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Comment by ronnier | Hacker News Reader

I think the biggest problem I have with tipping is something I never hear people talk about -- it forces us to pay at the end instead of upfront.

Usually the process goes like this:

0: sit, bring water, give order, wait for food

1: eat

2: wait for the waiter to notice we are done. This can take a long time.

3: they want to pre clean the table, at which we say we are done, bring the check please

4: they drop off the check, if you are lucky, you can hand the card to them then,

5: If not, wait for them to come back to pick up your credit card

6: wait some unknown amount of time for them to bring your card back so you can sign and leave a tip

It's so much easier to pay up front and leave the second you are ready. Sometimes that ritual at the end takes longer than it takes me to eat my food.

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They’re not perfect, but every time I dine at Red Robin I like having the little kiosk at the table so I can pay when I’m ready instead of waiting for the check, the waiter to grab my card, etc. It’s a nice solution when eating with a group that is likely to order additional drinks, etc. over the course of a meal too.

It's the introvert's bane. I'm done being at the restaurant, but I can't leave when I choose to.

This! They can have the table back quicker too, if we can avoid the asking for the bill dance, then waiting for the waiter to come back and take payment or whatever. More efficient for the establishment and introverts win too.

One solution is just to stand up, and wander over to the counter where the credit card machines live. This always gets their attention, and it's quicker for everyone.

just fyi, while it might seem quicker for everyone, waitstaff generally do not appreciate this.

but i'm not trying to tell anyone what to do. :)

> might seem quicker

When I finished eating twenty minutes ago, and you haven't topped up my (now empty) glass, while I wait for you to drop off the check, I'm going to argue that "seem quicker" is pretty synonymous with "_is_ quicker", whether appreciated or not. And I'm sure the people waiting for a table in the lobby would agree too.

ISTM this is definitely the kind of "service" that calls for a penny tip, on the credit card.

Supposedly(?) two pennies...

Someone explained to me that the 1 penny/cent tip was the "I appreciated things, but I don't have anything at all to spare" (and I have certainly heard the subjective philosophy of "if you can't afford to tip you can't afford to eat out")... and that two pennies was the "I'm doing this out of obligation; that sucked".

Paying at the end of the meal allows you to order additional drinks or desserts after your initial order.

I typically request my check immediately upon receiving the food. That way I can leave whenever I'm ready and not sit around waiting.

Exactly. Personally, this is why I like cafeterias so much, as they eliminate everything except (1) in your list. You not only pay up front (with some you pay as you exit), but you know exactly what you're getting up front, too. Unfortunately, I see very few cafeterias anymore, practically none since I moved to California.

>it forces us to pay at the end instead of upfront

I've been to plenty of places where you pay up front, and they still ask for tips. I wouldn't expect tipping to factor into this nearly as much as encouraging you to get another drink or dessert without having to get a separate check for it.

Many of the mid tier chain restaurants have terminals that allow you to pay at the table.

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