Tipping out of control?

[Tsi2quick]

This is a sticky subject and one I could see stepping on a lot of toes if not careful.

With that said.....I dont give the customary tip unless its earned. They are paid to do a job (take my food, bring it out, bring the check) and the rest they EARN. Nothing is a given in my book. I also dont have a problem not leaving a tip at all if the service is just terrible or they do something to upset me during the meal.

On a positive note, I am so glad I dont go to a hairdresser with all of this tipping you gals do! My barber cuts my hair, gets my $9, and I am out the door. Been this way for 23 years now. All is well! lol

 

[Lewisc]

NO, they are paid to do a job VIA TIPS. The government acknowledges that tips is the primary source of their compensation via minimum wage laws and imputed tip income that's subject to FICA and income tax. A customary tip IS EARNED when they do the job (take you your food, bring it out and bring the check).

Certainly a low tip (and possibly no tip) is justified for terrible service I'm not quit sure what a waiter could do to upset you.

Really not a sticky subject, simply a matter of right and wrong.

Originally posted by Sidekick
This is a sticky subject and one I could see stepping on a lot of toes if not careful.

With that said.....I dont give the customary tip unless its earned. They are paid to do a job (take my food, bring it out, bring the check) and the rest they EARN. Nothing is a given in my book. I also dont have a problem not leaving a tip at all if the service is just terrible or they do something to upset me during the meal.

On a positive note, I am so glad I dont go to a hairdresser with all of this tipping you gals do! My barber cuts my hair, gets my $9, and I am out the door. Been this way for 23 years now. All is well! lol

 

[wdisneyaholic]

I feel that if you are in a postion where you earn tips for a living then you need to do the best job to get those tips. If you only provide with the minimum then thats how I tip you. When I take my family out to eat, I have 3 kids 5 and 3, please acknolede the fact there are children at the table. Don't make me wait 2o mins after I am done eating to give me my bill. My kids behave EXTREMELY well at restaurants and I am slways complemented on their behavior, that being said they can only remain under control for so long. I have been to places where the waiter/waitress goes above and beyond her duty, etra napkins, extra crayons, crackers etc. And I tip extremly well for that. Don't ignore the kids and act like I have all evening to spend waiting for my bill or you tip will reflect that.

Most people who do not work in a tipping position get raises periodically. If you sat around and only did half of your job I highly doubt that your boss would give you a great raise. I just get turned off from people that expect an exceptional tip and they don't give exceptional service.

 

[swilshire]

Originally posted by Tsi2quick

On a positive note, I am so glad I dont go to a hairdresser with all of this tipping you gals do! My barber cuts my hair, gets my $9, and I am out the door. Been this way for 23 years now. All is well! lol

It is also customery to tip barbers unless they own the shop. I have used the same one for my sons for about 13 years. She later bought the shop, but we continue to tip 20 - 30% because she makes an effort to get their hair exactly like I want it and will make adjustments if I think it's necessary.

Sheila

 

[swilshire]

Originally posted by Lewisc

Certainly a low tip (and possibly no tip) is justified for terrible service I'm not quit sure what a waiter could do to upset you.

You must run into better wait staff than I do. I am upset with a waiter/waitress at least two or three times a year for reasons ranging from total lack of interest in serving me to just having a terrible attitude. I reflect that in my tip, and if it's bad enough, do not hesitate to call over a manager.

My latest disappointment was when a waiter brought my 10yo the wrong meat on his plate. He ordered fried chicken strips and got grilled chicken. The waiter saw his mistake as soon as it was mentioned, and removed the plate. He brought back the correct meat, but it was on the same plate. If you have a 10yo, you know that the chicken "juice" on the plate was not acceptable. When I complained, the waiter took it back, brought out a new plate, but had dumped on the same food. The fries were stone cold after all of this. He offered to microwave them, but we all know there's nothing worse than microwaved french fries. Now this may all seem pretty silly to the adults in the group, but it was a major disaster to the family meal. I strongly suggested that the waiter find the child some hot fries and had the manager come over so we could talk about it. Mistakes happen and I don't usually get upset about them, but a little effort to please goes a long way.

JMHO.

Sheila

 

[annsteere]

If a hotel provides a free shuttle to and from the airport or to another location should the driver be tipped? Does it make a difference if its just me stepping into the van or if the driver puts my carry on into the vehicle?

If this should routinely be tipped, how much?

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by annsteere
If a hotel provides a free shuttle to and from the airport or to another location should the driver be tipped? Does it make a difference if its just me stepping into the van or if the driver puts my carry on into the vehicle?

If this should routinely be tipped, how much?

If the driver helps you with your bags you should probably tip $1 or $2 /bag, I don't think a tip is required otherwise.

swilshire I agree the waiter who loused up your kids order deserved to have a low (or possible no) tip. My guess is he doesn't have kids (or even younger siblings) and didn't understand the "special rules".

