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Posted by: seanery Oct 15 2004, 11:14 AM

Went to Sonic for the first time and didn't know if it was a tipping place or not.
Do you tip at Sonic?

Posted by: URY914 Oct 15 2004, 11:16 AM

911=yes
914=no

Or is it the other way around?

P

Posted by: anthony Oct 15 2004, 11:18 AM

What is Sonic?

Posted by: Aaron Cox Oct 15 2004, 11:23 AM

its a burger joint! do you tip at in n out? nope :finger2:

Posted by: Meredith Oct 15 2004, 11:25 AM

I've only been there once, but I don't remember leaving a tip.

Posted by: anthony Oct 15 2004, 11:26 AM

In some sense I find it annoying that tip jars are everywhere now. A tip is for service, not for punching buttons on a cash register.

Posted by: Aaron Cox Oct 15 2004, 11:28 AM

i agree, i use that to put all my pennies in or the change from the sale. i hate carrying coins

Posted by: bondo Oct 15 2004, 11:28 AM

If I'm sitting down when I order, I tip. If I'm standing when I order I usually don't, unless I feel like I'm geting extrordinary service for some reason. The grey area is when I stand up to order, sit down, and then people start refilling my drink, clearing the table and such. I've never been to sonic (they don't have any near me or anywhere I regularly go), so I don't know what category it fits in to.

Posted by: bondo Oct 15 2004, 11:33 AM

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5334880/

If I were this guy I'd be filling tip jars everywhere

Posted by: Pnambic Oct 15 2004, 11:34 AM

Depends on service. I worked in restaurants for years. I even received tips on carry-out orders from time to time.

I always leave a tip when I go to CiCi's pizza joint cause I feel guilty about the mess my two little ones always leave...

Posted by: Mueller Oct 15 2004, 11:34 AM

yep, I tip.....I normally end up sending the poor server back and forth a few times for condiments or due to the fries being too cold

Posted by: sanman Oct 15 2004, 11:37 AM

meals are cheap at sonic, if you get good service tip
what is 15% of 5 bucks it wont kill ya
or just let them keep the change

Posted by: Aaron Cox Oct 15 2004, 11:39 AM

thats what i usually do "keep the coins"

Posted by: scruz914 Oct 15 2004, 11:45 AM

I agree about the service vs. button pushing thing. I used to be bugged by jars too, until my daughter worked at a counter service restaurant. She would get some pretty good tips and I asked her what she did to deserve them. She had many examples of how she provided extra service to make the customer’s visit better. The most notable is the time she noticed that a young man was having trouble placing his order at a different register. Turns out the man was deaf and could not speak well. My daughter knows sign language and stepped right in. I think she got as much pleasure from helping him as he got by not having to feel out of place and frustrated. She also told me about several times she would help out a parent struggling to manage several kids while placing an order. When the person behind the counter does something special for me I believe they deserve a tip.

-Jeff

Posted by: DerekKim Oct 15 2004, 12:35 PM

First off holy crap 1m illion pennies? that's crazy. Second we had a good friend who use to work at a Sonic so we'd always ask for her and tip well. My mother supported me through tips and I made a good bit over the summers in tips. So we generally tip well.

Posted by: 3d914 Oct 15 2004, 12:45 PM

The day that tipping goes out of style is the day the world has gone to SHIT! And of course that will be all the more reason to do it!

Posted by: gopack Oct 15 2004, 01:08 PM

I wind up tipping at sonic all the time, because the servers don't speak english, and getting them to give me the correct change is like beating your head against the wall!

Don't go there any more since the son went off to college, it was his favorite fast food joint.

Posted by: maf914 Oct 15 2004, 01:21 PM

I stop at Sonic rarely, since there are none convenient for my work lunch break and I don't usually eat fast food at home on weekends. But when I have stopped, if it was for take out from the pickup window, I didn't tip, and if it was served by a carhop while I sat at the outside tables, I did tip.

I try to tip fairly, 15-20%, a dollar minimum. It kills me to see people leave 38 cents on the table!

