Tipping out of control?

[AdventurerKat]

Originally posted by PRaffen
Tipping totally confuses me.

Since we tip based on the amount of the bill, it has never made sense to me that the waitress who brings me my hamburger, fries and water gets so much less than the waitress who serves my filet, twice baked potato, and soda.

It takes as much effort to take, place and serve the first order as the second.

Good point.

I personally never understood tipping the bellman and not tipping the maid. I doubt there is much difference in their pay, at least at Disney, but the maid is working alot harder than the guy who just threw my suitcase on the cart and dropped it off. But I tip them both, and I tip the maid more. I guess I just consider it the expense of my vacation. On the other hand, I wish they were paid a living wage, because I do usually tip out of "guilt."

I dont like the tip jars at places either.

 

[Raggedy]

I myself don't like all the tipping either. We have a dunkin donuts, and there are tip cups on the counter. My retired aunt works there and makes 9 dollars an out. Not bad when you are collecting a pension also. Most of the people who work there are retired or kids in high school. This is way over min. wage. So why should i tip for a small cup of coffee. It takes them less than a minute to pour it. I could never do a job that requires me making money just off my tips. I know some of us have no choices. I am a pre school teacher, if anyone needs tips it's me. LOL. I have 22 children in my class and hardly any help at all. But that is what i choose to do with my life. I am almost done with getting my nursing degree. But i don't think that is what i want to do when i grow up. LOL. I am 37 LOL

 

[ladydancer]

I think tipping has gotten out of control in Vegas. We go to Vegas once or twice a year. Here is what is expected:

1. Shuttle from Park and Ride at Airport. $1-2 per bag. For helping with luggage.
2. Sky Cab $1-2 a bag
3. Cab driver 15-20 %
4. Bellman $2 a bag. Min. $5.00
5. Valet $2.00 drop off $2.00 pick up. I feel you should tip both ways because you never get the same guy.
6. Maid $2-5 each night. Again you won't always get the same person.
7. Amount varies but must tip the dealer
8. Slot Machines: I am told you are suppose to tip the hopper filler and the person that hand pays you but I refuse.
9. Cocktail waitress while gambling. $1-2 per drink.
10.Wait person for meals 15-20 %
11.Buffet $2.00 per person
12.Cab Stand: you give the guy out in front of the hotel a $1 for opening the door to the cab and asking you "where are you going" .

I'm sure I am forgetting somone to tip. I have to take an envelope full of money just for tips.

 

[marymrg]

I've been thinking about this since my trip this past week. I used a voucher at the RFC and since the server wasn't very familiar with it, she double checked to see what could be ordered. When she came back, she was suggesting the higher priced items.

In the end, she printed out a receipt (not itemized) that had a total of $65 for food and one beverage. (I paid cash for the other drink) I double checked that she would be tipped from the voucher and she said yes, but ONLY 15%. She said it kind of matter of factly (so she wasn't whining) but it got me to thinking.

If I didn't have the voucher, I am fairly certain my meal would've been around $25-$30. (so a tip on $30 would've been $4.5 - $6.00) At 15% of $65 - she got a pretty good tip. (almost $10) While not the best server I've ever had, (she didn't offer to refill any drinks, forgot to ask about dessert and didn't bring the check over when we were done - we had to flag her down), I would say normally in that case, a 15% tip was warranted. When I left the $ for the other drink, I did throw in a few extra bucks but afterwards thought it really wasn't necessary. In her defense, I think she was new and maybe just getting a handle on serving multiple tables.


In a way, maybe tipping based on service rather than meal cost might be better. For instance, some servers at "family restaurants" work their tails off for a relatively inexpensive meal and a lower tip. We always tip really well - especially if there are a lot of us. On the other hand, at some fancier restaurants, for what is done, I think the tip might be too much since it is based on overpriced meals. And, before I get flamed, I waitressed at Pizza Hut when I was in school and believe me.........some people thought nothing of just "leaving the change" when they were done. I know I wasn't that bad!

 

[totalia]

I hate the practice of tipping for anything. The person is doing the job they were hired for. Why should they be tipped for doing their job?