 

[swilshire]

I tip them 50 cents to a dollar a bag, depending on the size.

For rental car shuttles, if they help with the bags, I tip. If they just let me struggle onto the bus with my own luggage, no tip.

Sheila

 

[swilshire]

Originally posted by Lewisc

swilshire I agree the waiter who loused up your kids order deserved to have a low (or possible no) tip. My guess is he doesn't have kids (or even younger siblings) and didn't understand the "special rules".

Well .... after I called the manager over (who deducted the price of the one kids meal), the waiter tried to "make nice", so I relented and tipped him 20 percent. I was a little hesitant, but the service for the rest of the family had been fine.

I think you're right. Some people just don't understand how big a deal a little thing can be to a kid!

Sheila

 

[dana0069]

you guys can get as hatefull as you want with me..were all entitled to an opinion.
1. when did tipping become the expected norm? I tip sometimes IF i can afford it, and IF they deserve it.
2. I don't care hope much my meal cost...my tip will be $2 or $3 dollars.
3. if the employer isn't paying them enough..then they need to look for a better paying job, or take it up with their employer..not me. there being paid to serve me...do you tip your bank teller for serving you??
and especially if i'm going somewhere on limited funds..well you can expect nothing from me for a tip.
4. if you need tips to make up part of your income in order to live..then maybe you need to be looking for another line of work.
sorry i don't beleive tipping should be manatory..nor expected..!!
sorry if any of you take offence to this..but thats my opinion..

 

[FatCow]

None taken! I used to be a waiter for a restaurant in Australia for a year, and I completely agree with your list!

I tip about 10%-15% from the bill, but that's because I choose to do so, not because I believe it's expected.

TIPS ARE EXTRAS, if they are not extras they'll be called SERVICE CHARGE. It's simple English, people!

 

[hockey mom]

Dana servers make a lower minimum wage beacuse tipping is the norm and has been for quite awhile. A server could take up his/her wage with his/her employer all they want but it's not going to change and you should be glad that others are tipping so that you can still go out and enjoy restaurants because if everyone felt the same as you and did not tip no-one would be there to serve you. If you can't afford to tip when you eat out then stop your car at the nearest Mcdonalds and don't make the server(who did everything you asked them to do) pay for your lack of money.

 

[Lewisc]

Sorry it's not a matter of opinion. Really gets tired reading half truths and untruths from people are who are looking for an excuse to cheat people.

1) The waiter is paid via tips. Government laws, tax rules and custom all indicate this. Waiters are exempt from minimum wage laws. That wouldn't be permitted if it was intended that the hourly wage be the main source of compensation. Tipping waiters probably goes back before you were born.

2) The waiter pays taxes based on a tipping rate of 15%. The waiter is literally paying (via taxes on imputed tips) for the right to serve you.

3) Honest people understand that tips is the source of compensation for tipped positions. Unethical people your logic to justify having people serve them without them being paid.

4) Your opinion is just your justification for cheating people. It doesn't matter what you think SHOULD BE, I agree that would be a legitimate discussion BUT there is not doubt that tipping waiters 15-20% for good service is not only expected by custom but also by the government rules.

I certainly agree a discussion as to wheter or not restaurants should increase their prices and/or add a service charge as an alternative to tips is a legitamate question.

SORRY YOU SEE THE NEED TO stretch your vacation dollars by expecting people to serve you without being paid.

Originally posted by dana0069
you guys can get as hatefull as you want with me..were all entitled to an opinion.
1. when did tipping become the expected norm? I tip sometimes IF i can afford it, and IF they deserve it.
2. I don't care hope much my meal cost...my tip will be $2 or $3 dollars.
3. if the employer isn't paying them enough..then they need to look for a better paying job, or take it up with their employer..not me. there being paid to serve me...do you tip your bank teller for serving you??
and especially if i'm going somewhere on limited funds..well you can expect nothing from me for a tip.
4. if you need tips to make up part of your income in order to live..then maybe you need to be looking for another line of work.
sorry i don't beleive tipping should be manatory..nor expected..!!
sorry if any of you take offence to this..but thats my opinion..

 

[dana0069]

Ya well lewis, thats your 2 cents worth...and I had my 2 cents worth, and SORRY....but that is my opinion, and I stick to it..rather you like it or not, like i said were all entitled to an opinion...its not like these TIP depended people didn't have a choice on where to work.

 

[Lewisc]

Sorry you see the need to justify cheating people. Your post is FACTUALLY INCORRECT and I won't let you dismiss it as just a difference of opinion.

You can have the opinion that the moon is made of swiss cheese. You'd be entitled to your opinion but I think we agree that "opinion" would have no basis in fact.

