To Tip or Not to Tip!?
Have you ever wondered how much to tip when purchasing food to-go, getting a hair cut for yourself and/or your kiddos, receiving assistance with baggage at a hotel, getting a massage, paying a housekeeper, etc.!? Although I almost always tip at least 20% when dining out, I am sometimes a little more perplexed as to what to tip in those situations.
Check out this helpful Guide to Gratuity Etiquette: How to Be a Total Tipster created by Mint.com that goes over what tip amount you should be giving for various services, such as spa services, bartenders, cleaning services, postal carriers, and more. Check out some of their helpful tips:
Of course, always tip. I figure, why not tip someone and extra dollar or two to make someone’s day above the 15%/20% expected.
I have a question about services. I was always taught if the owner provided the service (such as a one person house cleaning business) tipping was not expected or could be reserved specifically for holidays etc since the person providing the service was receiving 100 percent of the profits. What do you all think?
I agree with this. They set the prices that they are willing to work for.
I hire an individual who cleans homes in her retirement. She is paid cash and so I leave it up to her to file her own taxes meaning I take nothing from it. My husband and I pay her above the local average and additional for her commute so we don’t often tip because having her is an “extra” that puts the rest of our budget a little tighter (but one that we’ve decided is worth having). We do however leave something extra at the holiday, her birthday and periodically gift her bottles of wine that she likes. I think a great deal of tipping for certain services depends on their base pay as well – are they being paid minimum or below wages, or are they compensated fairly to begin with.
If you hire a cleaning business, you should tip on holidays, etc. I can say that because I clean homes myself. It’s hard back breaking work, and what’s a few extra dollars to make your cleaning man/woman’s day. and no I don’t receive 100% of the profits. I have insurance, constant trips to sam’s/costco for supplies, bleach, then, I have to come home and use my washer/dryer to bleach rags. In the end to clean a 3000 sq ft home I may make $150 but, honestly I make about 25% of that because I pay people to work with me, cost of supplies, insurance, etc.
Lindsay, I agree with your point of view. If you are supplying all the materials then it needs to be factored in. For me, because I’m very particular with how my house is cleaned, I supply 100% of everything for my cleaner. She just has the cost of driving to my house.
I do realize that those are all of my expenses so it is my choice to only make 25 percent of my profit but I like to do a good job
What you are paid for your services is your “gross.” From your gross, you subtract your expenses, such as supplies, utilities, transportation costs and insurances. What remains, or what you keep for yourself is your profit, so while you don’t keep 100% of what you are paid, you do get 100% of your profits. Like you said, it’s up to you how much of a profit you are willing to make.
My housekeeper charges $125 for my 2300 sq ft house in Florida. It takes her 3-4 hrs. I don’t tip her weekly, but I do give her gifts for the holidays
It feels nice to be appreciated even if it is just once a year.
I disagree. I own my own salon and I do not necessarily get the entire amount. A lot of things come out of my pocket. I try to be reasonably priced so people can afford to look beautiful. And third a tip helps reinforce how satisfied you are. Even if it is just a few bucks, please tip your owners!
Thanks for your perspective!
No matter what the service is I ONLY tip if I have received good service. I hate how it seems people expect me to tip just because. A tip is an extra and should be earned not expected.
But why treat a bad attitude with a bad attitude. YOu don’t know what others are going through or have gone through. If people are crappy to me I respond with kindness. That’s how I want my children to respond to other’s as well.
Lindsay while that’s a great thought process it’s not right. If someone is working they would leave their personal drama at home. If your working you should be friendly and professional at all times then you will be tipped.
As a server, and I agree with leaving drama at home, customers can also bring their own drama into my workplace and the end result is the same. Take it out on me by not responding to questions. Servers already know the end result. I really hate forums on this issue, people expect something for nothing. When the time comes to pay the bill, their whole mentality changes. I recently saw a bill for $133.43 and the tip was $1.33(one percent) with a note “GET A REAL JOB” I am utterly appalled how people can live with themselves and treat servers like that. Fix your meals and stay at home. Oh, and Karma is a B#@*h
Oh, I HATE that! I’ve had people leave notes saying things like “If you’d gone to school you wouldn’t have to work so hard for so little money” How about you don’t know me or know that I probably already have more degrees than you do? Serving has flexible hours and decent money and my bosses let me bring books to study during downtimes in business. And it never occurs to those idiots that if we all “got a real job” there would be nobody to serve them! I’ve worked with many wonderful people who were career servers. Nothing at all wrong with that.
Lindsay, you can still treat people with kindness but that doesn’t mean they deserve a tip. Everyone goes through something everyday but when you are at work you are expected to do your job. Your actions at work are a reflection of someones company so by giving poor service it is also hurting the business you work for. Tips are for good service and should not be expected if you provide anything less than that. If we keep having the mind set “they are just having a bad day” that does nothing to improve our society. This is coming from a former waitress…
I guess I’ve never had “that bad” of a waiter/waitress in my 34 yrs. of life that they didn’t deserve a tip. I can’t think of one time ever, and we eat out a lot.
I have had a really bad waitress a few times. Usually though I get great service.
I never said I had a bad attitude or treated them poorly. I simply stated that I do not give them a tip. That is not a bad attitude. A tip is earned, something that shouldn’t be taken for granted. I refuse to reward bad behavior or bad service.
I agree with Katie.
And I mean I agree on how much you should tip, really. I would never eat out and not tip or receive any other service and not tip at all
Ditto
I’ve had service before where the waitress completely forgot about us. I don’t know if she was new or just having a bad night, but I literally sat there and noticed ppl who had come in after us getting served and being almost done before I finally got fed up and asked for a manager. No way on earth did I leave a tip.
I totally agree with you Katie!
I agree with you katie!! I have worked as a server and I still agree with you you have to earn a tip it’s not a requirement.
I think the only problem with this is that “good service” can have many different definitions. If you don’t want to have to ask for another glass of soda, then make sure you tell the wait staff that you are expecting it to just appear. They may have a half full and ask policy. Remember that your wait staff are NOT mind-readers. The other problem is remembering that “good” service means your needs are met, tipping is standard. Above and beyond deserves a great deal more. Also, if you are a picky and specific consumer, tip more, you are demanding more service.
And like the above said, you never know who is having a bad day and may think they are being attentive. A waitress friend says a bad tip doesn’t improve her service, usually because she doesn’t know if it was her or a bad tipper. A quick POLITE word with a manager will do a world more good than a dollar tip.
” A quick POLITE word with a manager will do a world more good than a dollar tip.”
NO, BOTH! Hurt where the wallet hits as to **WHY** they got stiffed or a low tip. HOW will someone *LEARN* if you don’t take something away that you pay them no matter what well? They will just keep doing the bad behavior if you don’t teach them right from wrong.
