Woman banned for bad tipping

[mitchfishguard]

I hear you. During high school I worked at a deli and an ice cream shop. I never thought to have a tip jar out. What's that all about?

guess what tacky sign is taped and laminated onto the side of the boat at duvalls paragliding at disney. now that was tacky. they charge enough as it is. a disney bus driver once told us we were mad to tip the shuttle bus drivers etc. as only restaurant servers are taxed as assumed tips. everybody else gets tax-free lump sums. a previous poster has made me realise this about servers. this trip i am tipping servers only. period. what is a driver paid for? a bell-hop? im not paying for a service thats been paid for already. a house-keeper, a tour-guide? all these people are like me and the majority of you. i get a wage that covers my job with the appropriate rates. tips are not a factor. it does not affect our wages or those of the people i just described. it does servers , i think its wrong , but its very true, and thats why im tipping them only.

 

[kaytieeldr]

what is a driver paid for? a bell-hop? im not paying for a service thats been paid for already. a house-keeper, a tour-guide?

They're service-industry jobs, or if they're not specifically, the person might be performing a(n additional) service. As I said elsewhere - on this thread, I think, but I could easily be wrong - I choose to tip. Doesn't mean I think you should, or expect you to, or would try to convince you to.

I'll tip the the bell hop because I was raised that it's customary to tip anyone who handles your luggage; so if the bus driver does, I'll tip him or her as well. In fact, I once tipped a DME driver when I had no luggage - just because he was so entertaining and helpful! I'll tip the housekeeper even though she/he is being paid for cleaning my room - as part of my room rate - because, heck, I appreciate ANY time I don't have to do it myself!

 

[mitchfishguard]

fair comment. i just think that what you do is a result of what you think is right. im just drawing a line of where i hand out free money. i cant accept that people being paid for a job, i.e bell-hop should get paid twice. id love my customers to tip me for painting their houses, but that just isnt happening. a bell-hop is paid his wages to carry luggage. i cant see why he gets free money. do you give money to the baggage handlers at the airport? money is too tight for me to just hand-out, and i have to stick to that. perhaps the expectation of all workers who come into contact with the public in any capacity of tips coming their way gives a negative vibe to tourists. dont even get me started on city cab drivers!!!!!!!!!

 

[Clifton]

Just thinking if I wanna work in a tip enviroment, i'd do the carwash bidness. My friend makes $13/hr plus tips.

 

[kaytieeldr]

do you give money to the baggage handlers at the airport?

I do, actually. They get paid less than minimum wage.

The other place I used to tip was a particular Dunkin Donuts on my way to work, when I had a different job (I don't go anywhere near that shop now, otherwise I'd still be tipping). I could pull up to the speaker, say, "Hi, ___, it's KaytieEldr", and drive up to the pickup window without saying another word, and my order would be ready for me. I don't care that they make minimum wage or more, in that case I was tipping for (perceived) service.

 

[Goldenbear6]

Who decides how much to tip. Do we have a national organization that meets once a year to decide this? How about, pay a good hourly wage, and do away with tipping all together.

 

[MIGrandma]

I usually leave change in a tip jar at Dairy Queen. Usually it's teens working there and I figure it's not going to kill me to leave some change for them. I also put a dollar or two in the tip jar at the Chinese restaurant when I get an order to go. Any order to go, actually, I will put money in the tip jar. Even more if those workers are also waiting on tables, as it takes time away from their sit-down customers to wait on me.

We took the grandkids to Pizza Hut the other night, our bill came to $49.80, we tipped $10. We live too far out to have pizza delivered, but I would give a tip to the delivery person most definitely, and a bigger tip in bad weather.

I do tip housekeeping if we stay more than one night, and they have done a good job of cleaning, replenishing towels, etc. Usually $1 per person per night.

I tip the girl who cuts my hair, I tip the bellboy if he takes care of our luggage, I tip porters, etc. etc.

I usually tip shuttle drivers at the airport too, but the last time he just sat in his seat and didn't even help us with our luggage. I said "good morning" to him as we got on, he wouldn't even look at me, just ignored me. The bellboy had put our luggage in the bin on the shuttle (I tipped him $5) but when we got to the terminal I had to get the luggage off the shuttle myself and struggled getting one of the bags and actually broke the wheel off. He just sat in his seat and would not even help. He got no tip whatsoever!

I prefer to tip people in the service industry. If I can afford to eat out/travel, then I can afford to tip people. If not, I would stay home.

 

[MIGrandma]

Who decides how much to tip. Do we have a national organization that meets once a year to decide this? How about, pay a good hourly wage, and do away with tipping all together.

Try getting restaurants to pay their servers a good hourly wage and do away with the tipping all together. I seriously doubt that is ever going to happen. Menu prices would definitely go way, way up.

 

[Kies99]

I'm amazed at the posters that tip for POOR service. I tip zero, zilch for poor service.

I'm right there with you. Drives me insane when my wife tries to leave a tip when we have poor service. If I get poor service I always let the manager know and do not leave any form of tip.

 

[MIGrandma]

I'm right there with you. Drives me insane when my wife tries to leave a tip when we have poor service. If I get poor service I always let the manager know and do not leave any form of tip.

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?

