Tipping

TheRoadDog

Saw something on the News last night about a new Debit/Visa card reader in NY that is being tried out. Swiping your card automatically tips in the pre-set amount of $1.00.

The USA is one of the few countries that Tips regularly. We have "rules" for it. Set amounts for service. Frankly, I'm getting tired of seeing a Tip Jar on every counter surface these days.

Employers that employ wait staff is subject to minimum wage laws. Why do I have to supplement their income?

Does the waitress or waiter that brings me my never ending pasta bowl work any harder than the fry cook at McDonalds? How about the guy that changes my oil? Does he deserve a tip?

I don't think I'm going to tip any more.

What do you think about that?

k8blujay2

I feel a hornets nest a comin'...

As far as myself... I know it's state law that Employers with wait staff (ie Chili's and the like) that pay at the lower minimum wage for wait staff, is supposed to make up the difference between the $2.13/hour + tips if it is below the minimum wage of $7.25 (or whatever it is now... I don't pay that much attention to what it is like I used to) in the State of Texas.... now whether the Employers do or not, I don't know... and if they don't, then they should be taken to task on it... I also know that there are States (like California) where the server at Chili's makes minimum wage, just like a fry cook at McDonalds... Having worked fastfood myself (that had a little bit of actually running and clearing of the tables.... it was a local mom and pop burger shop that had a dineresque feel to it) I know we run pretty hard ourselves...

With all that said, I will tip for good service... I will tip very well for exceptional service... however, if we are practically ignored and I don't see the server doing other things (sweeping the dining area, helping run food and the like) then you ain't getting ****.... Yes, I can afford a tip... no I don't expect you to kiss my feet and serve me hand and foot... but if you are being a lazy *kitten* socializing with your friends at the host(ess) station and making your co-workers pick up your slack (yes, this has happened to us and we actually tipped the busboy because he did more to help us than our actual server) instead of waiting on your tables, then don't expect a tip and yes, we will talk to the manager about your poor serving skills... Oh and I can tell if you are new, so don't worry about that, we will still tip a decent amount. And on the flip side of that, there was a server at a Chili's (we used to go to Chili's a lot) that even though he was slammed with customers, he did his damnedest to make sure we (and everyone else) had what they wanted and needed... he anticipated needs beforehand... I think we tipped him on the upwards of 50% of our bill. So we are not stingy tippers...

k8blujay2

Oh and come Christmas there will be a ton of "articles" on what you should tip your garbage man, postal worker, mechanic, and so on and so forth.... it's ridiculous when, yes while they are providing a service, a tip is not required as usually they are making WAY more than minimum wage...

TheRoadDog

I'm in Oregon. Waitstaff is paid the minimum wage of $8.80.

k8blujay2

I'm in Oregon. Waitstaff is paid the minimum wage of $8.80.

That's where I would probably not tip... at least not near the 20% that is supposedly the industry standard now... at least not unless they really went out of their way to make the experience enjoyable...

atsteele

No way would I be happy with "preset" tips. They wouldn't get my business. Unless service there is ALWAYS impeccable.

HOWEVER, I do tip everyone 'and their brother'. I doubt that any given tip jar is some sort of get rich quick scheme. But I'm pretty sure the people that benefit from tip jars are quite happy when people are generous.

EvanKeel

If I'm in a state that has a servers wage I'll tip more, but I almost always tip 15%, 20 if the service is good. I tip 25 if it's spectacular, but that rarely ever happens. That kind of customer service job sucks, and I think people deserve a little extra for doing it.

I like to think I balance it out though. There are few things that will earn you not only no tip, but a snarky comment. For example, if I don't get a refill or even if I have to wait until I'm almost done, then you get a "try refilling my diet pepsi" written in the tip line. I'm a btch like that.

IronmanPanda

Meh. If you can't afford to tip, don't eat out.

TheRoadDog

Meh. If you can't afford to tip, don't eat out.

Not the issue.

Azdak

I leave big tips--easiest way in the world to make friends.

I don't understand why people get so obsessed with turning every tip situation into a petty morality play.

So you didn't get your water in 30 seconds. BFD.

When I go to a restaurant and the service is less than attentive, it is almost always due to inadequate staffing by management rather than lack of effort by the wait staff.

If I have a more serious problem, I just mention it at the time so that it can be taken care of on the spot, rather than waiting and playing some "gotcha" game with the tip.

EvanKeel

I leave big tips--easiest way in the world to make friends.

I don't understand why people get so obsessed with turning every tip situation into a petty morality play.

So you didn't get your water in 30 seconds. BFD.

When I go to a restaurant and the service is less than attentive, it is almost always due to inadequate staffing by management rather than lack of effort by the wait staff.

If I have a more serious problem, I just mention it at the time so that it can be taken care of on the spot, rather than waiting and playing some "gotcha" game with the tip.

