# Another tipping query

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-tipping-query/510853>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [September 20, 2009, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-tipping-query/510853 "2009-09-20T18:00:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![sugar\_and\_spice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@sugar\_and\_spice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugar_and_spice)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2009, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-tipping-query/510853/21 "2009-09-21T15:59:17Z")

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If you specifically want to know how this scheme would be seen in the US, then MHO is that it would seem bizarre. The only decision you get to make with your tip is how much you leave, after that it’s out of your control. If you want to reward a particularly helpful bartender or bus-boy then you can put a few dollars into their hand directly, but you don’t get decide what happens to a tip once you walk out the door.

And yes, if you have a problem with the food then you should tell the server and give them a chance to fix it. Or you can ask to talk to the manager if you prefer. Telling the server how to do the tip-outs doesn’t accomplish much other than show that you’re someone who likes to create drama.

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**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\
**Post date:** [September 22, 2009, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-tipping-query/510853/22 "2009-09-22T14:56:18Z")

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> [@DMark](#):
>
> Exactly.  
> If the service was good, it is not their fault the food was horrible (unless they were late in bringing it and it was cold or something).  
> I would leave the normal tip, but ask to speak to the manager and tell them your server was great, but the food was horrible.

Right, and you could even protest paying for the food at all, but still leave the tip. If food gets comped for having had an issue, you could still tip based on that amount.

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