 

[mjkacmom]

fair comment. i just think that what you do is a result of what you think is right. im just drawing a line of where i hand out free money. i cant accept that people being paid for a job, i.e bell-hop should get paid twice. id love my customers to tip me for painting their houses, but that just isnt happening. a bell-hop is paid his wages to carry luggage. i cant see why he gets free money. do you give money to the baggage handlers at the airport? money is too tight for me to just hand-out, and i have to stick to that. perhaps the expectation of all workers who come into contact with the public in any capacity of tips coming their way gives a negative vibe to tourists. dont even get me started on city cab drivers!!!!!!!!!

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....

 

[Andy B]

As far as the IRS goes, tipping is definitely not voluntary. Restaurants must report server's sales to Uncle Sam and every server is legally bound to pay a percentage of assumed tips in taxes to the government. It used to be around 9% when I was waiting tables in college in the early 90's.

Sadly, the overwhelming majority of customers don't realize this. When you don't tip a server, you just don't stiff them their gratuity, you also force them to pay a percentage of their own cash out of pocket to the IRS to cover the difference. I can't imagine any diner considering that a fair punishment for forgetting a side of fries.

What most people should do instead of stiffing their servers is to pay the server a minimal tip (say 15%), grow a pair, and on the way out, ask to speak with management and express your displeasure. It's the only way to truly solve a "poor service" problem.

15% a minimal tip? I would think a minimal tip would be that to cover the servers tax liability. ie if the tax authorities assume you receive 9% of the table's bill as a tip then that should be the least left.

Whn I first visited the USA in 1981 10-12% was the norm, well food and drink has increased since then so the cash amount would have increased so why has the percentage increased.

I also think there are different norms in different parts of the Union. I think some states (a few) require a more regular minimum wage for servers so the tip is less needed.

Also my Wife's sister lives in San Francisco and her reccommendation was to double the tax however when we were all in Cincinatti a few years ago for a funeral she left that for a group and the waitress came back and complained to her.

 

[FireDancer]

fair comment. i just think that what you do is a result of what you think is right. im just drawing a line of where i hand out free money. i cant accept that people being paid for a job, i.e bell-hop should get paid twice. id love my customers to tip me for painting their houses, but that just isnt happening. a bell-hop is paid his wages to carry luggage. i cant see why he gets free money. do you give money to the baggage handlers at the airport? money is too tight for me to just hand-out, and i have to stick to that. perhaps the expectation of all workers who come into contact with the public in any capacity of tips coming their way gives a negative vibe to tourists. dont even get me started on city cab drivers!!!!!!!!!

There is nothing wrong with that. Gratuity is gratuity. Only you can decide whom you tip and how much. No one needs to agree with you and you don't have to agree with anyone else. It is a personal decision no one should question, even on the DIS.

 

[Andy B]

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?

But you are tipping for service, the length of wait is a major part of the service, It is not for the customer to feel sorry for the server, they make a judgement on whether the service provided is good enough whatever the cause.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Whn I first visited the USA in 1981 10-12% was the norm,

I've lived here my entire life (i.e. long before 1981 ), and for as long as I've been aware of tipping, 15% has always been standard.

Also my Wife's sister lives in San Francisco and her reccommendation was to double the tax however when we were all in Cincinatti a few years ago for a funeral she left that for a group and the waitress came back and complained to her.

Well, sure. The sales tax in California is 8.25%; doubled is 16.5%. In Ohio, it's 5.5%; 11% doubled. While the waitress was wrong to complain, it's obvious this 'formula' doesn't work in every state.

 

[DizBelle]

Ok ladies, I'm still confused! Please don't make fun of me!

So, the IRS automatically taxes the server 9% of each table they've served. Regardless of how much they were in actuality tipped, correct? Then what is the purpose of reporting their tips to the IRS at all? If they're already taxed that 9%, why do they have to report anything they've received over that? Is it just one of those things that IRS does that doesn't make any sense, to ensure they still get their money?

I think the IRS was finding that people were not being honest in reporting of all income. So, they had to come up with a way to ensure that they would at least be honest about a portion of what they were earning.

 

[cheermom1]

Personally I don't think discussing the different amounts we should tip should be discussed like that as it is different where ever you go especially about someone who is not even from this country ...but this really looks like a case that it is not just about tipping as it is her as a whole...they just refused service to a mean and nasty person. I waitressed a lot myself and I have to tell you that there will always be mean people you have to wait on and then the old people who really think that a dollar or 2 is good (which is fine I understand). But this woman had to have done some over the top stuff to get banned...b/c we put up with a lot!

 

[bettymae1121]

Right or wrong, for whatever reasons certain jobs are compensated mostly by tips from customers. You don't have to like it, but at the same time if you don't want to tip, the best solution is to avoid situations where it is expected. If you feel that a bell boy shouldn't be paid twice for his services, then by all means, carry your own bags. Problem solved.

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.

I'm glad the restaurant in the OP is backing their employees. Contrary to popular belief, the customer is not always right. Establishments should of course do their best to service their customers, but that does not make it right for customers to take advantage of the establishment or their employees. There is no way a restaurant bans or puts restrictions on a customer based on one or even two small disagreements. I can just about guarantee that this customer seriously anoyed just about every person that works there more than a few times.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Right or wrong, for whatever reasons certain jobs are compensated mostly by tips from customers. You don't have to like it, but at the same time if you don't want to tip, the best solution is to avoid situations where it is expected. If you feel that a bell boy shouldn't be paid twice for his services, then by all means, carry your own bags. Problem solved.

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.

 

[bettymae1121]

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.

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!