It's kind of a fair point. Using myself as an example, I don't necessarily play a gotcha game, but I also kind of don't care if they're busy. I'm also not completely unreasonable. I don't know if it's ironic or not, but I almost never get bad service if the restaurant is busy. If the wait staff is having to be constantly on the go, it seems like I get better service. If there are 3 other tables with people at the them and I have to stare longingly at my glass of ice in order for it to melt just to get a drink...or if it's clear that my food was sitting under a heat lamp for awhile. Nope sorry, you don't get a tip.

As a side note, I won't down tip for this or anything, but I kind of dislike chatty servers. I don't care what your name is, and I don't care what you recommend unless I ask. Tell me what the specials are, attend to obvious needs and check in a couple times. Also, don't avoid eye contact with me if I'm clearly trying to get your attention, because that will mostly just piss me off.

jenbit

Ok I have a lot of friends who are waiters , bartenders and DJ's. Let me tell you they live off there tips . In florida they pay them less than 5 dollars and hour + tips. It leaves a loophole for the companies to pay them less by assume the tips will make there hourly pay more that minimum wage. Tipping is good manners and besides if you had to put up with some of the asshats that they have to deal with you would want some recompense as well........

BTW watch Waiting one of the funniest movies I've ever seen about the resteraunt biz

k8blujay2

besides if you had to put up with some of the asshats that they have to deal with you would want some recompense as well........

Then by this, city workers should also get tips because they have to deal with some asshats as well...

jenbit

besides if you had to put up with some of the asshats that they have to deal with you would want some recompense as well........

Then by this, city workers should also get tips because they have to deal with some asshats as well...

I tip my garbage man lol and my mailman. I try to be very nice to any city worker I talk to

GeneveSparkles

I tip at sit-down restaurants only, I also tip at sit-down restaurants when I get take-out (although it's usually only a couple of dollars) I also tip my hair stylist. Other than that I rarely tip. I don't tip barristas or put tips into other counter-top tip jars, unless it's some loose change, but not quarters, never quarters, that needs to be saved for laundry:).

The way I see it is with restaurants you are not only paying for the food, you are paying for the experience and many times a server plays into that experience. I also understand that servers in the states I'ved lived in get paid under $3. I've worked in the restaurant industry and I know how difficult it can be sometimes. I generally tip about 20%.

fbmandy55

I'm in Oregon. Waitstaff is paid the minimum wage of $8.80.

Ok, this is where I can disagree. The minimum wage for wait staff in IN is $2.13. Most restaurants I have known people to work in enforce that. They LIVE for their tips.

I also always tip cash. They can take it home that night. When you tip with a credit card they typically have to wait for a check to be cut by their employer and THEN they get taxed on those tips.

As for a card that tip automatically, no thanks. As I just stated, they get taxed when you tip with a card and have to wait for that money to be given back to them. Besides, I don't believe the gas station, cashier at the grocery or places of that sort need more of my money. :happy:

fbmandy55

besides if you had to put up with some of the asshats that they have to deal with you would want some recompense as well........

Then by this, city workers should also get tips because they have to deal with some asshats as well...

Everyone does. I work in Real Estate and I have found of every office I have worked in, they have the worst sense of entitlement. I don't work FOR them but they sure think I do!

fbmandy55

I leave big tips--easiest way in the world to make friends.

I don't understand why people get so obsessed with turning every tip situation into a petty morality play.

So you didn't get your water in 30 seconds. BFD.

When I go to a restaurant and the service is less than attentive, it is almost always due to inadequate staffing by management rather than lack of effort by the wait staff.

If I have a more serious problem, I just mention it at the time so that it can be taken care of on the spot, rather than waiting and playing some "gotcha" game with the tip.

Two things we agree on today.

The apocalypse is nigh.

lour441

I tip for food, hair, valet, and strippers.

adrian_indy

I have done a lot of different jobs includeing waiting on tables, and they deserve their tips. I don't know how I feel about Oregon's set wages for them, I also living in IN know it to be 2.13 here. Some one asked why a waiter should make more than a dish washer. In my state, they don't, unless they hustle for those tips. Besides working just as hard as a dishwasher, they have the added element of always having on a happy face, remembering every minute detail of what their customer wanted and wants, being diplomatic and courteous at all times, and presenting themselves in whatever fashion they think will best please the customer.

Any violation of that could result in making less money. A dishwasher doesn't need to speak the language, can have poor hygiene and a **** disposition and it really doesn't matter. Not that I am saying a dishwasher has an easy jog, I've done that as well and can tell you it is busy work.

Besides, waiters are often either students or parents who need a job with flexible hours that only restaraunts provide. I always tip well, especially when I get good service because it is one of the few industries in america where I can actually SEE whether a person is busting their hump or not. So when I see a young dude who I know is working on his bachelor's degree or a 42 year old single mom balancing 6 tables at Applebee's and they can still remember to refill my drink, smile, and BS a little bit, I like to tip that.

k8blujay2

besides if you had to put up with some of the asshats that they have to deal with you would want some recompense as well........

Then by this, city workers should also get tips because they have to deal with some asshats as well...

Everyone does. I work in Real Estate and I have found of every office I have worked in, they have the worst sense of entitlement. I don't work FOR them but they sure think I do!