Yes, giving tip should not be compulsory.
What I tip is directly related to what kind of service I am given. Those that work in a gratuity environment are aware, or should be, that the kind of service they provide dictates their tips. I can kindly give a deserving tip so I don’t feel that I’m being mean when I don’t tip the required percentage for service that should have been better.
Agreed!
I understand this mindset because I believe the whole idea of tipping stemmed from this kind of mind thought. However… several professions have evolved in that business owners pay less hourly in anticipation of tips. Whether you like it or not, you’re paying less for goods, technically, because you’re meant to tip. I have definitely left zero tip for terrible service in the past, but as a server, it’s really frustrating to get tipped when I’m not jumping through hoops for people. I work at a restaurant that is part self serve, part full service. I take your order, I bring out your food, I table touch, I clear tables, and prebuss your plates. I also make rounds to the table with water/iced tea, and grab to-go boxes/utensils/condiments (which are self serve) when people forget. This limbo between self serve and full service is definitely to blame for how sad my tips are, but I also think the publics’ assumptions are to blame. We split evenly with the cooks. I work my buns off and on a good day only make an extra $20 bucks in a 7 hour shift…. which I am taxed on.
Sorry for the rant but this issue is pretty frustrating. Especially when people view tipping as a sort of favor or something. Just because it isn’t required, doesn’t mean it isn’t right.
I completely agree!
I agree with you. Where I came from waitresses only make $3 and change an hour. Where I’m at now they all make $10 or more an hour and expect more then I saw back home. I know someone that works in a casino buffet making $16 an hour to take plates off the table and refill drinks and they cry if people don’t tip 20%! Service in general sucks here too.
You are so wrong servers make under 4dollars an hour .you never know how there day is going maybe they had 5tables of people like you,and that’s why there not happy .maybe someone didn’t show up for work and she had to pick up the slack.you should walk in there shoes.i have 3children that wait tables.i never go out to eat without tipping 25 to 30 percent and I hope I make someone’s day better
I went to olive garden to pick up a to go order and the tip spot was on the receipt. My friend thought we should tip, I thought not. I’m really still not sure. Do hostess get paid like wait staff?
I never tip on to-go orders… maybe I’m in the wrong, but that’s what I do.
I think they get the same “server” wage, but they can do more orders in the same amount of time – I tip them, but typically less than if I would have sat down for a meal. I am interested to hear how they are paid.
They are paid about 2 dollars more then us but it’s still not min wage.
The hostess also receive a % from the servers.
Do you tip at the fast food window? I do not tip for to go orders. Then I’d need to tip when I run through ever drive through too. Here dairy queen drive through attendant- here’s a tip for the two 99 cent ice cream cones I just ordered. Um, no 🙂 Just my perception.
When my daughter worked at McDonalds she was running drive thru cash register and received a $5 tip on Christmas Eve once. She couldn’t believe it.
Yea and by McDonald’s policy, she shouldn’t have taken it. It should have gone to the Ronald McDonald House…
I’m guessing you follow every rule out there?
LOL
As a hostess when I was younger I never got tipped but I also got paid more than the wait staff. On occasion the wait staff would give us hostesses a few bucks if we helped them bus a table or assist with a guest but generally host staff are more appropriately compensated
Olive garden manager here. The ToGo specialists get an hourly wage, like a host would, but tipping is always appreciated especially if it’s a large or complex order.
I can respond to this since I did takeout at Olive Garden for 7 years 🙂 The person who takes your order and puts it together is the To-Go Specialist, which is the only job that they do in the restaurant. They work incredibly hard to take your order, input the order, package the salads and soups and breadsticks, make sure your food is correct and that you have all of the condiments that you need. It’s difficult to describe what goes on behind the scenes but they have a very difficult job with a lot of responsibilities. In my opinion it is more work than serving tables (and I did that too). With that being said, they do get a large quantity of orders and service isn’t as personalized as when you are dining in, so the tip should be less. Depending on the size of your order, $2-3 is a good tip (4 or less entrees). If it is a larger order, 10% is considered a good tip. And a thank you is always appreciated =)
At IHOP it is a regular waitress who does tje To-Go orders.
In a restaurant situation where servers and bartenders work for tips, the tip spot is printed on the receipt no matter what, the hostess not even the manager can remove it for Togo orders. If you tip on it, the money will go to someone else, usually the bartender, because that’s where it was rang at, it will not go to the hostess, unless they have a store policy of tipping out the hostess.
Vice Versa, when you go to Starbucks, they do not have a tip spot, because they get paid min wage and do not require tips, but they have a jar. I don’t like tipping there because they had a bug suit a while back because the managers were keeping the tips, and the managers one and are not required to let the workers have the tips. So I don’t feel very bad not tipping them.
I will say that I waited tables for many years at the rate of $2.13/hour. And though people don’t thinks that’s their problem, it is how restaurants in this country work and you are expected to tip at least 15%. If the service was bad it might not be because they don’t deserve. The server could be having a bad day, maybe another table is being mean to them,maybe their boss is being mean to them, maybe they just found out their mom has cancer. You never know how someone’s else’s day is going, and if the service is bad, they probably need the money more. Show a little kindness to someone having a bad day, it could change their life!
Just touching base on the Starbucks thing- Mangers are not eligible for tips since they are salaried employees. I don’t really care if people leave tips or not, I think of it as bonus money. Also, when we receive our weekly tips, at our store we have to initial by our name saying we acknowledge that we received our tips, and also we have to have a witness when we collect the tips daily.
Hostesses are typically paid minimum wage or above, not server’s wages. Server’s normally tip out to bartenders bussers and hostess. I’ve been in this industry for a very long tine and that’s always been my knowledge.
Hostess pay is different between places of employment. My daughter has been a hostess at two well know chains and at neither did she get paid minimum wage and all tips were collected and split between the wait staff, to go staff, bartender, cooks and hostesses. So if you had a bad experience with your waiter and didn’t tip well, you were also hurting the cook, hostess, and others. It’s a tough industry for sure, but my daughter is in college and I’m glad she’s learning how hard it is to earn money and the value of an education…..and why mom coupons….LOL!!! She now works at a fast food place that has a tip jar. Again, the tips are split among the kids working there. It’s fine if a person doesn’t want to leave some change or a buck or two in the jar, but I do have a problem with the people who complain about the tip jar. Management has talked about removing it because of complaints. If you don’t want to tip, then don’t, but there are others who are willing to do so. It really encourages the kids to provide better service and it’s exciting for them to see how much they earn in tips for the week.
Not true that she did not get min wage restaurants have to pay min wage by law. EVERYONE makes at least min wage if nor the restaurant is doing something shaddy. That is why there are min wage laws.
