Woman banned for bad tipping

[DisneyBamaFan]

The last hotel I stayed at, the Renaissance in Oklahoma City, wouldn't let me use one of their baggage carts. They insisted on sending a bell hop to my room. Personally, I'd rather carry my own luggage. I prefer counter service to table service. I don't mind getting up to refill my drink but I hate waiting for someone to come by with a water picther. Unless I'm going to be in a hotel room for more than a few days, I'd prefer that no one enter my room; I'll keep it clean myself. I can easily carry my bags onto the shuttle bus. In the vast majority of cases where tipping is standard practice, I'd rather do the work myself and save the money. Alas, in all too many of them I am not given the choice.

When traveling on business, I leave the "Do not Disturb" sign on the door from the minute that I enter my room until I leave at check-out. I tip housecleaning once, when I leave, and then only because they will need to change the sheets, clean the bathroom, etc. I leave the room as neat and clean as it is at my arrival.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Ah, now that at least is a little different, if a service is required (or close to it, as in your case). To be honest, I'm at a loss as to how to handle that one. It still seems wrong to stiff the bell boy, it's not their fault the management forced this on you, at the same time it's not fair that you have to pay (tip) for a service that you didn't request and don't require. Perhaps just have the bell boy "escort" you to your room, you handle all the bags yourself and then he can return the cart for you (tip him a buck or two for his time and for returning the cart?). Sorry, thats all I got!

I'm sufficiently well off that having to spend a few extra bucks here and there isn't a big bother, so I tip in those situations. It does, however, make me less likely to patronize those establishments. It' snot really the cost of the tipping that annoys me. It's being waited on. I'm a pay at the pump, self checkout at the grocery store, change my own oil kind of guy.

 

[bettymae1121]

I'm sufficiently well off that having to spend a few extra bucks here and there isn't a big bother, so I tip in those situations. It does, however, make me less likely to patronize those establishments. It' snot really the cost of the tipping that annoys me. It's being waited on. I'm a pay at the pump, self checkout at the grocery store, change my own oil kind of guy.

I'm the same way! I'll do it myself more often then not. It's pretty strange that the hotel won't let you borrow one of the carts. I guess they had too much trouble with guests not returning them...but that's life in the hotel biz, really.

In your case I'd write to the hotel chain and let them know your thoughts. Nothing ever changes if we don't let companies know why we're no longer giving them our business. And in this day and age of overall better service due to the down economy, you might be surprised by their response!

 

[declansdad]

R

Tips ARE expected in table service restaurants. You are not REQUIRED to tip, nor are you required to tip a certain amount (even large party tips automatically added can be taken off per customers request), but it is EXPECTED unless there is a serious problem. And if the problem is that bad, management needs to be notified. If you don't like it you're free to not tip, or not eat at a restaurant. But if you don't tip or tip under the standard for good service (and good service is received), it is considered to be quite rude. By not or under tipping, you aren't protesting a practice that you simply disagree with. You're just making yourself look like a cheap and thoughtless human being.

This like everything else on this thread is an opinion, nothing is required in any situation other than to play your bill.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Is it poor service from your server, or something beyond her/his control?

When I waitressed there were a few times I was stiffed on Sunday mornings because for some reason it took f-o-r-e-v-e-r for people to get their breakfast if we were busy. When I saw they were getting antsy I would go back and check, and then let the customer know what the problem was, or approx. how much longer it would be. I still gave them excellent service in drink refills, removing their plates, getting their check to them promptly, etc. yet sometimes because they were angry that it "took so long" they would stiff me on the tip. Not really my fault.

And one night of the week I waitressed alone. No other waitresses on the shift that night. Most times it was fine, not usually a very busy night. But sometimes we were slammed. I could be waiting on 40-50 people, by myself. And bussing tables. And running the cash register. And answering the phone and taking to-go orders. Most people were SUPER understanding, and tipped me well even if I couldn't take super good care of them. But there were occasionally people who would not tip, and acted like they were the only table I had to wait on. Could they not see I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off? I was not standing behind the counter chatting with the dishwasher, or yapping on my cell phone. Would you still not tip your server in a situation like that?