Posted by: mike_the_man Oct 15 2004, 01:24 PM

I don't really agree with the whole tipping thing. Mostly because I'm a cheap bastard, but I have other reasons as well. If the service is outstanding, or the server goes out of their way to help you, then I think a tip is in order. I find that at most restaurants, the service is mediocre at best, yet a tip is still expected. I figure that if you get paid to do a job, you shouldn't expect to get extra. Nobody ever stops by my desk and gives me $10 for a really nice piece of code I wrote. Oh, and I usually tip if the waitress is hot too.

So, I guess I'm a cheap perverted bastard.

Posted by: ! Oct 15 2004, 01:55 PM

If they serve ya...yes...
Tip jar out at the front...yer choice....
Gal has big boobs.....hell yes....

Posted by: ematulac Oct 15 2004, 02:05 PM

That's how I do it.

I never tipped at Sonic. You do order sitting down (in your car) at the Sonic I used to go to, but I never felt the urge to tip them 'cause it still felt like a fast food joint.

Now that I think about it, I probably will tip them next time, since they do come over and serve you.

Posted by: SirAndy Oct 15 2004, 02:10 PM

i never tip because "i have to" and i don't listen to that "always 20%" crap either.
i'm from europe. people over there don't tip unless the service was exceptional. no-one expects to be tipped either. they make enough money, they don't need the tips to survive.

this whole tipping thing pisses me off, actually.
you're doing your job and on top of your salery, you're expecting *me* to give you extra money for nothing?
Andy

Posted by: Qarl Oct 15 2004, 02:24 PM

The Sonics here.. they serve you in your car... usually a cute girl on roller skates. They bring your order... give you straws, a couple of mints... and will bring you something else if you need it (more ketchup extra napkins, etc.). Of course you should tip of served this way.

If you walk up to the window and order, then no. Would you tip walking up to the counter at Burger King?

Posted by: nebreitling Oct 15 2004, 02:36 PM

to you non-tippers

you realise that waiters/waitresses in sit-down restaurants (not sonic/burger king) in america make $2.13/hour without tips, right? TIP YOU CHEAPIES!!

Posted by: bondo Oct 15 2004, 02:44 PM

And doesn't the IRS assume they get tips and tax accordingly?

Posted by: mike_the_man Oct 15 2004, 02:46 PM

I realize that waiters/waitresses don't make that much, but they knew that when they took the job. If they don't like it, find something else. I went to school for 5 years to get a decent paying job.

Unfortunately, I have crumbled under the pressure of society, and I usually do tip, unless the service is poor, then no tip! In fact, I'm starting to feel guilty if I don't tip. I still don't agree with it though!

Posted by: anthony Oct 15 2004, 02:56 PM

I like the system in Europe as well but that's not a reason not to tip in the US.

I just think tipping overall has gotten out of hand. A tip used to be 10%, and then it went to 15%, and now lots of people are talking 20%. I don't understand why the percentage needs to keep going up. Food prices keep going up and the amount tipped keeps going up. If servers aren't making enough then they should be paid more salary by employers.

I also don't like the fact that a tip jar has popped up everywhere.

Posted by: Rhodes71/914 Oct 15 2004, 02:59 PM

TIP TIP TIP
My wife is a waitress at a nice restuarant in a small resort area. If it wasn't for the tips it would be a crappy low paying job but insead it is a semi-crappy ok paying job. Do you really think that somebody would kiss your ass like a good waiter/waitress does if they were not expecting something for their service.

As far as tip jars go there is a place for them. I used to own a coffee shop and yes baristas are doing a service- making you a good coffee. If your $4 drink sucks don't tip if it is made correctly throw something in the jar. Should 7-11 have a tip jar, I don't think so.

sr

Posted by: SGB Oct 15 2004, 03:09 PM

Food service work sucks. It ain't no sit down job. How many people WANT to spend their life doing that crap? And it is critical to society, too. If people didn't do the shit jobs for you, you would have to do 'em yourself (uh, is this 914 content?). I tip well whenever it seems deserved. Not for "exceptional service", just willingness to do the service successfully and without negative attitude. I used to be on that end of the tip chain, and a couple of extra bucks had a much more significant use (like paying electricity) for me than for the people I was serving, I think.

