What is an appropriate tip to leave in a restaurant?
A few things you may not know that you should keep in mind when considering how
much money to leave for a tip:
Food servers live off your tips - entirely. This is because food servers in
Arizona make only about $2.15 per hour as a base salary. This is just enough to
pay Uncle Sam due taxes. Additionally, food servers must pay a percentage of the
tips you give them to the bussers and bartenders.
Other things to consider when leaving a tip:
The tip is part of the cost of eating in a restaurant.
15% is acceptable for those of lesser means, 20% is customary for everyone else.
10% is acceptable only if you had a bad experience.
Leaving anything less than $2.00, even if you only had a soda is inconsiderate.
How much time did you spend in the restaurant?
If the tables around you turn
over more than once, you definitely should leave a larger tip, especially if the
restaurant is busy.
How many times did the server come to your table?
If the server came to your
table more than five times, leave a bigger tip.
Did you order something not on the menu or that required extra special
attention? Leave a bigger tip.
Were you in a hurry? Leave a bigger tip.
Did you subject your food server to an inappropriate emotional outburst, even if
you were just really hungry? Give them some love by leaving a larger tip.
And of course you expect your service to be prompt and your food and drinks to arrive at the correct temperature. When they don't, realize that many people in the restaurant are doing their best working together to make your dining experience enjoyable. Don't take it all out on the food server if others are also to blame.
And always remember:
You get more with honey than you do with piss and vinegar.
What comes around goes around.