Maybe check your opinions before posting them as facts. Restaurants DO NOT pay minimum wage. Servers get $2-$3 had hour and hosts who are tipped out maybe $4 an hour. The money they receive from tips usually brings them over minimum wage but the restaurant is not paying that. You can talk “laws” all you want but you are dead wrong in this case.
When I order take-out, I always tip just to let the cooks know I appreciate them cooking for me. But, that’s just me!
Cooks don’t see any of the tips usually.
Since its restaurant though, do you think they even have an option to run a card with out the tip line being on there? I think that’s going to be all orders regardless if it’s take out or dine in. That’s just how the receipts are going to print. 🙂
For curbside to go orders (where they come out to your car and bring your food) I will tip $3-4 for my order (2 adults, 2 kids). If I have to go inside to pick up my order I usually DO NOT tip unless its a complex order or OR its a server giving me my order I will tip like $2(like at my favorite thai place..the servers stop what they are doing to bring the order to the take out customer)..if its a complex order I tip more. Hope I’m doing okay.
For pizza delivery. We usually order a Large pizza and a dozen garlic knots. I usually tip $3.
For Restaurants I start my tip at 15%..if I receive excellent service I go up to 18%..poor service gets under 15%..I have never NOT tipped though.
For a buffet type of restaurant like Sweet Tomatoes that has bussers going arounf cleaning plates we leave $2-3. I wonder how much they make?
I do not tip the salon owner if she cuts my hair..but tip 15% for anyone else, hair, nails, facial, massage.
I tip on To-Go orders like that because a server has to put it together but I don’t tip as much as I would if I sat down in the restaurant because as much service isn’t required.
At my restaurant to go staff gets 5.15 an hour plus tips. If they don’t get tips the restaurant is obligated to pay them min wage. Same goes for servers they make 2.15 but if they don’t get tips they have to pay them more. As for tipping to go don’t know for other restaurants but in mine they don’t do anything but take the order and hand u the check so I don’t feel like they should get tipped when the kitchen is doing all they work.
There’s always a “tip spot” on there in restaurants. It’s the way they program the credit card machines. I don’t tip on takeout unless I have a drink while I’m waiting, then I tip on that (usually a few dollars).
If my to-go order is big and complicated I tip. If I grab lunch to go for myself I do not.
I hate the idea of giving a tip, but do so out of social courtesy. I usually tip around 15% but if I could I would eliminate the concept of giving a tip. I don’t believe that someone should be payed for just doing their job. If waitresses and hairdressers should be tipped why not fire fighters, and doctors who save life? What about coupon friendly cashiers? Shouldn’t all helpful deeds be treated equally?
Agreed! And well said.
Some of those positions pay a living wage. Some do not. I like happy servers and good haircuts and I feel that tips help ensure I will have both =)
Well said Melissa, I was trying to put that sentiment into words and it kept coming out harsh so I didn’t say anything!! lol. There are a multitude of “service” industry jobs that you would never tip. In my job tips are against the law, and if we receive them and don’t turn them in our licensure is at risk. I had someone say well you make way more money than a waitress, I replied with ask any Disney wait staff their salary and also, please remember the student loan debt I incurred to make slightly higher wages. But I DO work at a service based job and I get no tips, however I live what I do so I choose to do it.
I am a hairdresser and have been one for over 20 years and I appreciate so much that clients tip me. I don’t take it for granted. I have some elderly people that only tip every second or third time but I would never think to give less of a service.
Because I live on my tips I always tip others well. If you are receiving tips chances are you are not a millionaire and really appreciate them!
The difference is that waitstaff make about $2 an hour and rely on tips. Comparing that to a career yearly salary/benefits/retirement/etc of other professions doesn’t make sense when you’re talking about leaving tips. Having waited tables through college, it is really hard work (not to sound like I’m on a soap box, I think it’s just harder than most people realize who have never done it). Getting tips is what you do it for or else you would never make enough to make waiting tables worth it. Now that I am in my career, I appreciate thoughtful gifts/tips etc on holidays or appreciation days but by no means expect them and am simply grateful when they happen.
Here in MN they all make minimum wage. Why don’t you all just do what you want to do and let others do as they wish to do instead of having a holier than thou attitude.
Pretty sure I don’t have a holier than thou attitude. I was explaining that $2 an hour is the difference of why waitstaff rely on tips, that’s all.
I completely agree with you Melissa!
There are ways to “tip” service workers. For the fire fighters who taught us to install our carseat and checked it for safety we left a generous donation for their firehouse. I have also sent a thank you note, photo of our new baby and a gift card to my obgyn after we had our baby!
As a wife to a paid firefighter, thank you. It really does mean a lot to them when people bring them baked goodies, send notes or donate to their causes (ex. Fill the Boot).
Do you have any idea how idiotic it sounds to say that you don’t think someone should be paid just for doing their job? Do you expect a paycheck at the end of the week? If you do, I’d rethink that.
Yes, I do get a paycheck at the end of the week but from my company not my customers/clients. If my clients have to personally pay me extra to do my job, then I would call it bribing.
What I want to say is that there are a lot of other people out there who break their backs to make ends meet and feed their family but are never tipped for doing their job and that’s how it should be for all of us.
Well said, melissa!!
Servers are only paid 2.13 an hour. That’s why.
Not all states…here in California they get paid the state hourly which is between $8-10 an hour and because of that you really have to earn a tip from me since i have been in the industry. Also, when I was in the industry (I didn’t live in CA at the time) I got paid 2.11 for night shifts and 5 for day shifts so it can vary.
And whose fault is it that they are only paid that much? I didn’t hire them so why is it my job to pay them a living wage and not their employers’? If you don’t like the fact that they get paid $2.13 per hour why don’t you take that issue up with the restaurant owner?
This tipping policy was supposed to benefit the public in that they had a slight input in how they pay for service. If you would like to abolish it, we would have to just increase prices by 15-20%. I hate how people take advantage of the tipping system. I’m curious as to how many people on this thread who are complaining about tipping have actually worked a job that relies on tips. Hate the custom all you want, but don’t bash those relying on tips just because you disagree with the process.
If i complained about my pay rate, nothing would happen. And if I complained more, I would be let go. Jobs are scarce, and service industry workers are viewed as disposable often times. I know people say this all the time but MAN I really wish people were required to work in retail/service industries for at least a couple of months in high school/college.