Posted by: SirAndy Oct 15 2004, 03:10 PM

and why does that have to be *my* problem?
shouldn't you be kicking her employers ass instead for not paying her the money she's entitled to! i'm sure she works just as hard as anybody else, but yet you seem to be fine with the fact that her boss doesn't give her good money for her work and you expect me (the customer) to tip the difference ...

i don't get it ...
Andy



isn't that their job? what am i missing here? isn't a waitress supposed to serve me at a restaurant? why do i have to tip her for doing her job? no-one tips me for sitting in front of the computer 12 hours a day, and guess what, i don't expect anyone to do so either ...

i still don't get it ...
Andy

Posted by: charlesmac Oct 15 2004, 03:17 PM

i'm too young to remember the 50's car hop type places. did people tip those waitresses?
i consider sonic a fast food place so i don't tip. Some of my students that work at our local sonic give me crap about it. In a sit down, get served establishment, i tip according to the service.

Posted by: ! Oct 15 2004, 03:21 PM

What's the diff between a canoe and a Canadian?????





































Canoes WILL TIP.....

Posted by: Rhodes71/914 Oct 15 2004, 03:22 PM

Ok Andy here is my take on your confusion: This is the system that is in place now. Waitstaff get paid very little per hour because they make up the dif with tips. The restuarant would have to up there prices by 15% across the board and then pass this on the the waitstaff. Do you think that will happen. NO! So next time you don't tip that nice waitperson think about that teener sitting in the garage waiting for parts that won't come because some cheapskate didn't tip.

And for all of you out there saying "well get a better paying job" or "don't people wait tables while there in college or trying to make it as an actor". Not always true. My wife did it so that we could raise our own kids and keep them out of day care. Sure it is a sacrifice but I don't want somebody spending more time with my children than me and my wife. Sure when the kids are in school she will make a career change but for now it works.

End rant

sr

Posted by: nebreitling Oct 15 2004, 03:30 PM

it's a strange, illogical, particularly american institution. however, the government sets the minimum wage of waiters/waitresses (and others for whom tipping is a social institution) LOWER than the standard minimum wage. now, technically, if they don't make the higher (normal) minimum wage after tips, their boss has to pitch in for those hours to make the normal minimum wage. but this is still lower than they deserve to be payed. it's a social contract, essentially. and it's one little american detail that i like

Posted by: scruz914 Oct 15 2004, 05:02 PM

Don't forget that, in sitdown resturants, waiters/waitresses typically share their tips with buspeople, cooks, etc.

Posted by: PorscheTom Oct 15 2004, 05:13 PM

What's a Sonic?


Hey! my 100th post!!! Glad it was a worthwhile one!

Posted by: SirAndy Oct 15 2004, 05:24 PM

so, you're trying to tell me that, for example:

if Microsoft decided tomorrow that all their programmers are now only going to get minimum wage (or less) and next time you go to CompUSA to pick up some software, you would gladly give that programmer (that's standing next to the shelf with a tip-jar) a big 20% tip because the poor guy doesn't make good money anymore.
you're trying to tell me you wouldn't blame it on Microsoft, but instead think it's perfectly normal and simply give away your money because the guy paid some much attention to detail when he programmed that software ...

do you tip at the post-office? and if not, why not? aren't they providing a service to you as well?
do you tip the policeman that just gave you a speeding ticket? he was doing a good job as well ...

Andy

Posted by: scruz914 Oct 15 2004, 05:29 PM

At Microsoft, and the high tech industry as a whole, rewards for work well done come in the form of bonuses, profit sharing, and stock options. That is on top of the extremely good pay.

Posted by: Jeroen Oct 15 2004, 05:31 PM

Mike... please change your avatar. It's scarey...
You almost look intelligent in that pic (and we all know ya aint )

Posted by: SirAndy Oct 15 2004, 05:36 PM

i know, that's why i said "what if", i had hoped you had some imagination ...

my point is simple, why do you blame the customer and not the employer for low wages???

i don't get it ...
Andy

Posted by: scruz914 Oct 15 2004, 06:04 PM

Well, that is not what I am saying. Good service = Good tips. Think of it as you pay the resturant for the meal, you pay (tip) the waitperson for the service. The blame for poor pay in this scenario goes to the waitperson.

Unfortunately it is the standard that has taken hold in the US.

