The Tipping Saga!

[PotNoodle]

Natural, like in the UK you tip taxi drivers and waiters/waitresses....

You also tip bartenders in the U.S.A, but be warned, it seems like wherever you go folk are expecting to be tipped.

Even on the free transportation buses and at times at the places you would least expect to tip employees.

For those who haven't been to the U.S before just be careful, because I personally think wherever we went tipping was done way too much. Of course, it's up to you how much you pay for the service, but believe me, it mounts up over the week or two.

 

[Miffy2003]

There is a difference in the tipping culture between the US and the UK, that's for sure.


When I receive great service (whether in the UK or US) I tip accordingly. I don't begrudge this at all, and I accept the culture in the country I am visiting and try and support that.

I always factor in tips to my overall holiday budget.

ETA As an ex waitress in the UK, I would just like to point out that everyone does not tip in the UK. Far from it

 

[PotNoodle]

We had an experience in one place, 'The Pirates Show' which I've reviewed elsewhere - in where the company actually wrote how much they recommend we pay and no way was it 15% of the tickets for the show.

For example, if a family of four for instance, they expected you to pay $16!!!

 

[Gonz Of Lancashire]

We had an experience in one place, 'The Pirates Show' which I've reviewed elsewhere - in where the company actually wrote how much they recommend we pay and no way was it 15% of the tickets for the show.

For example, if a family of four for instance, they expected you to pay $16!!!

Its become my public duty to warn against the Pirates Dinner Show. I took great delight in handing back an empty tip plate. The entire show was a rip off.

Normally tip about a dollar for each of our group.

 

[Minniespal]

ETA As an ex waitress in the UK, I would just like to point out that everyone does not tip in the UK. Far from it

Very true Karen

 

[UKDEB]

We had an experience in one place, 'The Pirates Show' which I've reviewed elsewhere - in where the company actually wrote how much they recommend we pay and no way was it 15% of the tickets for the show.

For example, if a family of four for instance, they expected you to pay $16!!!

And that tip represented what? Your entire service for the evening? For a family of 4 (2 adults plus 2 children under 12), you're telling me you're willing to pay $160, but not the $16 tip?

We tip well (20% and upwards on the whole). We have been visiting the US since 1992, so we understand the whole tipping culture now, but I do often feel uncomfortable about being a Brit over there knowing that there are so many of us who refuse to 'get it'.

 

[Goofyish]

Because of the low basic wages and tax arrangments, for the service industries tips are a very large part of a person's income in the USA. So in reality 'tips' are really a service charge - the amount you pay depending on the quality of service received in most cases. The exceptions being tips for services like bell hops - where you tip per bag, or maid service where you tip per person per room.

With the above in mind, I don't mind paying - when in Rome etc..- especially for good service. But what I can't stand is people openly asking for a tip

 

[JohnnySharp2]

I fully agree with Deb, I always tip well where the service is gracious and friendly - and normally find this to be the case most times.
However, that is usually at a bar, as we have to drag Josh into restaurants these days.

 

[Red-Snapper]

Tipping in the US is a way of life and how they earn the majority of their wages - surprised you didnt realise that.

BTW - maybe just post a trip report rather than spam multiple threads about every little thing ??

 

[mozzman]

Its become my public duty to warn against the Pirates Dinner Show. I took great delight in handing back an empty tip plate. The entire show was a rip off.

Normally tip about a dollar for each of our group.

hello gonz i was thinking of booking the pirates show can you tell me your problems with it and why it was a rip off

 

[CustardTart]

We tried to tip our tour guide in Seaworld after he did a brilliant job escorting us on the Adventure Express tour but he couldn't/wouldn't accept! As there were 8 of us in our party TBH we were quite surprised, if a little relieved...

 

[Lizzybear]

And that tip represented what? Your entire service for the evening? For a family of 4 (2 adults plus 2 children under 12), you're telling me you're willing to pay $160, but not the $16 tip?

