tipping? yes, no, where?

[Nino]

1 hour ago, crking3 said:

And you’re okay with your service person making minimum wage to provide you with that wonderful service for your evening of dining? Minimum wage is barely subsistence .......think about it


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I guess "minimum wage" in Europe is high enough not to need "mandatory tipping" - besides service staff being highly paid here and sought after ...

And no, I do not need "that wonderful service" ... just make it professional.Thank you.

[Nino]

49 minutes ago, crking3 said:

 It’s hard work, and unless something is very wrong with your service, and I mean very wrong, tip your damn waiter appropriately. I dot even wanna go into the ins and out of why.....trust me just do it !!!!


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If it's hard work it should be financially rewarded as such by the employer as it is in Europe.

Sounds like a threat ... wonderful way to end a "wonderful service" having a gun pointed at ....

[mt1]

1 hour ago, nino said:

If it's hard work it should be financially rewarded as such by the employer as it is in Europe.

Sounds like a threat ... wonderful way to end a "wonderful service" having a gun pointed at ....

Having lived in both Europe and the United States, I have to agree--how about we just pay the waiters/waitresses a living wage instead of this ridiculous "tipping" culture. In my view, the deal should be that you pay the price listed on the menu that that should include the food and service.

[Coloniales]

Tip for good service or great service, I always give 10% ish. poor service gets nada. The sense of entitlement of a tip is laughable.

I have never ever understood the US system and many visitors don't get it either.

Go to Asia, Japan, they would insulted if you tip.

Keith.

[zeedubbya]

A lot of you will think this is ridiculous, but that’s ok.  

I used to work for a very wealthy man, and he tipped huge amounts everywhere.  He would leave $200 for bartenders and servers (on $50 bills.).  One time we went to a Tee Jays (a country style “greasy spoon” place) at 2AM after a long night of going to a couple bars with servers from the nice restaurant he used to frequent. This lady waitress at the greasy spoon told us a sad story of how her house had just burned down and her family was living in a homeless shelter.  He gave her all of his cash (probably $1000 or more), and she followed us out the door crying, saying she had prayed for an angel to come help her, and he was that angel....he also had me leave her $400 on the credit card bill as well.  The next day his accountant came to me and asked me why I’m the hell we left a $400 tip on a $35 bill—he was furious.  If he only knew the rest of the story.  

I asked him once why he tipped such huge amounts?  He said—“I grew up extremely poor and these people have no money and are barely making ends meet.  They are grossly underpaid for the hard work they do.  I remember what it’s like.  It’s a terrible feeling—to be losing hope.  I have more than I will ever need or spend—why shouldn’t I give them some?  I truly feel sorry for them and maybe I’ll make their lives a little happier.”  I believe he was telling the truth about this.  He didn’t flaunt it, did it quietly and no one ever knew about it.  It.  As a side effect he received world class service everywhere he went.  Bartenders who knew him would pay attention to no one else at the bar besides him.  I believe he touched a lot of people’s lives with this.  I have no doubt there’s 100’s, maybe 1000’s of people who tell this story.  

I always leave at least 15%, and most times more if the service calls for it.  If I ever become as wealthy I will leave huge tips and not care if people think I have no class, the company should be paying them more, or they don’t deserve it.  Unless it’s a cultural thing to not tip, I believe it’s just an excuse for people to be cheap.  

[HarveyBoulevard]

Interesting reading the comments.  I have always wondered what countries expected tipping, did not expect tipping, or were actually offended by tipping.  I'd love to see a list somewhere (there probably is already, I need to google) that showed what was customary in each country.

Here in the U.S. tipping is culturally expected.  One problem is that each state can have drastically different rules for 'service' people.  In North Carolina, restaurants can pay their wait staff less than half the minimum wage because tipping is expected and makes up for the difference (ideally anyway).  In California, restaurants must pay their wait staff at least minimum wage, yet tipping is still expected.  This makes it harder to determine what to do just between state to state.

I don't get to travel internationally very much but I'd like to think that I would make an effort to learn the local or regional custom and follow suit.  Here at home, I tip 20% if all goes well.  I tip more for superior service and less for inferior service (unless its the kitchen's fault).

No one is forcing anyone to tip (large parties can be an exception).  However, if you go somewhere it is the norm, and you don't tip, you look just as foolish as if you go to say Japan and tip 20%.

To those that say "I don't tip", maybe look into why it is expected (low wages).  Would you go somewhere and intentionally leave a tip even if it was an insult?  Likely not.  Then why go somewhere it IS expected and not tip.  Just as insulting.

