The income of waiters and bartenders in most cases significantly exceeds the amount of official wages. An additional source of funds in many restaurants and cafes is "tips", that is, money left by the visitor in gratitude for the service. But how much is customary to leave "for tea"?
Tipping as the main income
Tea money is almost a generally accepted source of income for many people whose activities are related to the service sector. Couriers, receptionists, doormen, cloakroom attendants, bartenders and waiters all often earn more tips than their employer pays them. Moreover, some establishments assign a minimum salary to service personnel, assuming that the average income from tips will be quite decent. On the other hand, the policy of restaurants and cafes in relation to tips is very different: if somewhere the waiter takes all the money "for tea" left by the guests of his table, then in other places it is customary to divide the tip between the entire shift: waiters, cooks, bartenders, and in some places the tip is generally obligatory surrendered to the cashier. However, in the latter case, the service charge is most often included directly in the bill, although the client can refuse this item if he is not satisfied with the quality of the service.
In some US states, such as Virginia, waiters are legally allowed to work only for tips.
Where and how much to tip
Different countries have different attitudes towards such a phenomenon as tipping, and the amounts may also be different. However, the size of the tip to the waiter almost always directly depends on the value of the entire order: the minimum bar is 5%, and the upper limit is about 25% of the total amount on the invoice, depending on the level of the establishment and the quality of service. In Russia, there is no well-established tradition regarding the size of tips, so clients often simply round up the final figures or do not take change.
The moment of expressing gratitude can also be different: if in our country a tip is left after the bill is paid and the change is received, then, for example, in Germany, it is customary to inform the waiter that you are going to encourage him immediately at the time of paying the bill.
Cafes where payment is made at the counter, as a rule, put a special plate or piggy bank near the cash register, where you can put change for "tea".
In some countries, the Japanese generally consider tip an insult. Before visiting another country, do not forget to clarify what traditions regarding tips exist there, so as not to get into an awkward position.
