I think they do have minimum wage in the US, it's just lower for waiting staff to reflect the fact they get tips..
What happens to tips in a restaurant?
- Thread starter stockhausen
- Start date
I think they do have minimum wage in the US, it's just lower for waiting staff to reflect the fact they get tips..
According to Wiki they do, although it only works out at around £3.00 per hour.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimum_wage_in_the_United_States
Soldato
I can tell you most of the restaurants that have static "service charge" in menu - be it 10 or 13%, never, ever, let the staff keep it directly. Even the poshest restaurants, like Sir Conran restaurants or hotel chains. "service charge" always pays for table clothes, damages, cleaning, and if there is anything left from it it goes into wages according to specific table. Some restaurants call it tronc point, others gratuity divider - two bus boys gets at 1 point, four waiters at 2 points, 2 head waiters at 3 points, yadda yadda. Then £££ left from the night is divided between number of stuff of the floor and their points. It works well for restaurant owners because service charge, unlike for example gratuity on credit card while paying bill, is not taxed until final stage, which means you get to spend the money pre-tax and then pay what's left to your stuff as wage, thus writing it off, creating larger dividend from the markup on the food itself.
There is literally no difference if these people serve 100 or 6000 customers in one night, the more people, the more service charge, the more there is to clean, wash and pay for, and money, after taxation and dividing, is pretty much static.
Generally, refuse to pay service charge (as it's always optional, by law, but post-added), and when asked, say you want to pay tip specifically to the waiter. Which will always be better for them.
There is literally no difference if these people serve 100 or 6000 customers in one night, the more people, the more service charge, the more there is to clean, wash and pay for, and money, after taxation and dividing, is pretty much static.
Generally, refuse to pay service charge (as it's always optional, by law, but post-added), and when asked, say you want to pay tip specifically to the waiter. Which will always be better for them.
I sometimes tip if I'm impressing a lady, but often I really just want to say no. If by tipping I'm saying they were very polite and nice, and they performed a good service, then I'll keep my money thanks - it's their job to be very polite, nice and to perform a good service. They're already being paid to do that.
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
I strongly disagree with the concept of tipping in the UK.
It has come from the US where bar/restuarant staff are paid an absolute pittance and rely on tips to survive. As a result, when overseas, I always tip. But in the UK there is no such issue - they earn at least the minimum wage.
As do many, many other people who will aid and assist you or take orders/sell goods to you throughout the course of the day, none of whom you tip.
They are doing a job for which they get paid. They don't need more money UNLESS they go above and beyond what their job should normally entail to make sure your evening is particularly good. Then I'd consider a tip.
But regular good service? Well no, thats what their salary is for.
It has come from the US where bar/restuarant staff are paid an absolute pittance and rely on tips to survive. As a result, when overseas, I always tip. But in the UK there is no such issue - they earn at least the minimum wage.
As do many, many other people who will aid and assist you or take orders/sell goods to you throughout the course of the day, none of whom you tip.
They are doing a job for which they get paid. They don't need more money UNLESS they go above and beyond what their job should normally entail to make sure your evening is particularly good. Then I'd consider a tip.
But regular good service? Well no, thats what their salary is for.
Soldato
Ive only just starting to tip, with the kids if they have been helpful it makes a real difference, I aways tip cash direct to whom served me anyway
Also is it true that on sea cruises (not the easy cruise sort) that they automatically add tips to your bill for the people who clean you cabin etc?
Also is it true that on sea cruises (not the easy cruise sort) that they automatically add tips to your bill for the people who clean you cabin etc?
- Joined
- 30 Jul 2006
- Posts
- 12,130
Soldato
Carluccios does this, as do many other restuarants. It's crap that when I give money to the waiter/waitress it actually goes to a greedy c u next tuesday.
Just to clear up a couple things above.
You don't have to pay a service charge, weather it is stated on the menu or not.
It is not the case that staff don't get the service charge, for instance mine always do.
Kitchen staff tend to earn more, and usually don't get a share of tips, in my place they don't.
Waiting staff are normally low paid, and the tips do make their wages up to a better level, I always tip well for good service, not at all for bad service and normal 10% ish for normal / good service
People who say "I never tip cos its what they are paid to do" have obviously never worked in the service industry, very few would do the job for the wages if they were not bolstered by tips. Trust me if waiting was a min wage job with no tips than the average level of service in this country would go downhill bigtime, say to the level of Pizza Express.
My staff are paid min wage at least (depending on experiance etc) and get their tips on top of that, our go into a pot and are divided up at the end of the shift, by myself or a senoir member of staff, we do it like this as the nature of our service means some staff will be working the bar / dessert area and won't get tips directly into their hand from the customer, so letting people have the tips off their own tables would be unfair on the team.
