Tired of Tipping

[thomas998]

Constantly having this discussion where I work... there are those in the office that continually harp on the fact that I don't give 20% or more like they do when they take clients out... I always hear the rationale that the waiter isn't making minimum wage... and I always explain, that if the waiter was willing to take a job that paid less than minimum wage then that was his decision. I didn't tell him to take the job and by tipping I'm enabling someone to make a dumb decision. You want more money, work hard in school and get a good job that pays well... but when you look at the amount of money a waiter in some places would make if everyone tipped 20%... well I'm sorry but no one simply hauling food and drinks back and forth across a 50 foot distance should make that much.... and for those upset with the 18% gratuities that place like to tack on for large groups. You don't have to pay them. I've had them try to pull the BS on me before and I've always had them removed.

 

[WheelCEO]

It always amazes me what people will post when trying to make a point.

Now, honestly, tell me how many people worked there that were barely breaking even? How long did they work there?

Your point is not that people are working for LOW pay, you are actually saying that people were working their behinds off for you for NO pay?

Forums crack me up... Have you ever worked in a restaurant? If you have you would know that they are 2nd behind call centers in turn-over. Now the reason why is up for debate, but in my experiences it was because people made little to no money so they would quit. The restaurant I was a GM for was a multi million dollar corporation with many locations, so it was no fly by night place that did not have business. I can introduce you to servers who work for places like Chilis & TGI Fridays who work lunch shifts as servers and make $25, could you live off of $25 + $3/hr? I can also introduce you to servers who make $300/night in tips at high end restaurants.

Have you heard of the cheesecake factory? Have you ever been to the cheesecake factory @ mall of millenia? If you haven't, it is one of the highest grossing CCF in the world, I have a friend that was a server there while she was attending college in Orlando. Average ticket was $50+, due to the fact that it is a tourist area and in some countries they are not accustomed to tipping she would constantly get stiffed. I know of nights when she would look at her report and have sales topping $2000 and she would have $75 in her pocket, yes $75; less than 5% take.

I'm not saying that delivery drivers or servers DON'T make money, I have a friend who is a corporate manager for Papa Johns and tells me some of their drivers make $300+ in tips on a friday night, (I did not work for Papa Johns) but I am saying that on some shifts where I managed, drivers would barely break even. I was a GM for this corporation for a tad over 5 years and I can tell you that atleast once a day a driver did not even break even on their shift but used their other shifts to even it out.

The majority of our drivers were older (40+), they drove cars that were always having issues, they lived day to day with no money in their pocket and were always begging for extra shifts. They worked these jobs because they HAD to.. I don't think anyone strived to be a delivery driver.. maybe if they are working through school, but not family men in their 40's.

 

[AlwaysMoving]

As it should be..but, please know that in alot of places now tips are pooled and then split..which to me, is just stupid. Talk about taking away incentive to be a good server. Plus, now with all the team serving thing chains are doing..I hate that also..long time food service person here...no one really takes ownership of your meal and it shows. I like the tip to go to the person who earned it and for one person to greet, get drinks, order and deliver my stuff.

I have a new pet peeve at VGC...I am getting so sick of surly baggage people who pretty much argue with you if you want to take your own bags to the room! Really..ready to write a letter. We arrive very early in the morning..like 7:00am. Room is not ready until close to 5:00. OK we have to store our bags, right? That's a service they provide and I have no choice, really. So they take the bags to the back..am I supposed to tip them then? Sometimes I give them something for loading the stuff on the cart, depending on how they act. Then, when room is ready we go to bell desk to pick up bags..every time it is nearly an argument.."Just give me your room number and I'll deliver" "No thank you, we'll take them". This last time, while waiting for them to retrieve the bags (I think they delay this to those who want to take their own bags) 3 bell desk people very pointedly GLARED at us the whole time..I mean, really surly looks..no kidding. The bags finally come out and unload and I was going to give the guy somethiing, but he was snappy about it so nope. Then...check out day..again we have to check out about 11, don't leave until 7pm..back to bell services, load the cart...end of stay get the cab and bell services brings out the bags. NOW he gets tipped..so what am I supposed to do? Tip 4 times to just shove my bags in the back? If I had them deliver the bags, I'd tip, but I'm feeling bad because I choose to carry my own bags? Really annoying. I don't know what their wage structure is, but surely they aren't a rigid tipped position like servers.

