Totally agree with Gavitron. I have worked for almost 20 years in hospitality, some of that as a server. I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen (in bluebaby’s post) the industry standard for tipping being quoted as 15-20% for Canada. I would say the average is 15%. Anything more than that is incredibly generous. I tend to tip just a little more than 10%, I’ve been on the receiving end and there’s nothing wrong with that. You gotta remember that some of the people doing the tipping earn less than the servers, and make no tips themselves to supplement their incomes.
All around the world servers make minimum wage, North America is the only place where tipping is considered automatic. In all the other countries of the world, it’s just understood that serving is a low paying job, and people still do it there.
If you want to be making the $250 tips that are normal in the big cities, you need to go compete with the top servers and work you ass off in one of the high end restaurants in Toronto or Vancouver. Industry standards don’t apply in Fernie because we don’t get industry standard service (knowledgeable, efficient, well groomed, thorough etc, etc). I’m happy with what we do have though (friendly, welcoming and helpful) and I tip accordingly. Don’t anyone be fooled though, Fernie servers go home with $100 a night in their pockets, and there’s nothing wrong with that ON TOP of their wages.
PS Gavitron, love #7. And it’s so true!
