The Following was Originally Posted on our old Bulletin Board:
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Mike Leco
USATourist Administrator
Joined: 14 Jun 2004
Posts: 101
Location: Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
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 Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2004 6:52 am Post subject: Tipping in restaurants |
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Tipping the wait staff in restaurants is not common in many other coutries, but it is standard practice in the USA. Most waiters and waitresses in US restaurants are paid very low wages, but expect to earn the bulk of their income from tips. Good waiters always provide their customers with great service in return for the expectation of generous tips.
The average tip for good service is 15% of the bill total. For above average service, 20% would be more common. Please remember, your tip is payment for good service. If you do not receive good service, you should not tip the staff. Good service means a friendly greeting, courteous and helpful service, constant attention to your needs, suggestions about the menu items and gracious manners.
You can leave the tip on your table when you leave or you can add it to your credit card bill. If you are paying cash, you can ask the cashier for change or smaller denomination currency for the tip. You can take the tip back to your table and leave it there, or you can ask the cashier to give it to your waiter. If you pay by credit card, you can add the tip to your bill. The waiter will take your credit card and bring you a receipt. On the receipt, it will have a total for the food, a blank line for your tip and a blank line for the grand total. You can simply write the amount of your tip in the blank space, enter the new grand total at the bottom and sign the receipt. | |