Mika, what about the people working for the federal minimum wage of $7.25. The business is required to pay them that. The federal minimum wage for wait staff is $2.13 an hour also required to pay that. The government sets the minimum and basic business logic, if you can hire someone to work at that rate, you save money. Any tips made is reported and taxes are taken out of the hourly wage. How would you survive on a $10 paycheck every 2 weeks. The tips are not free money for the people receiving them. They still pay taxes on it as if they were getting paid $7.25/hr. You don’t have to pay them a tip but we servers work hard for the tip. I have a college degree but unable to work in my field at this time. You work to feed your kids and when this is what you can do this is what your job is. My response to you is if you don’t feel you are going to tip, the golden arches doesn’t allow tipping to their employees. Better yet I think a trip to the grocery store is in order.
Well then tip them too! Do you people not realize the servers only make $2.13 to $2.83 hr. We don’t see paychecks and tips are our living. Okay so someone says raise their wage to a competitive salary or wage. Guess what that means prices soar and I guess you wouldn’t be eating out. Business’s would close and a whole lot of people out of work. I don’t know what your job title is, but I would think you should respect the person serving your next meal, because a server will remember you the next time. My area is always full, because I have a lot of repeat guest’s and they appreciate me as I appreciate them. I go out of my way to make personal days special for them, they are my extended family in my heart. But there is always that one table that can be sat in your area and treat me like crap from start to finish.
In California prices remain the same at chain resturants while the staff get paid a state wage and then some. I had plenty of server friends who have college degrees but make bank serving so that’s what they choose to do. Sometimes people treat tips like it should be a manditory welfare system.
Those people are the exception, I promise you.
Agreed! I only tip for outstanding service.
Well said! My husband is from England and a good friend is from Spain and neither really understand why we tip here. As in – why cant the restaurant pay employees more?
It’s unethical in my opinion to tip government employees (postmen, firefighters, cops, etc). That is considered giving a bribe.
Agreed. The restaurants should pay the servers minimum wage and cut out tips. What a great way for restaurants to outsource part of their labor expense.
The same people who are saying restaurants should pay their servers and customers shouldn’t be responsible for tips are the same people who would complain that the server wasn’t attentive enough. Servers jump through hoops to make you happy so you will leave them a tip. Why do you think it’s so hard to get help sometimes at a retail store? Ever been to Walmart and spend 15 minutes looking for someone to help you? It’s because they get paid minimum wage. You really think a server is going to bend over backwards to help you if they aren’t getting tipped?
All the Walmarts I have been too, it doesn’t take 15 minutes to find someone to help you and they are more than happy to help and will do a great job trying to resolve your issue. Maybe your Walmart is different.
Thank you for putting to words what I was thinking. In MN they make minimum wage and we as patrons are encouraged to tip 20%. I have a hard time with that and feel the same way you do.
You ever go to Walmart or any other store and find it difficult to get someone to help you? Yes, we all have. It’s because they get paid an hourly wage vas helping you doesn’t put anymore money in their pockets. Walk into a restaurant and I bet you have 2 or 3 servers begging to help you. Sometimes they’ll even rush to the door to greet you and put you in their section. And then they will do whatever it is you ask of them because they make a living on tips. You ask them for 15 sides of Ranch dressing 15 different times, guess what, they’ll get it for you. Now go into a restaurant that pays their servers a wage and you’re not supposed to tip at all. I’ll bet by the end of the meal you’ll be wishing you had a tipped server.
I tip at restaurants, my hairdresser, and taxis because I feel that is where it is basically mandatory. It is unusual for me to tip in any other circumstance. I try to avoid tipping situations if I can – ie, never get help with my bags, etc. I wish servers made an appropriate wage and tipping was eliminated as mandatory.
I agree with you. I think servers should be paid minimum wage at least and not be dependent on tips to make up the difference. THEN any tips earned would be truly deserved. I feel obligated to tip but I tip less than 20% if the service was not good. Losing tip money for subpar performance should reflect on the individual employee and not the entire staff.
Just remember some places pool tips…
They do in California….so they have to really earn their tips with me since they are getting the standard minimum wage.
Amen!!
Wow, I never leave any tip at Chipotles r Panera bread etc… even when I take out my order. For my hairstylist… 20-30% because I have known her for almost 10 years. At restaurants, 20 % is for most of the time except we get a bad service…that is about 10%.
I always tip 10% at the very least even for bad service. If the service was excellent then I tip 20%. When the service is bad I try to be understanding of how busy the place is and how many other customers they are having to serve but I will still call or email the business and explain the poor service I received.
There is a tip jar everywhere you go now, places I’ve never thought to tip at. I dont feel like I need to tip and it makes me uncomfortable that they are there expecting them.
I do agree that it’s a little awkward to see tip jars everywhere now. It makes me feel guilty to some extent when I choose not to tip but if I put money in every tip jar I came across I would be poor myself. However, I do always tip at my local drive through coffee place if I’m getting the drink at a discount. The employees there are paid well because it’s a local company and I figure I was going to spend the money anyhow so I might as well kick it back to them if I saved something because they are always excellent with customer service
Agreed. A tangent, but along the lines of “everywhere you go”…I also find it overwhelming to constantly be asked to round up my order or make a donation to charity at the store or buy from fundraising every weekend at the store doors. I feel I can’t go get my haircut, I never eat at sit-down restaurants, and I avoid shopping! Then fundraisers at school for various non-school organizations…Every time I turn around, someone’s asking for money. You can say no, but it’s awkward.
Sometimes you just have to say “no’ and not be bothered by it. The cashiers at stores really don’t care whether you donate or round up…they are required to ask and as someone else said, if you tip, donate and round up at every counter that asks, your outings are going to end up costing you more than they already do.
I so agree with you sarah! I make a generous donation to the United Way each year through my employer, so i always turn down those charitable requests at registers…though it sure is tough to say no and not feel like a total scrooge!
I unfortunately know several people who look for any reason not to tip! I end up tipping more because I feel bad!
Michelle, I had 1 friend who was a HORRIBLE tipper (IF she tipped AT ALL). I found myself OVER tipping ALL the time but I just resigned myself to the fact that when I went out with her- I’d just have to.
I find tipping very confusing. To have a mocha at starbucks you are expected to tip, but to have one made at Mcdonalds you don’t. Both are providing a service. Some customer services you tip but not others? The report says plumbers… What about at the mall and the person sets you up in a dressing room and gets a different size? What about a graphic designer that made your business card? I do tip the places I believe I am suppose to, but I think the whole tipping has gone overboard.
Agree!
I waited tables for a few years when I was younger. So when we go out to eat we always tip well, but I do not tip on a to go order. That is crazy, I am not paying to get my food home and eat out of a container. Which is my choice so I am ok with it. 😁
I pay what I owe for services rendered, including in-home services, etc. No tip there, but often offer them refreshments, etc. We did give our postman a small restaurant gift card this year — my husband and the postman like to chat sometimes. When we eat at a sit-in restaurant, we tip 15% or so depending on service and cash on hand. We sometimes tip a pizza delivery person. We also have a Chinese restaurant in town; they seem to struggle so we always give a tip even when just picking up the food to take home. One time I tipped a lady at McDonald’s drive thru — she was working on a holiday and had kids being babysat. She wasn’t supposed to take a tip, but I managed to hand it to her and then drove off before she could object and give it back.
