# Tipping etiquette question: How should I tip when I'm receiving a substantial discount? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 19, 2013, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102 "2013-04-19T03:26:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/1 "2013-04-19T03:26:40Z")
So my employer has negotiated a discount with about 100 local businesses for all of our employees. Most of these are 5%-15% off on food at restaurants, 10% at the hardware store, $.75 off the slice-and-salad special at the pizza joint, free steam room use at the spa, that sort of thing. Tomorrow night, though, I’m taking advantage of the one really giant discount we receive: 50% off at a swanky dinner spot, reputed to be one of the best in this very touristy town with lots of great restaurants. We’re talking about (I believe) $25 to $40 a plate. So what do I tip? Am I obligated to tip on the pre-discount amount, since that’s what the waitstaff are expecting? Or should I tip on what the actual bill comes to? There’s no time to ask Miss Manners, so I’m relying on you! ---
**Author:** ![bytheway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/df705f/32.png) [@bytheway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bytheway)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/2 "2013-04-19T03:28:52Z")
My understanding is you should tip based onthe total without discount. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/3 "2013-04-19T03:34:28Z")
Agreed. ---
**Author:** ![misstee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@misstee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misstee)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/4 "2013-04-19T03:43:34Z")
I also feel that the tip should be based on pre-discount bill total. ---
**Author:** ![Ace309](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ace309/32/1050_2.png) [@Ace309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace309)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/5 "2013-04-19T03:58:02Z")
I’m not sure if this opinion will be popular, but I’m going to take a stand and say you should tip based on the bill pre-discount. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/6 "2013-04-19T04:02:09Z")
Before discount. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/7 "2013-04-19T04:23:37Z")
I agree with tipping based on the pre-discount amount. The staff depends on good tips and will be doing the same amount of work, regardless of the amount of the bill. They’re not a party to the agreement between your employer and theirs and should be paid a fair tip depending on good service, not how much you paid for your meal. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/8 "2013-04-19T04:33:29Z")
Pre-discount. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/9 "2013-04-19T05:35:09Z")
I agree that the tip should be based on the pre-discount price. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/10 "2013-04-19T06:21:00Z")
I’m sure this will be controversial, but if you have a buy one meal get one meal free deal you should tip based on the cost of both meals pre-discount. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/11 "2013-04-19T06:23:03Z")
I’m not even sure why I’m openly admitting this on the internet, where everyone can read it… but tipping should always be based on the non-discounted price. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/12 "2013-04-19T12:49:31Z")
I guess I’ll be the dissenting voice that says the tip should ALWAYS be based on the PRE-discount price. I suspect this may not be popular though. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/13 "2013-04-19T13:01:11Z")
Here’s the thing, it’s a tip, so unless you tell, no one but the server, will ever know what you tipped. So there is no worry of social stigma and shunning. Also, the server’s shift is not made or lost on your gratuity so remain calm above all else. Should you under tip, the server is likely to think no worse of you than that you are a bit of a yokel who doesn’t get out much. Assuming you received fine and prompt service tip 15-20% of the undiscounted total. Your server will be impressed with your savvy, generosity and worldliness. Hard to beat for a few dollars, wouldn’t you agree? Unfortunately this opinion could prove unpopular. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/14 "2013-04-19T13:09:42Z")
But what if _the server_ gives you a discount? Should you still tip on the non-discounted price? I’m so confused. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/15 "2013-04-19T13:37:15Z")
If the server gives you a discount then you give them your phone number 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/16 "2013-04-19T13:39:14Z")
You people deserve to be pitted for your wrong-headed opinions about tipping. The correct answer is to tip based on the pre-discount price. ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/17 "2013-04-19T13:41:18Z")
Well, I’m not even going to get into that battle. It’s looking ugly, what with all the conflicting opinions. 😛 So, I’ll open another can of worms: pre-tax or post-tax? I didn’t even realize until a few years ago that many people calculate their tip on the pre-tax total. I’ve always done it on the final total. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/18 "2013-04-19T13:45:19Z")
> [@redtail23](#): > > Well, I’m not even going to get into that battle. It’s looking ugly, what with all the conflicting opinions. 😛 > > So, I’ll open another can of worms: pre-tax or post-tax? > > I didn’t even realize until a few years ago that many people calculate their tip on the pre-tax total. I’ve always done it on the final total. When people bring this up, I always question where they live where both A) tipping is customary/expected and B) the tax is so high that it makes an appreciable difference. Tipping pre vs post tax on a standard dinner for 4 or 5 people (a family unit) couldn’t possibly be more than a difference of dollar. Who the fuck cares?? ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/19 "2013-04-19T14:19:01Z")
Yeah, that’s kinda my take on it, too. Same with the 15 vs 20%. I’ve waited tables before, I know how much work it is. I can spare that couple-three bux pretty easily, or else I wouldn’t be eating out. But when you’re living on tips, that extra dollar or two per table can make a lot of difference in your take-home. Besides, I’m lazy. It’s easier to calculate total/10\*2 than to get all complicated. Especially those places that add in liquor separately. I will say that I seem to get consistently excellent service in places I go regularly. Wonder why that is? ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/20 "2013-04-19T17:16:47Z")
> [@redtail23](#): > > Well, I’m not even going to get into that battle. It’s looking ugly, what with all the conflicting opinions. 😛 > > So, I’ll open another can of worms: pre-tax or post-tax? > > I didn’t even realize until a few years ago that many people calculate their tip on the pre-tax total. I’ve always done it on the final total. I’m in Oregon. No sales tax. Thanks, folks. We’re going to buck the trend and tip on the pre-discounted amount. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102.md?page=2)