The TIPPING (GRATUTITY) THING

[gregpso 1]

OK WE WILL HAVE A REST about health care and Michael MOORE (TOP BLOKE) Thank you for all your relpies and abuse thru pms it has made my week of nightshift enjoyable. Re the gratutity tipping thing. When I am in the States I play along and tip the required amount. (when in Rome do as the Romans do)

I have always wondered what happens in taxis or restaurants or hotels if the customer does not tip.. do they receive a mouthful of abuse or not given service next time ?

Are TIPS shared amongst the staff at diners or vegas casinos etc or do you keep it for yourself. DOES THE MONEY EVER GET STOLEN FROM THE DINERS TABLE because customers just leave the tip on the table and pay the bill (or cheque as you call it) and walk out.

Does it drive you mad always tipping for everthing or is it just part of the game that you accept ? I notice that the tourist transport industry has big signs on their buses saying GRATUTIES GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED to remind non US folks

I tell you what I do like in your diners the size of your portions. (never come out hungry thats for sure.) I ordered a fudge sundee and the size of the thing bloody hell was fanastic .

From previous post you might think I am anti USA the fact is I love the people and the culture (we are saturated with it here) just think you should care more about each other.. if that makes me a Socialist left winger so be it

[BikerBabe 0]

My comments apply to the restaurant industry only...

Most servers aren't allowed to say anything if a table doesn't tip. Many places share tips, many don't, that's really a case-by-case basis. What we always did was kept our individual tips, but we were expected to give a portion of our tips to the busboy that was assigned to our room of the restaurant, since they don't receive tips the traditional way.

As for the *why* of tipping...In MOST states of the US, it is legal and accepted to only pay servers $2.50-$2.75 per hour. Notice that is way below minimum wage (which is what, almost $7 an hour now?). The reasoning is that over time, their tips will average out to be minimum wage or better.

So basically the people who don't tip are saying it's OK for a server to live off of $2.50 an hour. I think perhaps you can understand now why servers might get upset when they don't get tips.

Honestly, I was LESS upset if it was someone obviously foreign who probably didn't know than if it was some idealistic jackhole who knows about tipping but chooses not to because "he doesn't get paid extra for doing HIS job".

Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

[Andrewwhyte 1]

I like the tipping culture because it allows me to choose how much to pay my server. I tip well for very good service, I tip adequate for adequate (or inadequate but enthusiastic) service, and poorly for poor service.

[Belgian_Draft 0]

If you don't understand the tipping deal, you aren't alone. "Rules" vary geographically as to who to tip, how much, etc.
The only time I have not left a tip was only by accident. As long as I get service of some kind I leave at least a dollar. Normal service that meets the minimum expected gets a minimum expected tip, i.e. 15%. Anything above and beyond I will tip more, sometimes as much as 25% for exceptional service. I ALWAYS leave at least 2 bucks if I have anything more than just a drink, even if it is a $1.50 Coke and a $2.00 order of fries.
If you REALLY want to piss of a poor server ( and I mean REALLY PISS THEM OFF!) leave a tip of just 1 penny. If you don't leave anything they will assume you forgot, but a $0.01 tip shows them just what you thought of their service. If you do that, best leave while she isn't looking. I've seen servers throw the penny at the customer as they are leaving.
Tipping a doorman is optional, but can pay dividends when visiting a city you are unfamiliar with. These guys seem to know the best restaurants, the best shows, and can get you a cab in a flash.
Tipping the gals at the casinos while playing slots can often get you pointed towards a bandit that hasn't paid off in a while. Though the drinks are usually free, I tip the girls about 1/2 to 2/3 what that drink would cost at the bar.

HAMMER:
Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a
kind of divining rod to locate the most expensive parts adjacent the
object we are trying to hit.

[taylor.freefall 0]

Tipping is one thing - tipping AND valet parking, WTF?? A few nights ago it cost me $10 for someone to get in my car, drive it 100 yards and park it?? AND I am expected to tip on top of that. a, I don't even want somebody parking my car. b, I don't particularly turst them with my private shit or trust that they won't ding it somehow.
That's just the way it is though, another way top get money out of people. It makes it worse that I'm a Brit and we can park pretty much anywhere without valet. I read the disclaimer on the back of the ticket which basically says if anything goes missing or it gets dinged it's the owners problem and not theirs - no surprise huh? Bah humbug.

[Andrewwhyte 1]

I was serving in a full service french restaurant a long time ago. I gave exceptionally poor service to the owner of another restaurant in town. He tipped 15% to the penny on his credit card and left a penny tails up on the table. The message was unmistakable. "You got your tip, but you didn't earn it."

[base428 1]

Tipping is a shitty system that should be done away with. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry out there has a tip jar. We tip our waiters, barbers, mailman, valet, doorman, and even the guy selling hot dogs on the street corner. We're conditioned to tip a few bucks to the lady who provided a drink refill at the self-serve buffet! We're also conditioned to think that not tipping certain people will result in bad things happening to our property. Normal tips used to be double the sales tax, then 15%, then 18%, and now more than 20% is common.

Why can't restaurants simply pay their waiters and waitresses a fair wage and then raise the price of my food accordingly? Sounds like everyone involved in the tipping process gets upset at some time or another. And if you don't like the service you receive, perhaps you should get off your butt and complain to management about it.

The USA's tipping system is broken and should be done away with.

To answer some of your questions, yes money sometimes gets stolen from the table but it's not a concern for most. Not leaving a tip doesn't always mean they'll rub your food on their butt crack next time, but it if you frequent the place, it's good to tip properly.

Despite my anti-tipping views, I tip appropriately and play the "game" like the rest.