I actually find it offensive that you think tipping pizza delivery is optional. I’ve never worked as a driver or even in the industry but i do know that they receive minimum wage but they are expected to maintain their own vehicles, insure them, fuel them and a with no monetary assistance from the company. Often they are teens as well. This has NEVER been an optional tipping situation for us. You saved yourself the gas from driving to pick it up yourself no less and the time.
A lot of pizza places have a delivery charge of about $4. I have always wondered who gets that. I know pizza delivery people get at least $10 an hour. I have seen the signs.
Around here, the biz gets the delivery fee and not the worker.
That is correct for most places. It’s stated on their websites and boxes that the delivery fee is not a tip to the driver. I disagree with this practice but nothing I can do but tip my driver well.
I’m not sure where you’re from Angela but I can only assume the cost of living is higher (or you live in King County in WA) but our delivery drivers here make minimum wage and the places we order from even have it printed on their box that the delivery charge is NOT a tip to the drivers. I wish I could attach a picture of this to prove it.
Anywhere I’ve ever known about (from friends and customers working there) the delivery fee doesn’t go to the drivers and the drivers hate that the place charges one because everyone assumes they get it.
I worked at a pizza place in HS and we had a $3 charge and of that $3 charge, the pizza delivery guy got $1 of it….for wear and tear on the car. So no matter the distance he got $1 per order from the company, but that wasn’t considered a tip. I’m guessing most pizza places probably do the same with the service charge, and yes…they get minimum wage or a little more.
My hubby used to deliver pizzas. He would work 5-6 nights a week, averaging 30 hours. Yes he made minimum wage. No he did not get even close to $1 of that $3 fee ( they calculated total mileage- ONE WAY-and gave him something more equal to 10¢ an order added to his check)…On a GOOD week he would make a total of $20 in tips. Mind you he would have to fill up every other day when gas was close to $4/gallon. And it wasn’t due to bad service because he would get requests specifically for him.
I feel that places think they are entitled to tips, tip jars are everywhere. I never tip on to go orders or places where you sit, order and serve yourself. We go to those to avoid the tipping. 😳
I don’t tip on % I tip on quality of service. If you are good you are going to get a good tip. If the service sucks so will your tip (it will be something but it won’t be good). I apply this to all situations where a tip is required. I see tipping as a reward for quality service not as an obligation.
I always make certain to tip well (20% or more) if it is some place we frequent. I find that going out to eat with a 3 year old is hard enough but to have places where we are treated like VIPS even with a kid in tow is great.
As an ex-waitress I remember we only got paid $2 & something an hour & the owner assumed tips make up the rest of our hourly wage. That being said I won’t tip if I get bad service unless I believe the server is slow because they an too busy. I feel if everyone stopped tipping servers that are rude &/or neglectful then we would only have pleasant, attentive servers in our world 🙂
My thoughts exactly why reward bad behavior! Save your money for someone who truly deserves it!
I always tip the cashiers who are helpful. I usually give them free products coupons or high value coupons. Some times I give them small gifts. :)) At restaurants we pay 25-30%tip.
My sister is a waitress so she loves to tip more than is expected. I usually give about 20%, however if it is a small family owned place I may give more especially if I know the staff or we have a specific waitress. However, I will not leave a good tip if I have had a bad experience. Especially if I have asked you more than once to fix it. That is were my sister and I differ because she will still leave a big tip and write it off as maybe the person was having a bad day. Also the whole idea of tipping in the first place is really unfair. I am a certified pastry chef in fine dinning and no matter how had I work I make the same. Sometimes on special orders I do receive tips but nothing huge. It really gets to me when during a holiday our waitresses can make $400+ in tips in a day and I still make the same and had to put in extra hours and create special desserts. I had to go to school and intern for 6 months…doesn’t seem fair to me. However, I would never want to serve and I love the creativity my job brings so I guess that is the trade off…
I’ve worked front of the house in hotel front desk and restaurant management. Now I’m back of the house in the kitchen. I agree that the trade off is better. I figure I don’t have to deal with any of these people and can vent as much as I want. I loved helping the people that really appreciated it, but all it took was one jerk to ruin the day, or even week.
I’ve been reading all these comments and was just waiting to see someone write about their schooling. What does your school have anything to do with it? Yeah servers can bring in $500+ a week on a slow week without any formal education. So just because you had to go to school for your job means you’re entitled to more money? What about school teachers? They go to school for 4 years and I’ll bet most servers make more than they do. Is it fair that Michael Dell never got a degree and he makes more than all of us combined? I just can’t stand when people think they’re better than others because they went to school. I went to paramedic school and made $11 an hour…is that fair? People saving your life making peanuts, is that fair? Schooling has nothing to do with how much money someone should or should not make. My guess is these servers with no school work twice as hard (or more) than you do at your job.
Tim, I think part of the reason why school DOES have something to do with how much money people think they should make is because nowadays affording school is like taking out a second mortgage on your house. It’s that expensive! Unless you are lucky to have someone paying for your schooling, you can end up with crippling student debt. This is a huge problem in the US right now. So, yes school has a lot to do with how much people think they should make. Oh and since teachers have the whole summer off just like students do, they actually make quite a decent wage when you factor in that they have 2-3 months off in the summer, every winter, spring and whatever other vacation and days off that students get as well. Also, most teachers have amazing insurance that the rest of us can only dream of having. They are unionized – they get well compensated.
I normally tip 15 to 20% when at dine in restaurants and when I have food delivered. A lot of the other services I don’t use regularly so my main things is going out to eat. I do not tip at starbucks or other random fast food restaurants where I see random tips jars unless I happen to want too which is rare because if I have extra money to give away like that I’d prefer to donate it to a good cause. A tip jar at random places like drive through’s and gas stations seems like panhandling to me.
I always tip atleast 15% of my bill. But if the service is terrible then I do not leave a tip!
I’m always confused by how to tip at restaurants where you place your order and pay at the front then give you a number and they bring it to you, but they have self-serve drink refill stations, but someone busses the tables when you’re done.
I tip almost everywhere. Starbucks and dunkin donuts, no.
I tip my hairdresser. I give a small tip/gift to the garbage man and the postman during the holidays. I always tip at restaurants. I tip a small amount when I order to go. I’ve been in the service industry for so long, that I know who relies on their tips to make money.
I deliver pizzas on the weekend, and I only make 5.85 an hour. I get 32. cents per mile to drive, but that’s it. I rely on my tips to make at least minimum wage, but hopefully more. Plus I have to use my gas and allow for the wear and tear on my car. Add in the danger that comes with that job.