Now if I just chose not to give good service to a customer, if we weren't busy and I just wasn't attentive to them, let their glasses sit empty for a long time, etc. then you would most definitely be justified in not tipping. But I just wonder if you still don't tip even if the problem was not something the server could control?

Yeah well, Sunday diners overall... suck! They are, overall (I feel as if I must point that out), terrible tippers... TERRIBLE!

For me, as long as I am given an update of some sort of my food taking longer than normal as in, I'm not completely forgotten about, then I will definitely not negatively adjust the tip of the server. If I'm left there for 30 minutes without a peep from anyone, that's a different story.

 

[bettymae1121]

This like everything else on this thread is an opinion, nothing is required in any situation other than to play your bill.

And nothing in my posted stated otherwise.

As I said. Tipping isn't required, it's just expected. If you don't tip, that's fine, just be aware that you are going against a social norm when a person doesn't tip or under tips for good service.

 

[cm8]

Mom?

 

[kaytieeldr]

In the vast majority of cases where tipping is standard practice, I'd rather do the work myself and save the money. Alas, in all too many of them I am not given the choice.

NOT a criticism in any way, merely a suggestion: maybe next time try a sincere smile and a "Thank you for offering, but I'll take it myself" for the luggage (and if you have a lot of luggage, bring your own collapsible carrier, since apparently hotels are 'reluctant' to loan theirs?)
The shuttle's a little iffier. An airport parking shuttle or car rental shuttle? Sure, it's easy to refuse help. Something like a shared van or Magical Express is tougher because the driver has to fit everything in, or stow luggage in places passengers shouldn't be - as in, if they're allowed to place their own luggage, it won't be in the necessarily efficient manner required.

 

[mitchfishguard]

There are tipped positions besides servers, such as cab drivers, bell hops, and airline baggage handlers. If you disagree, that's fine - don't use their services. Drive yourself, check your luggage yourself, bring your bags to your room. And use capital letters at the beginning of sentences, and use a grammar check....

i agree with you entirely. cab fares are not for getting you from a to b, checking luggage is not part of flying with an airline and bell-hops are not paid to bring luggage to your rooms. f.y.o. to check my grammar, i just ring and say "hi , its your favourite grandson" how do you check your grammar?

 

[declansdad]

i agree with you entirely. cab fares are not for getting you from a to b, checking luggage is not part of flying with an airline and bell-hops are not paid to bring luggage to your rooms. f.y.o. to check my grammar, i just ring and say "hi , its your favourite grandson" how do you check your grammar?

If you are not paying for those things, what are you paying for?

 

[smidgy]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2407225&goto=newpost. And use capital letters at the beginning of sentences, and use a grammar check....

. f.y.o. to check my grammar, i just ring and say "hi , its your favourite grandson" how do you check your grammar?

my posts are often riddled with typos, etc. I really dislike it when,in disaggreeing with another poster, someone feels it necessary to point out their spelling, etc.


not gonna comment on tipping again. everyone knows how I feel already.

 

[mitchfishguard]

If you are not paying for those things, what are you paying for?

