Re: Hey! I just found this! Re: Gratuity!
Betty-I made an envelope that was given to my maitre d at the end of the night for the waitstaff. I must have said to him like 10 times - they will see this right??? I know my family members also tipped their own waitresses/waiters on their own if the felt necessary. This is something I and all my family does being my mom works in catering all her life and we know the real deal. That envelope was separate from his tip. I also tipped the bridal attendant - that was given directly to her (I think).
Fletch (and others)- I have read that $2-5 per person is the standard asking fee. It does seem outrageous. I kind of figured out what I thought was fair based on my total bill and what we thought would be reasonable. (I had excellent sevice and actually aftwards wished we gave a little more!) My mom who is a maitre d at a catering facility (in Queens) never ever sees that much money but her hall does not make that 'recommendation' upon booking like so many LI facilities do. If she gets a $100 that makes her so happy. She, like the waitstaff, does not get paid that special fee/service charge in so many contracts. She gets paid practically nothing and believe me I have worked with her and this is hard work. They do a lot more than what you see and get paid very little.
Obviously, tipping should be what you can afford and what makes sense to you and of course based on how well your service was. That is why I didn't seal any of my tip envelopes before hand!
Fletch (and others)- I have read that $2-5 per person is the standard asking fee. It does seem outrageous. I kind of figured out what I thought was fair based on my total bill and what we thought would be reasonable. (I had excellent sevice and actually aftwards wished we gave a little more!) My mom who is a maitre d at a catering facility (in Queens) never ever sees that much money but her hall does not make that 'recommendation' upon booking like so many LI facilities do. If she gets a $100 that makes her so happy. She, like the waitstaff, does not get paid that special fee/service charge in so many contracts. She gets paid practically nothing and believe me I have worked with her and this is hard work. They do a lot more than what you see and get paid very little.
Obviously, tipping should be what you can afford and what makes sense to you and of course based on how well your service was. That is why I didn't seal any of my tip envelopes before hand!
