Tipping out of control?

[totalia]

To whomever said that they are only getting paid half minimum wage. Actually in canada, they aren't. It's illegal to do that.

The girls in my lounge and restaurant make $7.25 an hour to start, plus their tips.

I make $8.25 an hour.

When they are done at the end of each paycheck, they litterally make over $11 an hour each. FOR SERVING FOOD.

God, I wish I got that considering all the abuse I put up with at the desk. When something goes wrong anywhere in the hotel for any reason, its my position that takes the flak for it, not the waitresses.

Last week, one of my coworkers in the lounge went home with over a hundred dollars in tips alone IN ONE NIGHT. That doesn't include other nights (we have a very busy lounge and a not so busy restaurant).

I do customer service too. Shouldn't I be tipped? Believe me, an extra dollar an hour isn't enough for everything I have to put up with and do for people.

But you know what? I was hired to do those things. Why should I get tipped for the job I was hired to do?

No, I don't like tipping and I extremely rarely ever do it because I know what our laws are like and I know that they make minimum wage, plus.

 

[jann1033]

wdw isn't in canada so they are getting less than min. wage in the wdw area


a little ot but does anyone know what the average tip is in th orlando area? by my house it's 18% and any large parties have 18% added to their bill to cover that but in wdw it's only 15% ( according to some) and the vouchers only pay 15%so does anyone know if that is the locally accepted tipping % or is it due to the irs15%

 

[ladyelle]

I am responding to that above fact which states the IRS imputes 15% tax to servers wages.

How many servers report every tip you receive to the IRS? I know several friends who have in the past only reported an amount that seemed reasonable to not be questionable by the IRS.
I am an accountant and this is a tax loophole for the those employed in tipped positions.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Totalia: If the girls in your lounge make so much more than you, why don't you work in there? Just curious!


Andrea

 

[imsayin]

How many servers report every tip you receive to the IRS? I know several friends who have in the past only reported an amount that seemed reasonable to not be questionable by the IRS.

The IRS requires employers to "allocate" tips to their employees. I believe this calculation is based on the employer's gross receipts. The IRS doesn't want peoples' earnings to go untaxed. This number shows up on the workers W-2, and they must pay taxes on it at the end of the year. Obviously this number is not exactly what the employee received in tips, but it closes that "loophole" and the IRS happily takes their share.

I am responding to that above fact which states the IRS imputes 15% tax to servers wages

I think the poster was referring to the tip allocation that is added to the wages reported to the IRS. There is not a "15% tax to servers wages", the servers would be taxed at their appropriate tax bracket, which could be more or less than 15%. The point is that they have to pay taxes on assumed wages earned from tips and if people choose not to tip them, they end up paying taxes on money they never received.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by ladyelle
I am responding to that above fact which states the IRS imputes 15% tax to servers wages.

How many servers report every tip you receive to the IRS? I know several friends who have in the past only reported an amount that seemed reasonable to not be questionable by the IRS.
I am an accountant and this is a tax loophole for the those employed in tipped positions.

Totally irrelevant. My point is tips not salary is the primary source of compensation. The IRS tip rules prove it. How much taxes the server pays doesn't really have anything to do with what's an appropriate tip for the service that's given.

You're an accountant. How many business people include some personal meals with their business deductions? How many don't properly allocate business vs personal car expenses. How many people working for small business get some of their pay "off the books"? How many accountants bother to declare all the cash fees received from cash clients? How many business people, including accountants, deduct 100% of the cost of a computer in the house even though the computer isn't being used 100% for business.

How many large business are playing games with overseas tax rules to avoid paying their share of taxes?

I agree some servers may not report all their tips but when I think of tax cheats waiters aren't on the top of my list.

 

[dana0069]

Its a good thing I take you with a grain of salt lewis, if we all took your advice about tipping..this would no longer be called the BUDGET board....were looking for ways to SAVE money, not spend more.
Secondly if we all followed your advise and tipped an average of 18-25%, then I for one would have my hand out...because i'd be broke!
And untill the law is written that i must tip..or go to jail....I ani't TIPPING...!!!!!!!!!
And thats that...now drop it.
You do what you do...and I'll do what I do.
all my love...dana0069 xoxoxoxoxo

 

[hockey mom]

It may be the budget board but stiffing a server isn't a budget saving device. If you can't afford to tip you can't afford to eat out.

 

[FatCow]

Originally posted by hockey mom
It may be the budget board but stiffing a server isn't a budget saving device. If you can't afford to tip you can't afford to eat out.