But what is the most annoying is that its expected. Now you have to tip whether they gave you exceptional service or not. And I think the tipping amount is far too high.

I tip ONLY for exceptional service and even then, I will NOT tip 10%. Thats very high in any case. You get some of the change in my pocket.

Plus, I want to smack some of the girls I work with. They actually have the nerve to complain when they don't get a tip. I don't get tips and yet I serve the customers too. You don't DESERVE a tip just because you served someone.

 

[Leota]

I agree, tipping is way out of hand & people should just get paid a fair wage to do their jobs.
I worked in a tipped position & I tend to tip waiters/waitresses pretty generously. Especially when my son was young & messy, lol....

 

[etwinchester]

At the age of 15, I worked as a waitress part-time. I only made $3 an hour and had to rely on tips. I think we should've gotten higher pay. I agree, why should we need to rely on tips when we are paid to serve. We should have been paid higher rates. For that reason alone, I quit after a year when I turned 16 and found something better.

My DH is an auto mechanic (now manager). Should he be tipped when he's finished his job? He spends a lot more time and hard work on people's car which can be technical and difficult. I should say that one customer did tip him for painting his car. He really loved the paint job and appreciated the extra time that my husband spent doing it. He spend some weekends away from us (family) to do it for the guy.

One thing I would NEVER do is put tips in a bucket and split. My coworker had a MAJOR attitude problem and regular customers that knew her wouldn't tip if they got her. She wanted to split tips with me one night. I just laughed in her face and said "yeah right, be a little nicer to people and you wouldn't be asking...". I busted my butt while others just goofed off. I would never split my hard earned money with those people...I feel sorry for others who do or have to. Some jobs make you do that and I think it's unfair.

I'm a stay-at-home mom now. Glad my husband tips me. I love it when I find money in the laundry. He may not realize how much he does it. I even found $50 one time. I really thanked him for that.

 

[wdisneyaholic]

ladydancer,

I agree 100% with you on Vegas. I went for the first time this July and just couldn't believe it. That place is completely out of control with tipping.

 

[jann1033]

good point about the vouchers..i do tip extra but havent really thought my bill they got the 15%on was probably more than they would have gotten ( since i would never order an appe and dessert)

the wait staff should get a fair wage, it's hard work...but guess what? lots make a lot in tips ( way back when $200 a weekend night was not uncommon at a moderately expensive place around my home....which would be $25 an hr) and so probably would rather get the tips!

i always tip wait people but after our recent wdw trip where i am 90% sure we got lousy service twice due to us being only 2 ( not as much tip due to a smaller check due to the size of our group) i am resenting it and think next trip will be solely based on service given. we got really bad service locally once and i wanted to leave a note and tell them why the tip was only 10% but husband wouldn't let me and left 20% which sorry, but they did not earn. they work hard for their money but so do i!

 

[SheDaisy0088]

What gets to me is when they add a 15% tip onto my bill. There are 3 of us in my family and we always tip well beyond the norm. I tip for good service. I feel that if they add a tip on to the bill then what incentive does that give the server to do a good job?

 

[chilis]

I always tip according to the level of service. I know they are "working for tips", but employees should always keep this in mind. I've spent many years as a waitress and I know what kind of service the public expects. I have jumped through hoops in order to earn good tips, and I actually enjoyed it! I always had fun being a waitress and while I would never go back to it, it was enlightening! i think everybody should have to spend a month serving the public and then maybe they would understand.

Lisa

 

[stauncie]

I just read this:

Man Arrested After Leaving Small Tip

Fri Sep 10, 5:51 PM ET

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. - A New York City man accused of leaving an inadequate tip at a restaurant was arrested, fingerprinted and photographed for a mug shot.

Humberto A. Taveras, 41, faces a misdemeanor charge of theft of services after he and his fellow diners argued with Soprano's Italian and American Grill managers over the legality of requiring an 18 percent tip for large parties.

"They chased us down like a bunch of criminals," Taveras said. "It killed our weekend."

Taveras and eight others had pizza at the restaurant Sunday night. He told the Glens Falls Post-Star they weren't completely satisfied with the food and left a tip of under 10 percent. Taveras said they also were not told of a mandatory 18 percent gratuity for parties of six or more and did not see notice of it on their menus.