That is a pet peeve of mine about baggage handlers at hotels. We were at Portofino Bay hotel at Universal 2 years ago. It was like a well choreographed football play with less than 1 minute in the 4th quarter. Three people touched our luggage cart before we ever left the lobby. If the custom is to pay $1 for every bag to get it from car to room, then that is what I pay. If it means I have to give what seems like a scrooge like tip to each, then so be it. I am not paying $18 total on 6 bags for the same service that could have been done by 1 person. If 3 people touch the cart and it is painfully obvious they expect a tip, then $6 will be divided between 3 people.

 

[daughtersrus]

The one that gets me the most is when tips are expected at a casino.

I understand that some people tip when they're winning at a table game or a hand payout on a slot machine but to have the tech stand around and wait because they fixed a paper jam or a machine malfunction is something else.

The casinos around here have pretty much cut out most of the promotions so it's not like they're tipping the customers based on how much money they lost last time they were there.

 

[disneychrista]

I understand that some people tip when they're winning at a table game or a hand payout on a slot machine but to have the tech stand around and wait because they fixed a paper jam or a machine malfunction is something else.

Now that is crazy. Why would one expect to be tipped for fixing a problem with THEIR machine? Aren't the machines suppose to be working? If they are broken THEY are the ones that are going to lose out on revenue.

 

[Sweettears]

Constantly having this discussion where I work... there are those in the office that continually harp on the fact that I don't give 20% or more like they do when they take clients out... I always hear the rationale that the waiter isn't making minimum wage... and I always explain, that if the waiter was willing to take a job that paid less than minimum wage then that was his decision. I didn't tell him to take the job and by tipping I'm enabling someone to make a dumb decision. You want more money, work hard in school and get a good job that pays well... but when you look at the amount of money a waiter in some places would make if everyone tipped 20%... well I'm sorry but no one simply hauling food and drinks back and forth across a 50 foot distance should make that much.... and for those upset with the 18% gratuities that place like to tack on for large groups. You don't have to pay them. I've had them try to pull the BS on me before and I've always had them removed.

 

[WheelCEO]

and I always explain, that if the waiter was willing to take a job that paid less than minimum wage then that was his decision. I didn't tell him to take the job and by tipping I'm enabling someone to make a dumb decision. You want more money, work hard in school and get a good job that pays well... but when you look at the amount of money a waiter in some places would make if everyone tipped 20%... well I'm sorry but no one simply hauling food and drinks back and forth across a 50 foot distance should make that much.... and for those upset with the 18% gratuities that place like to tack on for large groups. You don't have to pay them. I've had them try to pull the BS on me before and I've always had them removed.

Sooo, instead of going out to eat at a sit down place, which is made possible by servers, why don't you stick to fast food or cooking food yourself at home? Just curious...

 

[Shelly888]

I'm curious as to why you think people have food delivered. Every single time I have ever had food delivered it has been because I was too lazy to get out and get it myself. I honestly can't think of another valid reason.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I work as a registered nurse. Many times I am in charge of the entire facility(as the RN supervisor) and cannot leave to get food. If I am asked to work an overtime shift, or forget my dinner, feed a hungry CNA, etc. I order out. I would love to be able to leave and drive the 5 minutes to go pick it up, but usually I cannot.

 

[thomas998]

Sooo, instead of going out to eat at a sit down place, which is made possible by servers, why don't you stick to fast food or cooking food yourself at home? Just curious...

