Tipping has gotten out of hand in the US

[Evo]

What suprises me are the people on here that say they won't tip a person that serves them unless they walk out to a table. I don't get it, someone that makes the drink (coffee, whatever) and serves it to them doesn't qualify for a tip, but a person that just picks the coffee up, already made, and walks 5 feet to set it on a table deserves a tip? The person that made the coffee did more work. I don't get this kind of thinking at all. Is it because the person that made your drinks somehow isn't worthy because they placed your drinks on the counter? You only tip people for walking?

I wonder if these same people go into a bar and refuse to tip the bartender because all he's doing is making them a drink?

 

[Moonbear]

Like others have mentioned, I tip for better than just the typical service, and how much better determines how much tip. For example, if I go to a coffee shop and they just pour a coffee, they don't need a tip. It's not like they're going out of the way to make that coffee, that was their job. But, if I go to the same coffee shop regularly, and the person working there remembers my order and is getting it ready as I'm walking up to the counter, or I have special requests that they fill for me even though it's not on the standard menu, then they get a generous tip.

As for garbage collectors, I've never tipped them. I'm not even sure how you tip them since I never see them. I don't even know if it's the same person every week. HOWEVER, back in the days when I wasn't paying for trash collection and they took whatever was put out (now I have to pay to have trash collected, and am limited to only two cans of trash or I pay extra...everyone gets the BIG cans), if I put out a HUGE amount of trash, such as when cleaning up the yard or basement or some such, THEN I'd be out at the curb on the day of trash pickup when I saw the truck pull up and made sure that crew got a tip for taking all the extra trash. That was expecting more of them than the usual household trash pick-up, so deserved a tip.

Oh, NYC is ridiculous though! If you live in a building there, they give you the list of all the employees who should be tipped. My boyfriend went through that last year. He didn't even know who half the people on the list are. I can understand tipping the doorman and concierge, and maybe a few folks on the maintenance staff if they did work for you, but when you don't even know who the people are, meaning you've had no contact with them at all, why should you tip them? But, if you don't and you need them the next year, they hold a grudge and don't help so much...even though THAT should be the year they would then get a tip for then being helpful. That is out-of-control tipping.

Wow, fileen, that was some experience! He had the nerve to ask why he wasn't tipped? I'd have told him he was lucky I didn't get him fired by making a big fuss in front of the whole restaurant and manager, and my tip to him was that he should get a clue.

 

[Moonbear]

You only tip people for walking?

Yes, that's an extra service to take it to the table for you...and more than that actually, it's that they keep coming back, saving you more trips to the counter, if you need anything else. They are actually waiting upon you, making sure you can just sit and eat and not get up everytime you want something else. If you order at a counter and carry it to your own table, it's just the same as a fast food restaurant. Do you tip at McDonald's? There's no special service there, just buying the item being sold.

 

[Cyrus]

I never know when to tip. I tip cab drivers if they are friendly and I tip at restaurants but only if it was a nice experience. I sometimes tip at coffee places. I was shocked when my hair dresser wanted a tip. When you pay like 40 bucks for a trim you don't really want to tip. One time I had an awful experience at a restaurant. They knew we were students and didnt feel they needed to be very courteous. I had asked the server if there were any vegetarian meals (I don't eat meat at restaurants) and he suggested a dish. When I got it, it was full of beef, bacon and chicken. I called him over and explained the situation and he wouldn't even look at me. As he walked away he said "thats what you ordered" I am not vegetarian and had he been concerned or friendly Id have told him not to worry about it, but he was so rude. So I asked to see him again and he asked if Id like to order something else, and he would give me a free desert. At this point I am thinking, well that's a lot better. So I order another dish and my friend orders a desert since I am not into junk food or bacon and 2 hours later when everyone is long finished eating, I finally get my meal. I tell him how long I've been waiting and as to get it to go and get the bill. I quickly realize he's charged me for both meals and the desert. I asked to see the manager and he wouldn't budge even though the server said it would be free. I paid the bill and on my way out the server stops and asks "Im just curious why you didnt tip me?" I was totally astounded! I don't remember what I said but I am sure it wasnt friendly

Jeezus lady. Stand up forself. You let people walk all over you like this? I would have just turned the plate upside down on the table and left so he could pick up the mess.

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

It doesn't seem like it would be legal. About the only justification would be that the crime is immediately detectable (as opposed to shoplifting where you wouldn't even be sure which shift of workers to hold responsible). On the other hand, if it's not explicitly addressed in state labor laws, I imagine most new-hire waiters/waitresses would be afraid not to sign an agreement to pay for losses.