Like I previously mentioned. As long as it's still called "tip", then it's not mandatory, therefore if one doesn't give any tip, it can't be called "stiffing". If and when it's called "service charge", it becomes mandatory. Paying anything less than an agreed given amount will then be called "stiffing".

BTW, the charge for the guy who doesn't pay the "service charge" have been dropped. In this particular case, my opinion is that he is in the wrong. Before he ordered the food he knows that there is an xx% Service Charge. By ordering the food/drinks, he already agreed in paying the service charge. Now he IS "stiffing" the restaurant.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by dana0069
Its a good thing I take you with a grain of salt lewis, if we all took your advice about tipping..this would no longer be called the BUDGET board....were looking for ways to SAVE money, not spend more.
Secondly if we all followed your advise and tipped an average of 18-25%, then I for one would have my hand out...because i'd be broke!
And untill the law is written that i must tip..or go to jail....I ani't TIPPING...!!!!!!!!!
And thats that...now drop it.
You do what you do...and I'll do what I do.
all my love...dana0069 xoxoxoxoxo

The tipping range for normal/good service is 15-20%. Don't know where you got the 18-25% figure from, it wasn't from any posts in this thread.

Honest, ethical people don't think having people serve them without getting paid is an acceptable budget saving technique.

If you're on a budget don't valet park, carry your own bags to your room, don't use a skycap in the airport and eat in a food court or fast food restaurant. Rent a condo or vacation home and cook some of your own meals. These are all legitimate budget saving techniques that don't involve stiffing someone doing a job.
If your budget doesn't permit leaving a reasonable tip than you shouldn't bother eating in that restaurant.

I don't expect my posts to change your behavior but continue to post so other people don't believe the false statements you continue to make.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by FatCow
Like I previously mentioned. As long as it's still called "tip", then it's not mandatory, therefore if one doesn't give any tip, it can't be called "stiffing". If and when it's called "service charge", it becomes mandatory. Paying anything less than an agreed given amount will then be called "stiffing".

BTW, the charge for the guy who doesn't pay the "service charge" have been dropped. In this particular case, my opinion is that he is in the wrong. Before he ordered the food he knows that there is an xx% Service Charge. By ordering the food/drinks, he already agreed in paying the service charge. Now he IS "stiffing" the restaurant.

Leaving a tip isn't mandatory BUT "stiffing" is the dictionary term for tipping poorly. People can certainly not tip for a variety of reasons including horrible service, BUT posting that they don't tip because the restaurant pays the waiter IS NOT TRUE. Not tipping is literally expecting someone to work for free, as long as you don't pretend it's something else it's permitted. I would maintain by accepting the services of a bellhop or waiter you've kind of agreed, although not legally binding, that you'll pay an appropriate amount for the servers rendered.

I'm not sure I'd walk out without paying the bill from a restaurant called Soprano even if the tip was 200% I agree the issue wasn't really tipping, although that sounded good, but the patron didn't pay the bill in full. I didn't really think the DA was going to proceed, do they prosecute shop lifters for theft under $5?

FC--I'm not sure if it's different in Canada but in most of the United States waiters get paid almost nothing (sub minimum wage) from the restaurant. Tips are the basis of their compensation. The government assumes their tips equal 15% of the checks and they are taxed accordingly.

Beth is right, different countries have different customs. I certainly understand people who don't tip because they aren't aware of local customs or get horrible service BUT NOT PEOPLE WHO CHOSE NOT TO TIP AS A BUDGET TECHNIQUE.

 

[dana0069]

Lewis i'm saying one last thing to you.....read the poll at the start of this post...I beleive it speaks for itself. I rest my case...

Now Lewis........c'mon......give me a big ol' HUG....!!!!!!!!!

You know you want too......c'mon..you can do it.

There now isn't that better than a stupid old tip...

ok...one more BIG HUG...ok....

 

[thelittlemermaid]

I have a question about tips, if you use a credit card and put the tip on there does your server get it at the end of the day?

This has been really bothering me!! DH and I ate out and both of us didn't have any cash on us, so when we used our debit card and on the receipt there was a place to write in a tip, which DH did.

I sure hope she got it at the end of the day. I hate not leaving anything on the table for when out server goes back and they don't find anything. Then on the other hand I hate leaving a tip on the table in fear that someone walking by or someone else who works there might pick it up and pocket it. I try to give the tip right to our server, but sometimes that is not possiable {they might be very busy}.

