Tired of Tipping

[Svhadden]

I just got back from a hot date with my awesome husband For dessert, we swung into Cold Stone, which we love but don't get very often.

As we're paying, I look down and lo and behold, there's a tip jar next to the register.

A tip jar. At Cold Stone. And I'm thinking, "This is a bit too far."

 

[disneychrista]

A tip jar. At Cold Stone. And I'm thinking, "This is a bit too far."

But they will sing to you if you tip.

I don't tip at ANY counter service place be it Fast Food, Coffee Shop, Ice Cream or the Deli.

 

[si-am]

The worst is at a counter service like Shane's or Moe's where there's a tip line on the receipt if you pay with a debit/credit card. I feel like a schmuck just marking a line through the spot, but really? Why should I be tipping at a place like that?

 

[smidgy]

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.

ITA! even if the room is ready, many places have on person get the bags OUT of your car, and put them on a rack..

then.. another person takes them to your room.. 2 people to get the bags to your room.. then, of course, 2 people when you leave the resort.

our last trip, we stayed at 3 disney resorts.. that would be 12 bell hop tips!!

 

[smidgy]

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.

see.. herein lies the fault in your philosophy....
when the server accepts that low paying job, they do so with the understanding that tipping 15-20% is the NORM in this industry, in this country. of course they wouldn't take this job otherwise.

(and yes, this is for good service.. if they deliver por service, they won't do well, and won't last long)

and, guess what? many servers ARE gping to school to get higher paying jobs, and serving to pay their way.

an others are taking jobs where the hours work out so the spouse can stay with the kids.

and still others just, for some reason , LIKE working with the public and ensuring people have an enjoyable meal!!!

but even those is the third category (which would include myself) would not choose this occupation if it were a $3-5 per hour postition, ultimately. we know, as does the public, that we basically work for tips.

 

[disneychrista]

The worst is at a counter service like Shane's or Moe's where there's a tip line on the receipt if you pay with a debit/credit card. I feel like a schmuck just marking a line through the spot, but really? Why should I be tipping at a place like that?

This is not necessarily the fault of the restaurant. The credit card company codes the machine as a restaurant and this automatically appears.

Our Round Table pizza does not accept tips but their credit cards still have the tip line, the cashier will put a 0 and the total before they had you the slip to sign.

 

[BLAZEY]

My husband is a cook at our local university and he is a union employee. When we were dating his hours in the summer were such that he worked in a restaurant in the evenings (He did not want to quit the university due to years of service and seniority he was accruing). Servers, busboys, and the hostess all made more than minimum wage (Servers made like $10/ hr plus tips) and we are talking 10-12yrs ago. Servers tipped out 5%of the tips to each of the 2 cooks, hostess and 2 busboys. Still walked out with a bunch of cash each night on top of a decent paycheque each night. I tip 10% for a decent job, 15% for great service. Never heard of any job pay less the minimum wage. It's call MINIMUM wage for a reason??

 

[disneychrista]

It is a fallacy that servers do not recieve minimum wage. Yes their "base" hourly wage is sub-minimum and tips are expected to make up the difference. BUT if for whatever reason the server does not make enough in tips to bring them to minimum wage their the employeer MUST pay the server the difference to bring them to minimum wage.

Now I live in California and servers are paid at least minimum wage so any tips they are given are above and beyound this.

 

[elainesj]

My understanding is that every state is different with their minimum wage laws.

In Canada, every server makes min wage by law. Tips are still cutomary for table service - but from all I know, it's mostly 10% for normal and 15% for good service. It's tough when I eat out in the US as 15% for normal and 20% for good is very much on the high end from what I am used too.

Plus, I grew up in Asia...where tipping is NOT common and I still struggle with it sometimes.

I do my best to wrestle my bags from bellboys - I can handle my own bags just fine thank you very much.

Where it gets interesting is at my work, we have an outlet in a local hotel and I visit there regularly to drop stuff off, have meetings, etc. If we need a luggage cart, it's mandatory for the bellboy to help us. I don't tip them but always feel awkward not doing so. But if I do, it comes out of my own pocket (How on earth do u claim something like that on an expense sheet!!) and I just can't do that every week! I'd prefer to handle my own supplies but the hotel prides itself on service and so that''s the way it is. On the other hand, since I am in Canada, I KNOW the bellboy makes min wage at least....