-Jeff

Posted by: bondo Oct 15 2004, 06:17 PM

Here's my take on it.. the only reason they get such low pay is because people DO tip. If they didn't people would quit, and wages would go up. But as it is, because of tips, the people who serve you consider the pay good enough to work there. Because this system is in place (doesn't matter if it's right or wrong, it's in place) if you choose not to tip, whomever served you got paid less while they were serving you. If the service while they were serving you was poor, it seems justified to withhold a tip, since the system gives you that power. Perhaps that's the whole purpose of the system?

Posted by: Andyrew Oct 15 2004, 06:33 PM

I've got a friend who works at a car wash... He gets a nice steady pay check, and about 5 to 15 bucks in tips every day... (tips are added together and devided at ends of shifts)
Plus he gets his minimum wage...

Me, I work at taco bell... I work in the back doin the grunt work (food prep... not food make... there Is a diff...) I get min wage, but I dont get tips.. Neither does anyone else in the store (cept a couple at register when people force them to take tips... wierd..)


I went to Sonic last night in the teener with my dad, Scott C. came too.
We sat down and didnt tip...

Andrew

Posted by: SirAndy Oct 15 2004, 06:48 PM

now i know why waitresses in germany are always grumpy.

they get a real salary!
Andy

Posted by: scruz914 Oct 15 2004, 07:02 PM

Hmmm. That might be it. Bummer when you are in a nice Beer Garden and the waitress acts like she doesn't want to be there. Maybe we should tip them!

Posted by: gregrobbins Oct 15 2004, 07:04 PM

Sure I tip. Here's why:

1. Because I can-what is just a few cents to me is a big deal for a high school kid

2. Because they always say "neat car" which strokes my ego and tickles the wife.

3. Too few kids work these days. I appreciate Sonic. Wife and I take the teener out in the evening to Sconic to park, drink a soda, and TALK. Its a cheap date that we do two or three times a week.

The kids know us, treat us well, so yes I tip. To them I am a valued regular, to me they are an escape to the drive in days from my nearly forgotten youth.

Oh yes, it is a heck of a lot of fun watching them try to deliver food on roller skates with out falling or dropping items.

Posted by: Mark Henry Oct 15 2004, 07:12 PM

That is the point of the tipping system, to get good service.

Can you imagine if it was a union wage resturant..."u's gets da food when I's done my break bub"

Opps, I don't mean to offend any union types....

We often go to a buffet type place near here, all the waiter does is refill the drinks. I tip just because of the mess my kids make.

Posted by: maf914 Oct 16 2004, 07:05 AM

Andy,

I thought there was a service charge automatically included in the food price in German restaurants? (Wow, it's been a long time since I lived in Germany.) As I remember most people would let the waiter keep the coin change. If and when you could ever get the waiter to deliver and collect the bill!

Or am I confusing that with the built in tax (which I sort of liked since its let you quickly calculate your total cost)?

Posted by: maf914 Oct 16 2004, 07:10 AM

Oh, and by the way, concerning this whole tipping controversy, you have to remember that we're all a bunch of cheap-ass 914 owners!

Posted by: Qarl Oct 16 2004, 08:43 AM

I'm going to go to Sonic today with my wife and Hunter.

I will give the server a tip!

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty Oct 16 2004, 08:51 AM

Wou even GO to Burger King? The Cap'n

Posted by: Hi_Fi_Guy Oct 16 2004, 09:56 AM

I always tip at Sonic but know plenty who do not. Even though it is fast food they do bring it to your car. In most states the employer can get away with paying carhops HALF of minimum wage by calling them waiters/waitresses so they really do need the tips.

Plus it is good karma

Also, you don't want the carhops talking about the cheap guy in the Porsche... that never goes over well

Posted by: trekkor Oct 16 2004, 10:00 AM

I'll try to keep the rant to a minimum:

I worked for many years as a cook in upscale restaraunts preparing ultra-gourmet meals that , believe me, your waiter had no part in preparing, let alone knew what was in it.

Hmmm, let's see, I was making $10 an hour and they were taking home $300 a night in tips for carrying a plate across the room. I had to get out of that routine

Plus they would only work 5-6 hours while I'm doing a 8-9er.

Today I tip, my wife always wants to and tips more than I do.

