Comments on: Tipping follow-up: Oprah’s new advice http://nudges.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/tipping-follow-up-oprahs-new-advice/ From Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein's "Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness" Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:52:08 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Olive Gardenz http://nudges.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/tipping-follow-up-oprahs-new-advice/#comment-7452 Olive Gardenz Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:15:39 +0000 http://nudges.wordpress.com/?p=413#comment-7452 Way to be Oprah! I guess it slipped your mind that millions of people look up to you and of those millions a large percentage of the are thick headed enough to walk into traffic if you so commanded them. You are a icon a role model and a celebrity. You live a lavish lifestyle that us common folk can only dream about and you star in your own talk show that broadcasts your opinions as law to everyone who is willing to hear it. So we would pressume that since you have the audasity to have a talk show like that, that you would infact know what the hell it is that your talking about! As a server (90% of us are this way accept for the few lucky ones who work at clubs) we get paid a measly 2.13hr and because the IRS is aware of our credit tips or because some of us have to pay for their health inssurance all our checks say 'VOID' on them. So litterally Olive Garden isnt paying me to work there and take care of their guests because my paychecks all say 'VOID'. So the money that we have is solely bassed on the generosity of the customers that we serve. Our job is far from easy I've worked in 2 star resturants and I've worked in 5 star resturants and some of those positions yes are very easy, but the Olive Garden because we have so many rediculous "Bottom less" or "Never ending" promotions or menu items it is crazy difficuly. Especially because people come in there thinking they are Gods gift to the human race and that they can run us to death with their thousands of special requests and because they feel the need to drink an entire soda while I'm standing there taking the entree order. So yes we deserve every penny of our 18-20% which is generally whats appropriate and what is expected in a restiruant like that. So dont emabarass yourself by eating at a nice resturant and then only tipping 10% for one its rude, for 2 its de-meaning to the server and 3 beleive it or not we remember who takes care of us and who leaves us hanging. When I have return customers that I know dont tip to save their lives you better beleive (and we all do this) that their service suffers because of it, some of us will go as far as intentionally screwing up an order just to make the whole expierience difficult for a guest that doesnt take care of their servers. I'm not saying I've done that but I am saying I am very aware of that taking place...right around me....so keep that in mind the next time you want to leave your server 10% unless you are honestly wanting to communicate non verbally to the server "Hey you are trash! You do a trash job! and I'd consider killing myself if I were you before you shine your smile to your parents in public again because surely they are embarassed of you!" if thats what you are ok with communicating then by all means tip %10 or worse, but if thats not what you are trying to communicate than keep in mind that not only are you offending the serving staff taking care of you but you are liable to communicate that vulgar sentence to the server as well... have a good one Way to be Oprah! I guess it slipped your mind that millions of people look up to you and of those millions a large percentage of the are thick headed enough to walk into traffic if you so commanded them. You are a icon a role model and a celebrity. You live a lavish lifestyle that us common folk can only dream about and you star in your own talk show that broadcasts your opinions as law to everyone who is willing to hear it. So we would pressume that since you have the audasity to have a talk show like that, that you would infact know what the hell it is that your talking about! As a server (90% of us are this way accept for the few lucky ones who work at clubs) we get paid a measly 2.13hr and because the IRS is aware of our credit tips or because some of us have to pay for their health inssurance all our checks say ‘VOID’ on them. So litterally Olive Garden isnt paying me to work there and take care of their guests because my paychecks all say ‘VOID’. So the money that we have is solely bassed on the generosity of the customers that we serve. Our job is far from easy I’ve worked in 2 star resturants and I’ve worked in 5 star resturants and some of those positions yes are very easy, but the Olive Garden because we have so many rediculous “Bottom less” or “Never ending” promotions or menu items it is crazy difficuly. Especially because people come in there thinking they are Gods gift to the human race and that they can run us to death with their thousands of special requests and because they feel the need to drink an entire soda while I’m standing there taking the entree order. So yes we deserve every penny of our 18-20% which is generally whats appropriate and what is expected in a restiruant like that. So dont emabarass yourself by eating at a nice resturant and then only tipping 10% for one its rude, for 2 its de-meaning to the server and 3 beleive it or not we remember who takes care of us and who leaves us hanging. When I have return customers that I know dont tip to save their lives you better beleive (and we all do this) that their service suffers because of it, some of us will go as far as intentionally screwing up an order just to make the whole expierience difficult for a guest that doesnt take care of their servers. I’m not saying I’ve done that but I am saying I am very aware of that taking place…right around me….so keep that in mind the next time you want to leave your server 10% unless you are honestly wanting to communicate non verbally to the server “Hey you are trash! You do a trash job! and I’d consider killing myself if I were you before you shine your smile to your parents in public again because surely they are embarassed of you!” if thats what you are ok with communicating then by all means tip %10 or worse, but if thats not what you are trying to communicate than keep in mind that not only are you offending the serving staff taking care of you but you are liable to communicate that vulgar sentence to the server as well…

