Do most people tip when using the DDP?

[bsiev1977]

In the USA it is normal to tip at least 15% if the service is fine and 18-20% for good service, even more if it is fantastic. Sorry but if you can't afford to add at least 15% on top of the meal price, don't go to those places.
Unless the restaurant advertises that they don't accept tips as they offer a significantly higher wage, you should follow the norms and tip.
If you can't afford to use the premium dining plan AND tip, then choose a plan that involves less table service dining.

(I agree that the American wage system is messed up, but you choosing not to tip won't do anything to help fix it, its up to restaurateurs and law-makers to change the system).

Oh and this Facebook group you mention sound like a right bunch of selfish cheapskates.

But if restaurant patrons continue to subsidize for the restaurant owners through tipping, what incentive do the owners have to pay a decent wage?

 

[KaliSplash]

I'll tip as low as 15 percent if the service is really just passable. My standard in 20 percent. I do tip less at buffet restaurants where I have to go get my own food. But I also tip much more generously if the service was really good, 25-33%. But if I leave less than 10 percent, the service was really bad. I did once leave a nickel at a restaurant just to show that I meant to do that. (a long time ago)

 

[Master Yoda]

Who knows how much longer we have before they start jacking up prices to pay their workers better.

But if restaurant patrons continue to subsidize for the restaurant owners through tipping, what incentive do the owners have to pay a decent wage?

Please explain how not tipping a server affects a restaurant owner. They still get away with paying a fraction of minimum wage whether you tip zero or 50%. The only one that gets the shaft is the wait staff.

 

[RustySpork]

If I belonged to a group that was giving advice as bad as that I'd question other tips they were giving. Stiffing your server is almost as bad as walking out on your bill. I consider it taking money out of their pocket that they have earned. We tip 20% and better if the server is going above and beyond making our dining experience better. When we plan our vacation I am figuring in tips as part of what I'm spending. If you are that cheap that you need to hold back on tipping, then you should find other ways to afford the trip.

..or just not go until you can actually afford it.

 

[Hockey89]

But if restaurant patrons continue to subsidize for the restaurant owners through tipping, what incentive do the owners have to pay a decent wage?

Do you have any idea the margins most restaurants run at? They have the highest fail rate in the country... Either waiters get paid and no tips, which will increase cost of the meal by 20-25% or we tip... This is not hard...

 

[jrogue]

It's a private Facebook group and I'm not going to let them get harassed by a self admitted internet bully.
This is real people.

Sounds like the people in your facebook group are the ones we'd need protecting FROM. I'm flabbergasted at the idea of them actually trying to validate not tipping someone for good service. It's downright wrong, and your waitstaff at restaurants are real people too with real families to feed. IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD TIPPING FOR FINE DINING THEN YOU CAN'T AFFORD FINE DINING, PERIOD. Don't make real people suffer for your stinginess. My god

 

[Hockey89]

Sounds like the people in your facebook group are the ones we'd need protecting FROM. I'm flabbergasted at the idea of them actually trying to validate not tipping someone for good service. It's downright wrong, and your waitstaff at restaurants are real people too with real families to feed. IF YOU CAN'T AFFORD TIPPING FOR FINE DINING THEN YOU CAN'T AFFORD FINE DINING, PERIOD. Don't make real people suffer for your stinginess. My god

 

[Tony the Tigger]

and since it's not a place you dine frequently, there is no chance of them recognizing you next time.

That kind of thinking should tell you something right off the bat.

but i think service workers should be paid a living wage,

But they're not, so...

and until they are maybe

No.

It's a private Facebook group and I'm not going to let them get harassed by a self admitted internet bully.
This is real people. If other people are out there taking advantage of a flawed system then why should I sit back like a fool and stick to mostly cheaper meals? Who knows how much longer we have before they start jacking up prices to pay their workers better. Then I'd likely never get a chance at a fine dining meal.

Wow. That's some grand rationalization right there.

I understand that where you live, tipping is optional, so you have a different perspective to start. Disabuse yourself of that. It's not optional. It's not a loophole, no matter how many other fools are doing it.

I'd love to eat at a signature restaurant for every meal. I'm not going to achieve that by stiffing the waitstaff. If I can't afford the tip, I can't afford the meal, and I'll sub in a quick service meal here or there, or a less expensive table service meal.

You're not being cheated. You're being the cheater.