exactly. sarkazum sometymez iz the only way to get yore messij ukros. i followed the advice of the person who bizarrely felt it necessary to try to embarrass me with her post, and went to work determined to get a tip. i turned up in the morning to old mrs. evans house, got out of the van, rapped smartly on the door. boomed out a good morning, (great start), asked if she was ok, was her family ok and how her dog was (ensuring i did more than just turn up for work). i told her i was going to get the tins of paint from the van (she didnt offer to help so i must be in for a tip for carrying the tins alone) . i opened one to show her the colour, to make sure it was the one she picked and to make sure she was happy with it, (i didnt want her sending the paint back) i sheeted out her pathways and masked out the windows to avoid paint-spats (i know it is in the price, but come on, im going way over my duties) i painted the house and asked her if she was still happy halfway through so i was well on with my tip, i swept up after, put the empty tins,ladders and sheets in the van without help.(she is 70 but still) gave her the bill for £500, she gave me £500.!!!!!!!!!!!!!! isaid didnt you see me carry all that gear? didnt you see my politeness and way extra attention to your product, didnt i inform at the point of sale about the product and how it was going to be applied (some might say i was like a tour guide)? and the meter, sorry , bill , states £500 so i need £50. i planned this this morning so this tip is EXPECTED. she laughed, called me greedy and sent me on my way. still, cant complain, i did get paid for what i did. and thats how it should be. mind you it was weird coming home to find some chore-dodger telling me to check up on my grandmother.........

 

[smidgy]

mitch.. please, I just wasted a bunch of time, trying to figure out what the heck you were talking about....
I love a puzzle as much as the next person... but even us waitresses have to sleep at some point!.. as intelligent as we are (and, we ARE!) your enigmas are much to much at this late night hourl

 

[kaytieeldr]

didnt i inform at the point of sale about the product and how it was going to be applied (some might say i was like a tour guide)? and the meter, sorry , bill , states £500 so i need £50. i planned this this morning so this tip is EXPECTED. she laughed, called me greedy and sent me on my way.

Oh, please. Never mind that contractor, workman, or whatever the field is called where you live isn't a traditionally tipped position - in your position, YOU SET YOUR PRICE. It's YOUR responsibility to quote a price that will allow you to provide all the equipment and supplies, allow you to earn what you consider a fair wage, and be competitive with others providing the same service.

Waiters, cab drivers, valet parkers, hair stylists, skycaps... service positions where the person providing the service does not have the luxury of setting her/his own rates - all tipped. http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/tippingguidelin_shlg.htm

 

[mitchfishguard]

Oh, please. Never mind that contractor, workman, or whatever the field is called where you live isn't a traditionally tipped position - in your position, YOU SET YOUR PRICE. It's YOUR responsibility to quote a price that will allow you to provide all the equipment and supplies, allow you to earn what you consider a fair wage, and be competitive with others providing the same service.

Waiters, cab drivers, valet parkers, hair stylists, skycaps... service positions where the person providing the service does not have the luxury of setting her/his own rates - all tipped. http://www.essortment.com/lifestyle/tippingguidelin_shlg.htm

humour should be encouraged. i was giving everyone an example. remember that people like me are " old mrs evans". we go to a place with a figure in black and white, ready to pay that figure. no more. why would we. i get paid £7 an hour. no more. i dont get tipped. i get paid to paint. what do those people you so nobly champion, get paid to do. my brother is a taxi-driver, so i actually know the answer to that one. its got something to do with driving and taxis. inform a simple britisher. what does a person who carries bags get paid to do? i bet it has something to do with bags and carrying. what does seriously annoy me is a mcdonalds or burger king employee, takes your order with a smile, will bring you your food if youre sitting down, will inform you of the products and they dont get a tip. just their wages. if you tip people who are on a wage, shouldnt that apply across the board? i was informed "correctly" about servers and will tip only them. i cant grasp how you dont see that people who are paid to do specific things, get tipped for doing exactly that. your so-called tipped positions are my painter and the general public are old mrs evans. read it again you may see my point. but i doubt it

 

[kaytieeldr]

You're right. I don't see you're point. Again, YOU, as the contractor, set your price with Mrs. Evans. You determined what price would cause her to hire you, cover your costs, allow you to profit, and keep you competitive with other painters. Too high, she won't hire you. Too low, she won't trust the quality of your work. It doesn't matter. Painting is not a traditionally tipped position.

