Here's a tip...
 

They had a piece on the local news about tipping (waiters/waitresses...or is it waitpersons...hair stylists, hotel housekeeping, etc.)

Did you ever give someone a way bigger tip than would have been expected? Why?

Yes, I have, B2Y :). On more than one occasion actually. Back in the olden days before MS, I was a server (waitress) so that makes me a really good tipper or a really bad one :D. I've tipped double the check in the past for really good service. It just feels good to know you've brightened someone's day :). I've also left a penny if I've gotten horrible service. If you leave nothing, the server could be left with the impression that you just forgot.

I do depending on the situation. I once bought a nice young gal her extra Hooters uniform because she was a single mom trying to make ends meet. They only provided one outfit which was the short shorts and skimpy shirt. I gave her enough to buy a little more covered up uniform.

I typically tip 20% to anyone who is doing a service to me. Hairdresser, pizza deliverer, waitress, etc. I grew up with a mom who waitressed and new the value of a tip very well. It was what bought our food for the day at times. I recently found out that pizza deliverer's who use their own car don't get much in terms of gas or upkeep on their car.

We don't go out much anymore (at least I don't) but when I do I try to be as generous as possible if the service is good.

A couple of years ago when I was still working Kevin and I stopped at a Steak 'n Shake to eat. Our waiter was an elderly man - probably in his 70's - who really shouldn't have been in that line of work. Not that he wasn't nice - he was just having a hard time getting around and nobody seemed to want to help him. :mad: Kevin ordered a large order of french fries and he tried to tell us that a small order was less expensive and it was more than enough for Kevin to eat. Bless his heart....he was so sweet. I had cash on me that night and when it came time to leave I looked at Kevin and he ginned 'cause he knew what I was going to do. I left that sweet little man a $35 tip. We went and paid at the register and when we were leaving we saw him through the window pickup the tip and look around to see if we were still there. I'm sure he put it to good use.....

I always tip larger than the recommended, unless I get poor service. Which luckily has not happened in a long while.

I used to work in the food service industry, so I know how hard these people work, and often they're deserving of what I leave them. :)

All the time! If we think the service was above average - we like to reward that! Also, my DH likes to make the tip plus meal come out to an even number so he's been known to make a nice large tip just to make the number even.:p

There are lots of jobs that probably don't pay adequately, like retail, gas station attendants, etc. . . . but we have the same minimum wage for all of these types of positions. It is somewhere around $8.00 per hour.

I don't think a hair-dresser or server deserves any more tip then the local hard working Wal-Mart or grocery store employee . . . and I don't tip them. :cool:

I tip 15%, give or take. That is 15% BEFORE TAX on the bill.

Servers are paid much less then everyone else in the US though, aren't they?

Cherie

Yes Cherie they are paid less. My son went for a waiter job about two years ago and the going pay was a whopping $2.45 and hour! They figure you get tips so it evens out even though we all know it usually doesn't. Hairdressers too if they are renting their space and paying for their own supplies. It depends on the salon.

Greta, oh man, I do that too! It must be even! lol

I have also waitressed before - I tip at least 20% unless they are really good and then they always get extra! I have tipped less but the service needs to be really bad.

I throw in an extra $ or two for my hair dresser but not much cause she has her own business.... when I used to go to Wally World to get my hair done I would throw more in cause I knew she rented her booth and she had to split her $$.

Cherie, that's right,

I remember my sister RANTING and RAVING back when she was waiting tables.

the gov't was trying to collect taxes on the TIPS, and they'd ESTIMATE the amount of tips waitpersons had received, and then charge TAX on it, whether the waitpersons GOT the tips or not !!

that was totally reprehensible, to me.

some places even force the staff to PAY for the meals of people who "Dine and Dash" (leave without paying.)

in addition, waitresses have to tip their BUS staff, (the busboys and girls who clear tables) which cuts into the amount of tips taken home.

oh, and some places, the waitresses and waiters have to ALSO share their tips with the HOSTESS.

so, I consider all of that when doing tips.

here's an interesting breakdown of the wages from a few different areas, and several types of restaurants:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...=1006042205136

so, to answer your question, YES, if it's a small place, and off season, and the service is good, I definitely give a GOOD tip, because of THIS:

Tipped servers are one of the only jobs that can legally pay LESS than the minimum wage. Most servers are paid $2.25- $4.25 per hour, depending upon the state. Most of their income comes from tips.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_th...for_a_waitress