None of this is meant to convey that I LIKE tipping.  I don't in fact.  I'd much rather the service be included in the price of the meal but here in the US, it is simply not the case.  So, until the entire system changes I will continue to tip.

[bpm32]

27 minutes ago, HarveyBoulevard said:

Here in the U.S. tipping is culturally expected.  One problem is that each state can have drastically different rules for 'service' people.  In North Carolina, restaurants can pay their wait staff less than half the minimum wage because tipping is expected and makes up for the difference (ideally anyway).  In California, restaurants must pay their wait staff at least minimum wage, yet tipping is still expected.  This makes it harder to determine what to do just between state to state.

Unless it’s changed the US states that pay tipped employees the same minimum wage as non-tipped are: Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Montana, California, Nevada, and Minnesota. The Federally-mandated minimum wage for tipped employees is just $2.13 and hasn’t been increased since 1991.

[helix]

To insure prompt service .TIPS . In a busy bar or club a nice tip first round to the server or bartender is worth it.

[zeedubbya]

I would like to add something I did last week. Had dinner with the family at a Mexican place.  Food was good, service was atrocious.  One of the worst I’ve ever had.  I used my fathers old trick.  I left two pennies on top of the check.  The idea being so the server knows you didn’t just forget.   However, on the way out I gave the manager $6 (which amounted to about 10% of the bill) and told him what I did and would he give the woman the $6 please.  

@HarveyBoulevard said it really well above.    

[Nino]

35 minutes ago, HarveyBoulevard said:

Interesting reading the comments.  I have always wondered what countries expected tipping, did not expect tipping, or were actually offended by tipping.  I'd love to see a list somewhere (there probably is already, I need to google) that showed what was customary in each country.

 

Done ? :

https://www.businessinsider.com/hate-tipping-here-are-12-countries-where-you-dont-have-to-2014-4?IR=T

[Nino]

4 minutes ago, zeedubbya said:

I would like to add something I did last week. Had dinner with the family at a Mexican place.  Food was good, service was atrocious.  One of the worst I’ve ever had.  I used my fathers old trick.  I left two pennies on top of the check.  The idea being so the server knows you didn’t just forget.   However, on the way out I gave the manager $6 (which amounted to about 10% of the bill) and told him what I did and would he give the woman the $6 please.  

 

Sounds like a contradiction to me - if the service was atrocious I'd have called the manager to correct it and have a chance to change it.

[cmbarton]

When I walk into a restaurant, the tip is 20% and goes up or down from there.  It can be as high as 30% or 35% for truly exception service, but I’ve never left without tipping something even for the worst service you can imagine.  

Working in the service industry is some of the hardest work you can do.  If I get bad service, it could be because of any of the past 50 customers they served before me or something going on in their life.  Leaving no tip will only make it worse for them.  

It’s true they chose the profession, but I chose to eat where I know tipping is expected.  I could have stayed home and cooked for myself or gotten drive through.  I must tip because it’s part of my decision to eat at a restaurant just like a server took the job at the restaurant for a low wage understanding they can pay their bills with tips.

Oh, I almost forgot.  Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, I tip 100%.  I don’t say anything or even presume they celebrate Christmas, I just like to be generous.  More often than not, the server runs out to the parking lot telling me I made a mistake on the bill and copied the check total for the tip amount.  That’s my favorite part, because I’ll wave and yell back, “Merry Christmas!”

[zeedubbya]

2 hours ago, nino said:

Sounds like a contradiction to me - if the service was atrocious I'd have called the manager to correct it and have a chance to change it.

I choose to be mindful of not trying to correct this in the middle of the meal.  I find it often causes more issues than just waiting it out.  You may get better service, but it creates a tension and possible doubt about what might be in the next round of drinks....

The way I looked at it is the woman is likely making $3 an hour with the server min wage being around that number.   Even though the service was bad she shouldn’t make that kind of money.  I would have likely tipped $12-$15 on the meal depending on the level of service.  Since the food was good and hot and she got our order mostly right she deserved to make around our min wage.  This was the value of the service to me.  I still wanted to make a point, but not $4 for her time.  Or for even more perspective, about 1/2 the price of the Short Churchill I smoked after the meal. 

How is tipping handled in Cuba @nino?  I’m curious—what’s the custom?

[rcarlson]

Been on the receiving end and I gotta say, not tipping in the U.S. is bullshit.  Most places share tips and it takes on the kitchen too.  Nobody gets rich waiting tables.

Now, I will admit that as a bartender there were nights I made way more than needed.  Those nights were always balanced out with the nights I came home without grocery money.  

