Holliver

I remember reading a similar thread a couple of months ago and I think someone said that if the servers don't get the 15% expected in tips, to bring them up to minimum wage, then the employee has to make it up.

Mitzyboy

I was in Florida last year and 15% was the requirement, otherwise you were stoned on the way out of the restaurant. It doesn't seem like a choice any more, it's expected.

Off to San Francisco next week and we actually budget this into our trips now, I must have spend hundreds of dollars last year on tips in Florida

Beaverstate

Ha Ha there hasn't been a good stoning in the US for 3 years, do your research

Mitzyboy

I disagree, I'm always getting stoned in restaurants ..........

Beaverstate

Well I wasn't talking about that kind of stoned, can't argue with you there.

HarryTheSpider

Wow - I had no idea about these awful practices - making the waiting staff make up unpaid bills and underpaid tips...

But god forbid that anybody should suggest some labour protection laws....

So a meal out is not so cheap by the time you've added in 20% tip... And how many of us will now worry that even though food might be shite, despite good service, if we don't give at least 15%, the waiter is out of pocket because they have to make it up...?

kimilseung

While I understand that the practice of getting staff to make up shortfalls exists; I also know that some businesses get their employees to claim they have to make up shortfalls as a tool to make clients more compliant. Either way is a cynical trick by business to shift responsibility from themselves.

Englishmum

Yes. In New York City it is 8.875%....which is why New Yorkers usually double the tax when tipping in restaurants.

Jerseygirl

Many restaurants in Florida automatically add 15% to your bill. You have to watch out for this or you land up paying double tips. I think they do this because Brits aren't used to tipping and often leave without leaving a tip.

Mitzyboy

I talk with an indistinguishable accent now to avoid them knowing where I am from Trouble is, they keep getting my orders wrong

Ah well, SF next week :-)

Steerpike

I have family visitors from UK each year and always take them out for dinner. Sometimes, they insist on paying ... and then leave a crappy tip. It's ironic, because they always comment on how incredibly cheap it is here to eat out! "If we were back in UK, this meal would have cost us .... "

tonrob

More than once this has happened at restaurants that Mrs tonrob and I frequent regularly. I've sometimes feigned an excuse to pop back in and then slipped some extra money into the folder on the table with the check.

joto

When FIL was here, he still thought it was 10%. DH had to enlighten him, telling him minimum 15% and 20% for great service, but at least FIL knew a tip was required here, just not enough.

cluedweasel

For those not aware, the federal minium wage for staff receiving tips is $2.13 per hour. As others have said, this practice just seems to move the responsibility for paying staff from the employer to the customer.

Beaverstate

Varies by state law though. In Oregon waiters must be paid the prevailing minimum wage for Oregon, which is around $9 per hour.