When I go out I go out for the FOOD... if fast food joints had the same quality of food you could find in a normal place I would go there just to avoid the hassle of bad service... What you don't understand is that the quality of the food isn't impacted by whether the waiter is smiling frowning or crying... the cooks are the reason and if I was ever going to tip someone it would be the cooks not the waiters.... It seems a bit like thanking the postman that delivered you a basket of cookies from grandma instead of thanking grandma herself.

 

[thomas998]

No kidding!! Our last trip we had 7 in our party, two under 2. So when we ate they charged us 18%. Ridiculous enough we felt since neither under 2 ate anything (and before anyone grumps, they were both very well behaved, no "extra" work involved). I wasn't as upset about the inflated prices, which they most certainly were, but more for the fact at least two of the places we got VERY poor service. One was really, really bad. We complained to the manager, complained to Disney, but no use. They would not take off or even reduce the amount of the tip. I don't mind paying for good service, or even forced to pay for mediocre service, but for extremely poor service... well, that was the end of us eating sit down meals at Disney!

You didn't complain loud enough or use the write language. If you press hard enough they will remove the charge. Been there and done that.

 

[Sweettears]

Constantly having this discussion where I work... there are those in the office that continually harp on the fact that I don't give 20% or more like they do when they take clients out... I always hear the rationale that the waiter isn't making minimum wage... and I always explain, that if the waiter was willing to take a job that paid less than minimum wage then that was his decision. I didn't tell him to take the job and by tipping I'm enabling someone to make a dumb decision. You want more money, work hard in school and get a good job that pays well... but when you look at the amount of money a waiter in some places would make if everyone tipped 20%... well I'm sorry but no one simply hauling food and drinks back and forth across a 50 foot distance should make that much.... and for those upset with the 18% gratuities that place like to tack on for large groups. You don't have to pay them. I've had them try to pull the BS on me before and I've always had them removed.

Quite frankly, being in charge of a service company that entertains clients on a regular basis, I would be appalled to find out that one of my employees was stiffing restaurant employees in front of clients. A good way to lose business in IMO.

 

[daughtersrus]

Why not do away with tipping and just have the business adjust their prices accordingly and have them pay the salary for their employees?

 

[scrapquitler]

Constantly having this discussion where I work... there are those in the office that continually harp on the fact that I don't give 20% or more like they do when they take clients out... I always hear the rationale that the waiter isn't making minimum wage... and I always explain, that if the waiter was willing to take a job that paid less than minimum wage then that was his decision. I didn't tell him to take the job and by tipping I'm enabling someone to make a dumb decision. You want more money, work hard in school and get a good job that pays well... but when you look at the amount of money a waiter in some places would make if everyone tipped 20%... well I'm sorry but no one simply hauling food and drinks back and forth across a 50 foot distance should make that much.... and for those upset with the 18% gratuities that place like to tack on for large groups. You don't have to pay them. I've had them try to pull the BS on me before and I've always had them removed.

I bet that having them take the 18% gratuity off is a great way to impress the clients.

And if you are taking the clients out, isn't the company reimbursing it anyway, so its not even your own money that your using for the tip?

 

[mrodgers]

....could you live off of $25 + $3/hr?

You say this as if $25/hour is a bad thing? I wish I was making $25/hour making the highest hourly wage at my work.

....sales topping $2000 and she would have $75 in her pocket, yes $75; less than 5% take.

My wife handles the $150,000+ that her work takes in every day. She only works 4 hours, so I guess the revenue would be $43,000 for the time she is there. At the end of the day, she has $43 in her pocket, yes $43, less than 0.1% of the take. I wish we all could make a percentage of the take rather than a wage.

 

[swilshire]

If I use the valet, I tip him/her. I just avoid the establishment that gives me no option.

I don't tip counter service unless they do something that I consider to be service, like pointing out freebies that are available or making extra good food.

I don't use the bellhops, but if forced to do so, like when we moved into the Wilderness Lodge DVC, I tip them appropriately.