Taxi driver? Sure. It just is. Taxi drivers, especially those who lease their cabs, pay so much they earn pretty much NO money from the fares. That's just the way it is. Most of their income is from tips.

McDonald's workers? They earn at least minimum wage. Table service is atypical. Tipping isn't - or shouldn't be - expected. Same for any similarly-designed restaurant.

Table service restaurant, on the other hand: in most states (43-44, I think), servers are legally allowed to be payed a mere $2.13 an hour with the expectation by the government and the employer that tips will at least cover the difference between that and the state's minimum wage.

Other careers on that page I linked? Well, they're service industry careers. You want to tip? Great. You don't want to tip? Okay - keep in mind, the hair stylist controls the physical image you present to the public , the valet saves you time and energy - you don't need to drive around finding a parking space, then walk long distances between your car and your destination; etc.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

This is rather bothersome and I don't feel any restaurant has the right to ban for that particular reason.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

this is exactly what i'm thinking.

in tennessee servers are paid 2.13/hour. a dollar per person is not an acceptable tip.

I think that depends. I fit is a table of 4 in and out in 30 minutes and the table is turned and it is another table of 4 in and out in 30 minutes....that's $8 on top of the $2.13, well above minimum.

Of course there is more to waiting than that.

My DH waited tables at Pizza Hut and hated it b/c they had to host and bus in addition to serving as well. But that wasn't hte fault of the patrons. I can't overcompensate my tip (nor does he) b/c the manager schedules improperly. It's Pizza Hut for pete's sakes--not worthy of a 25% tip to compensate for the foolishness.

He did end up quitting--but it wasn't due to the patrons inability to cough up the funds...they tipped as they should on pizza. The manager and the overall operations just bugged him. When he has to spend the last 30 minutes of his shift sweeping....it isn't the fault of the customer.

Up thread--someone commented about grandpa tipping $2 on eggs, toast and coffee. Unless it was some fancy restaurant and not a typical denny's/cracker barrel...that seems appropriate to me considering the bill shouldn't exceed $10. Tax is not tipped and when the bill is so small that 20% makes it less than $1pp, I'll round it to $1pp. So that comment confuses me.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Lol, in many states servers are paid at least minimun wage, i.e. not $2, so you wouldn't tip them either?

I couldn't imagine spending $100 on a meal and not giving a tip because the person makes more than $2 an hour.

Furthermore, I would NEVER leave $0 tip at a pizza place simply because they have a tip jar... unless no one tips at pizza places. My local pizza place (of which I have worked when I was younger) receives tips and they get tipped a lot. When I was working there, the average was about 17%.... I assume it's close to that now.

But again, it brings me back to saying, it's depends. To say a blanket statement of never tipping a tip jar is silly as there are places which the tip is deserved, tip jar or not.

I purpose to not tip. This is a new phenomenan and for you to say that it is customary is a joke.

It isn't customary. It is rude for them to have it AND expect a tip.

I've dropped spare change in a time or two--but I haven't ever nor plan to ever make it customary just b/c some counter service person decided one day to put a cup out.

It's begging--and I don't play that game.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

That was like that one pizza joint where some of the employees were busted playing with the food (thusly ruining everything used to make pizzas and sandwiches) and then posting the vid on youtube. They were also facing criminal charges (I don't recall the actual charges) after being fired. The restaurant had to clean up and toss out all that ruined food and then get inspected by the local health department before reopening.

I make sure I have enough money for a good tip. Whether the server gets it or not depends on their service. And some places it's hard for them to know I DO tip (the local chinese place as one pays at the cash register and I put it on my card when I pay my tab).

It's pretty sad that we as a society have to tip b/c we are scared that someone will tamper illegally with our meal.

I tip for service, not out of fear of such an illegal act. To tip to avoid someone spitting in my food or in otherwise compromising the integrity of anything brought to me--that's not a gratuity. That's a bribe.

(**not saying you are saying this--but your comment sparked that thought in my head.)