha.
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