Ever Tip the Maitre d for a Table?

[crew]

I live in a relatively small city and have never tipped the host for a table.
Last year when I was in Naples Fl I was waiting for a table, I had a reservation, when I saw a great table opening up. I approached the hostess and, with a 20 in my palm, asked if we cold possibly get that table. Even though I had never done this before, she obviously had as she shook my hand and pocketed the 20 seemlessly. We got the table, had a great time and didn't displace anyone in the process.
So, now I'm wondering, how common is this in bigger cities?
What is the appropriate amount for those that do this?

[Star Ferry]

I have never done this. Sometimes I confirm the table location while I'm making the reservation. And often my wife asks to change tables after we're seated

I'm hesitant to give cash that way. They could take it and still not follow through on the request. I wouldn't give cash to a night club bouncer/doorman for the same reason

[MonBK]

Many times (without previous reservation).

[GradyPhilpott]

I used to work at Antoine's Restaurant.

Tipping the maître d' was common practice there. He did quite well. Henri Ange Alciatore was his name.

I've never tipped a hostess or maître d', as I don't dine is that class of restaurant.

I do tip wait staff quite generously when I do eat out.

[THC]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I used to work at Antoine's Restaurant.

Tipping the maître d' was common practice there. He did quite well. Henri Ange Alciatore was his name.

I've never tipped a hostess or maître d', as I don't dine is that class of restaurant.

I do tip wait staff quite generously when I do eat out.

Wow, Grady.. awesome tribute to one of our own, Henri, in NoLa... I was very good friends with Antoine Alciatore, another family member, who also died about 5 years ago...
these type of practices are not as common as they used to be, but fond memories nonetheless

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by THC

Wow, Grady.. awesome tribute to one of our own, Henri, in NoLa... I was very good friends with Antoine Alciatore, another family member, who also died about 5 years ago...
these type of practices are not as common as they used to be, but fond memories nonetheless

The walls of Antoine's could tell some tales, especially from Prohibition, hidden rooms and all.

[ejvette]

Funny story on a golf trip with 7 of my buddies in ocean city MD. We just come off our second round (36 holes a day) everyone's tired and hungry we hit an outback steak house (not exactly a quality restaurant) the line is out the door were a party of eight the hostess says an 1 1/2 hour wait and hands me the buzzer my buddy collects $5 from each of us walks back and hands the hostess the $40 5 min later our buzzer goes off and were seated. Only time I've ever done that.

[kneedeep]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I used to work at Antoine's Restaurant.

Tipping the maître d' was common practice there. He did quite well. Henri Ange Alciatore was his name.

I've never tipped a hostess or maître d', as I don't dine is that class of restaurant.

I do tip wait staff quite generously when I do eat out.

Small world - I remember him well and tipped him every time I went. My dad and Mr Henri always joked about their handlebars which in N.O. were pretty rare back then.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by kneedeep

Small world - I remember him well and tipped him every time I went. My dad and Mr Henri always joked about their handlebars which in N.O. were pretty rare back then.

[mjclark32]

Yup, especially when calling and they "squeeze" me in etc. It's amazing how many tables open up when you ask for the manager and tell him/her you'll give them $X when you get there if they make it work...

[mailman]

Originally Posted by mjclark32

Yup, especially when calling and they "squeeze" me in etc. It's amazing how many tables open up when you ask for the manager and tell him/her you'll give them $X when you get there if they make it work...

Yep

[TK-710]

Originally Posted by mailman

Yep

That's funny. I just tell them I know "The Mailman" and I get a table anywhere in CNY.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by crew

.....and didn't displace anyone in the process.

How is this possible unless a table was available? And if a table was available, why would a tip be necessary?

[crew]

Originally Posted by pickettt

How is this possible unless a table was available? And if a table was available, why would a tip be necessary?

It's "possible" because I had a reservation. This was at a large open-air restaurant and tables open all the time. It's somewhat luck of the draw as to which table you get when there may be 2-5 available at any one time.
I saw a table that was right in the middle of everything and I wanted it. My reservation was already a little late, which happens at this particular place, and I asked for it. I would have been seated in that wave of tables anyway, I just requested the prime table.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by crew

It's "possible" because I had a reservation. This was at a large open-air restaurant and tables open all the time. It's somewhat luck of the draw as to which table you get when there may be 2-5 available at any one time.
I saw a table that was right in the middle of everything and I wanted it. My reservation was already a little late, which happens at this particular place, and I asked for it. I would have been seated in that wave of tables anyway, I just requested the prime table.

Okay, I understand the scenario now. The way I see it, if multiple tables are available, you should have a choice without having to bribe anyone.

[rr-nyc]

When they've gone above and beyond their job to accommodate me and my party. Whether it be a special table, finding my way ahead of the list, etc. absolutely


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[locutus49]

I do this in expensive restaurants in NYC, especially if we don't have reservations. I slip a 20 to the Maitre D, and it tends to help greatly in procuring a table in a "hot" restaurant.

In California not so much. We tip the waiters well and according to one waiter we know, the hostess gets a cut of the tips.

[wantonebad]

Old school, and new school somewhat. Certain places here in Boston if you didn't tip, you were going to be sitting by the kitchen. In the case of Locke-Ober's you would be right next to the mens room, literally, if you didn't grease the palm. Whenever we went it was fun to watch them seat regular customers vs. the uninitiated or tourists. It's not really as necessary these days in Boston unless you don't have a reservation, in that case prepare to cough up at least $20-$50 depending on the timing...