have a good one

]]> By: bryservedio http://nudges.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/tipping-follow-up-oprahs-new-advice/#comment-7304 bryservedio Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:34:52 +0000 http://nudges.wordpress.com/?p=413#comment-7304 I write 15%, 18%, and 20% on every bill I give to customers. Most customers thank me. They say, "I had no idea that 20% was this much!" And they leave me the proper tip. Try it! I write 15%, 18%, and 20% on every bill I give to customers. Most customers thank me. They say, “I had no idea that 20% was this much!” And they leave me the proper tip. Try it!

]]> By: bryservedio http://nudges.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/tipping-follow-up-oprahs-new-advice/#comment-7303 bryservedio Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:27:41 +0000 http://nudges.wordpress.com/?p=413#comment-7303 I've been a server since I was 16. I started in Pennsylvania where $1.00 tip per person was acceptable. I remember working for 12 hours straight - no break, because servers don't receive breaks - and I would leave the restaurant with $100. Today, 15% tip is very old-school. Most of my customers leave at least 20%, which is more customary, especially in New York City. If a customer leaves less than 15% a server will sometimes say something to the customer. "Excuse me, but was everything satisfactory with the service?" The person will then respond, "Yes, everything was excellent." And the server says, "Well you've left only 8% tip - I'm not sure if you are aware that I pay taxes based on my sales, not based on what tip I receive. Your bill for dinner for two was $200, sir. $16 will not cover the taxes I must pay for your food." At that moment, the customer normally apologizes greatly and will leave the proper tip, 20%. 20% is not for exceptional service in these days, when we all know a gallon of milk is $5.00. 20% means you were taken care of properly, perhaps not treated like a queen, but if you had a problem, it was taken care of quickly, the server was friendly, and your likelihood to return is high. 15% means that you can spend $80-$100 on dinner, but are too cheap/too lazy to tip the proper amount. PS: Restaurants in NYC force waiters to oblige to a HIGH tip-out scale. In my restaurant, I tip out 33% of my tips. In other restaurants, waiters tip out 7% of their total sales. Some restaurants make waiters tip out 50% of their tips!!! Regardless of how we tip out, the government taxes us 22% on our sales - I often times receive a weekly paycheck of VOID due to this fact. I’ve been a server since I was 16. I started in Pennsylvania where $1.00 tip per person was acceptable. I remember working for 12 hours straight – no break, because servers don’t receive breaks – and I would leave the restaurant with $100. Today, 15% tip is very old-school. Most of my customers leave at least 20%, which is more customary, especially in New York City. If a customer leaves less than 15% a server will sometimes say something to the customer. “Excuse me, but was everything satisfactory with the service?” The person will then respond, “Yes, everything was excellent.” And the server says, “Well you’ve left only 8% tip – I’m not sure if you are aware that I pay taxes based on my sales, not based on what tip I receive. Your bill for dinner for two was $200, sir. $16 will not cover the taxes I must pay for your food.” At that moment, the customer normally apologizes greatly and will leave the proper tip, 20%.

20% is not for exceptional service in these days, when we all know a gallon of milk is $5.00. 20% means you were taken care of properly, perhaps not treated like a queen, but if you had a problem, it was taken care of quickly, the server was friendly, and your likelihood to return is high. 15% means that you can spend $80-$100 on dinner, but are too cheap/too lazy to tip the proper amount.

PS: Restaurants in NYC force waiters to oblige to a HIGH tip-out scale. In my restaurant, I tip out 33% of my tips. In other restaurants, waiters tip out 7% of their total sales. Some restaurants make waiters tip out 50% of their tips!!! Regardless of how we tip out, the government taxes us 22% on our sales – I often times receive a weekly paycheck of VOID due to this fact.

