Does this make a difference? If so, why?

Did I lose out on a couple of possibly much better tips by not giving above and beyond service to trash that made their own lemonade? Maybe. On a select few number of tables. That is far outweighed by the stress I saved not giving excellent service to people that weren’t going to tip me anyway, no matter what I did. I can’t tell you how soul-crushing it is to hear “oh sweetie, you did such an excellent job! You’re the best server! Have $5 on our $100 check.”

Want an actual server secret towards saving money at restaurants? Become a regular and tip amazingly. We will bend over backwards and give you all sorts of free things to keep a regular that tips well happy.

I’m writting from Italy and really It would be so nice if over here you can do one of these things eheheh

The only thing that you can do is eat at home even if go out.

For all the other things here there’s no way to pratice. Here we don’t have coupons that give you so much discount, at least you can find something for about 2/3 euros (uhm let’s say 5 USD) discount…buy a discount at 5 USD and use for 25 ahahah that’s a dream!

The water in all the restaurant is not free….we don’t have any kind of fast food or restaurant that give you something to drink for free…and 1 litre water make you pay from about 2,5 / 3 USD….

And never think to ask to take you home the food you hadn’t eat!…even if you go in a place where they give you a lot of food …sometimes there are people that try to ask and find out incredible stories like “please can you put this in a box for my dog / cat” …or something like that…and immediatly all start to look at you as a miserable because nobody really think that you are taking this out for your dog or cat!

Split meals?? ahahah at max at Mc Donald’s you can split fries or chicken but at a restaurant (evenif you haven’t 2 little babies and they don’t cook baby portions) they will never let you split a meal….

So guys believe you are very very lucky to have all these opportunities.

Fortunatly I visited States different times and really it’s another world…you can’t imagine how much lucky you are!!!

Ok just to write to you from the other side of the world ;)

Ciao ciao
Luca

As for splitting plates, I think it’s fine if you want to do that and if you think it’s tacky, then don’t do it. If the waiter makes an assumption and gives bad service, then you’re right, they get a bad tip. :)

I don’t buy the tacky argument – it’s subjective. Splitting plates may be considered tacky in the United States, but in France it’s common place and sometimes referred to as a reason why the French maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The waiter shouldn’t make assumptions. If he/she assumes that someone is cheap and gives bad service then his/her tip will likely reflect that. However, if he/she gives everyone good service, I’m sure they’d be surprised by a good tip at least some of the time… it’s better than a poor tip nearly 100% of the time.

As for the waiter looking for a higher bill because people tip based on a percentage of the bill, I don’t see how drinking free water with lemon is going to up the bill. Whether someone adds a sugar packet that’s already on the table isn’t going to impact that.

I’d like to befriend the waiter as you say, but the “visit often” is very counter-productive to saving money when eating out.

So: Drink water, even with lemon. Don’t make your own lemonaide as it is rude, tacky and cheap. Don’t cheap out on the gratuity, unless you never plan to visit that restaurant again.

Other tips to save when dining out:
1. Look for smaller independant restaurants – They often have fresher, made in house food and have reasonable prices. O.G. is factory food that comes out of plastic bags and is microwaved.

2. Table de Hote menu/Price fixed menu – Many restaurants offer a multi-course menu for a set price, often well below the price of ordering individually.

3. Befriend your waiter – Find a place that suits you and visit often. Get to know the staff and tip well. Once they know that you are not a high cheque, but you tip reliably, they will guide you to the best values available. Remember, most people in the industry have to live on pretty tight budgets too.

cheers,
-b

I agree that some of the restrictions can be annoying, but we found some were much more lenient, and the wait staff doesn’t always take the time to read the restrictions anyway.

Of course, using coupons for dates may not be the best move, but my wife and I are well past that point! :)

Some places also have specials like wing nights where they offer a big discount on a specific food type; if you happen to like it then you can really save some coin.

Their normal price is $10 for a $25 certificate but they are always running deals like 50% off so it shouldn’t be hard to get them for around $5. I hit a sale and got mine for $4.

So all told I’m cutting about $20 off the cost of a dinner for 2.

THe only problems I see with them is limited restaurant selection and restrictions on use. Different restaurants have different rules, but generally there is a minimum purchase requirement of $35-50 and some restaurants require a mandatory 18% gratuity. But if a restaurant you like takes them and you’re aware of the rules then it can be a decent bargain.

Of course, I find Outback, Applebee’s, Chevy’s and TGIF good restaurants for the price. I’d certainly eat there for free. If I were to go to much better restaurants, I’d have stay in a lot more or go bankrupt.