Tipping on a special event

cyndimc · 11-20-2009, 06:08 PM

Ok...I am running special event and need to figure out how to tip! There are no gratuities included.

But:
There are charges for staffing (15 people totaling $3,277, with the per hour fee running from $25 to $50 each, most about $35 each). Also charges for equipment & linens ($500) and for management fee ($852.56) and facility rental ($750).

The food totals $6880.00. The bar will be consumption, and the two bartenders are included in the above staffing number, at $35/hour each.

How do I tip? Do tip the staff based on the total of food, and tip the bartenders on the total of bar bill? What about the supervisor, who is paid 7 hours at $40/hour.

Can somebody help?!
Thanks

jamesglewisf · 11-20-2009, 06:26 PM

From www.tipguide.org

Quote:

Tipping Caterers can be a real mystery. The best thing to do is to talk to the caterer in advance. Most caterers have a service charge that is included in the bill and is distributed to the cooks, driver and wait staff. If there is no service charge or it is not for the people doing the work, then tipping 15% of the entire bill is appropriate. This amount should be divided among the servers by the on-site manager. If it is included, you don't need to tip any more. Of course, if someone really goes out of his way for you, then feel free to tip that individual extra, remembering that it will be extra.

it doesn't matter that they divided up the bill. It is catering. Tip 15% of the total before tax.

cyndimc · 11-20-2009, 06:56 PM

So you think I should tip on the total, including the facility rental, etc? Somehow it seems incorrect to tip on more than the food & bar. But maybe you are right...it is just broken down instead of one large number.

I did talk to the event coordinator about tips but she gave me that "whatever you want to do, they are well paid, but if they go above and beyond" speech...

I just want to do the right thing by people that I know are working hard!

jamesglewisf · 11-20-2009, 08:27 PM

I missed that it was their facility. Leave that out.

11-20-2009, 06:08 PM	#1
cyndimc Smart Feller Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3	Tipping on a special event Ok...I am running special event and need to figure out how to tip! There are no gratuities included. But: There are charges for staffing (15 people totaling $3,277, with the per hour fee running from $25 to $50 each, most about $35 each). Also charges for equipment & linens ($500) and for management fee ($852.56) and facility rental ($750). The food totals $6880.00. The bar will be consumption, and the two bartenders are included in the above staffing number, at $35/hour each. How do I tip? Do tip the staff based on the total of food, and tip the bartenders on the total of bar bill? What about the supervisor, who is paid 7 hours at $40/hour. Can somebody help?! Thanks

11-20-2009, 08:27 PM	#4
jamesglewisf Doofus Maximus Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Texas Posts: 8,138	I missed that it was their facility. Leave that out. __________________ Jim Lewis - Admin Tipping Etiquette Dining Etiquette JamesGLewis.com iPhone Tip Guide Movies Without Nudity.com To BE or not to BE

11-20-2009, 06:56 PM	#3
cyndimc Smart Feller Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3	So you think I should tip on the total, including the facility rental, etc? Somehow it seems incorrect to tip on more than the food & bar. But maybe you are right...it is just broken down instead of one large number. I did talk to the event coordinator about tips but she gave me that "whatever you want to do, they are well paid, but if they go above and beyond" speech... I just want to do the right thing by people that I know are working hard!