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Tipping a hostess (with money, not while she is napping on her feet)

Defend Tacoma

Defend Tacoma

Gentlemen,

I have a simple question for you all today. Is it appropriate to tip a host/ hostess at a restaurant? The intent, obviously to get quicker service and be seated for your meal quicker than all the other folks milling about the waiting area.

If so, what is the protocol? Slip a bill to them with a quick handshake? What is the appropriate amount to tip for different types of restaurants. Say, Red Robin -> Olive Garden -> the local high end Italian restaurant... Lastly, if the practice is now considered inappropriate, why? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
shamus

shamus

IMO...the appropriate thing to do would be to wait in line like the other folks. Sometimes the treatment will be much better from the staff if you wait your turn. Just my opinion. Cheers
 
Doc4

Doc4

Stumpy in cold weather
Staff member
If this is you and this is your localOlive Garden, then yes, tip the host.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCYwcObxl78&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

Otherwise, just wait patiently.
 
T

toucanlamp

Yeah I'm pretty sure that unless you are in the Mafia tipping the person that seats you at a restaurant isn't standard protocol.

I would guess that a hostess that took money from someone and seated them ahead of everyone else waiting in line would get into big trouble, they probably wouldn't even take it.

But if you want to tip her over that's the fastest way to winning a girl's heart.
 
DSB

DSB

Defend Tacoma said:
Gentlemen,

I have a simple question for you all today. Is it appropriate to tip a host/ hostess at a restaurant? The intent, obviously to get quicker service and be seated for your meal quicker than all the other folks milling about the waiting area.

If so, what is the protocol? Slip a bill to them with a quick handshake? What is the appropriate amount to tip for different types of restaurants. Say, Red Robin -> Olive Garden -> the local high end Italian restaurant... Lastly, if the practice is now considered inappropriate, why? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks
Click to expand...

What you describe is a bribe, not a tip.
 
airplanedoc

airplanedoc

When I read the title I thought we wer talking about the "hostess" at a Gentlemens Club as well.

I don't think that is going to help you get a better seat. You money would be better spent hiring a place holder to go to the restraunt first, sign in, and give you the buzzer when you show up.
 
johnniegold

johnniegold

"Got Shoes?"
Doc4 said:
If this is you and this is your localOlive Garden, then yes, tip the host.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCYwcObxl78&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

Otherwise, just wait patiently.
Click to expand...

It's ok to tip if you are in construction. But first make sure you take care of that thing. You know. That thing with that guy. :shifty:
 
Wendy

Wendy

I do not think the hostess at one of the above mentioned restaurants would know what you were trying to do anyway. LOL I know the girls here seating people are a bit on the naive side.
 
RichGem

RichGem

Wendy said:
I do not think the hostess at one of the above mentioned restaurants would know what you were trying to do anyway. LOL I know the girls here seating people are a bit on the naive side.
Click to expand...

+1
and those place probably have a strict "first come first served" policy. Now, your local "fancy restaurant" might have a different policy and be more willing to accommodate tipping the maitre d' (sp) for "good" customers, etc.
 
Defend Tacoma

Defend Tacoma

Haha. I guess that answers that question. I knew the practice wasn't common, but wasn't sure if it was happening more back in the old days. You know, when everything was black and white before technicolor and such!
 
Argonaut

Argonaut

Read "The Goombas Guide to Life", it has an interesting chapter on tipping, which I happen to believe in. If your willing to pay for first class service you should get it, if your not, then wait in line. To be fair, I never pay for first class service, I wait my turn, but if I lay a hunge on the hostess and gots to wait in line behind some mook to get my gabbigol.... I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin':sneaky2:
 
Defend Tacoma

Defend Tacoma

fugghedaboutit?! Lol

jmallen5 said:
Read "The Goombas Guide to Life", it has an interesting chapter on tipping, which I happen to believe in. If your willing to pay for first class service you should get it, if your not, then wait in line. To be fair, I never pay for first class service, I wait my turn, but if I lay a hunge on the hostess and gots to wait in line behind some mook to get my gabbigol.... I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin':sneaky2:
Click to expand...
 
crowdog

crowdog

I hate the policy that all these chains have established with no reservations. My BIL is a general manager of a large chain, and told me why they do it, but it would still be nice to get a table without waiting an hour.

I was also a host at a "fancy" place. We didn't bump people that had reservations. I got tipped, when I was able to squeeze somebody in, or they added to their group. Got them a window table (on a lake restaurant) or got them some cocktails etc while they were waiting.

In other words good service, not preferential treatment.

Marty
 
Pescara

Pescara

Did it a few times back in the 80s (NYC) to make sure I got a good table. Back then managers had ways of making it known when cash in advance was expected. Pretty much the only advance tipping I do now is at city parking garages -- I figure it's worth $20 not to have to wait half an hour for my car.
 
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