Etiquette Tip Tuesday

[ 2 ] October 27, 2009 | Johnna

Etiquette Tip Tuesday. Our newest topic hopes to inspire, change or at least raise a brow as to the right things to do when dealing with food in all settings. After chatting with some friends, they suggested that we add this to our daily roster because people are losing good table manners, sanitation standards and a host of other things that are just wrong in the foodie world. So here goes it (*Translation: Here it is, this is how it goes, etc…):

Tipping. We’ve had this discussion time and time again and are torn between the waitress mentality and the regular consumer mentality. The waitress mentality is a little more lenient when it comes to tipping and that could be primarily due to the fact that this person has stood in the waiters shoes. The consumer mentality is simple: good service, you get a tip…ok service, we’ll have to think about how much, if any tip. We are at the place in our lives that tipping has become mandatory. There’s no way around it. We cannot remember the last time we actually saw someone leave a table without tipping or at least feeling obligated to leave something (*This could be in part that we have not had horrible service in a long time…). Now what you tip is where it gets tricky, here’s what we’ve concluded:

10%- You were a horrible server but we’ll throw you a bone for at least bringing the water over promptly.

15%- Service was ok. Maybe the server was preoccupied with their co-workers or noticeably distracted from getting your orders right…this sucks especially when you ordered those eggs over hard and they come out over easy…

18%- Service was good. You were not looking for Mr. Chow’s service, but it was pretty decent, maybe even a little above what you expected. They got the order right, they got your food out fast and you left full and content.

20%- Service was good. Server was attentive, not too much, not too little. You even shared a couple of laughs during dinner.

25%- Service was awesome! This server damn near spread out rose petals at your feet.

0%- Horrible service. You actually feel a little aggressive after what was supposed to be a relaxing meal.

Tipping really is determined by your experience, but nine times out of ten, you should leave something…that is, unless your server makes your nostrils flare up…

*Disclaimer: These are the tipping standards of JKGF, they do not represent anyone else’s views.

Category: Food.Fun.Stuff.

About the Author (Author Profile)

Johnna French is a Harlem NY native with deep roots in Panama, Washington, DC and North Carolina. All four places have heavily influenced her life and the foods she loves today. After graduating Howard University School of Law and beginning her life as a young professional in the city she was led to start Johnna Knows Good Food in November 2007 to keep family, friends and colleagues updated on where to go and what to eat while dining in the nation’s capitol. French, who still practices law, leads a team of three writers to cover the ever expanding Washington, DC food scene. French has been featured in print and television, appearing in Washingtonian Magazine and is a regular contributor to various local TV affiliates including WUSA 9, FOX 5 DC and WJLA (ABC Affiliate) News Channel 8. During the 2016-2017 football season, Johnna aired on Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (CSN) show, Redskins Life, as the weekly tailgate host. Johnna is currently a regular contributor to the FOX Baltimore Weekend morning show.