 

[FatCow]

I virtually never carry any cash with me. I only tip using my CC.

If one wants to be tipped, one also needs to pay income tax to it. This is a surefire way that the tip will be income-taxed.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I do think that everyone has their hand out, but I do not agree that it is "out of hand."

Just because someone asks, does not mean you have to give it to them. I do not tip the counter people at Starbucks or DD. They are being paid for the services that I require.

However, a waitress, bellhop and baggage handler are known professions where it is customary to tip because their wages are deflated due to the tipping process.

I also give what is earned. I do not give 15, 18 or 20% for bad service. And I always hear "thank you." I have found many people polite.

I have seen people tip counter people and they do not say anything. That is wrong, but customers should remember and not tip those individuals.

You have the option of doing what you want, why not do it?

Don't tip someone if you feel you did not get good service, and do tip anyone that has provided you with good/exceptional service.

 

[Lewisc]

Your budget technique is to stiff people who work for you. No you don't get any hugs just a feeling of disgust for your attitude on how you treat others.

It might be different in other countries but in the US waiters are compensated via tips and not salary.

The poll is if tipping is getting out of hand with respect to fast food places and multiple people handling your luggage.

I don't see any mention in the poll of stiffing people in "tipped" positions as a budget saving technique.

WHY WOULD I HUG SOMEONE who is promoting a budget technique involving cheating others?


I CONTINUE TO ANSWER YOUR POSTS so others don't think your attitude as any validity to it.

Originally posted by dana0069
Lewis i'm saying one last thing to you.....read the poll at the start of this post...I beleive it speaks for itself. I rest my case...

Now Lewis........c'mon......give me a big ol' HUG....!!!!!!!!!

You know you want too......c'mon..you can do it.

There now isn't that better than a stupid old tip...

ok...one more BIG HUG...ok....

 

[Muushka]

I voted that yes, tipping is getting out of hand. But let me restate my position if I am going to be lumped in with those who refuse to tip.

I always tip 15% if I get my meal and my check within a reasonable time.

I usually tip 20% if all of the above + plenty of drink refills, how's your dinner, polite people.

I have been known to tip 25% if the server went above and beyond.

If I have to ask for everything, and I mean everything at least once or twice, then the tip goes down to 10%

If the waiter is a waiter from ^%#&, then no tip, but that has only been 2 times. One of the times the waitress completly forgot us after bringing the dinner. No follow up, not even a check. And a bad attitude. Fine, no tip.

I think they are getting out of hand when a tipping position is split up between 2 people. Maybe I should ask them if they want the tip split or all to one .

 

[fac]

Originally posted by thelittlemermaid
I have a question about tips, if you use a credit card and put the tip on there does your server get it at the end of the day?

This has been really bothering me!! DH and I ate out and both of us didn't have any cash on us, so when we used our debit card and on the receipt there was a place to write in a tip, which DH did.

Yes, they will get the tips.
DH worked as a waiter while in college which was many years ago, he said the ower took off small percent of the tips if a credit card were used because the credit card company charged the restaurant. Not sure whether it is still the same case now.

We have a habit of leaving a reasonable tips regardless of the service, but I agree it is getting out of hand.

 

[fac]

Originally posted by thelittlemermaid

I sure hope she got it at the end of the day. I hate not leaving anything on the table for when out server goes back and they don't find anything. Then on the other hand I hate leaving a tip on the table in fear that someone walking by or someone else who works there might pick it up and pocket it. I try to give the tip right to our server, but sometimes that is not possiable {they might be very busy}.

This bothers me too as I have seen a bus boy pocketed part of the tip. Sometimes, I tend to put the tips early so that the server knows he/she will get the tips.

 

[fac]

Originally posted by FatCow
Like I previously mentioned. As long as it's still called "tip", then it's not mandatory, therefore if one doesn't give any tip, it can't be called "stiffing". If and when it's called "service charge", it becomes mandatory. Paying anything less than an agreed given amount will then be called "stiffing".

BTW, the charge for the guy who doesn't pay the "service charge" have been dropped. In this particular case, my opinion is that he is in the wrong. Before he ordered the food he knows that there is an xx% Service Charge. By ordering the food/drinks, he already agreed in paying the service charge. Now he IS "stiffing" the restaurant.

From what I heard in the news was that the case was dropped because of technicality, because the menu did not say it is "service charge" or "surcharge". I have no opinion whether he was wrong or right.