I can tell you that I ALWAYS get tipped better by the person living in the apt. building than the family living in the 700k house.
Are you saying rich people are bad tippers LOL.
lol, I can’t say that for sure, but it my two years of delivering, they have been the ones who tip the least
For Example, last Saturday I got a delivery to a GORGEOUS house. There was an instruction to please sing happy birthday. I like doing those little things if they ask…draw something on the box, draw a joke, whatever. It’s some kind of Reddit thing. So, I go there, sing happy birthday, give them their pizza, and get absolutely nothing!
Being frugal is how they got/stay rich…lol 😀
haha, that’s what everyone keeps telling me. However, if they are going to be Cheap ahem..I mean frugal, then they need to take their lazy butts to the store and pick it up. It avoids the delivery cost(which I get none of) and the tip.
The hotel I worked at, the people driving the BMWs and Mercedes were the ones who never tipped the valets, but the ones driving Hondas and Fords always tipped. (And our parking lot was 3 blocks away.)
My husband and I always make a point to pay our delivery drivers with good tips and always in cash. I found out that some stores take a percentage of the tips to cover the credit card fee and I never want that to happen so I always tip the extra in cash even if I paid on my card. And as a result, the couple drivers for the place we get delivery from are always fighting over who gets to deliver to our house. We don’t order often but when we do they all know us and we get phenomenal service from them. A delivery driver definitely has extra costs that people don’t take in to account
I tipped the guy that jump started my car battery on a snow flurry night on a Sunday. His service was included in my insurance, but it was so cold and I felt so relieved to see him, I told him to have a cup of Starbucks on me. He tried to give it back, and I insisted so he kept it and said thanks. Made me feel good!
So nice!
Now that is a great example of a tip done right. It was a genuine expression of your appreciation and the recipient genuinely appreciated it.
Question- I live in a state where all workers, including wait staff, make the minimum wage of $9.75. How much would you tip on top of the minimum wage, since the entire tipping system was designed for workers making $2.14?
The server and bartender is still responsible for paying certain taxes for their sales and the end up tipping out roughly 5%-8% of their sales to support staff such as bussers, hosts and sometimes kitchen staff. I live in a $8.75 state, work as a server and am taxed so heavily that the only money in my paychecks is tip money. If it wasn’t for tips I would be able to survive.
I have always wondered that, too. I don’t live in one of those states but I would assume it should be like Europe where people are paid fairly so tipping is not as important?
I live in CA where it is like that so I tip a little lower unless it is great service…you really have to earn it. I’ve worked in the business so I am a bit harsher….I expect great service when I go out and if I don’t then your tip drops. Basically I start at 15% and the service determines if I go up or down from there in tips.
I am wondering about the owner of a hair salon, I was not going to tip the owner for a haircut. (I’ve never been to her, but want to go to her next time.) I heard you don’t tip owners since they get the profits. Others agree?
what about a hairdresser working out of her home?
What about for car detailing? Let’s say $150 car detail….
I worked a year and a half as the sales girl for a car wash right out of college. My detailers made about $15-20 for a detail job between $100-200. It’s not a great percentage but it was also in a low cost of living city. And they were always grateful
If I am paying that much then that is all I will pay.
Then why not do the service yourself? It’s a service just like any other in the service industry. Most car detailers are also paid minimum wage or just barely above. If they were paid a liveable salary then I would understand but I really don’t understand why people think like they do on this topic
This subject always makes me a little peeved, not because of the fact that you should tip, but by all of the objections that are made not to. I think most of us can agree that the wages they pay some of these positions are just awful. When I was a server I made $2.13 an hour. My tips got me through college. I think one of the issues is what people’s definition of “good” service is. The cure is that everyone should have to work in a tipped position to see what really goes on behind the scenes. I used to tell my dad about the way some of my guests would treat me and he’s the greatest tipper around! One last thing, if you’re on hip2save, Collin is saving you a ton of money! So, would it kill you to throw a couple bucks in the tip jar and make someone’s day once in a while??? Spread the love people!
Agreed!
What a great outlook!
Sometimes it WOULD KILL my budget to drop $2-3 everywhere I go. Restaurants where employees wages are based on tips? absolutely. But my plumber who is getting paid $30 plus an hour? EVERYONE wants a tip these days. How about… you do a good job, you get paid. I don’t get tips for childcare and I’m taking care of LIVES. ugh. the tipping thing has just gone over board. And the fact that people are judging others for not tipping people who make good money? grr. If you can afford to tip everyone you meet & do biz with, that’s wonderful. But some of us are surviving on less than you. Just be kind and compassionate towards everyone. If your postal carrier goes above and beyond and you can tip, great. But again – public servants? hm… I know many who get paid far less.
True…hip2save has helped me save a lot of money, and that is how I am able to donate more to charities, especially children of conflict. I would never reconsider increasing my tip amounts to well paid fully functional adults for doing their job…it just does not make sense. I am so sick of the tip jars everywhere, might as well have one in your car!
angela b, I believe I said “once in a while”. I’m not sure where you are going where there are tip jars everywhere? I was speaking specifically to the fate of servers. I don’t go around throwing money in every tip jar I see, but I can tell you I will when I see someone go above and beyond in a thankless job I absolutely will. As a teacher I don’t get tips for “taking care of lives”, nor would I expect to. However, I make decent money as a teacher and tips aren’t calculated as part of my wage, so it’s different. Do I appreciate the gifts I get throughout the year?? Absolutely!! It’s nice to feel appreciated:)
In one night I was vomited on, kicked in the leg had my hair pulled and bit. I was yelled at for the wait, and then yelled at for getting them home. Welcome to a day in the ER. I get no tips, pay a high premium for my healthcare, have student loan debt and am exposed to everything under the sun. So remember all jobs have behind the scenes that the consumer fails to recognize, myself included. I tip where it is expected wait staff, hairdressers etc. But I am reasonable, 15-20% for the most part, sometimes higher depending on he situation. But I realize a job is a job, so I clock in everyday and hope for fair wages for all…😁
I do tip for to go orders but usually $1-2. I always tip 20% for great service, 18% for good service and 10-15% for not so great service at a restaurant. The waiters and waitresses should not to have pay for slow food, that’s the cooks, so I always take that in to consideration. I do not tip at places like Starbucks or fast food places. When I pick up pizza at Papa Johns, the receipt has a spot for a tip and they actually highlight it. That annoyed me…I still tip at least $1.
