Tipping Question

[szekely]

I generally tip about 20% of the total at restaurants unless I use a gift card. In that case, I am careful to tip on what the original bill would have been, not the reduced total.

My question is, what if you go someplace that is offering half off hamburgers and drinks, like for happy hour? Should I tip on the original or the discounted amount?

Thanks.

[Burholme06]

I just tip based on the bill. If they are having a drink or food special, I wouldn’t try to inflate the tip. The gist card is a totally different scenario IMO since you are still paying the restaurant for the whole bill even though part of the bill is being covered by the card.

[OldMaestro]

Original. No question.

[luchobucho]

Tip an appropriate percentage (15-20) of the total, less tax.

If its happy hour or a drink/food special, use your judgement. But I never tipp less than $2 for anything. So if I eat a 6 dollar burger, I will probably still tip 2 bux.......despite being 33% of the total.

[Reality Czech]

I tip on what the bill would have been before any discounts, including specials. Sometimes I do forget after enjoying several half off drinks and tip 20% based on the total. Most places I frequent enough that I can make up the difference the next time in and the servers/bartenders know they will get theirs.

Another tipping question, have you increased the amount you tip to a delivery person because of the high fuel prices? I am usually a $4 or $5 grat person per pizza but is this enough?

[Polar Cub]

20 percent or so usually, but on specials, like 2.99 breakfasts, I can't just leave 20%, which would only be 60 cents. That's slavery.

[NJbound]

I always tip on original amount and during happy hours I tip way more then 20%.

[luchobucho]

I tip on what the bill would have been before any discounts, including specials. Sometimes I do forget after enjoying several half off drinks and tip 20% based on the total. Most places I frequent enough that I can make up the difference the next time in and the servers/bartenders know they will get theirs.

Another tipping question, have you increased the amount you tip to a delivery person because of the high fuel prices? I am usually a $4 or $5 grat person per pizza but is this enough?

In three years living in my house, I've always walked to pick up my pizza/take-out meals. I've never gotten delivery.

[stock]

Another tipping question, have you increased the amount you tip to a delivery person because of the high fuel prices? I am usually a $4 or $5 grat person per pizza but is this enough?

Yep. Always. It's amazing, I can order a pizza on a Friday night and it's delivered in 20 ish min. and it's hot. The drivers see the address or names come up and want that delivery.

[guzzijason]

Always tip based on the original (not happy hour) prices. If the place is doing you a favor by discounting your bill, do you think it's fair to punish the server by reducing their tip the same amount? No.

My wife was out with a group of girls for a friends batchlorette party. At one place, the group was given a round of drinks on-the-house, and none of them wanted to leave any tip at all! ("why should I tip... the drink was free!?!"). My dear wife, having been in the industry in the past - was mortified. She made sure the bartender was well taken care of... and probably won't be hitting the town with that particular bunch of girls again anytime in the near (or distant) future.

__Jason

[stock]

My wife was out with a group of girls for a friends batchlorette party. At one place, the group was given a round of drinks on-the-house, and none of them wanted to leave any tip at all! ("why should I tip... the drink was free!?!").
__Jason

WTF, you had to have made that up...

[guzzijason]

I was just as stunned when the Mrs related the story to me. Fortunately, she made it right.

__Jason

[tiffanymarie23]

As a Server I would say original. Most servers work solely for tips. They get no pay check. Just because something is on special doesn't mean u should tip less.

[philly704]

YEAH Philly! We are noted as the highest tippers in the nation....
http://www.zagat.com/node/3087367

[stock]

YEAH Philly! We are noted as the highest tippers in the nation....
Philadelphians Are the Highest Tippers in the Nation from Zagat

It's been that way for years....

[szekely]

Much appreciated. Yeah, I think I really should tip on the original amount when there's a discount, just like with gift cards. I guess it slipped my mind after 2 high-alc-content drinks. :-)