]]> By: Mary http://nudges.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/tipping-follow-up-oprahs-new-advice/#comment-6973 Mary Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:25:34 +0000 http://nudges.wordpress.com/?p=413#comment-6973 You are so right ! My husband and I own a restaurant and I waitress there. For the most part I have met many many wonderful and nice people. But there are those who do treat you as a servant..its so obnoxious ! Even though I am an owner, I do not make that known and therefore I know exactly how my servers are treated. I am old enough to be our servers mother too !! Manners and kindness are free, servers are hard working people who are dealing with not only the public...but the cooks, managers, busboys etc. Lots of personalities with lots of moods. Servers don't just take your orders, they clean-up before and after you, make the coffee, slice the fruit, wash stuff constantly and are exhausted and yet put on a happy and friendly face so you have a nice meal experience. Bad manners and rudeness are unaccectable anywhere, anytime. I go overboard to those customers who are nice...pay it foward ! I hope Oprah didn't say this, I can't imagine she did. But everyone reading this remember to treat EVERYONE with respect and kindness...it'll always come back to you. You are so right ! My husband and I own a restaurant and I waitress there. For the most part I have met many many wonderful and nice people. But there are those who do treat you as a servant..its so obnoxious ! Even though I am an owner, I do not make that known and therefore I know exactly how my servers are treated. I am old enough to be our servers mother too !! Manners and kindness are free, servers are hard working people who are dealing with not only the public…but the cooks, managers, busboys etc. Lots of personalities with lots of moods. Servers don’t just take your orders, they clean-up before and after you, make the coffee, slice the fruit, wash stuff constantly and are exhausted and yet put on a happy and friendly face so you have a nice meal experience. Bad manners and rudeness are unaccectable anywhere, anytime. I go overboard to those customers who are nice…pay it foward ! I hope Oprah didn’t say this, I can’t imagine she did. But everyone reading this remember to treat EVERYONE with respect and kindness…it’ll always come back to you.

]]> By: Mary http://nudges.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/tipping-follow-up-oprahs-new-advice/#comment-6972 Mary Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:34:46 +0000 http://nudges.wordpress.com/?p=413#comment-6972 I agree with you totally ! But Oprah's show is free... I agree with you totally ! But Oprah’s show is free…

]]> By: Liz Walls http://nudges.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/tipping-follow-up-oprahs-new-advice/#comment-6932 Liz Walls Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:07:45 +0000 http://nudges.wordpress.com/?p=413#comment-6932 i just started a petition for Oprah to recall the "10% tip suggestion"...if you would like to get on board...please look for me on facebook...lizhwalls@gmail.com...i just started it last night and already have over 100 people...id like to get as many names as possible & then send it on to the "big O" and have her retract her suggestion as well as acknowledge how hard those of us in the service industry work. I read last night that roughly 4 states pay tipped employees minimum wage...the other 46 states pay tipped employees significantly lower. One woman with millions of viewers/fans is taking millions of dollars collectively out of many legitimately hard-working Americans' pockets! i just started a petition for Oprah to recall the “10% tip suggestion”…if you would like to get on board…please look for me on facebook…lizhwalls@gmail.com…i just started it last night and already have over 100 people…id like to get as many names as possible & then send it on to the “big O” and have her retract her suggestion as well as acknowledge how hard those of us in the service industry work. I read last night that roughly 4 states pay tipped employees minimum wage…the other 46 states pay tipped employees significantly lower. One woman with millions of viewers/fans is taking millions of dollars collectively out of many legitimately hard-working Americans’ pockets!