(c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted. <==For the media only

[billvon 2,400]

>Tipping is a shitty system that should be done away with.

Fortunately, you have it within your power to not participate in either case (i.e. don't tip and refuse tips when they are offered you.)

[base428 1]

Thanks, Captain Obvious!

(c)2010 Vertical Visions. No unauthorized duplication permitted. <==For the media only

[Belgian_Draft 0]

In some cases using tips as part of the person's wage makes sense.
Last summer I was in Wendover, Nevada enjoying the buffet at the Nugget Hotel. A middle-aged man of (I suppose) Mexican heritage waited patiently to clear plates and such from tables as patrons went to the buffet. He was very attentive, very prompt, did not intrude in any way and even offered to refill our soft drinks. There were four of us at the table and we had no hesitation whatsoever in leaving this man a $20 tip. His quality service entered into our decision to dine there once more before we left Wendover.

HAMMER:
Originally employed as a weapon of war, the hammer nowadays is used as a
kind of divining rod to locate the most expensive parts adjacent the
object we are trying to hit.

[gregpso 1]

YEAH I agree the service in the US is second to none and I suppose tipping has to be one of the main reasons. When I ate in an Australian casino recently (not a buffett) we were served by a visiting native of Florida USA. Quite simply he put all the Aussive waiters to shame he was that good and attentive. Most tables including us gave him $10 which is large here because most never tip at that sort of diner because the waiters would be on $18 to $20 an hour and the price is built in to the food price.

YEP EXCELLENT SERVICE IN THE STATES Do they still placed a glass of water on your table as soon as you sit down ? And do they still give you a million crackers to eat with your soup? I use to love that.

Tipping annoys me when some service I do not need is expected. Like in Hong kong when you go to the toilet and come out and a bloke (man in Australian speak) has the sink filled up with a towel. (and expects tip) I mean I can easily do that myself.
I lot of Aussies I know come back from the USA ashamed our our service because its not like yours . Dp not get me wrong its OK here but not like yours. I can understand why many USA folk (yanks as we fondly call them) are disappointed in the service here.. apparently its worse in Europe (I have not been there)

Whilst on a holiday in the USA the tipping is OK because I factor in my budget I will tipping several hundred over a three week holiday. No worries but I think if I had to do it all the time it might be a different story.

I tend to be a bit different. enjoyed my time in the sport or is it an industry these days ??

[pirana 0]

Quote

Tipping is a shitty system that should be done away with. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry out there has a tip jar. We tip our waiters, barbers, mailman, valet, doorman, and even the guy selling hot dogs on the street corner. We're conditioned to tip a few bucks to the lady who provided a drink refill at the self-serve buffet! We're also conditioned to think that not tipping certain people will result in bad things happening to our property. Normal tips used to be double the sales tax, then 15%, then 18%, and now more than 20% is common.

Why can't restaurants simply pay their waiters and waitresses a fair wage and then raise the price of my food accordingly? Sounds like everyone involved in the tipping process gets upset at some time or another. And if you don't like the service you receive, perhaps you should get off your butt and complain to management about it.

The USA's tipping system is broken and should be done away with.

To answer some of your questions, yes money sometimes gets stolen from the table but it's not a concern for most. Not leaving a tip doesn't always mean they'll rub your food on their butt crack next time, but it if you frequent the place, it's good to tip properly.

Despite my anti-tipping views, I tip appropriately and play the "game" like the rest.

If we formally (or even informally) did away with tipping; business owners would have to increase pay to make up the difference, and prices would go up accordingly.

Bottom line, we are gonna pay it anyway, and as someone mentioned; it gives you the opportunity to indicate your level of satisfaction by influencing a significant amount of control on how much they make.

" . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

[pirana 0]

Quote

OK WE WILL HAVE A REST about health care and Michael MOORE (TOP BLOKE) Thank you for all your relpies and abuse thru pms it has made my week of nightshift enjoyable.

That's too bad. Despite my blunt and sometimes borderline caustic approach - it's about the topic, not the conversants. Good on you to turn the other cheek and treat the PM's as free entertainment.

I take a similar approach when I have to deal with one too many idiots in the course of a day. I consider it as group therapy - - and I'm getting paid to go.

" . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

[BDashe 0]

Couple things:

To preface- i worked a few years in a restaurant through college which allowed me to skydive and travel a bit before hittin the real world, i'm now working my way up in hotel management with dreams to run the world some day

With my short career in the hospitality industry, i obviously see lots of tipping going on. Yes, there are some extreme areas that are a bit ridiculous for a tip, but for the most part it helps assure good service.

Keep in mind with restaurant servers, they are required to report 10% of their sales to the governement as income- expected tips. Servers at most restaurants "tip out" percentages to the bar tenders, hostesses, bussers, etc. generally about 4-5% of sales. So if you go to a restaurant and tip less than 14%, the server is getting taxed on money they didnt earn (f*ck the government, i hate taxes...).

Now understand I am a strong advocate of tipping, however if the service was poor and justifies a sh*tty tip, make your statement. If service was exceptional, by all means make a statement! People remember. When was the last time $5 made all the difference in your day? Hard work deserves reward in my book, especially in the hospitality industry where you run into countless @$$holes that think they are entitled to free sh*t based on the volume of their voices. If you get into a habit of tipping well, especially at your local, highly frequented spots, it comes around.

I tend to go a little over the top sometimes (30-40% for really doing the unexpected) cuz i've been there and know how it can make a difference- and i guarantee those people continue to try hard. It never hurt anybody, just made someone's day or night who helped make my night considerably better.

It comes around, so don't hate

So there I was...

Making friends and playing nice since 1983