Even if you had a reservation at the old Morton's on Boylston Street, you wouldn't sit down on time unless they knew you or you gave a Hamilton handshake.

[AzPaul]

Love that scene in 'Goodfellas' where Henry's winding his way through the club, slipping $20's to everyone and their brother.

Wound up with a great table, though

[Alexwwjd]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Old school, and new school somewhat. Certain places here in Boston if you didn't tip, you were going to be sitting by the kitchen. In the case of Locke-Ober's you would be right next to the mens room, literally, if you didn't grease the palm. Whenever we went it was fun to watch them seat regular customers vs. the uninitiated or tourists. It's not really as necessary these days in Boston unless you don't have a reservation, in that case prepare to cough up at least $20-$50 depending on the timing...

Even if you had a reservation at the old Morton's on Boylston Street, you wouldn't sit down on time unless they knew you or you gave a Hamilton handshake.

Oops... I know the feeling of getting the "tourist" table, next to the restrooms, where the waiter may or may not remember to take the order.

[Old Geezer]

Originally Posted by Alexwwjd

Oops... I know the feeling of getting the "tourist" table, next to the restrooms, where the waiter may or may not remember to take the order.

We were headed down this route one time while on vacation. We had a reservation and had arrived promptly at the appointed time. As we were taken to our table nearly at the back door of the restaurant next to the restrooms, I asked my wife if this would work. The little squirt taking us to our table piped up and said it was all they had before she answered. I turned and said no problem as I walked towards the emergency exit and opened the door for my wife and we exited the restaurant. Let's just say a little chaos ensured when the alarm went off. I felt bad later for the diners who got the crap scared out of them but the little squirt and his arrogance rubbed me the wrong way. The Uber driver gave us a great recommendation for a really local joint and we enjoyed a fabulous meal and made some new friends so the night wasn't a bust.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by Old Geezer

We were headed down this route one time while on vacation. We had a reservation and had arrived promptly at the appointed time. As we were taken to our table nearly at the back door of the restaurant next to the restrooms, I asked my wife if this would work. The little squirt taking us to our table piped up and said it was all they had before she answered. I turned and said no problem as I walked towards the emergency exit and opened the door for my wife and we exited the restaurant. Let's just say a little chaos ensured when the alarm went off. I felt bad later for the diners who got the crap scared out of them but the little squirt and his arrogance rubbed me the wrong way. The Uber driver gave us a great recommendation for a really local joint and we enjoyed a fabulous meal and made some new friends so the night wasn't a bust.

I love that story!!

[beshannon]

Yes

[AK797]

I've been to a few Michelin restaurants in the UK and the idea of palm greasing would never cross my mind, if I wanted another table I would just ask, but I've never had cause to.

[Tony64]

Originally Posted by AK797

I've been to a few Michelin restaurants in the UK and the idea of palm greasing would never cross my mind, if I wanted another table I would just ask, but I've never had cause to.

[Etschell]

Nope. I make reservations. I have taken someone elses reservation before though.

[Wesley Crusher]

The only time I've greased somebody was at the check in counter at a hotel in vegas. I slipped the guy a $20 and asked if there were any available upgrades. I felt like a fool because what if he said no and still kept the $20 lol, but he upgraded me to a suite. It was totally worth it.

If you work at a hotel or restaurant and you get slipped a couple $20s a night, over the course of a year, that's a pretty solid "bonus" and it's all under the table.

When it comes to Vegas, cameras are everywhere. Surely management knows that this sort of thing happens. Do they just not care or do they also take a cut?

[TheRolexKingofLV]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

The only time I've greased somebody was at the check in counter at a hotel in vegas. I slipped the guy a $20 and asked if there were any available upgrades. I felt like a fool because what if he said no and still kept the $20 lol, but he upgraded me to a suite. It was totally worth it.

If you work at a hotel or restaurant and you get slipped a couple $20s a night, over the course of a year, that's a pretty solid "bonus" and it's all under the table.

When it comes to Vegas, cameras are everywhere. Surely management knows that this sort of thing happens. Do they just not care or do they also take a cut?

Its definitely the way to get things done here in Vegas. A $20 tip goes a long way with hotel staff, as well as with Valet, Bellman etc. For a table at a restaurant with no reservations, its more in the $50-$100 and up range.

Its how things are "done" out here in this city of sin!

[Dumas1012]

Originally Posted by TheRolexKingofLV

Its definitely the way to get things done here in Vegas. A $20 tip goes a long way with hotel staff, as well as with Valet, Bellman etc. For a table at a restaurant with no reservations, its more in the $50-$100 and up range.

Its how things are "done" out here in this city of sin!

Club security is no joke in Vegas. I was in Vegas for a bachelor party and we went to a club. Security wouldn't let us in because we didnt have any females with us. They wanted $100 a person from each person (there were 10 of us) to get in and also wanted us to book a 3 bottle minimum table at $500 a bottle...

Not going to tell you if we went in the club or not...

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

The only time I've greased somebody was at the check in counter at a hotel in vegas. I slipped the guy a $20 and asked if there were any available upgrades. I felt like a fool because what if he said no and still kept the $20 lol, but he upgraded me to a suite. It was totally worth it.

If you work at a hotel or restaurant and you get slipped a couple $20s a night, over the course of a year, that's a pretty solid "bonus" and it's all under the table.

When it comes to Vegas, cameras are everywhere. Surely management knows that this sort of thing happens. Do they just not care or do they also take a cut?

I think they expect it, and they identify you as more likely to spend.