Kerry Hansen Loc: Bremerton, WA

LOL

Mauwehu Loc: Norwalk Ct

Been tipping in more places than I usually tip. My construction related business hasn’t suffered at all during the quarantine so why not share in businesses that are suffering? The waiters are getting half the business they usually get. So I tip even for take out.
For exceptional service I tip more. I always tip in cash (except business expense) because some business owners take the credit card fee away from the server.
Truth is tipping isn’t really always about the service it’s about giving respect to the person who has respected you, your experience or your property.

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

I carry $2 bills to tip with. Kind of makes a tip more memorable to them. And yes, CASH! I've heard of managers not giving the servers the tips they'd gotten on checks paid by credit card. Or, not giving it to them until the end of the month, things like that. Cash is king!

DozerDave Loc: Port Orchard Wa.

I’m right there with you Doug. I’ve never gotten a tip for doing my job. If you choose to be a server and get paid to do it, why should you expect to receive a tip. JMO...🐟on

Ivey Loc: South Central Tennessee, Tim's Ford Lake

We've been using Krogers parking lot delivery since Covid unless there's something special we need. I've tried to tip more than once and the Kroger here does not allow them to accept a tip. There's no extra charge when using their service if you buy over $55.00 in goods. As far as tipping in a restraint we always tip in cash 20%.

Barnacles Loc: Northern California

Way back in the day, my Mom waited tables in a restaurant. She said that when a couple would come in who pretty much knew what they wanted and didn't cause her any extra time or work, they'd generally tip pretty good. Then a family with two or three spoiled kids would come in. They'd take forever to make their order, change their minds a couple of times, request substitutions, and so on. The kids would spill something for her to clean up, make a lot of noise and disturbance, the parents would send something back to the kitchen, and the family would be a royal pain. They're the ones who didn't leave a tip. Kind of ironic.
Waitresses are NOT well paid, their tips are often more than half of their income.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

I know of several stores where the employees are not allowed to accept gratuities

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

I've only gone the .02 route once. There were two tables occupied, ours and a couple of business types. Our order came up and was brought to the table five minutes later. When my MIL asked for mustard for a ham sandwich, it took 15 minutes for her to bring it. All this time she spent flirting with the 2 guys. My wife said no tip. I said that makes me look cheap. I left 2 pennies on the table where she couldn't miss them. She actually came out of the restaurant and screamed at us across the street. Guess I was right.

badbobby Loc: Humble Texas

them tips do count when you are close Barney

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Good going Ft, would have liked to seen the look on her face. Maybe the 2 guys gave her a buck.

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

Having been a bartender long ago, I fully understand the wage+tip= take home pay thing, and almost always went home with 3-5 times $amount in tips than what I earned on the timecard. That was important to my (and later, my young family's) survival, so diligence to my duties and a bit more, was my minimum. I can attest to the fact that I was "over-tipped" on many occasions simply by being extra attentive to the customers needs and timing.
Having said that, I can also attest to being "that guy", who left a nickel or a dime, rather than nothing, to let the server know that I considered the service to be more than subpar....and we noticed.
I am in the habit of tipping 15-20% most of the time, depends alot on the type of restaurant/bar. I have tipped up to 50% for exceptional service in a bar venue, especially if I am an acquaintance and am aware of particular need.
Living in a tourism-rich area means we have vast choices to enjoy, however we have a few restaurants that felt the need to impose a "mandatory minimum tip" of up to 18-20% on a party of 4 or more. The outrage I expressed to the manager, that evening when first instituted.... without any notice !.. (subsequently as fine print at the bottom of the menu, weeks later, I am told)...and later to the owner (a former client, btw !) is not printable, my wife was squirming with embarrassment !
I have not only not returned, but have made an effort to warn others of the practice and direct them to another restaurant that doesn't practice "forced pats on the back".
I maintain that employers should pay a decent wage as a base, and let the ability of the employee's service and attitude dictate the tip amount.....period.
Cream rises to the top, good and attentive servers make more than those who merely "cover their shift" by doing the minimal effort.
And yes.. do tip with cash, if possible. CC tips are often not paid or somehow diminished, but here in Oregon, servers are taxed at 8% of tab total, regardless of method.... even if NONE was left ! Which means if you leave zero tip, it just cost your server $$ to wait on you....so unfair, can't seem to get overturned in legislature.
You can easily replace "server" with "deckhand", Mgr/owner with "Captain".
IMO, tips should ALWAYS be a sign of "above and beyond", but sadly, in our present state of affairs... Covid-19, shutdowns, loss to fires, etc., it could simply mean survival for some, we cannot make blanket statements any longer, sadly.
On the subject of guides....@ $150-$250 per fisherperson, already a healthy payday for 4-5hrs of work, especially if there's 2-4 clients in the boat. I tip according to the success of the trip and demeanor of the guide. I once went as a replacement for another on a 3-fisherman boat @ $225/ea, and the guide was a total jerk, barking orders gruffly, treating us as children, even swearing at my buddy for losing a fish ! That bastard got 8 wrinkled one dollar bills, wadded up and stuffed in his shirt pocket and was told to use it to buy a book called "How to Win Friends and Influence People", Dr. Norman Vincent Peale the author.... anyone who needs to deal with the public should have a copy, and study it, imo.

Let your conscience be your guide, my mom always said, I concur....and never be shamed into tipping when it's not deserved nor should a tip be a show-off opportunity.....
............... unless of course, your date is super-hot and your "generosity" is the "tipping point" for the rest of the evening, then, by all means, turn your pockets inside out, make two people "like" you, for that night, at least !!! LOL.

Mauwehu Loc: Norwalk Ct

Good point fish on the tip being added for larger parties. Treated an extended family of 8 to dinner at a restaurant in New Hampshire. Left 20% tip to a large bill only to read the receipt later and discover there had been an additional 20% added. Called the restaurant and they credited it back. The highlight of the evening was when 5 people had ordered blueberry pie only to discover the chef had mistaken the salt for the sugar. The college age waitress just stood there speechless with unbelief and didn’t offer any apologies. We will never forget THAT evening. No way was I paying 40% for that!