Etiquette Question



Etiquette Question Tipping on Alcohol

So I read this week\'s question about whether or not to tip on alcohol. While I agree with the answers provided, my question is this. If I go to a restaurant and order a $50 bottle of wine and tip 20%, the server gets about $10, however, if I go into a restaurant and order a very nice bottle and spend, say, $200, I should be given the same service and the bottle is the same size, but, are you then suggesting that I should pay $40? That is the only time that I have ever considered not tipping on the entire amount of the bill. What are your thoughts?

Thanks!

view all questions ask a question


Answer by: Roger C. Bohmrich, MW

Perhaps the question could also be posed with respect to food to illustrate the appropriate response. If you ordered 3 courses for lunch which cost $25 and tipped 20% or $5, should you reduce the tip percentage when you return for a 3-course dinner costing $50? I don't think so, and I doubt many people would question this standard. The same service or labor is required for both meals, regardless of menu pricing. Etiquette says you should tip based on dollar value, and I believe this approach applies to beverages as well (wine, cocktails, bottled water, etc.).




About the Expert:
Roger has enjoyed a lengthy career in the wine trade, and he last served as a senior executive with a major national importer. In 2006, he launched Millesima USA, a retail entity affiliated with Europe's leading fine wine mail order company. Roger became one of America's first Masters of Wine in 1993, and he has been very active as an educator and speaker at wine festivals and conferences. He hosts a community television program entitled "Wine's Simple Pleasures," and is currently working on a book of original recipes and wine pairing solutions.

Visit Roger C. Bohmrich, MW's website: MILLESIMA USA LLC


view all questions ask a question



152,834

Wine Tasting and
Food Events since
July 2000

Site Map    FAQs
LocalWineEvents.com
Web


Home | Wine Events by Date | Submit Wine Events | Events on Your Site | Wine Articles | The Big Festival List
Wine Education| FAQs | Wine Newsletters | Wine Books | Magazines | Links | The Juice! | Tell a Friend
Press | Privacy Policy | History | Kudos | Contact us | Advertise | Site Map/Search | Top Blogs | Feeds

Copyright © 2000-2008, LocalWineEvents.com