]]> By: Education for the ill-informed http://nudges.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/tipping-follow-up-oprahs-new-advice/#comment-6915 Education for the ill-informed Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:46:38 +0000 http://nudges.wordpress.com/?p=413#comment-6915 Two types of people who don't tip 20 % (when given standard service): Ignorant bastards Stingy bastards Note: I am using bastard in the true connotative meaning of the word!! Ignorant bastard: you have NOT been taught what is culturally, ethically, morally, pragmatically acceptable; therefore you leave a tip that is under 20% Stingy bastard: you have been taught what is culturally, ethically, morally, and pragmatically acceptable, yet you purposefully decide to chastise your server out of inconsideration for another human's needs. You have not been taught basic concepts of ethics and morals from a young age For the afore-mentioned "ignorant bastards" let me provide simple justification why 20% is acceptable: 1. servers ONLY get money from tips-the $2.13/hr. (or up to around $4/hr. where inflation is high) goes towards taxes, and for most servers this does not completely cover their taxes; they still owe at the end of the year. 2. servers have a mandatory "tipout" for bussers, bartenders, hosts, food runners, silverware rollers, bread runners etc. This can be up to 5-6 percent of the server's sales depending upon the restaurant. 3. servers do not have a simple or easy job; statistically it is ranked as a top 5 most stressful job in the United States-try smiling when someone is being an unjustified jackass to you because the chef, accidentally or even intentionally (because they might not like you) did not prepare the food the way you asked for it to be prepared. One is forced to smile in order to save a tip that will help provide childcare for the three year old at home whom you are trying to support. No lie, this a tame example of the kinds of things servers run into on a daily basis. You would be shockingly surprised what servers deal with every night!!!! 4. servers have what is called "running sidework" and "closing sidework"-these vary from restaurant to restaurant, but are typically pretty time consuming. "Running sidework" is done during the shift while the server has tables, and "closing sidework" is self explanatory. 5. servers work holidays so the "holiday tippers"-holiday cliental who leave little or no tip-can come in and even more intensely ruin the holiday for the server. 6. servers pay out of their pocket for those who walk out on tabs. 7. servers pay out of their pocket for those who don't leave a tip-because of mandatory tipout, which was described earlier 8. servers are the scapegoat for all aspects of the restaurant industry-chefs get angry with the server when the guests is picky and wants a dish altered, the managers continuously ride the servers for their expectations, and obviously the guests get annoyed with the server when something doesn't go perfectly, even if it isn't the server's fault 9. the server's ability to efficiently serve the guests is dependent on so many other aspects of the industry that it is often impossible to provide adequate service. The bartender is busy and it is hard to get the drinks made in a timely manner, a table pays with cash-the server has to wait for the bartender, because guests often don't realize that servers don't have cash registers. Also, hosts may give the server 3 or 4 tables consecutively and make it impossible to provide all of the tables with timely service. For the afore-mentioned "stingy bastards," I do not have the time to educate you on philosophy of civil duties, you will have to look into your soul Two types of people who don’t tip 20 % (when given standard service):

Ignorant bastards
Stingy bastards

Note: I am using bastard in the true connotative meaning of the word!!

Ignorant bastard: you have NOT been taught what is culturally, ethically, morally, pragmatically acceptable; therefore you leave a tip that is under 20%

Stingy bastard: you have been taught what is culturally, ethically, morally, and pragmatically acceptable, yet you purposefully decide to chastise your server out of inconsideration for another human’s needs. You have not been taught basic concepts of ethics and morals from a young age

For the afore-mentioned “ignorant bastards” let me provide simple justification why 20% is acceptable:
1. servers ONLY get money from tips-the $2.13/hr. (or up to around $4/hr. where inflation is high) goes towards taxes, and for most servers this does not completely cover their taxes; they still owe at the end of the year.

2. servers have a mandatory “tipout” for bussers, bartenders, hosts, food runners, silverware rollers, bread runners etc. This can be up to 5-6 percent of the server’s sales depending upon the restaurant.

3. servers do not have a simple or easy job; statistically it is ranked as a top 5 most stressful job in the United States-try smiling when someone is being an unjustified jackass to you because the chef, accidentally or even intentionally (because they might not like you) did not prepare the food the way you asked for it to be prepared. One is forced to smile in order to save a tip that will help provide childcare for the three year old at home whom you are trying to support. No lie, this a tame example of the kinds of things servers run into on a daily basis. You would be shockingly surprised what servers deal with every night!!!!

4. servers have what is called “running sidework” and “closing sidework”-these vary from restaurant to restaurant, but are typically pretty time consuming. “Running sidework” is done during the shift while the server has tables, and “closing sidework” is self explanatory.

5. servers work holidays so the “holiday tippers”-holiday cliental who leave little or no tip-can come in and even more intensely ruin the holiday for the server.

6. servers pay out of their pocket for those who walk out on tabs.

