If you are visiting the United States and dining in a restaurant, you are expected to tip the waiter even if it is not required by law. Unlike the United States, generally tipping in Indonesia is not commonplace and sometimes some restaurants prohibit restaurant waiters from accepting tips. Some restaurants and cafes usually include a service charge on the bill that must be paid by the customer. The service fee is a "forced tip" which will be shared across the restaurant staff. Usually the service fee rate to be paid is 5% to 10%. If you get satisfactory service from restaurant staff, you should tip a certain amount. Each country has its own rules regarding tipping. If you are satisfied with the service provided by the restaurant staff, you can give a tip to appreciate their efforts.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Tipping the Right Amount
Step 1. Tipping at least 15%
We recommend that you tip at least 15% when dining at a restaurant. If you tip less than 15%, the waiter may be offended.
- Note that tipping 15% indicates that you feel the service provided by the restaurant staff is mediocre. Consider tipping more if the service is good.
- Consider tipping 20% if the service is good, 25% if the service is satisfactory, and 30% if the service exceeds expectations.
- Some people argue that it's best if everyone dining at the same table gives a tip of IDR 20,000.00. Do this if the amount of tips collected is greater than the minimum tipping percentage (15%).
Step 2. Use math to calculate the tip
Some people have a hard time calculating a tip of 15% of the bill. Luckily, you can use math to determine the amount of tip to give.
- To determine the tip, you have to do a simple math equation. Some people suggest rounding up bills paid to multiples of $5.00 or $10,000 before calculating the tip amount. For example, if the amount owed is IDR 87,500, 00, you can round up the amount paid to IDR 100,000, 00 and then calculate the tip.
- Follow the formula to calculate the following percentage: [Total cost] x [percentage] = [Product result] / [100] = [tip to be paid]. For example, if the amount to be paid is IDR 100,000,00 and you want to tip 15%, the tip amount can be calculated as follows: 100,000 x 15 = 1,500,000 /100 = 15,000. Thus, the tip that must be given is Rp. 15,000, 00.
- The above method can be used to calculate tips with various percentages. For example, if the food costs IDR 300,000,00 and you want to tip 20%, the tip amount can be calculated as follows: 300,000 x 20 = 6,000,000 / 100 = 60,000. Then the tip that must be given is IDR 60,000.00.
Step 3. Check if the bill includes tip
As previously explained, some restaurants include a service charge on the bill. If the service charge is included in the bill, you do not need to tip.
- Usually the service fee included in the bill is 5% to 10%. Some restaurants have a rule that a tip is automatically added to the bill if a customer is dining with a large group of people. Usually you can find information about VAT and service fees on the billing paper or menu.
- When serving many people, the waiter will not get a tip commensurate with his hard work even though almost everyone tips him. Therefore, some restaurants put a tip on the bill in order for the waiter to get a proper tip.
- Waiters need to work harder and spend more time serving customers who are dining with many people. We recommend that you ask the restaurant staff directly or check the restaurant's website and menu to see if a tip is included in the bill.
Method 2 of 3: Mastering the Rules of Tipping
Step 1. Give tips to other restaurant staff
If you are served by more than one waiter, we recommend that you tip the restaurant staff who serve you.
- For example, if you are served by a sommelier or wine steward, it is a good idea to tip 15% of the price of a bottle of wine.
- If served by a coatroom attendant (person who keeps coats), you can give a tip of IDR 10,000, 00 per coat. If you use valet service, you can tip Rp20,000.00. You can give a smaller tip to the waiter if the food is served as a buffet or the waiter only brings drinks. However, you should still tip 10% to 15%.
- Some restaurants usually have a washroom attendant (person who cleans the restroom). Give a tip of IDR 5,000, 00 to IDR 10,000, 00. Also, it is recommended that you give a separate tip for the head waiter (headwaiter). When you buy something over the counter, like coffee, you usually don't have to tip.
Step 2. Use a tip counter app
You can download an application that can automatically calculate tips based on the amount of the bill.
- Almost all smart phones (smartphones) are equipped with calculator applications. This way, you can calculate the tip yourself depending on the percentage of the tip you want to give.
- Various websites work for calculating tips. You just need to enter the bill amount and the tip percentage you want to give.
- You can tip based on the value of PB1 (Building Tax 1) charged to you. PB1 is a tax charged to consumers when dining in restaurants. The maximum fee charged is 10%. This way, you can tip the waiter 10%.
- If you are using a coupon or discount, calculate the tip based on the amount of the fee without being discounted. Otherwise, waiters will be burdened with restaurant management efforts to attract customers.
Step 3. Know the importance of tipping
Many waiters rely entirely on tips to fulfill their daily lives. The United States government itself includes the income earned from tips as a basis in setting the minimum salary for waiters.