 

[heartsdesire]

I have been trying to avoid responding to this post because of the way some of you feel about first time posters in a subject like this, but as I was driving around delivering pizzas tonight, thinking of some of the previous responses, I felt the need to respond.
I do not care if you tip or not, you will get the same service from me regardless. I do take issue with the thought that people take these jobs because they are unskilled and cannot do any better. I work at a well-known pizza delivery place. Everyone with the exception of a couple of high school kids have College degrees and at least one other full time “educated job”. I choose to work there because I enjoy it most of the time and I earn enough money to take my family to fun places like Disney World 3 or 4 times a year without dipping into our savings or emergency funds. There are 2 teachers that I work with, 1 Postal Worker, and various construction workers and other skilled laborers. They supplement their incomes for whatever reason.
As far as delivery fees, at the place I work they charge $1.99 per delivery. Drivers get .75 of that. I tend to agree with others that it should not be charged if it does not go to the drivers but those decisions are made at a cooperate level. It is my understanding that the saying on the side of the box, “delivery fee is not a tip”, is due to a class action law suit brought about by drivers from all over the country because people assumed the drivers were getting the whole fee.
The purpose of this post is not to judge anyone for their choice to tip or not. Please, just do not judge your servers without knowing their situations. It could be your kid’s teacher, your Mailman, or the nurse at your local hospital.

 

[csummerlin55]

I feel bad for all of you who warrant not tipping at Dunkin' Donuts. You either didn't go enough or go to too many different ones. When I worked there, I got lots of tips offered. Tips were not allowed but gifts were and we were routinely given gifts. Customers would bring in money in envelopes or wrap it in a napkin as a gift.

I knew all of my regulars coffee orders and had it ready as soon as I saw them coming to the door. We made sure they had their donuts they wanted every day at the same time by setting them aside first thing before we could sell out. When people we didn't know came in, especially with large orders, we were patient and polite and made sure that everything was exactly how they wanted it and well marked before they left. When work crews were fixing the street or parking lot were around, we gave them free coffee and we gave police and fireman free coffee too. We had a few homeless people around so instead of throwing out everything at the end of the time, we put it into a clean garbage bag, got to follow the rules by putting it in a trash bag, and brought it outside when the homeless were around and would nod to them so they would know it was theirs. We weren't allowed to give them away but we made sure they didn't go to waste.

Sometimes they just make your coffee just right and they deserve a tip. you know, they melt the sugar in your ice coffee and then add the mocha so it all blends nicely instead of layers.

Maybe I go too much.......

If I went somewhere and they had my food/beverages ready when I got there and I hadn't ordered it ahead of time, I would consider that going above and beyond. In that case, I would probably tip. That's good service, especially in today's busy world.

 

[csummerlin55]

That's exactly why we will have food delivered. We're tired or too lazy to get into the car and drive to pick it up. If it's bad weather, there is no way I'm going out. I gladly tip the driver well for bringing my food.

Us too. I usually don't want to shell out the extra money for a tip (I'd rather save it for WDW) so if I have it delivered I must be sick, someone else is paying and wants it delivered, or I am celebrating something. If I give in, I make sure to make up for my laziness with a tip.

 

[csummerlin55]

I waitressed all through HS, college and grad school, so understand the need for a tip. But what drives me crazy is the WDW requirement of 18% if your group is over 6 people. I'm sorry, but with inflated buffet prices of approximately $35 pp, for my group of 14, does a wait person who gets drinks only really deserve $88.20 for our group? I definitely don't think so!

I agree with you. While it is a challenge to keep all of the glasses of a large party like that filled, I don't think it deserves $88.20. Heck, just on your table alone, if you are there for 2 hours they are making $44.10 an hour. To take care of drinks?? That seems excessive.

To add to your comment, we are generally a party of 7+ and since we have grown to that automatic tip number, I have noticed some of the staff (at the buffets) don't care for us as well. I'm not positive that it is because it is automatically coming but for a few of the servers we have had I really think it was. We've had a few instances of pretty poor service but couldn't tip accordingly beause we were required to tip the 18%.