The practice of using tips to make pay up to min wage is deplorable, and absolutly disgusts me. It makes my blood boil to even think about it, especially after years in the service industry. I would never treat my staff so badly, and I doubt (and hope!) I am not the only business owner who feels this way.
You don't have to pay a service charge, weather it is stated on the menu or not.
It is not the case that staff don't get the service charge, for instance mine always do.
Kitchen staff tend to earn more, and usually don't get a share of tips, in my place they don't.
Waiting staff are normally low paid, and the tips do make their wages up to a better level, I always tip well for good service, not at all for bad service and normal 10% ish for normal / good service
People who say "I never tip cos its what they are paid to do" have obviously never worked in the service industry, very few would do the job for the wages if they were not bolstered by tips. Trust me if waiting was a min wage job with no tips than the average level of service in this country would go downhill bigtime, say to the level of Pizza Express.
My staff are paid min wage at least (depending on experiance etc) and get their tips on top of that, our go into a pot and are divided up at the end of the shift, by myself or a senoir member of staff, we do it like this as the nature of our service means some staff will be working the bar / dessert area and won't get tips directly into their hand from the customer, so letting people have the tips off their own tables would be unfair on the team.
The practice of using tips to make pay up to min wage is deplorable, and absolutly disgusts me. It makes my blood boil to even think about it, especially after years in the service industry. I would never treat my staff so badly, and I doubt (and hope!) I am not the only business owner who feels this way.
Last edited:
Soldato
- Joined
- 5 Nov 2004
- Posts
- 9,302
I think service charge is a joke. The prices are set on the food to cover the wage of the goods / staff. Or it should be.
you get a tip for good service. If it becomes mandatory then the customer is forced to pay (tip) against his or her will regardless of customer service/satisfaction.
The "tip" should be a something that is received as an achievement for outstanding work meaning that the overall service within a restaurant is always high class due to the staff aiming for it. If its given regardless.... whats the point..
We always put on additional tips if the person dealing with us has done a good job even if thats on top of a service charge..
why, because I am a traditionalist. From a once great nation (even if I wasn't born when it was great)
you get a tip for good service. If it becomes mandatory then the customer is forced to pay (tip) against his or her will regardless of customer service/satisfaction.
The "tip" should be a something that is received as an achievement for outstanding work meaning that the overall service within a restaurant is always high class due to the staff aiming for it. If its given regardless.... whats the point..
We always put on additional tips if the person dealing with us has done a good job even if thats on top of a service charge..
why, because I am a traditionalist. From a once great nation (even if I wasn't born when it was great)
Soldato
Since when has it been UK/empire tradition to tip??!?
Soldato
- Joined
- 5 Nov 2004
- Posts
- 9,302
As a Brit its our tradition to be charming.
Wrong. Whilst at Uni, I work, and get paid about the same as the staff in your place do I would imagine. If they dont think they get paid enough they can seek alternative employment. The wages in the UK are such that tipping is not required as it is in the USA.
If you feel the wages for your staff are poor, then its your fault, as you are the one who pays them.
Nope, never. If somebody provides exemplary service, above what you would expect, they get a tip.
If so, its because the staff think you are a idiot. Just so you know.
Nice attitudes these staff have, glad they dont get a tip now
They get £5.52 an hour at the least. Better than a couple of dollars an hour + tips like their American counterparts, eh?
Why dont you tip the guy in Sainsburys who serves you? What about the chap who made your Subway this morning? All get paid the same sort of money...
Soldato
I worked as a commis chef over the summer period. 9 hour shifts with no proper breaks in a 37c kitchen for £5.50/hour makes waitering look like a walk in the park.
too many reply for me to read through...but *my own wee rant*
Tips are an American thing. I dont get tipped in my job for just doing what im meant to so they getting nout from me. There wages are built into the cost of food, which is what i pay. And I hate those ones that ask for a tip on the card machine they hand you then give you a dirty look for not handing them out money like a street corner begger.
Tips are an American thing. I dont get tipped in my job for just doing what im meant to so they getting nout from me. There wages are built into the cost of food, which is what i pay. And I hate those ones that ask for a tip on the card machine they hand you then give you a dirty look for not handing them out money like a street corner begger.
because they don't, they earn more in both places, even more in Mcdonalds!
It a fact of life that your service will suffer if you are known as tight I am afraid, although I would never encourage my staff to do it.
I don't need to pay my staff loads more, they get tips. I do in fact pay more than min wage to all of my employees after 3 months or so.
It a fact of life that your service will suffer if you are known as tight I am afraid, although I would never encourage my staff to do it.
I don't need to pay my staff loads more, they get tips. I do in fact pay more than min wage to all of my employees after 3 months or so.
I do in fact pay more than min wage to all of my employees after 3 months or so.
Quick shop him!