Tipping, automatic gratuity for large parties

[offTopic]

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All,

FYI, on a semi-related tangent, I just posted some prices for Vegas "occassion" dining in B&M. Not directly relevant to this thread, but it's something I see people ask about a lot re: going to Vegas, so thought I'd write it up.

Vegas prices

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Nice. What the hell is "tempura sashimi"? Do they just put it in the oil long enough to cook the batter?

[El Diablo]

oT,

Exactly.

[rJ_]

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It is of course my hope that the wine was treated properly and your glasses were kept at correct levels. In my opinion, this is what you're paying for, and it's worth it.

Proper wine service probably is the most labor intensive aspect of fine dining as far as service goes.


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Im not a big wine drinker but i have a few questions. Is it looked down upon to fill your own wine glass? I remember something vaguely about bad luck or bad manners pouring your own drink. Is this for wine or all drinks?

Is the difference between a $10 bottle and a $100 bottle as big as the difference between a $10 steak and a $100 steak?

rJ_

[rJ_]

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otb,

FYI, article on service fee instead of tipping

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I am 100% for this because it will probably make waiters and waitresses unable to under claim at tax time. I imagine this will be huge for bringing in tax dollars and take relief off of the rest of us that have the taxes automatically taken off already.

The only problem i see with this is that being a service your tip wil lend up taxed under Canada's GST (goods and services tax).

rJ_

[oreopimp]

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depends on what the tipping percentage is

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I thought it was basically always 18% or 20%.

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orrect me if im wrong.
Standard tip used to be 10%, then out of nowhere (anyone know when) it became 15%, now many are saying 15 to 20%.

Should we assume in X years it will be 20%.

Now what causes the rise?
Hypothesis 1...minimum wage hasnt gone up but cost of living has so tips have had to rise to keep these waiters/waitresses at their current standard of living. But, who pushed for this?

Hyposthesis 2...There is a group of people who take pride in tipping more than standard amounts. These people also like to talk about it and it makes them feel better than others. This went on long enough that others began to feel the need to tip the same or else be looked down upon by waiters/others. Now these people who need to feel bigger than others that are making up for other insecurities need to push the tipping even further. These people will be the ones that push it to 25% next.

Hypothesis 3...Maybe something im missing. Or i was wrong and standard has always been 15-20%, but i grew up thinking it was 10% because thats what my parents tipped.

rJ_

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standard has always been 15 percent as far I know. My guess is your parents were just a little cheap.

[onthebutton]

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otb,

FYI, article on service fee instead of tipping

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I am 100% for this because it will probably make waiters and waitresses unable to under claim at tax time. I imagine this will be huge for bringing in tax dollars and take relief off of the rest of us that have the taxes automatically taken off already.

The only problem i see with this is that being a service your tip wil lend up taxed under Canada's GST (goods and services tax).

rJ_

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LOL @ this. You really think waiters as a collective group are evading that much tax? Enough that the massive inflow of these tax dollars will allow for reduction of your tax burden?

It's obvious you've never worked in a restaurant or bar.

Edit to add: Also, most restaurant business is done via credit/debit card these days. By law, gratuity left on this type of transaction IS reported. The only thing waitstaff could possibly dodge tax on is cash tips and tipshare.

[oreopimp]

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otb,

FYI, article on service fee instead of tipping

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I am 100% for this because it will probably make waiters and waitresses unable to under claim at tax time. I imagine this will be huge for bringing in tax dollars and take relief off of the rest of us that have the taxes automatically taken off already.

The only problem i see with this is that being a service your tip wil lend up taxed under Canada's GST (goods and services tax).

rJ_

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almost all food in a restraunt Ive been in (granted these are fine dining), a majority of it was paid with credit cards, which means the tips are tracked, etc. Now if u go lower scale and into the chain restraunts (olive garden was one I worked at forever ago), then u tend to deal with a little more cash, but a majority is still by the card.

[noir]

At just about any decent restaurant with full wine service you shouldn't ever have to pour your own wine. If the staff isn't attentive, then do what you need to do and then don't return.

At BYOs or home gatherings, it's fine to pour your own. If you are providing the wine, go ahead and do the tasting ritual (offer someone the option to test the wine or do it yourself), pour for your guests and then finish with your glass. Some BYOs will take care of service, but I've noticed that many have established a more casual tone. The joint's vibe should clue you in as to how to proceed.

I know that pouring any type of beverage into your own glass is considered taboo in some cultures, but I wouldn't say that's the case in the U.S.

Some past OOT wine threads address your second question. But here's a quick answer: It depends, but generally the analogy holds. A $10 steak/wine is comprised of crappy material treated in poor fashion, while the opposite is true for the $100 items.

In my experience, $10 wine > $10 steak. But I know how to obtain good $10 wines.

However, $100 steak > $100 wine. I'm assuming restaurant pricing here.

[*TT*]

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If you don't want to tip on wine, either go to a BYOB or don't order wine.

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Way to overdraw your inference. So, 8 people, 1K bill, $700 in wine. What do you tip?

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OMG, thats sick. I didn't realize that at the time. I will consult with an expert for you tomorrow Dave, this is a very good question.

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

[scotchnrocks]

So if the bill is $500 and your party has 5 bottles of $100 wine for a total of $1000, the tip would be the same as that for $500 in food and 1 $500 bottle?