One thing is for sure. Don't leave your purse behind when you dine and dash, especially when there's illegal drugs in your purse:
Miss Teen Louisiana Busted for Dine and Dash

I'm sure that to some extent they can argue that the waiter is responsible for keeping an eye on these things though there isn't much they can do even if they do catch someone dashing. Its also been years since I have known anyone in that line of work so things may have changed.

I paid the bill and on my way out the server stops and asks "Im just curious why you didnt tip me?" I was totally astounded! I don't remember what I said but I am sure it wasnt friendly

That's absolutely ridiculous. I stand up for people getting tips but even I stiff bad service. I don't understand those people who think you ought to tip no matter what because that poor jerkoff of a service person doesn't make much money. Waiters tend to make quite a bit of money if they are good at their job (due to tips). In some cases probably better money than I make.

What suprises me are the people on here that say they won't tip a person that serves them unless they walk out to a table. I don't get it, someone that makes the drink (coffee, whatever) and serves it to them doesn't qualify for a tip, but a person that just picks the coffee up, already made, and walks 5 feet to set it on a table deserves a tip? The person that made the coffee did more work. I don't get this kind of thinking at all. Is it because the person that made your drinks somehow isn't worthy because they placed your drinks on the counter? You only tip people for walking?

I wonder if these same people go into a bar and refuse to tip the bartender because all he's doing is making them a drink?

I'll bet you a Tiki lounge Apple Martini that Cy tips bartenders well. ;-)

Personally I tend to tip anyone in a job that relies on tips to make a decent wage. Waiters, Baristas, barbers, cabbies, bartenders, ect. Admittedly I tip small on take out orders from restaurants, but I still tip.

 

[Evo]

Yes, that's an extra service to take it to the table for you...and more than that actually, it's that they keep coming back, saving you more trips to the counter, if you need anything else. They are actually waiting upon you, making sure you can just sit and eat and not get up everytime you want something else. If you order at a counter and carry it to your own table, it's just the same as a fast food restaurant. Do you tip at McDonald's? There's no special service there, just buying the item being sold.

I've been a waitress in a small place before, and I worked much harder when I did the order taking, cooking, drink mixing, cleaning, and cashiering, while standing behind a counter, than simply carrying food to a table.

I'm not talking about a Subway or other fast food place. I guess a good rule of thumb would be if there are chairs at some part of the counter, then the person is also a waiter as well, and they probably work for tips.

fileen, at that point, you shout ROACHES!

 

[LowlyPion]

I've been a waitress in a small place before, and I worked much harder when I did the order taking, cooking, drink mixing, cleaning, and cashiering, while standing behind a counter, than simply carrying food to a table.

Sounds like a housewife with kids.

 

[NeoDevin]

It doesn't seem like it would be legal.

(In Canada at least) There is no recourse for the business to force the server/employee to pay for it, but they are within their rights to fire you if you don't make up the difference.

 

[BobG]

(In Canada at least) There is no recourse for the business to force the server/employee to pay for it, but they are within their rights to fire you if you don't make up the difference.

Ironically, banks prefer their employees to be cooperative with thieves (http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/files/RIC/Publications/e03071267.pdf :

During a robbery, bank practices are highly standardized;
consequently, robbers know that they can count on
compliant victims. Most banks—consistent with police
advice—direct employees to comply quickly with robbers’
demands. Tellers willingly empty their cash drawers when
presented with a simple robbery demand note, whether
or not violence is threatened or a weapon is displayed.
The bank’s primary objective is to protect the safety and
security of its employees and customers by reducing
the likelihood of violence. Consequently, the risk that a
robber will encounter resistance is extremely low.

Bank employees are so compliant that the robbery itself
is a quick and efficient transaction; more than two-thirds
of bank robberies are completed in three minutes or
less. Robbers often wait in the teller’s line with legitimate
customers and pass a demand note to the teller. In many
robberies, the event is handled so discreetly that other
customers and even other employees are not even aware
that a crime has occurred until after the robber has left
the premises.

 

[Moonbear]

I'm not talking about a Subway or other fast food place. I guess a good rule of thumb would be if there are chairs at some part of the counter, then the person is also a waiter as well, and they probably work for tips.

Oh, we were talking about different things then. You're talking about sitting at the counter in a diner type situation. Yeah, that's the same as sitting at a table. Someone is still coming over to check on you every so often, etc. I thought you meant standing in a line to place an order with someone at a register who hands it to you and you pay.

 

[NeoDevin]

Ironically, banks prefer their employees to be cooperative with thieves (http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/files/RIC/Publications/e03071267.pdf :

I think bank robberies are probably far more likely to become violent if the demands are not met than a simple dine and dash.

 

[lisab]

Ironically, banks prefer their employees to be cooperative with thieves (http://www.cops.usdoj.gov/files/RIC/Publications/e03071267.pdf :

One of my many jobs I had as I worked through college was a clerk at a 7-11 (of course). We were instructed to be entirely cooperative with any robbers.

