Dining out is now the norm in T&T, and this week, hundreds of food lovers have been availing themselves of the special offers at the country's top restaurants as a part of T&T Restaurant Week.A common but tricky element of dining out has been the issue of tipping. According to Wikipedia, a tip is, "a sum of money customarily tendered, in addition to the basic price, to certain service sector workers for a service performed or anticipated."In T&T, many restaurants add a ten per cent service charge to bills, but this can be optional depending on the customer's experience. Tipping at restaurants is quite common, but the way tips are distributed to staff varies depending on the restaurant.
Crews Inn LighthouseRestaurant
Andrea Callender, food and beverage director at the Crews Inn Lighthouse Restaurant in Chaguaramas, said tipping is welcomed but not forced upon any patron. Crews Inn applies a standard ten per cent service charge to bills, but Callender noted that paying the service charge is optional."If the guest is not pleased with the service or the food, they can request to have the service charge removed from their bill and this will be granted," said Callender.
She explained that the service charge is not just for the waiting staff who take orders and serve meals. It also takes into consideration kitchen and bar staff who are actually preparing the meals and drinks. At Crews Inn, all waiting staff working on a particular shift, benefit from patrons' gratuity who would have dined during that time. According to Callender whether tips are acquired through cash or card, all the money is accumulated and divided equally among the waiting staff.Asked what is considered a decent tip, Callender, said it depends on the size of the table."If it is a table of two, anywhere between $15 and $20 is a pretty good tip. People leave from small to very lofty tips at times. We have even had guests who would tip the kitchen staff if the food was really good. Even with the service charge, guests would sometimes leave a further $200 or so for the wait staff. And the service charge has nothing to do with the tip. They are completely separate," Callender explained.
All Out Sports Bar and Gourmet Grill
At All Out Bar and Grill at the Queen's Park Oval, servers whose guests leave tips above the ten per cent service charge get that money for themselves, food and beverage manager Vernal Croomes told the T&T Guardian."If a tip goes above the service charge then that tip goes directly to the server. It does not matter if the tip comes via cash or card, it still goes directly to the member of staff who served the guest or guests," said Croomes.
He did say, however, that a portion of the ten percent service charge is shared with the entire restaurant staff."Leaving a tip is not mandatory. It is just the way guests show their gratitude for the dining experience they've had. And Trinis are wildly travelled so they make their own tipping decisions when it comes to quality and service," said Croomes.
Hilton Trinidad
At the Hilton, director of sales and marketing Darlene McDonald said the hotel abides by the local wage laws and the employees/team members receive salaries based on those standards."Tips are additional and while we of course hope that our team members are adequately compensated for their great service, the amount is subject to the guest's discretion. We make sure that team members receive their tips regardless of the method in which the guest pays," she said.
Better portionsfrom service charge
At another fine dining establishment in Port-of-Spain, a representative who preferred to remain anonymous, said tips–which are at the guest's discretion–are also directly given to the server and assistant server, but this is regardless of whether the tip exceeds the ten per cent service charge or not. Tips are accepted in the form of cash or card. Tips generated from card payments are accumulated on a weekly basis and then distributed. He said tips vary according to the number of people dining at a table."Sometimes you get as low as $2 or even none and other times you get as much as $3,000 coming from one table. This is usually if it's a company dining.""Service charge is usually distributed to the dining and kitchen staff. Although some restaurants distribute it only to the waiting or floor staff. With hotels the share of service charge is pretty favourable. At independent restaurants like here, staff usually do not get what they deserve considering the revenue these restaurants make in service charge alone," he said.
Tipping in otherparts of the world
In Europe, many restaurants add a service charge automatically to the bill. In the US, tipping is often left to the discretion of the dining patron. Fifteen per cent is considered the minimum of a decent tip while 20 percent is considered excellent.According to the Web site travelandleisure.com, tipping standards began rising in the US four years ago, particularly in major cities like New York. It said diners commonly and currently double the 8.875 per cent tax then round up. And the new norm of 17�20 per cent takes into account the quality of service and the fact that gratuities make up a hefty portion of a restaurant staff's income.
Argentina
Tipping is common in restaurants and bars, usually around ten per cent of the bill when customers are happy with the service received. Leaving no tip when feeling dissatisfied is not uncommon, and the reason is understood. Many restaurants also levy a small fixed cover charge of typically no more than 12 Argentine pesos per person.
India
Tipping is acceptable but not expected in India. Tipping in restaurants or hotels is most usually at one per cent to five per cent of actual amount and tips are not part of the salary.
Italy
Tips are not customary in Italy, and used only if a special service is given or as thanks for high quality service. Almost all restaurants (with the notable exception of those in Rome) have a price for the service (called coperto) and waiters do not expect a tip but will not refuse it, especially if given by foreign customers. In caf�s, bars, and pubs it's not uncommon, on paying the bill, to leave the change. Recently tip jars near the cash register are becoming widespread.
Thailand
In Thailand a small tip is often left in restaurants. Taking back small change if you pay with a large bill is somewhat rude. For example if a meal is 950 baht, and one pays with a 1000 baht note, the remaining 50 baht can be left. A strict percentage is not needed.
Source: Wikipedia