Tipping Etiquette When Utilizing Restaurant Deals

Scenario: Imagine you and your friends, a party of six, decide to enjoy a meal at a restaurant. You’ve managed to snag a fantastic deal where your meal costs just $10, significantly lower than the usual $100 tab for a group of your size. The next day, you can dine for free due to the deal.

The Tipping Dilemma: The question arises: How do you appropriately tip in this situation? The common practice is to tip based on the full price of the meal, not the discounted amount. This approach ensures that the server is compensated fairly for their service, despite the reduced bill.

Why Tip on the Full Price?

1. Fair Compensation: Servers depend on tips as a significant portion of their income. Tipping based on the full price acknowledges their effort and service, even if you’re benefiting from a discount.

2. Restaurant Policies: Some deals are part of the restaurant’s promotional strategy to attract customers. The staff, however, still provide the same level of service, regardless of the discounted price.

Practical Solution: To illustrate, when dining at BJ’s and utilizing their bazooki pass on the app, you’re not charged anything for the dessert. To ensure the server receives a fair tip, you might have them ring up a nominal item, like additional chocolate chips. This way, you can tip based on the service provided, rather than the discounted bill.

Summary

In conclusion, when enjoying discounted meals or freebies at restaurants, it’s courteous and fair to tip based on the full price of the meal. This practice supports the hardworking servers and maintains a positive dining experience for everyone. Next time you score a great deal, remember to tip generously and enjoy your meal guilt-free!