Restaurant owner Joe Soprano said all the menus have the notice, and the waitress informed the group. He said he did not choose to pursue charges because of the money, but because Taveras' group was obnoxious.

"It's unfortunate it has come to this, but this guy was rude and abrasive. They practically threw food at us," Soprano said.

Taveras plans to fight the charge. He was issued an appearance ticket and was scheduled to appear in town court Thursday.

The arrest raises the issue of whether the gratuities that restaurants automatically tack on for serving large groups are legally enforceable debts.

Warren County Sheriff Larry Cleveland said he did not believe the issue had been litigated before in New York. He said the case could turn on whether the person is notified of the tip requirement beforehand.

"It's not a black-and-white issue," Cleveland said. "It will be very interesting to see where it goes in court."

 

[fac]

Originally posted by imsayin
I prepare tax returns. My clients should tip me 15-20% of their refund. If they owe the IRS, they should maybe tip me just $20.00.

Tip your children's teachers. The scale should be sliding based on the grades you get - for an A tip $25, B tip $20, etc.

Tip the school bus drivers based on their timeliness.

Not sure whether it counted as tips. But when my girls went to pre-school and pre-k, I showed my appreciation to the "teachers", caregivers and the bus drivers by sending them gift/credit card certificates during the holidays.

I agree that tipping is out of control.

 

[totalia]

The fact that a man was arrested for not tipping is just so utterly stupid there are no words to describe it.

I hope that case gets thrown out of court.

 

[Muushka]

Is tipping out of control?? Oh yeah it is.

I think the thing that bugs me the most is that people who park cars, wait tables, carry luggage..... end up making quite a bit more money than I do. I won't go into my resume, but believe me, compared to what those people take home and what I take home is just plain sad.

I realize that yes, they do work very hard, but so do most people.
But getting extra money for doing your job?

I did learn something from a tip thread a while back and this one re-stated that no, I am not going to tip the one who takes my luggage from the car to the rack. Even if he/she says "you won't see me again". AAARRRGGGHHHH

 

[Tsi2quick]

I tip based on the level of service, not the amount of my bill. It doesn't require more work to bring out a 14oz NY Strip than a cheeseburger. However it does require some level of service to keep me satisfied. Just ask me if everything is OK a couple of times during the meal and keep my drink filled and you get a good tip. Dont do either of those and I dont feel inclined to pay you more for bad service. Its really simple. Perhaps if more people took that stand the level of service would rise as those "bad" servers would either get better or leave the profession.

I guess my issue is that some expect a certain amount for doing nothing more than their job. I do my job and dont get a tip, well sometimes verbal tips, but that doesn't count! lol My thought is that I was raised to work hard and always do my best. I definitely never had any "silver spoon" or anything like that so I had to work very hard to get what I have now so I have a real problem with someone doing less than acceptable levels of work and wanting me to give them my hard earned money!

I see it as I dont OWE them anything, however they can EARN the tip by going above and beyond. Its the employers responsibility to pay them for doing their job, its my choice to reward them for going that extra mile.

Good subject and lots of good points to debate.

 

[nrsldy]

Originally posted by chilis
I always tip according to the level of service. I know they are "working for tips", but employees should always keep this in mind. I've spent many years as a waitress and I know what kind of service the public expects. I have jumped through hoops in order to earn good tips, and I actually enjoyed it! I always had fun being a waitress and while I would never go back to it, it was enlightening! i think everybody should have to spend a month serving the public and then maybe they would understand.

Lisa

I worked as a waitress while in college and my DH and I owned A bar for 24 yrs.I am a very hard critic. I expect the same kind of service I would give others. I would tell our servers the same thing. I pay acccordingly. I am a very good tipper when service is good.

 

[disneysnowflake]

I just wanted to state my feelings on tipping.

I work for 15 hours a week at $7 an hour at a chain store in the pharmacy dept. getting prescriptions ready for the pharmacist to approve. Would I like more hours? Sure, but they'd rather have a number of low hour workers than give us more hours. I don't know why. Would I like more pay? Sure, but they don't pay that much.