I'll invent the table side tip-o-meter:
It starts at 0% and as the waitstaff provides quality service it rises. They can watch the meter and make an effort to recieve a higher tip! If the service is really bad, they pay me!

When I am sitting there, waiting for water, a menu, my bread, my dressing, my check, whatever. I am not happy.

I always get a kick out of the server who will comp a meal in order to compemsate for their weak service as a lame attempt to satisfy me, burning their employer , trying to get that tip up anyway?

T.I.P.S. ( to insure prompt/proper service )
no service - no tip.

That's what goes through my head. I still tip 15-20% anyway.

Thanks, come again!

KT

Posted by: Meredith Oct 16 2004, 10:41 AM

I tip at most places. I guess since I considered Sonic a fast food place it didn't occur to me to tip them. But I always tip very well at sit-down restaurants, sandwich shops and the Starbucks by my house (if only because they know what type of drink I'll get just by judging the weather, and start making it before I even order. They haven't been wrong yet!).

Mer

Posted by: Kevin@ojai.net Oct 16 2004, 09:18 PM

Good service=Good tips
Bad service=bad tips

Went to a hole in the wall burrito place today, told the guy to make my burrito extra spicy. I got my food fast and it was damn good, so I tossed a buck in the tip jar.

Went to a breakfast place last week... Lousy service. Coffee kept running out, water kept running out, took about 10 min before my order got taken, and I saw my food sitting on the counter waiting for delivery for about 5 min. when I got it it was cold. So I only left $.02.

I'm heading out in a few min. If I get my drinks fast I'll throw down a buck or 2, if not no tip...

I hope all of you stop the cycle of tipping just "because." If you get crap service don't leave a tip.

-Kevin

Posted by: Lawrence Oct 16 2004, 09:52 PM

At "real" restaurants... yes.

At most fast food restaurants... no.

Buffets... if the waitress brings me coffee or diet coke, yes. If I have to go get my drinks, and all she brings me is the check - nope.

At Sonic and A&W drive-ins... yes. Someone brings me the food. It's not a huge tip, but it's something.

My off-topic post for the day. I'm tired.

-Rusty

Posted by: lagunero Oct 17 2004, 12:45 AM

Andy, go ahead and tip. It's not like you work for tips for a living

In addition to all of the reasons stated to tip in the USA, I'll add this truth.

The IRS taxes every DIRECTLY TIPPED (CA) employee 8% of his/hers GROSS SALES!

So if you don't tip at least 8%, that server will be paying out of their pocket to have served you whether the service was good or bad.

To clarify any doubts about the matter, please refer to restaurant scene in Reservoir Dogs

Posted by: ArtechnikA Oct 17 2004, 07:51 AM

i still clearly recall the phrase ,,die Bedienung ist inbegriffen ..."

(Service is included.)

typically to the tune of 15% or more ...

recently (in this country) a party of several went to a restaurant with "18% service will be added to parties of (less than they had) or more" but they claimed they got bad service anyway, and refused to pay - whereupon they were arrested for theft !

Posted by: tracks914 Oct 17 2004, 09:17 AM

Across the (Ontario) border in Quebec, if you go to a bar and don't tip at least 15% per round, the beer stops coming. Waitresses over there have a great memory and will remember you weeks later. Most seem to expect 25% in night clubs or the service drops right off.
What I do in these cases is leave the tips in an ashtray on the middle of the table and tell the waitress, "it's all hers when we leave if the service stays good all night" "or when her shift ends"! It works well and we seldom leave less than 20% in theses situations. (even if we are Canadian and own canoes!)
McD's - Burger King etc - we don't have tip jars at the counter here yet and I don't know if I would leave one in that type of restuarant.
Sit down or drive up where I am served by a waiter or waitress, 10% if the service is bad but up to 25% if the service is excellent. (The service is usually excellent at Hooters)

Posted by: Howard Oct 17 2004, 11:02 AM

I'm still concerned with the guy with the million pennies. Has anyone calculated weight? Spot price on copper market?

Posted by: ArtechnikA Oct 17 2004, 11:06 AM

not much copper in pennies for a long time for exactly that reason.
but with all that zinc around i bet he won't catch a cold ...

Posted by: Howard Oct 17 2004, 11:10 AM

Didn't know that! Zinc? OK, melt them and make a 914 dip?