Tipping

In the United States it is customary to tip service employees. This, however, does not always ring true in other countries. Depending on how you were raised is typically how and when you might decide to tip. Growing up, my parents typically tipped servers 20 percent. Some feel that 10 percent is standard, 15 percent is good service, and 20 percent is excellent. Being a customer service industry employee, I am here to tell you this is false. What most people don't know is servers and bartenders alike do not make the state minimum wage. Currently the servers and bartenders at most Northeast Ohio bars is $3.70. If a server, on average, has five tables a night, and each only tips 10 or 15 percent, they may only walk away with $20 in one night. Imagine going to your office job and your boss telling you that your salary is then going to be based on a three dollar per hour wage. It is not simple for the single mom, college student, newly wed to make rent or house payments each month on that kind of money. If you are at the bar and do not start a tab, the standard tip is one dollar for every drink. If, however, you feel the bartender is worthy, feel free to tip more, I always welcome the added cash flow.