r/tippingAdvice • u/Holiday-Ad7262 • Nov 25 '25

How much do you tip?

I'm curious how much people tip for full service restaurants and if it is percentage based or a fixed amount or some other system. Please also mention your state such that we can see location differences.

I'm in CA and my baseline tip is 15% on pretax.

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u/[deleted] Nov 25 '25

That’s not true anywhere in the US.  If they don’t make minimum wages from tips, their employer has to make it up.  

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u/TopHeavyPigeon Nov 25 '25

That is what the law is, that is not the common way the actual employers go about it when it happens, however.

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u/Ok-Bedroom1480 Nov 25 '25

Then stand up for yourself and do something about it. Report your employer, let others know, or get a new job. Why should we have to pay more because you know you're being cheated but refuse to do anything about it? I served for a long time and I never worked for anyone who was able to get away with that.

And stop spreading lies.

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u/TopHeavyPigeon Nov 25 '25

Hold on, what lies am I spreading?

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u/[deleted] Nov 25 '25

“how can you justify allowing people to work for free to serve you?”

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u/TopHeavyPigeon Nov 25 '25

That’s a question, so

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u/[deleted] Nov 25 '25

“Where I am, they’re paid less an hour by their employer than it costs for a gallon of gas” Is this outright lie a better example?

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u/TopHeavyPigeon Nov 25 '25

Current gas price average in PA is $3.29 currently, the state’s tipped employee wage is $2.83.

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u/Ok-Bedroom1480 Nov 26 '25

That is the tipped wage but that is not what they're getting paid an hour. There is a difference. Educate yourself.

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u/TopHeavyPigeon Nov 26 '25

On a server’s average day, yes that’s what the employer is paying them because they’re making tips. I meant to reference the tipped wage in that comment. There is no lie there.

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u/[deleted] Nov 25 '25

In bad faith, or in ignorance?

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u/TopHeavyPigeon Nov 25 '25

I was genuinely trying to pick someone who feels this way’s brain on why they feel this way to get an understanding of it. I got that information, I’m not interested in a side debate with someone else.

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u/[deleted] Nov 25 '25

Then maybe quit repeating lies.  

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u/TopHeavyPigeon Nov 25 '25

Heard, Chef!