You can think that service workers SHOULDN'T HAVE to rely on tips. That is certainly an opinion worth discussing. I see more restaurants adding a mandatory service charge. Restaurants are doing this for smaller tables.

It is a FACT NOT OPINION that in most states service workers aren't paid minimum wage. Tips are not just the expected norm but are the basis for their compensation.

It is a FACT NOT OPINION that the IRS imputes a 15% tip to the servers wages. Income tax regulations acknowledge that tips are expected as the main source of the servers income.

It is a fact that in some countries and states the restaurant is responsible for waiters a living wage. It is a FACT AND NOT OPINION that people who don't tip in cases in which tips are the basis of the waiters compensation (almost all of the United States) ARE EXPECTING THE WAITERS TO WORK for free.

We can disagree if people who make a conscious decision to consistently tip less than the norm are doing it to protest the system, because the don't know any better (from a foreign country) or JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE LOOKING TO SAVE MONEY BY HAVING PEOPLE WORK FOR THEM WITHOUT BEING PAID.

Originally posted by dana0069
Ya well lewis, thats your 2 cents worth...and I had my 2 cents worth, and SORRY....but that is my opinion, and I stick to it..rather you like it or not, like i said were all entitled to an opinion...its not like these TIP depended people didn't have a choice on where to work.

 

[kitn]

I am a beverage server at a casino. We have to pay tax on a portion of the drinks we ring up. I work part time and last year I had to pay tax on $5000. I know most people do not realize we pay those taxes. I do make a lot in tips, but there are several negative things about the job. It is a quite physical job. I have up to 24 drinks on my tray sometimes. We must wear high heals. I have several foot problems because of it. People can be very rude to me. I have had countless people hit on me and I even had a guy put his hand up my skirt one night. Others are rude because they lost a lot of money and they feel the casino owes them. I have had people knock my tray over without even saying excuse me. Dont get me wrong, I do like my job. There is just no way I would do it if I did not get tipped.
Kitn

 

[autumnblue]

I just remembered a tipping story that proves that the idea gets built into us very young. When I was about 19 I was working my way through college as a cashier at Kmart. At my counter there was a collection jar for some charity. A woman came through my line with a young child maybe three or four years old. When I was done the little boy said to his mom "Aren't you going to tip the lady" and pointed to the charity jar that he believed was a tip jar.

Autumnblue

 

[Tsi2quick]

I dont feel a need to explain, repeat or otherwise defend my practices other than to say that if a waiter is getting taxed on 15% then they should have even more reason to do a good job. Obviously better service = better tips in most cases. Until it becomes a law that states I MUST give 15% as a tip, the waiter will still be EARNING it in my book.

Dont get me wrong though, if I get great service I love it and will tip more than 20% and also tell the manager. I love good service and love telling people about it. I have a retail background and know what good service is and know my expectations of them do not exceed what I would expect from myself in a similar situation. At the same time by guaranteeing someone a 15-20% tip for just bringing out the food and check you are also probably going to get crap service since they have nothing to actually EARN.

And Lewis, whether you see it or not, this is a sticky subject and you can tell by the way the thread is going some toes get stepped on.

 

[BethR]

Please everyone, be respectful of others when posting. This thread is rapidly going downhill. And if it continues to be nasty, it will be closed.

One thing that I would like for you all to keep in mind regarding this subject. The concept of WHO gets tipped, the AMOUNT that they get tipped, and WHY they get tipped varies GREATLY from country to country. Tipping to the extent that we do here in the US is quite bewildering and perhaps off putting to those who do not live here. (Hence the informational cards in the bill folder at WDW restaurants.)

But no matter WHY any of you feel the way that you do - remember to please post in a respectful manner!

Thank You!

 

[Lewisc]

Actually I don't have any problem with your post. You tip more than 20% for great service and less for lesser service. Sounds right to me.

My problem is with the poster who never tips more than $2 or $3 no matter how great the service is or how much the meal costs and says that's OK because the restaurant is paying the waiter.

I would say if you're not typically tipping around 15% you're either looking for an excuse not to tip properly OR YOUR DOING A POOR job picking restaurants.

Originally posted by Tsi2quick
I dont feel a need to explain, repeat or otherwise defend my practices other than to say that if a waiter is getting taxed on 15% then they should have even more reason to do a good job. Obviously better service = better tips in most cases. Until it becomes a law that states I MUST give 15% as a tip, the waiter will still be EARNING it in my book.

Dont get me wrong though, if I get great service I love it and will tip more than 20% and also tell the manager. I love good service and love telling people about it. I have a retail background and know what good service is and know my expectations of them do not exceed what I would expect from myself in a similar situation. At the same time by guaranteeing someone a 15-20% tip for just bringing out the food and check you are also probably going to get crap service since they have nothing to actually EARN.

And Lewis, whether you see it or not, this is a sticky subject and you can tell by the way the thread is going some toes get stepped on.