If you use a groupon, amazon local, gift card, or any other discount when you go to a restaurant tip on the PRE-DISCOUNT amount not the reduced amount. I would throw in happy hour but I understand that for many happy hour is the only opportunity many people have to go out and leaving more than 20% on the discounted amount might be really difficult. While I love helping people get a great deal many people seem to neglect the discount aspect and many times it has left me and my fellow restaurant workers in a bad position. One thing many people aren’t aware of is that the server/bartender is responsible for paying taxes on and tipping out support staff on their sales which includes your pre-discount total. If you only tip on the discount amount the server/bartender essentially paid to serve you and unfortunately a verbal tip doesn’t can’t be used to pay rent. If only their were coupons for that…
Amen, sister.
See, and I feel that isn’t the consumers fault, it is the fault of the policies that cause the server to be taxed etc that way. For a consumer, it doesn’t make a difference if wings are 25 cents because of a Groupon or because Jojo’s Cafe has that deal on Tuesdays, so I think it is understandable that they may not realize that the tip needs to be double with the Groupon when they are paying the same as if it was an in-house sale. If you have to pay extra taxes because of the Groupon and not because of the sale, it really isn’t the consumers fault. That being said, I am aware of it so I always tip pre coupon. Of course, whenever I see the suggestion that servers get paid a flat rate instead, servers are the first to complain because lots of times with tips they can make more money than if they just get paid a flat rate (assuming they would probably get closer to minimum wage with flat rate).
What about local photographers that have thier own business?
Nail salons anyone?
I make little money. I avoid most things requiring a tip. Many things on the list I would not tip even when I had more money. I don’t go out to eat, get my nails done or anything else. Only thing I currently tip is when I get my hair cut. About twice a year. At Great Clips. I tip $2.
pretty cheap; I wouldn’t want to cut your hair, but I understand ya
Hmm…if her great clips cut is $10, as they sometimes have, then $2 would actually be a generous tip.
I agree. $2 on a $10 haircut is 20%, which is a decent tip. I would think it’s ridiculous to expect more than that.
I’ve been a server for 10 years. I put myself through college and graduate school serving. I have made $2.13 an hour since I started so I definitely depend on tips. First of all, I would really like to stress that no one knows what’s going on with the server. Sometimes my WORST days were for financial reasons and I came to work in tears and might not have been as happy that day. If someone didn’t tip me because I didn’t have a huge smile on my face I would be devastated. I would never be rude, so I’m not saying that about rude service (I still tip rude servers 20% because I’m a server but sometimes it’s a struggle). Also, I am very sick with my pregnancies, especially at the beginning, and my tables don’t know I am pregnant or sick. When I am on the verge of throwing up, I can’t be especially friendly. Just a few circumstances that people are unaware of with their servers. Also, I always tip at least 20% of the original bill. If food was taken off the bill, the server still did the work and most of the time it’s not the server’s fault. And coupons are a form of payment and should be taken into account when tipping… Just my two cents 🙂 Also, to go orders are very time consuming and take away time from my tables and I have to tip out 2.25% of the total sales on to go orders, so I feel it is always nice to receive some kind of tip on those. It kind of stinks to have to tip out and lose money when people order take out.
You might want to consider birth control or abstaining. Don’t make it the customer’s problem.
Coupons are discounts, NOT methods of payment.
To-go orders shouldn’t get tipped in most cases unless it is a really large order or they take it to your car. That’s only if the service was good(meaning the food was correct).
Doesn’t matter that you have to tip out. No one is tipping based on that in general. The people that base their tip on that is not what a tip is for. A tip is for *SERVICE*, NOT to pay back tip outs.
No one knows what’s going on with customers, so what is your point here? This isn’t a charity. This is a job, not some personal issues payment fest. It doesn’t matter what’s going on with you personally just as you don’t care about us customers personally.
Tipping 20% no matter what only creates bad service more for others. If the server was rude, they shouldn’t get a good tip or if it’s really bad, they shouldn’t get a tip at all.
I agree 100%! Well said, springs1!
Do you normally tip your babysitter or home daycare provider? I know some people that have, but others don’t think it’s necessary. I usually just get something for them around the holidays to show my appreciation. I would love to know what others do!
What do u tip to pizza delivery man??
My husband used to deliver pizzas and he thought $2 was a “normal” tip for 1-2 pizzas. $5 was a great tip. They would fight over the houses that gave $5 and they got their pizzas really fast. Remember, they are using their personal cars and gas.
I normally do the customary 15-20 percent, unless the order is really small. I won’t give less then $3.
If they’re delivering several pizzas for a large group to us I to at least $10-15 but when it’s just my husband and I, $3-5 is the average unless it’s holiday time.
My friends and I eat out regularly and it isn’t uncommon to hear one of us say, “I don’t feel like tipping today, Wendy’s? Costa Vida?” It would be foolish for anyone to budget and save for a big trip and forget to include your cost of gas, it is equally foolish to budget and save to go out to eat and forget to include your tip.
I totally agree with that!! One time I had a lady at my table ask me to calculate the cost of her order in my head. I thought it was strange but I did and said it would be about $50 after tax. She pulled out an envelope and counted $50 in cash and said great I had enough. Her order came out to $50 and some change and she just left the envelope, shorted me a few cents, and didn’t bother with tip. It blew me away that her intention from the beginning was to spend every penny she had on her food and the possibility of shorting her server (whose pocket it comes out of, plus tip out to hosts and bartenders) never occurred to her.
Totally agree!!
AGREE. If you can’t afford a tip, you shouldn’t eat somewhere where you are served.
Wait, according to the article, you are suppose to tip $30-$40 (15%-20%) for a $200 service at a hair salon. I would think $20, making it a $10 (10%) an hour tip should be sufficient. Would love to get the input of others on this though, as I don’t want to under tip, but honestly, that does feel like too much.
I agree, $20 seems generous to me!
I don’t feel that a hair salon is a mandatory tipping place. They make more than minimum wage. I’ve had some pretty bad haircuts and I don’t feel that I should tip, especially considering that it takes a while for a bad haircut to grow back out.
I worked as a waitress and hostess in 2009. Generally, waitresses get between $3.75-5/ hour plus tips. Hostesses get at least minimum wage. In a situation of a pick up order, unless they do an exceptional job, it is not standard to tip them.
Good service gets a good tip. Mediocre service gets medium tip and not service gets no tip. Now I do keep in mind whether there is few servers or a lot of customers when tipping. Gossiping in corner with friends is not an excuse though.
My parents have always taught me to tip. 20% for good service, 10% for bad. Even when we go out to eat and we end up getting a free meal because service was so bad we always tip. I guess I think it’s just the polite thing to do. I hate hearing the excuse “I can’t afford tipping.” If you can’t afford the few extra bucks to tip, then why eat out at a place that’s costing you more than that anyway? The only place I don’t tip that I’ve been told I should is sonic! Apparently they work off tips but I just don’t feel obligated to tip there. Just my 2 cents. Feel free to disagree though! 😊
AMEN🙏
As a waitress at my job we the servers always had to take the to go orders and at our restaurant the meals included soup salad rolls and dessert so it was always a pain and just as much work as waiting on a table inside the restaurant. And servers make $2.13 an hour.
