Are Christians bad tippers?

[macgulley]

That's a pretty nice restaurant you're eating at that has an average $50 check.

Well, we are a family of five.
Add an appetizer and/or desert and 50 is an easy hit for us. But even when just my wife and I eat out It is generally $40 -60 a meal. Of course we are usually eating at a nicer place when we do that. But, it is what it is.

I guess what confused me was your comments that another $5 would make "eating out virtually impossible" and "we in this part of Alabama are poorer than I realize". Those sound a bit out of place when you are ordering an appetizer and dessert or spending $20-30 PER PERSON. If you only want to tip 10% that's fine but don't play the "I can't afford it" card.

[EagerBeaver]

Is it just me, or is it ironic that many from the very faith that preaches very adamantly to tithe 10% can't even tip the same amount in a restaurant where the bill is substantially less?

[Poimen]

I guess what confused me was your comments that another $5 would make "eating out virtually impossible" and "we in this part of Alabama are poorer than I realize". Those sound a bit out of place when you are ordering an appetizer and dessert or spending $20-30 PER PERSON. If you only want to tip 10% that's fine but don't play the "I can't afford it" card.

I can understand why you might get that impression. Especially if we are talking about one or maybe two meals. But, another $5 across the board, every time we eat out, would make eating out a virtual impossibility -- a luxury or rarity. An extra 5 a meal starts to add up if you eat out frequently.

My wife is a good cook. But due to the nature of our business we eat out often (or we order in) to help lessen her work load.

If we had to tip 20 % all the time it would cost more than we are willing to part with, and would start cutting into living expenses. And I figure that to be so for most of the people I know. If they ate out regularly 20% tips would severely curtail their spending and dinning out. It's just not practical, nor generally affordable (IMHO).

And fyi -- the "poorer in this part of Alabama" bit was sarcasm.

[Jamais Vu]

i would prefer to tip the cooks. that is why i go out to eat, for the food.....i would gladly walk to the kitchen to get my food and refill my own drinks if the sit-down joints would let me. honestly, how much 'skill' does it take to be a server??

[macgulley]

i would prefer to tip the cooks. that is why i go out to eat, for the food.....i would gladly walk to the kitchen to get my food and refill my own drinks if the sit-down joints would let me. honestly, how much 'skill' does it take to be a server??

Maybe not as much physical skill as painting cars but it can be challenging to deal with people.

[Brandon Bowers]

We only eat out at Taco Bell. I can feed the family for under $8.00.

89 cent Chicken Burritos have changed my life.

[ugpastor]

I am with Glenn Beck on this one. Chapter 13 An Inconvenient Book.

http://books.google.com/books?id=vTUouE ... &q=&f=true

[dolfan]

I generally tip 15 %. If I know the server is also an owner I may go lower even zero. If they are thoughtful and obviously trying to be pros at it, yeah I will tip 20 or more. Attitude is a big factor. I must say it is getting harder to find 20 pct'ers anymore: bad attitudes, self-absorption and no knowledge or concern with the need to know how their own business works, just there to draw a check.