I tip housekeeping if the service is reallly good. I stayed nearly a month in one hotel for work and most of the cleaning was haphazard. There was one man, however, than came some days and when he left, the room was spotless. He deserved a tip. The weekend girl that would slam the door against the security latch before giving you 10 seconds to answer the door, not so much.

I also tip 20% for good restaurant service and more if anything above and beyond the norm is done. I calculate that based on price before any discounts or coupons.

Sheila

 

[scrapquitler]

I can introduce you to servers who work for places like Chilis & TGI Fridays who work lunch shifts as servers and make $25, could you live off of $25 + $3/hr? I can also introduce you to servers who make $300/night in tips at high end restaurants..

I have a friend who is a waitress in a diner (she works a breakfast/lunch shift, including weekends) near a ski area. Average tab for two for breakfast is under $20. She is VERY good at what she does, and she told me one day that during ski season, she can pay her monthly rent off one weekend's tips.

But she works hard, on her feet non-stop buzzing around the place. She also has to share her tips with the busboy, dishwasher, and hostess.

I always tip her (and the other waitresses in the place) very well because I know how hard they work and I know that I could never ever do their job.

 

[furb & dez]

I don't think anyone is off base here. I hate it when I get "the look" at Pizza Hut or Papa Murphy's when I didn't tip them. If you deliver it to me, I'll tip you, if I'm picking it fat chance. It seems that everyone is jumping on the tip bandwagon. Just because you "did it right" doesn't mean you should be tipped.

This is what society gets for giving everyone a trophy, just for showing up.

 

[Bob NC]

Forums crack me up...

I'm not saying that delivery drivers or servers DON'T make money,............ I can tell you that atleast once a day a driver did not even break even on their shift but used their other shifts to even it out.

The only thing I was saying was that in your earlier post, in order to make a point, you said:

Our guys made $4.50/hr + tips + $1/delivery, figure in upkeep of the car: tires, oil changes, gas, brakes and some of these poor guys barely broke even working their behinds off.

This would lead one to believe that being a delivery driver is a break-even proposition. In your zeal to prove your point, you exaggerated your claim. When called on it you revised it to where on a particular given day a delivery driver might not be a lucrative position.

I am in commission sales making a very good income. There are days, however, that my income doesn't even pay for the gas I used that day.

It would be highly inaccurate of me to speak of my career by targeting that particular day and say "I barely broke even while working my behind off"

Yes, forums crack me up too.

 

[Svhadden]

You didn't complain loud enough or use the write language. If you press hard enough they will remove the charge. Been there and done that.

This.

In the years we've been going to Disney, this past year was the first time we've ever complained about a tip/service, and it was removed. We were at The Coral Reef with friends (thus, a larger group). We've always loved TCR in the past, but the service AND the food this time was really, really bad. Our server didn't speak/understand English very well, and most of our orders were incorrect. Glasses sat empty for a loooong time, requested utensils never appeared. Just a bad experience in general. So when the bill came and that 18% was on there, we spoke with a manager. He was very polite, we were very polite, and the gratuity was removed. We did NOT leave a tip. The service was that bad. I can't remember the last time we just didn't leave ANY tip. Really, I felt sorry for the woman. IMO, if she can't speak/understand English very well, I don't think she should be a server. She was very sweet, and was prolly doing her best, but the restaurant was very busy, and the language barrier made good service almost impossible.

 

[ccgirl]

Quite frankly, being in charge of a service company that entertains clients on a regular basis, I would be appalled to find out that one of my employees was stiffing restaurant employees in front of clients. A good way to lose business in IMO.

I bet that having them take the 18% gratuity off is a great way to impress the clients.

And if you are taking the clients out, isn't the company reimbursing it anyway, so its not even your own money that your using for the tip?

This is exactly what I was thinking. If one of our employees did this, he would be spoken to for sure. Very bad impression.