 

[csummerlin55]

I was thinking the same thing.

Me either. Not that he doesn't deserve it over the bell-hop (I'd rather take my own bags and save that cash) it's just not something I'd think of.

 

[budcollector]

ok, so i'm curious. why do people take jobs where they Have to rely on someone tipping them to make money ? i know times are hard but, even when times were better, i don't see how you do it. never knowing what you'll make or not make or having to smile and kiss butt all day in hopes of getting a nice tip. i'm not trying to offend anyone i'm just curious as to why you do it. i'm not much on tipping cause the way i look at it is i have to pay the high price for whatever i am having done to the store, and then its expected i give the stores employee some money also.

 

[thomas998]

see.. herein lies the fault in your philosophy....
when the server accepts that low paying job, they do so with the understanding that tipping 15-20% is the NORM in this industry, in this country. of course they wouldn't take this job otherwise.

Actually the faulty philosophy is on the servers side. Don't take a job unless you are willing to accept the pay and feel that it is fair with no tips at all. To take a job and know that you will only make enough money if everyone tips is foolish.

 

[kaytieeldr]

It's just sad that is what it took since you were already paying the extra $15 a night. Thank you for your service, btw.

Not agreeing or disagreeing with the, "It's just sad..." portion of the above - but what 'it took' was the note - not the tip; and the $15 goes to the hotel, not the housekeeper.

 

[Swan4Me]

ok, so i'm curious. why do people take jobs where they Have to rely on someone tipping them to make money ? i know times are hard but, even when times were better, i don't see how you do it. never knowing what you'll make or not make or having to smile and kiss butt all day in hopes of getting a nice tip.

We live in a university town and all the servers are college kids-my own was a waiter for one year and he still says , years later, it was the hardest job he ever did-how anyone can not tip a hard working lid putting themselves thru college is cruel.

 

[NLD]

I would never in a hundred years think to tip a licensed tour guide in a national park. Especially since my taxes pay for that national park.

Right, that's sort of the point. I think a lot of people just never think of it.

And again it's fine, no one should feel obligated.

It's just strange, is all, that people know to tip bell services but don't think to tip in this situation.

(He's not a government employee, by the way. The park doesn't pay him, they just license him.)

 

[Alesia]

ok, so i'm curious. why do people take jobs where they Have to rely on someone tipping them to make money ? i know times are hard but, even when times were better, i don't see how you do it. never knowing what you'll make or not make or having to smile and kiss butt all day in hopes of getting a nice tip. i'm not trying to offend anyone i'm just curious as to why you do it. i'm not much on tipping cause the way i look at it is i have to pay the high price for whatever i am having done to the store, and then its expected i give the stores employee some money also.

Well, I can only answer for my self, but I wait tables because I love it. I don't have to wait tables - I actually have an engineering degree. But I hated engineering.

Waiting tables, I get the chance to meet new people every day, and forge relationships with my regular customers. I love that my schedule is fairly flexible and allows me to be spend time with my family. The best part for me, though, is the fact that - to a large degree - I'm in control of how much money I make. Since we don't pool our tips where I work, the servers who work harder make more money than those who don't.

At my last job, we all made basically the same amount whether we worked hard or we spent all day talking to our friends on the phone. I just got tired of it. Now, if there's a server not pulling her weight, she's only hurting herself.

As far as the pay being unpredictable, you're right - it is. But I generally have a good idea of how much I'll make in a night. Every once in a while, you give someone great service and they give to a terrible tip. It sucks, but you just chalk it up to them being jerks and get on with it. And before anyone freaks out, yes, we're all aware that some people just don't know any better, but don't think for a moment that we can't tell the difference. And yes, sometimes people are just plain rude, but fortunately those people are few and far between. I've only had one table in the last year that was truly awful.

I will say that in real life I have never encountered the elitist attitudes that I've seen from some in this thread. Every single one of my customers seems to understand that we are just regular people trying to earn a living. They know that we aren't uneducated or unskilled. We are professionals who deserve to be treated with respect.