7. servers pay out of their pocket for those who don’t leave a tip-because of mandatory tipout, which was described earlier

8. servers are the scapegoat for all aspects of the restaurant industry-chefs get angry with the server when the guests is picky and wants a dish altered, the managers continuously ride the servers for their expectations, and obviously the guests get annoyed with the server when something doesn’t go perfectly, even if it isn’t the server’s fault

9. the server’s ability to efficiently serve the guests is dependent on so many other aspects of the industry that it is often impossible to provide adequate service. The bartender is busy and it is hard to get the drinks made in a timely manner, a table pays with cash-the server has to wait for the bartender, because guests often don’t realize that servers don’t have cash registers. Also, hosts may give the server 3 or 4 tables consecutively and make it impossible to provide all of the tables with timely service.

For the afore-mentioned “stingy bastards,” I do not have the time to educate you on philosophy of civil duties, you will have to look into your soul

]]> By: enigmaboi http://nudges.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/tipping-follow-up-oprahs-new-advice/#comment-6877 enigmaboi Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:41:16 +0000 http://nudges.wordpress.com/?p=413#comment-6877 I think its funny how some people say an easy solution to tipping servers would be to simply get rid of tipping altogether. Of course you'd have to raise menu prices to compensate for the increased wage that will now be paid. But honestly though, what do you think would happen to your level of service? TIPS: to insure prompt service another side note: most restaurants labor rape their servers because they pay them such a low wage...as a server i spend usually 2.5 hours (thats before and after a shift) doing sidework and other labor intensive taskes outside of my job description. One way restaurants save money is to send all their higher paid staff home whilst keeping servers around at the lower wage...think about that the next time you stiff your server. I think its funny how some people say an easy solution to tipping servers would be to simply get rid of tipping altogether. Of course you’d have to raise menu prices to compensate for the increased wage that will now be paid. But honestly though, what do you think would happen to your level of service? TIPS: to insure prompt service

another side note: most restaurants labor rape their servers because they pay them such a low wage…as a server i spend usually 2.5 hours (thats before and after a shift) doing sidework and other labor intensive taskes outside of my job description. One way restaurants save money is to send all their higher paid staff home whilst keeping servers around at the lower wage…think about that the next time you stiff your server.

]]> By: beenthere http://nudges.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/tipping-follow-up-oprahs-new-advice/#comment-6835 beenthere Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:13:28 +0000 http://nudges.wordpress.com/?p=413#comment-6835 DO NOT WAIT ON OPRAH. A nice boycott of the "BIG MOUTH" and her insane opinions. Then, with all of the money her "SHEEP", saved by not tipping wait staff they can go buy her ridiculous "FAVORITES" and be the prettiest in the trailer park! Shame on you Oprah. If your followers are so broke they can't tip--which the majority of them NEVER DO ANYWAY, suggest they stay home and COOK/CLEAN/RUN for themselves! Why don't you try living on what wait staff earns big mouth??!! I have seen those families of five, sit and take 30 minutes just deciding which ALL YOU CAN EAT plan is best while the kids throw things, spill water and parents are oblivious. I must clean/fetch/etc. Then when they DO decide they have me running back and forth for extra this another THAT; six, seven eight times. To have their food bill come to a whopping $45.00 and they leave a $3.50 tip. OPRAH, JUST SHUT THE EFF UP OK? Thanks. DO NOT WAIT ON OPRAH. A nice boycott of the “BIG MOUTH” and her insane opinions. Then, with all of the money her “SHEEP”, saved by not tipping wait staff they can go buy her ridiculous “FAVORITES” and be the prettiest in the trailer park!
Shame on you Oprah. If your followers are so broke they can’t tip–which the majority of them NEVER DO ANYWAY, suggest they stay home and COOK/CLEAN/RUN for themselves!
Why don’t you try living on what wait staff earns big mouth??!!

I have seen those families of five, sit and take 30 minutes just deciding which ALL YOU CAN EAT plan is best while the kids throw things, spill water and parents are oblivious. I must clean/fetch/etc.
Then when they DO decide they have me running back and forth for extra this another THAT; six, seven eight times. To have their food bill come to a whopping $45.00 and they leave a $3.50 tip.
OPRAH, JUST SHUT THE EFF UP OK? Thanks.

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