Do you tip at counter-pay restaurants?
In the US, there are certain Vietnamese pho (rice noodle soup) shops where a waiter takes your order, but you have to walk up and pay straight to the cashier with no server name on the receipt and no "suggested tip" How do you know whether the waiter actually receives your tip, or the restaurant owner pockets it for themselves? (Personally, I feel more reluctant when the business is family-owned, although it's hard to tell without asking directly.)
This question kills me every time. I feel my food is hostage to the tip when tip is expected before food is handed to me. What if they get mad if I don't tip!
Why cant we do away with tipping like other countries? I'd rather have tips "baked in" for the price of the food and let the owners pay a normal living wage to the employees. Tipping is such an annoyance because of this and it shouldnt fall on the end customer. Its so subjective *and* a lot of servers feel entitled to a tip regardless of their service performance. The server should be expected to do a good job or else they shouldnt have a customer facing job in the first place or employed. /rant
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That would be terrible. I love the ability to tip so that I don't have to pay full price for things, don't have to wait in line, get free upgrades and generally get preferential treatment.
If someone takes an order and buses, I tip the normal amount.
I usually tip 10% at those places if they bus tables.
No. I do not tip when I do take out. The systems all add it in. There is also no evidence that the staff keeps the tip. Many places it just goes to the house anyway.
It is illegal for the owner to take the tips. Literally illegal. This is why Doordash got in trouble for stealing drivers’ tips.
Almost every counter restaurant in LA has an option to tip. General etiquette suggest 10% at the counter. I usually to because those people work hard and have a tough job. Same as a barista. I'd rather kick them an extra buck or two because they're working hard to provide for themselves and their families. It's not really about service. I make a lot more than them and I can easily spare it. It makes me feel good. I don't ever give money to all the homeless people in my area because I don't want to enable pan handling and in Santa Monica it's almost a lifestyle, so I do this instead. I don't think you have to feel bad about not topping. Also random you mention a Vietnamese restaurant when I see it all the time. Would love if we gave up tipping as a society.
No, unless I’m a regular there and enjoy supporting that location.