Are you looking for a new and fun way to learn American English? Come hang out with Lindsay and Michelle from Boston and New York City and have fun while you improve your English listening skills! All Ears English is an English as a Second Language (ESL) podcast for intermediate to advanced learners around the world. We will show you how to use everyday vocabulary and natural idioms, expressions, and phrasal verbs and how to make small talk in American English. We will also give you special tips on American culture, customs, etiquette, and how to speak with Americans as well as conversation and commentary on study tips, life in America and Boston, how to apply to university in the US, dating, travel, food and more. You'll get TOEFL, IELTS, and TOEIC help also from our IELTS and test expert Jessica Beck. This podcast is for adult students who are professionals and university students as well as ESL teachers. Join our community to learn to speak American English like a native! Connection NOT Perfection!
AEE 288: To Tip or Not to Tip at an American Restaurant? That is the Question!
Come back to http://allearsenglish.com/288
Do you ever get confused about whether or not you should tip in an American restaurant?
Do you wonder how much to leave?
When to leave it?
Today you’ll get insider information from Michelle, who used to be a waitress at an American restaurant.
In the United States you MUST tip in a restaurant. Servers only make a few dollars per hour.
They rely on your tips.
How much should you tip?
You should tip 18-20%. However, you do have a choice when it comes to leaving a tip. If you have bad service then you can tip less.
If the waitress is slow or has a bad attitude then you don’t have to leave a lot of money as a tip.
It’s up to you.
When should you leave the tip?
If you pay with a credit card they take your card and come back with a receipt and the receipt has a place to write in the tip and the total and then you need to sign the receipt before you leave.
If you are paying in cash it’s ok to leave the cash on the table but put it under a cup or a plate.
What if you are with a large party? (A group of 6 or more people):
In this case gratuity (tip) is usually included.
It’s added into the bill before you get the bill.
Make sure you ask if you don’t know if it has already been included.
In other episodes we will talk about tipping in a bar, a cafe, the hair salon, a taxi, etc.
What is your opinion when it comes to leaving tips in the US?
Have you ever made a mistake with this?
Do you have any additional questions? Please ask us in the comments below.