That's my point... if you work with or around people you are going to be dealing with asshats... but that shouldn't be why a person should get tips, otherwise everyone deserves a tip... From people who work in the call centers to nurses to people reading meters and beyond.

But again... I tip based on the situation... 30 seconds for a water is not what I'm looking at... 30 minutes however.... Hell, I have tipped people that we only saw once to take our order and once to get our food and hardly ever again after that... but I saw this person hustling around doing other things and we still tipped him decent... I also tip the pizza delivery guy, fairly well... We aren't those old people coming in after church only to leave a quarter on the table afterwards...

fbmandy55

I tip for food, hair, valet, and strippers.

Food, bar, hair, valet, and nail salon. I got a new guy for my last pedicure and he skipped the standard foot/ankle massage. I still tipped so he would remember the next time. Oh man did he remember, best massage ever! No happy ending.

EvanKeel

I always feel a little weird tipping for my hair cut. I still do it, but it's short enough that it takes like 10 minutes from start to finish.

lour441

I always feel a little weird tipping for my hair cut. I still do it, but it's short enough that it takes like 10 minutes from start to finish.

Ahh do you get the beard trimmed? That is extra! Last time I had them sculpt a goatee. 50% tip.

lour441

I tip for food, hair, valet, and strippers.

Food, bar, hair, valet, and nail salon. I got a new guy for my last pedicure and he skipped the standard foot/ankle massage. I still tipped so he would remember the next time. Oh man did he remember, best massage ever! No happy ending.

Oops I forgot bar. I could use a foot and ankle massage. I think I would feel weird getting a pedicure though.

IronmanPanda

Meh. If you can't afford to tip, don't eat out.

Not the issue.

Sounds like you're *****ing about having to tip to me. If it's that big a deal to you just stay home.

Azdak

I do have one tip dilemma. I have been going to the same hair stylist for 25 years. For 22 of those, she worked at a salon. IMO, they didn't charge very much for a haircut, so they couldn't have been paying her nearly what she was worth. I think they only raised the price of a cut 2 or 3 times in those 22 years. So, I just kept giving bigger and bigger tips. By the end I was tipping $10 for a $25 haircut.

She finally did something we had all been recommending for awhile--she refinished her basement and put in a full salon--it looks awesome. She also set the price of a (male) haircut to $35--which was fine; she's worth every penny.

My dilemma: since she now is the owner and sole employee of the business, and gets 100% of all proceeds, do I still tip? It's not like she needs it to augment the income--if she needs more money she can just raise the price of the cut. I decided at the beginning not to tip -- not that I was trying to be cheap, but because it didn't make any sense. My wife goes to her as well,and I think she still tips.

So what's the consensus? It would still seem weird, but I could always start, I guess.

GeneveSparkles

I do have one tip dilemma. I have been going to the same hair stylist for 25 years. For 22 of those, she worked at a salon. IMO, they didn't charge very much for a haircut, so they couldn't have been paying her nearly what she was worth. I think they only raised the price of a cut 2 or 3 times in those 22 years. So, I just kept giving bigger and bigger tips. By the end I was tipping $10 for a $25 haircut.

She finally did something we had all been recommending for awhile--she refinished her basement and put in a full salon--it looks awesome. She also set the price of a (male) haircut to $35--which was fine; she's worth every penny.

My dilemma: since she now is the owner and sole employee of the business, and gets 100% of all proceeds, do I still tip? It's not like she needs it to augment the income--if she needs more money she can just raise the price of the cut. I decided at the beginning not to tip -- not that I was trying to be cheap, but because it didn't make any sense. My wife goes to her as well,and I think she still tips.

So what's the consensus? It would still seem weird, but I could always start, I guess.

From what I've read, tipping the owner of a salon isn't customary. However I still tipped my hair guy who owned the salon. So I guess it just boils down to what you're comfortable with.

wewon

I have no problem tipping.

When I come in, a 20% tip is yours to lose. If you go above and beyond I have tipped up to 35% - 40%.

I won't hold it against you if you're busy, if something goes wrong in the kitchen, even if you goof my order; I accept that s*** happens. You either have no control over those things or I chalk them up to human frailty.

However, you have 100% control over your attitude and how you treat me and my dining party.

In those cases, I have tipped 0% and felt perfectly justified in doing so.

EvanKeel

I always feel a little weird tipping for my hair cut. I still do it, but it's short enough that it takes like 10 minutes from start to finish.

Ahh do you get the beard trimmed? That is extra! Last time I had them sculpt a goatee. 50% tip.

No one touches the beard but me, and possibly the husband.

fbmandy55

Last time my bf's friends came down for a night out, we went to a local brewery for dinner and beer. One of them suggested a fun little test for tipping. We each put a dollar at the center of the table, my boyfriend tried ordering 3 different beers and they were out of all of them. Next time the waitress came back, $2 of the $4 were gone. When we got our food outrageously fast, a few more dollars appeared.

It didn't take her long to realize the cash was her tip. Was definitely a fun way to entertain ourselves and get good service!