OT: Kids birthday party places - do you tip?

[Gillian]

I was just talking to a friend about tipping for a kids birthday party at places like a kids gym or I guess chuck e cheese. Do you normally tip when you host a party like this? We didn't tip at build a bear and no one seemed upset about it when we left. It didn't even occur to me, but now I feel bad!

When, where & what do you tip?

 

[tadamom]

I've never had my kids parties anywhere that I would have tipped. But, after high school I worked at a skate center and on Saturday mornings from 10 - 4 all I did was do b'day parties. My duties included, setting up, making the pizza's (we made our own), serving all the food, cutting and distributing the cake & ice cream and then I would help the parents while the child opened presents by gathering garbage & cleaning up afterwards. During all the years that the manager was there he never saw anyone get a tip. I was the first one and I truly worked & enjoyed doing those parties. If I had never been tipped I wouldn't have minded but when I was tipped - I was forever greatful for it and made me feel like I did a good job. After that first tip, I got more and from then on I trained everyone how to do b'day parties and some of those girls got tipped too.

I don't think you should tip everyone but if you feel that your hostess did a great job then go for it. It doesn't even have to be a monetary tip. I had several parents just give me the rest of the cake (if there was any left) for me and my coworkers to enjoy. Everyone loved that! You could even buy some giftcards to book stores or to the movies. That way if you decided not to tip, you can always use it.

Sorry for the long responce but I feel that you have brought up a good topic!

 

[Gillian]

Thanks, Amy! I can see that if someone was very helpful, a tip would be appreciated. Now that I think of it, we did tip where we had food afterward, and the person earned it! It was just fast food, but there was a mix up and she pulled things together for us last minute, which was wonderful.

The build a bear people were good, but honestly, nothing memorable except that they tried to sell the kids on the more expensive bears and outfits first. I'm sure they're trained that way!

My friend feels she will have to tip, regardless of service, so more opinions and experiences are welcomed.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

Wow...I consider myself, if anything, a chronic over tipper. However, I did a lot of parties for my kids over the years and I don't think it ever crossed my mind to tip for that. Good heavens...now a days it seems your supposed to tip almost everyone for nearly everything-it is very hard to keep track. I am amazed sometimes at how many places I can go that I see a Tip Jar out-and always at a place that you would never think to tip at.

Anyhooo...my philosophy was normally that you are paying quite a premium to have a party at Chuck E Cheese's (or other places) and it wasn't necessary to tip. As someone else pointed out though, I am sure it is appreciated and if it had ever been apparent that someone went out of their way for us, I probably would have tipped them. I think the tipping for birthday parties is just a matter of personal choice and not necessity.

 

[tadamom]

Anyhooo...my philosophy was normally that you are paying quite a premium to have a party at Chuck E Cheese's (or other places) and it wasn't necessary to tip. As someone else pointed out though, I am sure it is appreciated and if it had ever been apparent that someone went out of their way for us, I probably would have tipped them. I think the tipping for birthday parties is just a matter of personal choice and not necessity.

That's what I was trying to say -- I hope that came across. I know that b'day parties can get expensive. When I was doing them it was 15 years ago and the prices were hefty even then. I don't want to brag but I did a SUPER job doing those parties and I went above & beyond what I was supposed to do b/c I enjoyed it. I did the same job on all parties and sometimes I was tipped $20 (for a $100 party) and then there were times when I got nothing. I was never disappointed when they didn't tip b/c it was still my job to be a party hostess.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

That's what I was trying to say -- I hope that came across. I did the same job on all parties and sometimes I was tipped $20 (for a $100 party) and then there were times when I got nothing. I was never disappointed when they didn't tip b/c it was still my job to be a party hostess.

I definitely understood and I'm in total agreement with what you said. Hopefully I didn't come across the wrong way either, cause I was just like...wow...was I supposed to be tipping for that all these years? Like...OMG...I'm so embarrassed if it is expected and I wasn't doing it! It's just hard to tell who to tip and for what services anymore. I know waitresses and hair stylists livelihood depend on tips and that they aren't getting a normal hourly wage...so of course they always get tips...but sometimes you get that grey area where your not sure if tipping is appropriate for a given service or job.

Okay...so at least now I know I do not have to hang my head in shame for possibly slighting someone. Whew!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

We always tip. The places we've gone - Chuck E. Cheese, a plaster place, bowling, sports complex, gymnastics, etc., have always provided a helper for the party (in some cases we pay a fee for the helper, usually $15). It's always a teenager, and this person wrangles the kids, cuts the cake and pizza, sets up the tables, etc.

We usually give the helper $20-$40. The parties tend to be in the $200 - $300 range depending on number of guest and venue, so I think that's reasonable. I'm sure this kid is getting minimum wage, and $20 is always very appreciated.

I don't think the helpers are upset if they don't get tips, I just think it's a pleasant surprise. I wouldn't feel bad OP, if it didn't occur to you it's probably not that common in your area. You would have seen other parents doing it at their parties if it was going on.

 

[tadamom]

This is probably off topic but sometimes I don't get why my Starbucks has a tip jar at the register and the drivethru. They don't do anything more than is required in their job - so why is it there? Sorry for hijacking this thread somewhat but I was just curious!

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

This is probably off topic but sometimes I don't get why my Starbucks has a tip jar at the register and the drivethru. They don't do anything more than is required in their job - so why is it there? Sorry for hijacking this thread somewhat but I was just curious!

I know what you are saying...kind of why I mentioned the tip jar thing before. I see those at the ice cream parlor, sub shop, coffee shop and I think to myself...these were NEVER things you were expected to tip for just a few years back...now it is common place to see these tip jars out everywhere. If I had to leave a tip (no matter how small or large) every time I enountered one of these, I'd be broke. I wish I could put one out for my own job! I'd be promptly fired if I did! I've always worked in a service type industry of some sort and aside from waitressing as a teenager, I'd always considered my wage, to be my wage-end of story. If someone were to even offer me a tip for my job, I'd be totally flattered, but most likely I would graciously refuse just because I think it is crazy to tip for things that are a normal part of a persons job. I probably sound like some type of anti-tip nazi now, which is so far from how I am, but I just get a bit incensed at how some places are in your face about expecting extra $. Again, if a person goes the extra mile (above and beyond), then by all means, I am for dropping a few extra $$ their way to show my appreciation. It may also depend on the area you live on what the expectation is (like OP said).

I'm glad to see threads like this-it brings to light things I may not have thought of before. Now when I go to have birthday parties for DN, I will keep this in mind.

 

[Gillian]

It sounds like there is no need for automatic tipping, but that it's a good idea to be prepared with some extra cash if someone does a super job! There's always something extra to pay for anyway, right?

I am not thrilled about tip jars at dunkin donuts, starbucks, etc. I rarely see anyone tip except for those who seem to know the workers. I would tip at my Wendy's drive thru, because they're great, but they don't ask and I haven't offered. I'll have to think about that one. Nice people there. It's sad that I know that!