Two rules at the bar.  First, tip very heavy and conspicuously early.  It'll pay off the rest of the night in terms of pour and service.  Second, make it a standard tip unless there's a complicated drink involved.  I mean really complicated.  The quality of the liquor shouldn't raise the tip.  It all pours the same.  And beer?  Hell, pulling a handle or popping a cap shouldn't be overly rewarded. Bartenders usually only share with barbacks, so I think it's alright to keep a lid on bar tipping over the course of the night.  But waiting is hard work regardless of the dish.  Take care of these folks.       

[joeypots]

2 hours ago, cmbarton said:

Working in the service industry is some of the hardest work you can do.  If I get bad service, it could be because of any of the past 50 customers they served before me or something going on in their life.  Leaving no tip will only make it worse for them.

I waited tables in some pretty nice restaurants during and just after college in the early 80s. Rarely was bad service my fault. The waiter is the face of the bartender, sommelier, chef, cook and expeditor and takes the heat if the Maitre D seats tables improperly. I once has a host seat five  full tables in my section at once in an otherwise empty restaurant. I worked in a large very well known place on the pier in Boston where the owner didn't like to buy flat ware. The bus staff would come in early and stash whatever silverware they could find so they wouldn't run out on a busy night. I had customers that wanted things that weren't on the menu, steaks that were thicker than what was in house. I could go on and on about the crazy stuff that happens that will make for a bad dining experience that has nothing to do with the server. Unless the server is rude the tip should be there. 

[rcarlson]

40 minutes ago, joeypots said:

I waited tables in some pretty nice restaurants during and just after college in the early 80s. Rarely was bad service my fault. The waiter is the face of the bartender, sommelier, chef, cook and expeditor and takes the heat if the Maitre D seats tables improperly. I once has a host seat five  full tables in my section at once in an otherwise empty restaurant. I worked in a large very well known place on the pier in Boston where the owner didn't like to buy flat ware. The bus staff would come in early and stash whatever silverware they could find so they wouldn't run out on a busy night. I had customers that wanted things that weren't on the menu, steaks that were thicker than what was in house. I could go on and on about the crazy stuff that happens that will make for a bad dining experience that has nothing to do with the server. Unless the server is rude the tip should be there. 

Anthony's?  

Maybe you shouldn't answer.  But I grew up in Boston and that came to mind.  I remember when the original sank in the blizzard of '78.  We couldn't really afford to go out, but Pier 4 was the place we all wanted to go to.  

[Colt45]

Unless something has changed, servers in the U.S. earn far, far less than minimum wage and rely on tips. I know what it's like to work - weekends, holidays - and to "deal with people"...

I can stay home and cook for myself if I don't want to pay someone to cook for me and serve me. Servers, dishwashers, etc deserve to be paid a lot more than they typically are.

Stop charging 3x the shop price for a bottle of wine.....

 

[Colt45]

1 hour ago, rcarlson said:

Anthony's? 

Or Jimmy's, No Name, or Winery....

One of my favorite spots to grab a beer was Victoria Station.

I miss non-homogenized South Boston.....

[Nino]

2 hours ago, zeedubbya said:

I choose to be mindful of not trying to correct this in the middle of the meal.  I find it often causes more issues than just waiting it out.  You may get better service, but it creates a tension and possible doubt about what might be in the next round of drinks....

 

How is tipping handled in Cuba @nino?  I’m curious—what’s the custom?

@zeedubbya I respect your decision not to upset the service in the middle of a meal.

I will call the manager if service is atrocious to give him/her a chance to change things ( and/or maybe servers ).

To be afraid of "what might be in the next roud of drinks" or even consider that is just too ridicoulous for me to consider.
Must be an inside joke or the great fear of server's revenge ...

Good question about Cuba - Some places have started to add 10% service charge on the cheque. If that is the case, you pay that and add whatever you think it was worth or leave it at that.

If no 10% service charge is added then it's up to you. I mostly add 5 to 10 % in Cuba as I know that wait staff in Paladares do not even get paid ... they are hired and told to rely on tips .... that is where I believe that tipping makes a difference for the people vs a "luxury problem" we have in the West ... just my opinion.

In a Casa Particular I will tip the maids and the occasional night watchman generously - sometimes up to 20$ a day - if the service is good. This includes making the rooms, serving meals and taking care of things like laundry.
Remember that 20 to 25 $ is a monthly salary in Cuba. - here I have no problem being generous - they deserve it.
I have left a fantastic Casa particular because the landlady objected to my giving presents to the staff on Mother's Day ....