We tip well (20% and upwards on the whole). We have been visiting the US since 1992, so we understand the whole tipping culture now, but I do often feel uncomfortable about being a Brit over there knowing that there are so many of us who refuse to 'get it'.

Agreed 100%. I always tip unless (hasn't happened yet!) I happen to receive awful service and the manager is of no help. The quality of the food is not the fault of the server, they just serve it! In this case people should complain to the cook and/or manager.

As others have said tipping in the US is literally the service charge and server's are taxed as if they were tipped. If you don't want to pay for service then don't go out to eat! When in Rome and all that..

 

[paulh]

Natural, like in the UK you tip taxi drivers and waiters/waitresses....

You also tip bartenders in the U.S.A, but be warned, it seems like wherever you go folk are expecting to be tipped.

Even on the free transportation buses and at times at the places you would least expect to tip employees.

For those who haven't been to the U.S before just be careful, because I personally think wherever we went tipping was done way too much. Of course, it's up to you how much you pay for the service, but believe me, it mounts up over the week or two.

as have been to the states for the past 14 years its usaly comes as a shock for the english to tip.Have read some of your posts and am sory you seem to have had a bad time
Paulh

 

[wayneg]

Paul, You been on the beer tonight mate, your spelling has gone to pot. LOL

 

[Gonz Of Lancashire]

hello gonz i was thinking of booking the pirates show can you tell me your problems with it and why it was a rip off

Well, this is my opinion for a start, but if you look on other review sites, Trip Advisor, Yahoo Reviews etc, most visitors come to the same conclusion, it's just plain bad.

The cost is high, around $50 an adult, $30 per child, but you can find discount coupons in hotels receptions and supermarkets. You can pay more for the show by getting a better seat (which includes a "free" cup) and even more for "guaranteed" show participation, which, according to some reviews, doesn't always "guarantee" anything.

When you enter there are snacks available, now for the life in me I can't remember what they were, but they were dreadful, but included in the cost. The drinks in the pre-show are not included in the price and very expensive. The pre-show itself was poor and consisted of a couple of magic tricks and a woman who walked in with a snake and, and, and.......................walked out again!!!

The setting for the show is impressive, a large pirate ship on a sort of large indoor pool, but it smells awful inside the main arena. The show itself is confusing, with no real plot.

The food is rock-bottom, choice of chicken or beef, which is quite simply one of the worse meals I've experienced whilst eating out. Your unlimited drinks, well you get a pitcher full of flat, watered down beer or flat, watered down Coke. We weren't going to ask for a refill, which was OK because Mr 15% never came back.

There was an after show which was just a bit of a disco and most people just left the show straight away. I'm going to try Dolly Partons this time as that tends to get good reviews. If you can get in to the Hoop-Dee-Doo at Disney, I recommend that. Plenty of food and drink, great show and tip included.

Back to the tipping. I "get it". But at $160 for the show, s**t service of rubbish food and then told that they expect a 15% tip on top, forget it. And the Americans, well the ones sat next to me said that they would be putting in the same as me, nothing.

Overall. Pirates Dinner, a rather generous 0 out of 10.

 

[magicmouse2]

I have never been to the Pirates show - thanks for that ! I imagine its pretty popular with the POTC movies at the minute.
As for tipping - the first time I went to Orlando I was so nervous about what and who to tip I panicked in Walmart as I didnt know whether to tip the checkout lady as she packed all our shopping too! (i didnt tip her though) Just want used to someone packing my shopping !!

 

[ariel75]

Thanks for the review gonz will be giving that show a miss

 

[Disney owl]

The problem I have with tipping is that I occasionally & honestly forget!

On our last visit we had a pizza delivered to our door. Our youngest DS wanted to open the door & pay, so I sorted the money out exact for him to save hassle - OOPS!

I totally forgot about a tip. Luckily the delivery guy reminded us!

 

[AndRu]

With the above in mind, I don't mind paying - when in Rome etc..- especially for good service. But what I can't stand is people openly asking for a tip

Seconded!!!!

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

Tipping is simple, good sevice = tip, bad service=no chance.