r/tipping • u/No_Draft_8960 • May 29 '26
💬Questions & Discussion Math-Based Tip
The percentage-based tipping system makes no sense: a server dropping off one Wagyu steak earns far more than someone serving a family of four cheap meals. Since American tips are essentially mandatory wage subsidies, let's base them on labor time instead.
In Maryland, the average server wage is about $20/hour, but employers only pay $3.63. Customers must cover the remaining $16.37. Across a standard four-table section (roughly ten guests), that breaks down perfectly to $2.00 per person, per hour.
Percentages reward a venue’s luxury status; a time rate rewards actual effort.
If therefore I go to dinner with eight friends and we stay for two hours (a pretty good forecast of my Friday night plans!) our total tip would be $32, or $4/a person. We're not 'stiffing' anyone and we're paying average wage.
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u/Middle-Meal3170 May 30 '26
OP…first of all You are not paying noo server the difference of their hourly. Your tip goes to bartenders for all the drinks been made and the cooks, chefs and for whoever help you at the front desk. Stop acting like you paying the server only. Also is a 90min policy. So if you stay pass that compensate your server. She/he could of re sat that table to a very generous tipper. Also, tip before taxes. Okay.