BTW - I know where I come from .... here is a picture of me working as a 16 yr old waiter-barkeeper in a Bar/Restaurant in northern Spain to do something useful in my school summer-vacations and earn some money ...

Cheers

 

[Bartolomeo]

Having worked in the restaurant/bar business when I was younger, I make sure to take care of the servers as I have first hand experience how hard/fun it can be, also suggest every high school/college kid works in a restaurant at some point in their life, that experience teaches them math, customer service, social behaviors, responsibility, etc. that is priceless later in life IMHO

As far as drinks go, I tip a $1 a drink whether it’s $1 bottle night or $11/beer at a Vegas pool cabana.....same tip amount at a minimum no matter the venue and have the ability to add more money if service/experience was great

I dont believe in leaving a $0 tip but leave something then explain it to the guilty party on what problems I experienced so hopefully it gets corrected for the next table

 Bart

[earthson]

My wife and I have worked hard for our money. In our country, servers and bartenders are systematically underpaid, with the expectation that the customer (already being upcharged ridiculously to open a damned bottle of beer or wine) will compensate with a tip.

As such, we tip generously. If you show up and try to do a good job, you're getting 20%. If you're great, or we're regulars or its a busy night and you're still ringing the bell, you're getting more.

What blew us away was going from this to holiday in Cornwall. There is no tipping there as servicefolk tend to be paid "fairly."

We had just gotten in, never been there and went out to get a little tipsy at a local local's tavern (recommendation of the happy drunken front desk person at the hotel). The bartender was stumped when we gave her a pound for getting each of us a pint of the local special. The locals in the bar sitting next to us asked us what we were doing by leaving that coin on the bar and we explained about tips and gratuity. They were confused and called the bartender over to explain. The bartender looked funny at us, smiled, grabbed the coin, turned around and tried to figure out what to do with the free money. She eventually decided to put it on the register, almost as if we'd change our minds and ask for it back. We were told that we didn't have to tip in magical Kernow and that that simple one pound coin would probably go on to fund the annual Xmas pisser. My wife and I were deeply honored.

[Bill Hayes]

I can't speak for everyone in Australia but my feeling is that it's about half of Australians will tip. It wasn't always part of our culture and I don't think that our servers get paid really low wages. I could be wrong there. I usually tip 10% in Australia and the servers are usually really appreciative, probably because a lot of people don't tip. I would only tip 15% if it was really special. I had some disturbing news from a waitress at a steak restaurant that I went to. I usually use credit card. She said that the tip would go to the owners if on card. I reckon that's bloody disgraceful. If going to a restaurant in Australia I try and take out some cash and pay the bill on credit card and leave the tip in cash. But I can never trust where the money is going in some places.

[MIKA27]

The prices to eat out here are high enough so I normally don't tip when I'm already paying an exorbitant amount to eat out.

Saying this, if the service/wait staff is great, I will leave a tip of $10-$20 depends. I don't do % either, if I have the $10 or $20 in my wallet, I offer it no hesitation.  

[MIKA27]

28 minutes ago, Bill Hayes said:

I can't speak for everyone in Australia but my feeling is that it's about half of Australians will tip. It wasn't always part of our culture and I don't think that our servers get paid really low wages. I could be wrong there. I usually tip 10% in Australia and the servers are usually really appreciative, probably because a lot of people don't tip. I would only tip 15% if it was really special. I had some disturbing news from a waitress at a steak restaurant that I went to. I usually use credit card. She said that the tip would go to the owners if on card. I reckon that's bloody disgraceful. If going to a restaurant in Australia I try and take out some cash and pay the bill on credit card and leave the tip in cash. But I can never trust where the money is going in some places.

I've found this problem too.

I almost never pay cash, normally eftpos/card which makes it hard to tip an individual, hence why if I have the cash in my wallet, I give the tip directly to the staff who has offered a nice experience versus giving it to the restaurant. 

[Fuzz AI]

Tipping culture is really odd to me. In Aus, it is not common or expected (though it is appreciated), but that is because we have a fair minimum wage (unless you work for George Calombaris ). I tip, but it depends on the situation. Most of the time, I just round the bill. Don't bother calculating the percentage, just round it to what I think is appropriate. I do have a tendency to give more to smaller restaurants than the high-end ones.

I do find this culture of the expected tip a bit annoying, though. I understand the reason why in some countries like the US, but If fast food workers can be paid a fair minimum wage (to be honest, than minimum still needs to be raised), I do not see why wait staff and bartenders can't be too. A tip should be based on whether I found the service above standard, not just for the sake of it.

But what really grinds my gears is having to add sales tax to everything in the US. Whatever the price is including tax, just put that on the sticker!