Lol! Try living in Vegas!! You’ll be sick of tipping in no time!! People here expect a tip for EVERYTHING!! Literally had a door man step on the AUTOMATIC door opener before I got to it and then hold his hand out for a tip one time!!! Hahahahah!! Whatever man! I’m not giving you a tip for opening up a AUTOMATIC door for me!!
LOL; thanks for the laugh; I want to see vegas one day
A glimpse of what’s to come, visiting Vegas in a couple of months😀
I think tipping is very important. My husband and I always tip 20%. You be amazed how many people don’t tip, my mother had been working housekeeping for 15 years and she said on average she get 3-4 dollars in tips a day and that’s an 8 hr shift uo to 20 rooms. Some people don’t feel obligated to tip.
I find that those who can least afford it tend to be the most generous, and vice versa. An elderly neighbor hired our kids to walk her dog twice a day after she broke her hip. They offered to do it for free, but she insisted on paying them $5 per day. On the other hand, a business owner who lives down the block called our kids right before he went on a two-week Mexican vacation and asked them to shovel, saying he would pay them “what is fair” (the alarm bells should have been going off!). They ended up spending 20 hours between them and my husband (4 big storms, two of which had ice — when they returned home,I sent him an email detailing this). He paid them $75 to share and “tipped” them the few pesos he had left in his wallet. When he called to ask if they would do it again this year, I’m surprised my husband didn’t just hang up on him!
As a server, good service should be rewarded with a good tip. Servers are required to tip out busboys and bartenders. If a server isn’t appropriately tipped, the money comes out of the server’s pocket. As for the people who believe that servers should be paid minimum wage so people wouldn’t have to tip, think again. The price of your meal would double. This is especially true with small, family owned restaurants. The same people would be complaining about that too. If you don’t want to spend money on a tip, stay home and cook your own food. Problem solved!
I doubt food would double in cost if that were to be the case. As it is, servers get $2-$3 an hour, so that would only be around $6 more per employee, per hour. Restaurants would more than likely sell more food and alcohol if customers didn’t have to worry about paying an additional tip, based off what they purchase in the first place. Therefore, they would probably make more money in the long run, especially when alcohol is a large portion of the bill. However, waiters would be making less, as they would miss out on those weekend tips. BUT, there is also a chance, out of habit and even out of just kindness, many people would probably still leave some sort of tip.
Some restaurants are actually starting to incorporate tipping into their menu prices but they don’t necessarily do it by an hourly wage. The majority of these restaurants have a system where the server gets either a minimum of $10 an hour on slow nights or 20% of their sales. The menu prices are therefore increased by 20%. As a server, I like that that guarantees some kind of income, but as someone who likes to eat out, I don’t like that servers don’t have to offer good service anymore.
Yes my friend’s son works at Sonic (rollerskate server) and he makes $5.25 an hour. They pool the tips so it is evenly shared among the drive thru, cooks and skaters. I always tip at least $2 per skater trip to my car.
I am appalled by so many of these comments! We take for grained that we live and patronize American businesses, where your gratuity is not included in the cost of dining, customized services, and the like when patronizing the service industry and dining out across the board! American businesses do not include gratuity in their pricing, to minimize costs, for a consumer based that would otherwise not dine at establishments otherwise. An example would be Domino’s Drivers who get paid a servers wage, as it is implied that they will make enough tips to cover the difference in pay, despite having to use their own gas, vehicle, cover their own insurance premiums, and who will never see a dime of the $2.00 delivery charge each customer pays, per delivery. Beyond this, telling others to find better jobs is also deftest; why should the working poor be penalized for choosing to work? We live in a nation where education is undervalued, and so sometimes people cannot be as picky about their employment. I personally applaud someone for choosing to work for a living, even if the industry is below the expectation of others! Many people can give to charity, support intentional relief efforts, tithe a church, but not give a hand up to a fellow, hard working American? It’s shameful. My husband and I both educated, make a good living for ourselves, and it is a source of pride when I can tip someone who helps to make my life easier and more convenient. A real tip? If you cannot afford gratuity, service tips, or social tipping, stay home!
If someone is working at a poverty level job, they can get assured public assistance already paid for through the publics taxes. Tips are not a welfare system but a system based on the quality and type of services rendered.
So, it’s better to have someone on welfare than to be generous?
Why not? The taxes we pay out pay for it anyway.
Taxes cannot cover a lack of civility.
The amount we are taxed for the welfare system is so very small. I hate when people use that as an excuse.
Customary tipping is a way to justify business owners paying employees less than they should. Since tips are not equal for each customer, I am sure employees would rather have a pay based on their work…..not based on how much a person decides to tip that day. I always tip 20%, but only because I know that the salary is low because of the expected tip…..if customary tipping was removed, the owners would pay the employees more. The costs of the food/items would be more, but everything would be more fair to employees and customers.
No, most chain restaurants have workers rely on tips for their own tax purposes, and so it’s not a matter of kindness, but a way to prevent revenue sharing. I am sure employees would love such a structure, but as long as states allow individual businesses the option, this will not soon to change.
Here’s an odd scenario for restaurants: some places in the metro area are sit-down, but you stand in line and put in your order with a cashier first and pay ahead of time. There’s a space for tip on the receipt, but you’ve done half the work of a traditional full-service restaurant and haven’t received any actual service yet. There’s a runner that brings the meal to your table and cleans up afterwards. Is a 20% tip expected then?
In those cases, sometimes I ask if they make the typical server wage ($2.13 in my state) and therefore depend on tips. If/what I tip depends on their answer.
About a year ago a few friends and I decided to go out for lunch. They are not from my area and so asked me for suggestions. I suggested a place I had been to a few times the previous summer. I don’t know what happened to this place but it was no longer the place I remembered. Now, they ask for a tip when you pay (before getting your food). I had not thought this was possible but apparently it is when you pay by either credit or debit card. I did tip but deeply wish I had not!!
When one of my friends got his food the cheese on his sandwich had mold on it. It was clearly blueish mold on white cheddar cheese. He just picked it off and was not going to say anything. I felt terrible having suggested this place! I took his sandwich up to the counter and told the servers and they could see the moldy cheese still on the plate. However, instead of giving him a fresh sandwich, which I believe they should have done, they instead just replaced the moldy cheese w/ another slice.
Not only was the service awful but the food was awful as well (and not just the moldy cheese). I will never suggest this place again and will NEVER again tip Before being served first!