# 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:** 2
**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, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/21 "2013-04-19T17:29:06Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > Thanks, folks. We’re going to buck the trend and tip on the pre-discounted amount. Be careful out there! If you’re going to go all wild and radical like that, you’ve got to expect there might be some consequences! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/22 "2013-04-19T17:41:13Z")
This thread desperately needs a poll so the OP can made a fully informed decision. ---
**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, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/23 "2013-04-19T17:50:58Z")
> [@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. And another can of worms – with or without the alcohol cost? Some people do it on food only. ---
**Author:** ![akennett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee59a6/32.png) [@akennett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akennett)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/24 "2013-04-19T17:52:47Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > And another can of worms – with or without the alcohol cost? Some people do it on food only. Yes, and those people are called cheap bastards. ---
**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, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/25 "2013-04-19T18:22:25Z")
There’s a simple formula to use in confusing cases. Take the post-discount price. Double the sales tax and add that in again, if there’s no sales tax add 10%. Subtract your age in dollars from the total. If the cents column is an even number add the day of the month to the total in dollars. If it’s an even number take the first 3 digits of your SSN and add that in as dollars in cents. Round the amount down to the nearest dollar. Then leave a decent 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, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/26 "2013-04-19T19:02:27Z")
> [@akennett](#): > > Yes, and those people are called cheap bastards. What he said. That’s total bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2013, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/27 "2013-04-19T19:25:35Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > 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?? +1. I hope the “pre- or post-tax” post was a joke, but if not - sales tax around here varies by county, but averages about 7%. A 20% tip on that extra amount equates to 1.4% more total tip than tipping on the pre-tax amount, or 14 cents per $10. The bill would have to total $71 before the “extra” tip amounted to $1. Inconsequential. ---
**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, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/28 "2013-04-19T19:50:35Z")
In this case, the alcohol is explicitly excluded from the discount. Oregon law requires that, and since this place has a fancy wine list, I’d expect them to do so even if it was legal to offer such a discount. ---
**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, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/29 "2013-04-19T21:28:57Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > I hope the “pre- or post-tax” post was a joke, but if not - sales tax around here varies by county, but averages about 7%. A 20% tip on that extra amount equates to 1.4% more total tip than tipping on the pre-tax amount, or 14 cents per $10. The bill would have to total $71 before the “extra” tip amounted to $1. Inconsequential. Nope, not a joke. I found out when someone was explaining to me how to figure the tip by taking the sales tax (which was around 7.5% here) and doubling it to get 15%. Yes, between the reduced percentage and excluding sales tax, they probably saved a whopping buck and a half. OTOH, I don’t think they intended to be cheap, that’s just how they’d been taught to do it. But I have actually seen people online argue that you shouldn’t have to tip on the sales tax. ---
**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, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/30 "2013-04-19T23:08:34Z")
> [@redtail23](#): > > But I have actually seen people online argue that you shouldn’t have to tip on the sales tax. You don’t have to tip on the sales tax. You don’t have to tip at all. You can be a cheap ass bastard if you like. ---
**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, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/31 "2013-04-19T23:14:14Z")
😃 I will note that I’ve seen some restaurants recently give “suggested tip” values on the credit card voucher. IIRC, they listed 15%, 20%, and 25% of the pre-tax value. I wonder which number they use on those “minimum tip for group” deals? ---
**Author:** ![Beeotrice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@Beeotrice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beeotrice)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2013, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/32 "2013-04-20T09:54:38Z")
Pre-discount amount. Crazy, I know. > [@](#): > > And another can of worms – with or without the alcohol cost? Some people do it on food only. I’m not sure if anyone on here does this, but if you do, stop. When I waited tables, I ran into this from time to time, and it sucked every time. Most places will require servers to tip out the bartenders/sommeliers based on their alcohol sales. So if you don’t tip on the alcohol, you’re just reducing their tip even further. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2013, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/33 "2013-04-20T13:49:25Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > There’s a simple formula to use in confusing cases. Take the post-discount price. Double the sales tax and add that in again, if there’s no sales tax add 10%. Subtract your age in dollars from the total. If the cents column is an even number add the day of the month to the total in dollars. If it’s an even number take the first 3 digits of your SSN and add that in as dollars in cents. Round the amount down to the nearest dollar. Then leave a decent tip based on the pre-discount price. One of the funniest replies I’ve ever read. Thank you for making me laugh so much. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2013, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/34 "2013-04-20T15:57:50Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > 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. I know this is off-topic, but why were you concerned about “openly admitting this on the internet, where everyone can read it”??? It’s just tipping and I think you advised the common viewpoint. You didn’t come out as a racist or some quirky view. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2013, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/35 "2013-04-20T16:04:37Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > I know this is off-topic, but why were you concerned about “openly admitting this on the internet, where everyone can read it”??? > > It’s just tipping and I think you advised the common viewpoint. You didn’t come out as a racist or some quirky view. !!! I am almost aghast to find someone else here that agrees with me! Well I’m really glad I spoke up, then, or the poor OP may have never known that some people believe tipping on the pre-discount price no matter how crazy it may seem. 🙂 (Hint: I was just playing along with the joke in the thread that was already ongoing) ---
**Author:** ![ruh-roh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ruh-roh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruh-roh)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/36 "2013-04-22T14:22:06Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > There’s a simple formula to use in confusing cases… Always wondered just how that “tipping” ap on my phone works. Now I know why it asks so many questions. However strange it may seem, I do start with the pre-discount price, unless the coupon says “no tipping allowed”. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/37 "2013-04-22T14:55:30Z")
Dine and dash. 100% cheaper than 50% off. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/38 "2013-04-22T16:15:07Z")
> [@redtail23](#): > > I wonder which number they use on those “minimum tip for group” deals? 18%, same as in town. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/39 "2013-04-22T18:49:06Z")
How about a “half price” night? Same thing? We went out for sushi and the rolls were 1/2 the normal price. No coupon or anything, just half price. I said that we should have tipped on the normal price. She said on the amount on the bill, agreeing that if we had a coupon full price tip was appropriate. I didn’t see the difference. ---
**Author:** ![Saraya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Saraya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saraya)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2013, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102/40 "2013-04-22T19:02:07Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > How about a “half price” night? Same thing? We went out for sushi and the rolls were 1/2 the normal price. No coupon or anything, just half price. I said that we should have tipped on the normal price. She said on the amount on the bill, agreeing that if we had a coupon full price tip was appropriate. I didn’t see the difference. Why would you? You still got the same service level? Who would have thought so many years ago that some day tipping a waitress would be so complicated? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tipping-etiquette-question-how-should-i-tip-when-im-receiving-a-substantial-discount/656102.md?page=3)