Tipping when eating out with another couple?

Thank you for being considerate of the servers. You should not be adding to the other couple's tip, though. It may be that they are on a very limited budget and she tips what she is comfortable with. Don't expect her to ever get the hint, just enjoy their companionship and don't let the low-tip-annoyance interfere with your evenings out.

I was a waitress so I know what it's like to work for that money.

If I am not happy with the service, first I will say something. Sometimes, it's their attitude. Other times, they just want to help too much. I try to always leave a good tip.

My husband & I have been out with other couples as well. If they don't leave a good enough tip, or what I think is sufficient, I will leave more. I got to the point where I would tell them they should leave more if they were satisfied with the service. At least 15% of the bill.

There is nothing you can do to change this without ruining your friendship. I have been a server and have had this happen to me. The serve will not think less of you and will definitely remember your kindness of a good tip and the extra you have left for your friends. We remember the good tippers and really remember the bad ones. Bad tippers never get good service again and that is why they remain bad tippers. You will still get good service, however it will suffer for your friends, which in turn will not make for a great night for you overall. I would find a new restaurant to eat in every time you go out or find better mannered friends to dine with.

You should maybe say something. Thats just not right. I used to be a server and I would be mad if someone left me a tip like that. Servers are pretty much paided in tips, thats what they rely on. And if you want to go out to dinner and have someone else serve you you also need to include a tip at least 15% of the bill. I tip more then that because I used to be a server and I know how it is. Its just rude. And you shouldn't have to be the ones to make up for there lack of tipping. I would say something in a nice way. I have had to say something to people before ( not when I was a server just when we've been out to dinner ) tell them to put themselves in the servers shoes. I would tip right in front of her, maybe them she will see how cheap shes being.

RELPY TO WHAT2DO- tips are TAXED! I used to be a server. And none of what you said is true. If restaurants would actually pay there servers so on one would have to tip none of them would be open because they couldn't afford it. Seriously you need to rethink what you said.

Not only should you not have to add to their tip, you absolutely should not add to their tip. You are being rude to that couple by tampering with their tip. If they wish to leave more or less than you, then that is their affair and not yours. Just leave your amount on your side of the table separate from theirs if you insist on distinguishing yourself from them in some manner.

You can think the tip they leave is rude all that you like, and maybe it is, but it isn't your place do anything about it without their permission. Do you go around altering the car they own or the house they live in or the clothes they wear because you feel the changes you wish to make would be more appropriate? So let them do as they please concerning how they tip. If you wish to broach the subject with them, then do that, but don't interfere with what they wish to do.

BTW How would you like it if they removed part of your tip because they felt you tipped too much? Does that give you an idea of why you shouldn't impose yourself arbitrarily upon what they are doing and why doing so is rude?

Also, you aren't adding to their tip only because you think it is wrong for them to tip so little. You are doing so because of how you think it makes you look (you state your embarrassment). How much of your ego is involved in this I don't know, but that you don't say anything to try to resolve the situation makes me think it is a lot. If you say something, then it brings it to their attention and they might notice you trying to add to their tip if they choose to continue to tip low. Then they might be offended or even try to keep you from doing so. If they keep you from doing so, then you feel the wait staff will look down on you for the tip which was left for the table. So obviously your ego is a big factor here and not just the welfare of the wait staff.

Reply to J. Not all tips are taxed, just the amount the wait staff claims as long as what they claim is the minimum the IRS expects to be claimed from them. The wait staff could receive more than that amount in tips and not claim it, thereby making that amount untaxed tips.

Also, J, you need to rethink what you said. Since it is expected by the people working at the restaurant that tipping should be done and that a certain amount should be tipped, and that the customer should know this and should expect to pay the bill and the tip, then what is the difference if the tip is separate from the bill or if the cost of the meal is higher without a tip being expected? The customer would still be expected to pay the same overall for their meal either way and would know beforehand the amount they were expected to pay. A meal that is 15% higher in cost without a tip expected is the same cost as that meal without that 15% hike but with a 15% tip expected. Anyone who understands simple mathematics can see that. It is still x + 15x/100 either way.

Tips are an imposition restaurants have devised to get us to pay more for the meal. They also defer the cost of employing to us indirectly.

1) Tips are never taxed.

2) Tips are shared so the good waiter/waitress never gets the bigger share

3) We are never allowed to take the food from the chef bypassing the wait staff

4) The cute waitress always gets more tips.

Some people are just like that. But the server will appreciate your kindness and treat you with the same respect you showed them next time they see you. This other women will probably get the same treatment she treats them with.

People like that will never change. Just make sure the waitperson knows which tip is yours!

That really is surprising with her restaurant background.

just tell them to stop being cheap and leave a decent tip.. if they get angry oh well they'll get over it. if they can't afford the tip they should eat at a fast food.

when she takes your signed bill plus your visa card, or whatever---give her the tip in her hands, right then.