Do you tip before or after tax?.

[Handle]

Trying to close a debate I have going with a friend. I tip 20 % on total if service is good. Cannot be bothered on finding the net amount.

 

[papasmerf]

The correct way is before

 

[peace]

honestly i rarely see the before tax amount....so i just tip based on the total amount.

 

[Beef Jerky]

All depends how cute the waitress is.

 

[TFZL1]

The waiter/waitress hands me the wireless debit/credit machine, and I push the button for 15%.
If my math is right, that's on the total, including tax.

Should I ask them to add the before or after tax option to the menu items on the machine? That would probably baffle most servers.
So, I suspect the standard, as the industry sees it, is after tax.

 

[Beached]

Most debit machines are programmed to add the percentage with the tax included. If this bothers you, use the $ option and calculate it yourself.
Bear in mind that if your server has deducted a coupon or gift card and you use the percentage option they are losing the percentage on the amount deducted.
When using gift cards or coupons use the $ option. Smart servers will already have bypasses the tip% opyion when they hand you the machine.
I always use the $ option and almost always over tip.

 

[NoName]

I always use the $ option and almost always over tip.

So do I. But do remember that they have to give a percentage of their tips to the house, bartender, buss boys, runners and hostess. Some places deduct almost 7% of their sales. If your bill is $100, the server may eventully walk home with 7 to 10 percent of your tip.

 

[Wazzap]

So do I. But do remember that they have to give a percentage of their tips to the house, bartender, buss boys, runners and hostess. Some places deduct almost 7% of their sales. If your bill is $100, the server may eventully walk home with 7 to 10 percent of your tip.

And they still walk home with over $200 a night.

 

[Riess]

And they still walk home with over $200 a night.

There is a new law in Ontario that managers or owners cannot take a % of tips unless they work for it.

How can they enforce that?.

 

[nntsci]

I can't be bothered to compute the pre-tax amount, so, I tip on the total.
It means if I choose 15%, I actually am tipping 17.25% which is ok with me if the service is good.

 

[cristycurves]

So do I. But do remember that they have to give a percentage of their tips to the house, bartender, buss boys, runners and hostess. Some places deduct almost 7% of their sales. If your bill is $100, the server may eventully walk home with 7 to 10 percent of your tip.

This is what I've been told by a few restaurant owners....whether the waitress has to divy up her tips is dependent on the protocol of the restaurant. Not all waitresses have to share their tips, nor do I think they should. I've waitressed in the past, it's hard work and a good waitress/waiter deserves 20% min. But that's just my opinion. Mediocre service gets 15%, bad service gets none, but it has to be pretty bad to warrant no tip...... The other staff should be paid enough so that they don't require a percentage of tips.