But a fellow 7-11 clerk in a nearby town was robbed and he fought back - and won! The robbers fled with no money.

Ane he was promptly fired!

Hijack over - I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread, "Tipping has gotten out of hand..."

 

[BobG]

One of my many jobs I had as I worked through college was a clerk at a 7-11 (of course). We were instructed to be entirely cooperative with any robbers.

But a fellow 7-11 clerk in a nearby town was robbed and he fought back - and won! The robbers fled with no money.

Ane he was promptly fired!

Hijack over - I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread, "Tipping has gotten out of hand..."

Bottom line is:

a) Employee that doesn't receive tips; cooperate and allow people to rob your store or business.
b) Employee that does receive tips; attempt to tackle would-be thieves without injuring any of the customers (not receiving any injuries yourself is optional).

Or, conversely:
a) Tip the employees most likely to have to prevent theft. That probably wouldn't include the security guard at a bank.
b) Don't tip employees that won't bother to endanger their health to stop theft.

Actually, that should probably be expanded. If the employee would endanger their health to save a customer, they should probably be tipped, as well (rafting guides, etc). I would probably leave a pretty big tip if a waittress performed the Heimlich maneuver on me.

 

[redargon]

If you follow Evo's ideas, then optimally you should probably tip the chef/cook/food,beverage producer and not the waitron. They obviously do more work.

But then, what about the guy that killed the cow, the guy that picked the vegetables, packed it in the van, drove it to the resturant/shopping facility, unpacked it, the guy that cleans the restuarant/shopping facility, etc etc. These are all (generally) low paying jobs and they are providing a link in the chain of service to you and probably expended more work than the person who brought you your meal. On the other hand... who is the person who gets blamed if the place is dirty or the food is cold or the order is wrong etc, etc. Usually the waitron.

How about this for an idea: As consumer driven people who spend on meal in a resturant in one night, the total amount of money that millions of people survive on in a month, how about tipping "low" wage workers a little (I'm not saying not at all!) less (let their unions fight for higher wages and benefits) and send what you saved tipping to a charity of your choice. Then you would make more than just one person's day. Now wouldn't that be nice.

 

[dyosa]

very well said redargon. tipping is like a complement to a service well done.

 

[Evo]

If you follow Evo's ideas, then optimally you should probably tip the chef/cook/food,beverage producer and not the waitron. They obviously do more work.

No, only if they also serve the food. Like I said, I worked at a couple of small lunch counter type places when I was in school and I worked for tips.

 

[noumed]

You should tip us software engineers. If not, we'll put a bug in your code.

We tip you by not pirating your software.

 

[NeoDevin]

We tip you by not pirating your software.

We do?

 

[scorpa]

I wonder if these same people go into a bar and refuse to tip the bartender because all he's doing is making them a drink?

This reminds me of the last time I was at a bar ( a crappy club not a pub type bar) and I ordered a vodka slime. It took that bartender all of 10 seconds to make, I hand him a 10 dollar bill for the 4 dollar drink expecting change and he takes the remaining 6 bucks, puts it in his tip jar and won't give it back. My friend saw this happen and asked for her change back (minus a dollar tip) and he looked at her and said "Don't bother coming back then". I couldn't believe it. Just one more reason why I despise going out to places like that.

I always tip waiters/waitresses at restaurants but that is pretty much it. I won't tip people I know darn well are making more money than I am...eg cable guy or pretty well everyone else for that matter. No one tips me for anything I do nor do I expect it, I really hate how people are starting to expect tips for every last little thing.

 

[Evo]

This reminds me of the last time I was at a bar ( a crappy club not a pub type bar) and I ordered a vodka slime. It took that bartender all of 10 seconds to make, I hand him a 10 dollar bill for the 4 dollar drink expecting change and he takes the remaining 6 bucks, puts it in his tip jar and won't give it back. My friend saw this happen and asked for her change back (minus a dollar tip) and he looked at her and said "Don't bother coming back then". I couldn't believe it. Just one more reason why I despise going out to places like that.

Basically, what he did was theft. I guess I have been lucky, I have never had to put up with anything like that.

 

[moose]

I was shocked when my hair dresser wanted a tip. When you pay like 40 bucks for a trim you don't really want to tip.

I would prefer to tip my barber than anyone else. You can have a bad experience while eating a meal, but that doesn't even matter all that much. If someone does a great job on your haircut though, that's gold. I tip very highly in this situation.

 

[cristo]

I wonder if these same people go into a bar and refuse to tip the bartender because all he's doing is making them a drink?