After I get my whopping $88 per week paycheck, and deduct gas to get back and forth to work, I'm not left with very much. And since I'm on a schedule where sometimes I have to work in the afternoon, there are times I have to pay the church so my sons can go after school until I get off work. That means even less money for me.

I stopped at McDonalds recently to get a salad on my way home from work. I gave the girl a $10 bill for a salad, a Happy Meal for my son, and a bottle of water. She wanted to know if I wanted my change back or if I wanted to put the tip cup. I told her I wanted my change back. That girl acted like I was Satan. She was really upset with me. Did she realize that I didn't make very much money either?? Probably not.

I will pay for GOOD service at a sit down restaurant. If I get bad service I won't tip the wait staff at all. To me that's like me deciding to put someone's prescription into a ziploc baggie becaue I didn't feel like putting it into an actual prescription bottle. KWIM? There have been times where the food is good, but the waitstaff is very bad. I'll ask to see the cook. Then I'll tip him and not tip the waitstaff.

I will tip the pizza delivery guy. I will tip the girl who cuts my hair. I donate money to my church. I buy gifts for the teachers of my children. I do plan to tip at WDW for mousekeeping, waitstaff, etc.

Even though I'm a good person, I can't afford to tip every time I go into Dunkin Donuts, or McDonalds, etc. Would I like to be in a job where I could do so? YES! But I'm in the same boat as the rest of those people.

I'm waiting for the day I see tip cups at the checkout registers of grocery stores or WalMart.

A very hard working, but very low paid Heidi

 

[Brer Rabbit]

I agree, there is no room for tipping with poor service, well maybe 5% just to let them know, I did not forget !! Another thing, 35 years ago, 10% was the norm and the average dinner for a family of 4 was under 20.00. Now hear me out on this, it takes no longer to bring the meal to that same family of 4 in 2004 AND the cost of food is now closer to 50.00, Shouldn't the inflation of the meal cost take care of the need for more money on the tip ? 10% of 20.00 is 2.00 , and 10% of that same food in today's dollars in 5.00 . Who decided that in addition to the additional money that the inflated food cost drove up the tipping cost, the wait staff ALSO doubled the percentage ? Having said that, I will tip 15-20 (20 for exceptional service), I don't like it,but I do it anyway.

 

[thelittlemermaid]

Originally posted by etwinchester

I'm a stay-at-home mom now. Glad my husband tips me. I love it when I find money in the laundry. He may not realize how much he does it. I even found $50 one time. I really thanked him for that.

LOL!!! I am the same way! Since we have gotten back from our first WDW trip, I told him what ever money I find in his pockets goes in the change jar for our next trip. He has been trying to remember to check his pockets, but that didn't last. The biggest amount I have found in DH's pockets has been $20. I would love to find $50, but then would be asking all kinds of questions on why he had so much. DH is really into fish keeping so I have to control on how much he spends on that.

As for the tipping getting out of control, I give a big "YES!!" When we were at WDW I did tip mousekeeping, but only for the first 3 mornings {Tuesdays, Wednesday, & Thrusday}. The first couple of days we were there, mousekeeping was excellent!!! Alot of towels were left, beds were made perfectly, everything was cleaned up nice, and DS and DD stuffed animals were left in the window "waiting" on them. Now you have to understand that my DD has Down Syndrome and doesn't comperhend things like some normal kids do. She has this stuffed kitty that she loves to death. The first couple of days when we came back to the resort and she saw her kitty in the window waiting on her she was so happy and smiling ear to ear. On the thrid day {Thursday} when we came back, there was nothing in the window. DD was aboustley devestated!! She thought her kitty didn't love her anymore and the rest of day was ruined for her, needless to say the rest of the trip was ruined cause she was upset and then Charley came. When we went into the room, the beds were made poorly and the towels that we had used looked like they had just been folded and hung back up on the towel rods. I could have done a better job and left the tip in my pocket instead of giving it to someone else. Guess it all depends on who you get.

As for tipping at my local McDonalds, forget it!!! More then 95% of the time they always forget something and have to go back up and get it. Or they make something wrong {DH perfers just to have cheese and ketchup on his hamburgers}. If he finds anything else on them, it's not pretty. LOL!!!