- Many servants have salaries in accordance with the UMR (Regional Minimum Wage) set by the provincial government. However, along with the increase in the price of basic necessities and the cost of other necessities, sometimes their salary is not sufficient for their daily needs, especially if they already have a family. In the United States, many waiters make as little as $2 an hour without tip. As such, their salaries often do not meet the minimum wage. While each state has its own minimum wage, the federal minimum wage for tipping restaurant workers is only $2.13.
- Some waiters are required to share or collect any tips they receive at the end of work hours or contribute tips to bar maids (bartenders). This makes the tip received by the waiter is getting smaller.
- You are not required by law to tip. However, tipping can help waiters earn a more decent income.
Step 4. Give a smaller tip if you get very bad service
Even though the waiter is on duty to serve you, you should still treat him well. However, if you get bad service, you don't have to tip a lot.
- Try to tell the waiter about things that make you disappointed with the service provided. This is done to give the waiter the opportunity to correct his mistakes. Giving a tip indicates that you are satisfied with the service provided.
- If the waiter ignores you, has a bad attitude, or is late in serving your food, you can reduce your tip. You can assess the quality of service provided by paying attention to whether the food served is according to the order, how much attention the waiter gives to you, whether the food served is still warm and fresh, how quickly he brings dirty dishes, and whether he is polite to you..
- If you want to explain why you're tipping a little bit, you can write constructive and polite suggestions on the billing paper when you pay the bill. Some people think that you should tip at least 10% if you get bad service.
- Determine if the bad service you are getting is the waiter's fault. For example, chefs may fail to cook dishes in a timely manner or restaurant management may not employ enough restaurant staff.
Step 5. Compliment the waiter if you get satisfactory service
You can lighten the mood of the waiter by letting him know that you are very impressed and satisfied with his service.
- When paying the bill, write a short note on the billing paper to explain why you are satisfied with the service provided.
- You can also call and tell the manager that your waiter has done a great job.
- You should always be polite and kind to your waiter. Don't forget to smile at him. Serving people is a very tiring job and requires patience. Therefore, you should try to understand their condition and not vent your anger on them if you are in a bad mood.
Method 3 of 3: Tipping in Other Countries
Step 1. Make sure tipping is allowed
Before tipping, you should first find out if you are allowed to tip. As previously explained, tipping in restaurants is not a common practice in Indonesia. In contrast to Indonesia, almost all restaurants in the United States not only accept tips, but encourage customers to tip because the waiters rely on tips to fulfill their daily lives. Some countries prohibit tipping or consider it an insult!
- Some places may prohibit tipping. For example, some resorts in the Caribbean Islands may ask visitors not to tip because the service fee is included in the cost of the holiday.
- If you are attending an event that is paid for and hosted by someone, such as a wedding, the service fee may have been paid for by the person hosting the event.
- However, you can tip at the event if you can afford it as the waiters will really appreciate it.
Step 2. Reduce tipping in Europe
The tipping culture is similar to Indonesia, but different from the United States. Tipping in Europe is not uncommon, whereas restaurants in the United States expect customers to do so.
- Try looking at the restaurant menu to see what services are included in the bill. If the service charge is not included in the bill, you can tip 5% to 10%. In some European countries, tipping is not common. On top of that, the waiters viewed the tip as quite a bonus.
- Servants in Europe often earn better salaries than waiters in the United States. That is, they do not rely too much on tips to fulfill their daily lives. Moreover, they consider the tip as a small unexpected bonus. This made Europeans unaccustomed to tipping.
- It's a good idea to tip the waiter directly, instead of putting it on the table. You may see an optional 12.5% tip on some menus in London.
Step 3. Tip wisely in other countries
Tipping habits vary depending on the country you are visiting. It's a good idea to learn about the customs and culture of the country before you start tipping.
- In a Middle Eastern country, tipping is highly appreciated even if you give it in small amounts. Some countries, such as Dubai, require restaurants to include a service fee on the bill. In Egypt, tips are often included in the bill. However, you can tip an additional 5% to 10%.
- In Israel and Jordan, a tip is usually included in the bill.
- The practice of tipping in Canada is similar to that of the United States. Therefore, it is recommended that you tip 15% to 20% there.
- In some South American countries, such as Chile, a 10% tip is added to the bill.
- In Mexico, people prefer cash. Also, it's a good idea to tip 10% to 15%.
- In Australia, you can tip 10% to 15%.
Step 4. Avoid tipping in most Asian countries
Some Asian countries don't like tips. Learn about local customs and culture and make sure tipping is not seen as an insult.
- China does not have a tipping culture. However, you can tip at high-quality hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners.
- In Japan, restaurant owners may be offended if the waiter gets a tip. By tipping, you are indirectly telling the restaurant owner that he is not paying his waiter a proper salary.
- You can tip in some Asian countries. In Thailand you can give 23 (Rp 100.000) to the waiter.
Tips
- Even if you plan not to dine in and take food home, you should still tip.
- Today the "tip jar" (a container where people put their tips) is often found in coffee shops, cafes, and small restaurants. The people who work in this place usually don't serve customers often and usually don't get a decent salary. Therefore, you should give them a tip so that they can make enough money.
