Proper Tipping Practices When Using BOGO Coupons in Restaurants
In many restaurants, you can take advantage of BOGO (Buy One, Get One) meal coupons to enjoy discounts. However, when it comes to tipping, there can be some confusion. Are you supposed to tip based on the full price or the discounted amount? This article will clarify the correct tipping practices and explain why tipping the full amount is fair for servers who rely on tips as a significant part of their income.
Tipping Based on Full Price
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Understanding Tipping Etiquette in Restaurants
Tipping in restaurants is a complex matter, and the general rule is that you should tip based on the total value you receive for your dining experience. This practice is more than just being a good steward of the tip jar; it’s about showing appreciation for the service and acknowledging the hard work that goes into providing a quality meal.
Service and Compensation
When you order a meal, the server has to provide a range of services, from taking orders to serving food, clearing the table, and ensuring that your dining experience is pleasant. The effort and time invested by the server are the same, whether you order a simple salad or a multi-course meal. Therefore, it's fair to tip based on the total cost of the meal.
The Example of Multiple Orders
Let's consider an example. If you and a friend order two meals, each costing $50, and you use a BOGO coupon, the total cost is $100. Even though you paid only $50, you should tip based on the full $100. This is because the service provided is based on the full experience, not just the discounted price. This practice is appreciated by servers and ensures fair compensation.
Tipping After the Meal
The principle behind tipping after the meal is not just because you don't know if your service is good until the meal is finished, but because the amount of service is open-ended. For instance, if you order a total of four beers, two appetizers, a main course, dessert, and coffee, it requires more effort than ordering just a main course with water.
Discounted Services and Tipping
The idea of tipping based on the value of the meal is not perfect, as it doesn't exactly reflect the effort of the server. For example, serving a dinner salad requires the same effort as serving a steak and lobster, yet the price difference is significant. However, you should still tip based on the value of the meal before discounts, such as coupons.
Complementary Items and Tipping
You should also tip on the value of any complementary items, such as a free dessert on your birthday. It's not the server's fault that the item is free, and it's a way of showing appreciation for their service.
Example of Tipping with Troubleshooting
One of my favorite examples involves a situation where an old friend and I were dining. She received the day's lunch special, which was half a club sandwich and soup. Midway through her meal, she found deli paper in her sandwich. After informing the server, who immediately apologized and took the meal off the bill, I explained that someone else must have had the other half of the club sandwich with deli paper. Despite the issue, I tipped for the full value of the meal, as it wasn't the server's fault and she handled the situation perfectly.
In conclusion, when using BOGO meal coupons, tipping based on the full price of the meal is the correct practice. This shows appreciation for the service and ensures fair compensation for the server. Whether it's a simple meal or a more substantial dining experience, tipping based on the full value ensures that the hard work of the server is recognized and rewarded.