[Sca-cooks] food manners/tipping

[Colin MacNachtan]

On Wednesday 01 November 2006 4:54 pm, Margaret Rendell wrote:
> Is low wages for waitstaff, augmented (hopefully) up to something
> liveable by tips, standard across the US, or does it vary? Canada?
> European countries?

As far as I know, waitstaff across the US is paid a pittance on the assumption 
that they will make up the balance with tips.  They are exempt from the 
minimum wage laws and are paid far less than minimum wage.  The expected tip 
for average service is in the 15% range.  Less than 15% indicates substandard 
service and good service easily deserves 20%.

This is only true of restaurants with table service.  Fast food places with 
counter service do not expect that their waitstaff get tips.

Colin