Question for anyone who's been a server...

[adpiucf]

Ask the other servers what they do. If none of the servers will talk to you, 10% is standard.

The hostesses are your best ally-- get on their side. Sometimes they double as bussers-- dirty tables don't turn over unless they're cleaned!

AND-- being on the hostesses' side leverages your table sizes. If you get on their good side, you can stumble in hungover and request only 3-tops all night, or if you're pushing to make rent and you're buddy-buddy with the hostess and they know your situation they'll seat big parties in your section.

[FloridaTish]

I used to be a hostess at 2 different restaurants and we never were tipped-out by rule. A lot of the time, servers would pay us $5 or $10 to roll their silverware if they wanted to get out early, but we never got tip share as policy.

However, the servers knew that us hostesses could realy make or break their night when it came to seating. I had waited tables before so I knew the in's and out's (I hated waiting tables!) When I worked at CPK in Atlanta, there was this one server who was a total B**** to me for no reason from day one when I started. I never double or triple sat her, helped to bus tables, etc...Finally I got sick of it and I started to totally giver her the shaft when it came to her tables. Parties of old women, teenagers, etc...I would seat them in her section. Finally she got a clue and started treating me like a real person rather than some servant girl.

I'd say that 90% of the wait staff would give us a few $$ if they had a good shift and were feeling generous.

If tipping is suggested and they help bus tables, I would say 5% is appropriate.

[Optimist Prime]

a good rule is about two percent.