Trying to get back on topic:
18% is a good average. We used the plan in january and we tip above and beyond the "included tip". We tipped 20% of the bill. I know that the 18% is included in DDP, but its nice for someone to get cash as well.
some restaurants pool the tips, some don't. Either way, I tip 20% regardless of what they get from a plan or their employer.
On behalf of all the servers and former-servers (myself included in the latter), I would like to thank you for that.
I have said it before, and will say it again: If you go to a nicer restaurant, the food is more expensive and the tip SHOULD reflect your meal choices.
If Brenda orders a salad at Table 1, and Tom orders a steak at Table 2, the differences are normally quite large. (I AM NOT SAYING THESE ARE EXACTLY THE SITUATIONS THAT HAPPEN, BUT BASED ON MY AND MY FREIND'S SERVICE EXPERIENCES.)
SCENARIO 1:
Brenda's server comes and says hello, asks how she is, asks for her drink order, fills up the soda/tea/water and brings it back. Then the server takes the salad order (What kind of dressing?), and goes to the computer and hits Salad/Ranch. The server comes back within ten minutes with said salad, dressing, and refills her soda. Then the server comes back to ask how the food is, does she need anything. Then the server comes back to give her the check.
SCENARIO 2:
Tom's server comes and says hello, asks how he is, asks for his drink order. Tom orders a beer or glass of wine. Tom's server goes to the bar and waits for the bartender to finish the bar orders, then takes the beer and brings it back to the table. Then the server takes Tom's order: How would you like your steak/fish prepared? Would you like steak sauce/tarter sauce or lemon/dill dip? Sauteed mushrooms? Would you like soup or salad with that? What kind of soup? What dressing on your salad? Would you like that out first or with the meal? What kind of potato would you like with that? Butter? Sour cream, bacon or cheese?
The server then goes back to the computer and types in: Steak, then Medium Rare, then Steak sauce, then baked potato, then sourcream and butter, then salad, then dressing, then "bring out before hand."
The server comes to check on Tom and bring him his salad. Would he like another beer? Tom says yes, so the server once again goes to the bar to wait for 2-3 min. until the bar tender has a moment to fill the beer. Then he comes back to deliver the beer.
The server dashes back between waiting on other tables to check if the steak is up yet - it is a warm/hot item, so it must be brought out by them or a foodserver right away.
The steak is ready. The server brings it out, along with the potato. Does Tom need anything else? He'd like a water. When the server comes back, Tom says that the steak is a little undercooked, could they bring it back and cook it for a bit longer?
The server rushes back to speak to the kitchen, all the while hoping that the kitchen's mistake won't ruin their tip, or Tom's evening. The server then goes to check with the manager who says you can bring him a free dessert afterwards, for his wait on the steak.
The server then goes to check on other tables, always rushing back to see if Tom's steak is finished. Finally he brings it out, and Tom tastes it and says it's great.
The server comes back to check on Tom a while later. Tom would like a little more sourcream for his potato. Server hurries back to the kitchen and brings back sourcream.
Server comes back again. Tom says everything was great, thanks so much. Server again apologizes for the steak, and offers a free dessert. Tom says thanks, that'd be great. Server lists off three dessert choices, Tom chooses cheesecake. Server goes to the back, pulls cake out of fridge, puts in on a glass plate, pours topping on it, puts cake back in the fridge, comes out to deliver to Tom.
Comes back later and Tom asks for more water. Sever brings back more water.
Server comes back and Tom says he is finished. Server goes and prints out the bill, comes back and gives it to Tom.
Still think Tom shouldn't pay more for his meal? Still think that it's equal service if you order a salad vs. an expensive entree? Even if Tom's steak hadn't had to be taken back (which isn't the server's fault, remember), his meal still required MUCH MORE preparation then Brenda's. So before you open mouth and insert foot, remember that you are paying for SERVICE.
All of this is assuming your server does a good job. NOT: if you don't like the server's hair, if you don't like that they say 'ya'all', if they are young and pregnant and you don't agree with that, if you have to send your steak back, if you had to wait long at the door, if you had a bad day, if your steak took longer than the people who got there AFTER you's salad, if you don't like the portion size, ETC. THAT IS NOT YOUR SERVER'S FAULT AND THEY CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT.
Sigh. Still angry about people who are ignorant and small-minded, but I'm breathing deeply now.
And those of you just reading these threads and want a server's opinion on the correct way to tip?
Bad Service: Speak to a manager. (Rude server, sloppy presentation, drinks took forever without an apology or explanation, food took more than 20 minutes WITHOUT an a explanation.)
Alright Service: 10-15% (Server was short and a bit cranky, didn't bring crayons for the kids if available, didn't check on you, etc.)
Good Service: 20%
Excellent Service: 20% or a bit more if you can afford it.
IF YOU HAVE MANY CHILDREN AND THEY LEAVE A MESS, YOUR SERVER HAS TO CLEAN THIS UP OR THE SERVERS HAVE TO TIP OUT THE BUSBOYS TO CLEAN THIS UP. LEAVE THEM SOMETHING EXTRA FOR THE DISASTER.
We go out with 3 year old triplets, and they make a disaster - we leave 20% just because of our mess.
