Almost every time I've been out, even when there's a CC in the check/folder, my servers ask: "Is this all set, do you we need some change"? Seems like a no brainer that every server should ask that. As far as the fenway server, I wouldn't think much about it personally, it's a small tip that he accepted instead of a larger one. However, if I was at Vinny T's, I would have asked to speak to a manager for my change.

When times are tough economy-wise, restaurants are usually affected first. Being a former server, I couldn't imagine taking change without confirming with patrons first.
I would have absolutely demanded to speak with a manager at Vinny T's - I might have even gone so far as to demand ALL of my money back if I was upset enough.

Damn! That happened to me at Dunkin's the other day. I don't really even care for Dunkin's coffee that much. It was 95 out and I needed an iced right away.

At the drive up window, the woman said "$2.30". I gave her $2.50 and she closed the window and walked away. I know it was only 20 cents, but what the hell? She gets a tip for barely face to face 10 second service? I waited a sec, but she was gone. On top of that, what is with those tip cups at the drive thru? What extra service are they providing for me?

I don't mind tipping 20% at a restaurant but I certainly don't tip at a drive thru. If they want a tip, here's one: Get rid of the tip jar at the window. I din't even get out of my car!

I had a large issue one time at Kingfish Hall in Boston. I think the overpriced martini was 12.50 so I gave him a 20 and he never gave me my change back. Only after trying to get his attention did he give me my change. It was early and not busy yet so he was definitely turning a blind eye so to speak.
Also, the later in the night it is..bartenders tend to take liberties with how much they charge..thinking their patrons are a little buzzed and won't notice. They are not respected afterwards to put it mildly.

Billy D: I noticed that Dunks does this a lot. The one on Rt. 38 always keeps the couple of extra pennies, which isn't a really a big deal, but if you add up how many times this happens at a Dunkin Donuts around the country, that is a lot of extra money the company is making.

I am all for the European system in which the tip is figured into the bill. Then again I am all for the European system of properly training waitstaff, most of whom do this as their profession, so they take pride in their work and don't hurry diners through the meal in anticipation of the next group waiting at the door. I have some real issues with service at restaurants.

There are several things that servers do or say that really bother me.
One is being called 'guys', as in, "How are you guys doing tonight?" "You guys wanna hear the specials?" 'Folks' is ok, 'you people' is totally wrong; it is more proper to simply ask "How are you doing tonight?" for example. Perhaps the server is attempting to be friendly or casual, but we are not all 'guys' and that term is just wrong.

Second is a plate clearing situation. Do not clear the table until all guests are finished eating unless there is an obvious train-wreck. Asking "Can I take this out of your way?" while one or more in the party are still eating is one way of saying "Hey, slow-poke, let's finish up here so I can seat the next party."

Third: "Can I fill your water glass?" That one is a no-brainer; just fill it. Some establishments have a special water glass filler-upper. I like that idea. Unless there is a drought, of course.

My fourth pet peeve goes along with the original topic of the post, the tipping issue. This has happened to me at fine dining establishments as well as little lunch counters. "Do you want some change?" the server will ask. Yes, bring back all of it, and then I will leave you a tip from the million one dollar bills my change is sure to include.

Hella,
Id add another peeve to the clearing the plates issue: When they clear you're plate or drink away w/o asking. This infuriates me. I'll tell you when Im done, it may be one sip of beer or a small bite of something, but I wanted it AND im paying for it. Ohh that burns my bun.

Intentionally bringing the change back in as big of bills as possible is a SURE way (with me) to get yourself close to nothing for a tip!

Owners should teach their staff better manners than this.

If I gave you a $20 bill for a $9 meal and you give me two 5-dollar bills and a single, you'll get just the 1!!! If you gave me a 5 and 6 ones you'd probably get 3 or 4 of them! Makes me so mad!

Agree that the server should have brought back the change. Very rude and something should have been said.

However I am surprised that you only planned to tip 15%. I figured you for a bigger tipper. Was the service subpar before the change incident?

Lastly gang, dont be so quick to dump on waitstaff. Its getting harder and harder for places to properly staff and train because people don't want to be treated like slaves when they could make just as much money at another job. In my day, waiting tables used to be great money compared to your other options as a college student. That's no longer the case.

Not saying Gourmet Gal or any of you fall into the category, but I see if far too often and am sometimes embarrassed when business companions basically demean their server. I often go back to the table and leave extra money to make up for it.

I always try to tip at Dunkins. I usually get product that totals up to 6.75, and I just tell them to keep the change. In Chelmsford they wanna kiss your hand! In Tyngsboro, they are not allowed to keep tips. Depends on the Dunkin's you go to.

Hey, I think it's a pretty thankless and low paying job. Next time I come in they remember me because I just made someone's day.

Depends upon where and how tips are being handled. Personally I have never had a waiter keep my money, which is pretty unethical.

Jumpin' Jack,
I married a frugal Yankee who tips on the total before the tax is figured in. Is that so wrong?

GG

Uh oh, GG's in the doghouse now!

Here's a tipping etiquette question involving a local diner where apparently the faux pas was on my end: At this place, you pay the bill at the register, but the tip goes on the table, right? My party had a poor girl to tears because she came back and cleared off our table before we got through the line to pay the bill and get change to bring back to her. This seems like a silly setup - what are you supposed to do in this situation?

And although I usually shoot for around a 20% tip, when did 20% become the new 15%?

NO Dunkin is supposed to accept tips - it is a corporate policy. Tips are for servers who are making "waitress minimum wage" around $2.73 per hour - the tips are supposed to make up the difference. Like McDonalds (who NEVER allows tips) Dunkin pays its servers $8 - $12 per hour - the same thing any retail store (who tips when you buy pens at Staples) makes. So Dunkin people expecting tips for putting a bagel in a bag are just greedy - I take back my penny from my 99 cent coffee and put it in my pocket.
MOST Dunkin owners will fire any employee and their manager if they accept a tip - which corporate encourages them to do.

Somewhere along the way GG 15% became cheap. Generally 17-20 is the accepted norm for good service. 15% for mediocre. Less for lousy service, plus a mention of why less was left so the server either gets the hint or the manager realizes he or she has a problem server on their hands. Most leave the percentage based on the total.

Am I correct in assuming the frugal Yankee has never waited tables for a living? I also can guess that neither have you, since you would probably do your best to educate your hubby about the rigors of the job and how tough it is to make a living nowadays on $2.73 an hour plus 15% tips.

There's no need to overtip if the service doesn't warrant it, but next time you get good or outstanding service, tip accordingly and watch how the next time you frequent a place, the service and food gets better and better.

I would highly recommend renting the movie Waiting for anybody who makes it a habit of pestering waitstaff. While there's probably a lot of exageration in it, at least I hope there is, you're better off not going to a place again rather than complaining.

That's still some lousy pay for a lousy job...greedy for wanting a couple 10 cent tips? I think you're mad at the wrong people.

I would gladly let the hot dog vendor keep the $0.50 out of $10 and I would let the wait staff at Vinny's keep the $10.50 on a $49.50 bill.