Tips are a bit of a sore spot with me.
Not because I'm a miser, mind you, but because they've long become an area of greedy entitlement.
Used to be the standard was 15%...and that was pre-tax total this was figured by.
Now it's more like 20% standard, figured post-tax.
Now, I'm a good tipper, provided of course that the service is good. And good service means prompt service, drinks don't go empty, and timely checks during the meal to tend to wants/needs. That's it.
In general, my minimum tip is $5 for anything less than $25. If I go out after work by myself for a relaxing bite and the meal is $15, they're still getting a $5 tip. I can afford it and it's no skin off my back provided I've got good service.
Given that much of my time is away from home for work, my way of unwinding is to relax to some reading during my meal. Which means I'll likely tip even better, because I'm taking up a seat for a longer time which might otherwise go to another paying customer.
HOWEVER...the effin' government(s) ain't doing anything for me to warrant paying a tip on the taxes they're ALREADY taking from me. Even though the tip goes to the server. It's kinda like paying a fine for the privilege of having my money taken from me.
And what's with some of the people at fast food joints asking for tips? The ONLY "service" they provide is food delivery from the fryer to the counter (or drive through window). And, quite frankly, a significant fraction of that ends up being screwed up. I can't count the times I've driven away from the drive through and then found out my order was wrong.
Add to this the fact that some places take orders by kiosk or apps. Where's the human interaction I'm normally paying a tip for?
Not because I'm a miser, mind you, but because they've long become an area of greedy entitlement.
Used to be the standard was 15%...and that was pre-tax total this was figured by.
Now it's more like 20% standard, figured post-tax.
Now, I'm a good tipper, provided of course that the service is good. And good service means prompt service, drinks don't go empty, and timely checks during the meal to tend to wants/needs. That's it.
In general, my minimum tip is $5 for anything less than $25. If I go out after work by myself for a relaxing bite and the meal is $15, they're still getting a $5 tip. I can afford it and it's no skin off my back provided I've got good service.
Given that much of my time is away from home for work, my way of unwinding is to relax to some reading during my meal. Which means I'll likely tip even better, because I'm taking up a seat for a longer time which might otherwise go to another paying customer.
HOWEVER...the effin' government(s) ain't doing anything for me to warrant paying a tip on the taxes they're ALREADY taking from me. Even though the tip goes to the server. It's kinda like paying a fine for the privilege of having my money taken from me.
And what's with some of the people at fast food joints asking for tips? The ONLY "service" they provide is food delivery from the fryer to the counter (or drive through window). And, quite frankly, a significant fraction of that ends up being screwed up. I can't count the times I've driven away from the drive through and then found out my order was wrong.
Add to this the fact that some places take orders by kiosk or apps. Where's the human interaction I'm normally paying a tip for?