Category: Tipping

No Names

On By scottpetersenIn Being nice to wait staff, Breakfast tips, No Names, Tipping1 Comment

In my post of May 2, 2013 (“Breakfast Tips“), I talked about how when going out for breakfast, the gratuity I leave is always more – percentagewise – than when going out for dinner. Why? Simply because your bill for breakfast may be six bucks. What are you going to do — leave 90 cents? Your wait staff deserves better.

Anywayyyyy, fast forward.  Speaking of wait staff — we go out with different friends for dinner on a fairly regular basis. We always have a great time.  Except. . . . . when Donna tells me we’re going out with ___ and ___ I inevitably ask – “do we have to?” The reason is that the woman is frequently downright nasty to wait staff.  Demanding. Condescending. Pick out a few similar adjectives.  I have no idea why.  It makes me very uncomfortable and tends to put a cloud on the dinner. 

When I was growing up (Donna is still waiting for that to happen), I was inculcated with the mantra of “being nice” to people. The vast majority of our friends are courteous and friendly to those who serve them. But there is one.  Donna’s been suggesting that we go out with this couple for the last year or two.  My usual response is – how about November 12, 2018?  Oh wait.  That’s the day I have to clean the birdbath. 

Breakfast Tips

On By scottpetersenIn TippingLeave a comment

I’m not talking Cheerios, strawberry pop tarts or cold pizza (a breakfast staple of mine long ago).  I’m talking “tips” (gratuities) in restaurants — for those who serve you breakfast.   Lemme ask this — you go into a restaurant and order a cup of coffee for $1.50.  What would you leave as a tip for your server?  15% is 22-1/2 cents (rounded up to a quarter). Yes? Maybe 30 cents if you leave 20%?  Your server would probably give you the “big spender” look, shake her head and walk away.  Me?  I’d probably leave a buck.  Or two.  Especially if I’m nursing the java while reading the newspaper. 

I remember reading an article a few years ago – that has guided me – on tipping.  Especially for breakfast.  “Breakfast servers” the article said, “are always deservant of a higher percentage tip than  those who serve you dinner.” Why? Because bacon and eggs with toast, hash browns, coffee and orange juice may cost you nine bucks. And you walk out of the restaurant stuffed to the gills and smiling for the day.  Dinner may cost you two sawbucks and a fin.   Who gets more tip for the same work?  Yep. . . . .

I don’t want to seem frivolous but on those occasions when I’ve gone out for breakfast and the bill for Donna and me is $20, I may leave a $5.00 tip.  Maybe $6.00.   Why?  Because the server works just as hard (probably more so) filling the coffee cups, water glasses and balancing multiple plates.   Of course if service is bad, I’m quick to adjust downward too.  

In restaurants where I am known (“uh oh – it’s Petersen“), I will also be generous.  Maybe 25%.  After all, why not?   Again, I’m not being frivolous but I do believe I am being smart.  A generous tip makes for a happy server.  And it seems to make me welcome when I come back.