This is one of the things about the US that I'm still amazed by: bartenders, and most other people working in catering-type jobs expect to be tipped, regardless of how well they do their job. Like, for example, when a bartender takes the top off a bottle of (crappy light) beer and serves it to me s/he expects to get tipped. Well, that is something I'm definitely not used to, and am never going to tip for, regardless of how much of a faux pas it is. I only ever tip (when I'm home) if someone gives an extremely high level of service, otherwise they're just doing their job which they get paid for anyway.

 

[elfboy]

I almost never tip especially when I buy food over the counter. My explanation is that when it says on the bill is what I pay. I have no need to pay more than I'm entitled to.

 

[Evo]

Here in the US people serving food get paid almost nothing in wages because they are supposed to work for tips.

You have to have worked for tips to understand how important it is.

 

[devil-fire]

Here in the US people serving food get paid almost nothing in wages because they are supposed to work for tips.

You have to have worked for tips to understand how important it is.

I duno. If waitresses didn't get tips and just got payed the same amount as the cooks, who's food they were delivering, I expect waitresses would just find a higher paying job. I mean anyone who is working a low paying job and wants to get payed more for their time just goes and starts looking for another job, right?

"I'm here working as a telemarketer and I feed my kids with the tips... except I'm not getting any tips so my kids are starving! You customers are all lousy!"- some crazy person

 

[NeoDevin]

I duno. If waitresses didn't get tips and just got payed the same amount as the cooks, who's food they were delivering, I expect waitresses would just find a higher paying job. I mean anyone who is working a low paying job and wants to get payed more for their time just goes and starts looking for another job, right?

If waitresses didn't get tips and got payed the same as cooks (read: More than they get paid currently) then not tipping wouldn't be a serious problem, now would it? But that would also mean that your food would cost more, so the business could pay their staff more. That's fine, that's how many countries in the world do it, and it works well. In the US and Canada, however, that's not how it works. Waitresses/other service staff get paid only a minimal amount (generally barely more than minimum wage), and count on tips to make their income competitive.

I've noticed (during my stint as a bartender, where I made $8 (Canadian)/hour) that people from overseas have a difficult time understanding this at first, and then they get a reputation at the places they visit for being a poor/non tipper, and receive poorer service as a result (downward spiral).

 

[waht]

You guys have a wrong impression of how much cable guys make.

I used to work as a cable guy for a major cable company partime during college. I can tell you they make slightly more than minimum wage. Only the 20 year veterans make about $20/hour, unless you are in a union. Starting with $8 an hour in some places, good luck climbing poles in a -20 degrees freezing weather.

I used to get tips all the time, but only from customers that were cordial and really down to earth. I could sense that in the first 30 seconds and that's when I go out of my way to do a nice job. Not to get the tip of course, but because there is a connection between the customer.

As for others, well I could have done better. And they got what they paid for.

 

[ShawnD]

You guys have a wrong impression of how much cable guys make.

I used to work as a cable guy for a major cable company partime during college. I can tell you they make slightly more than minimum wage. Only the 20 year veterans make about $20/hour, unless you are in a union. Starting with $8 an hour in some places, good luck climbing poles in a -20 degrees freezing weather.

Do you live in Mexico?

In Edmonton, Best Buy pays $11/h for part time work (I work there). McDonalds pays $10.50/h. Any job involving a truck automatically starts at around $15-20/h. If they have a union, maybe $25-30/h (this is why services are so expensive).

I always tip 10% rounded up to the nearest dollar ($2 tip for $13 bill), but I hate tipping. As a result, I do my absolute best to avoid tipping situations. I never go to restaurants with waiters, and the only bar I go to is the campus bar (rarely). I always tip my barber, but I only get a hair cut once every 2 months or so.
I understand how important tips are to people who work in the service industry, and I strongly disagree with how that system works. Rather than protesting by being an *******, I just take my business elsewhere. I don't think I've ever seen a tip jar at McDonalds, where they actually pay a decent part time wage.

edit: my barber only charges $13 for a haircut, so tipping is not uncalled for. If I was paying $80 for a haircut, that would be a different story altogether.

 

[cristo]

I've noticed (during my stint as a bartender, where I made $8 (Canadian)/hour) that people from overseas have a difficult time understanding this at first, and then they get a reputation at the places they visit for being a poor/non tipper, and receive poorer service as a result (downward spiral).

But that's hardly a miserable wage: bar staff over here get paid, on average, about £5 an hour, and they don't expect tips. Bar tending is renowned as being a low paid job.

 

[NeoDevin]

But that's hardly a miserable wage: bar staff over here get paid, on average, about £5 an hour, and they don't expect tips. Bar tending is renowned as being a low paid job.

You're free to think that if you want. I can tell you that when I was a bartender, if you had come into my bar you would get excellent service the first time or two that you came in, but after a couple times with no tip, I would probably be focusing most of my attention on the tipping customers.