Your philosophy on tipping?

[Cyc]

When I go out to eat, I honestly don't really think of tipping in percentages. I don't even know how I would figure out percentages. I'm no good at math.

Seriously?

$10 - $1.00 = 10%

$10 - $1.50 = 15%

$10 - $2.00 = 20%

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$30 - $2.00 = 7.5% = Shitty Tip, especially for someone in the service industry in California

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Randycaver, if you're wondering why Mr. Horus ripped you a new one (and make no mistake, he did) it's probably because you sound gratingly smug and condescending.

I've also graduated college and I'm going back for more student loans and education next year. Yes, I'm going to serve through that time and if you think for one minute that the mental/physical stress of shuffling papers even closely resembles that of your typical dine-in restaurant, your head really hasn't seen the light of day - I can't even begin to count the amount of servers I've seen break down into tears during a busy rush, nor the amount of customers who don't give a shit so long as their needs are met.

I really, really look out for my girls in the service industry and your comments are shortsighted to the point of laughable.

 

[bisKi]

Australia's wages rock

originally quoted by Strawberry_Lovemuffin
American hospitality staff should just get a decent wage from the outset. I don't understand why you don't.

Not just in America - Singapore's part-time wages in hospitality is about the same. Last time I checked, Macca's was offering SGD$2.50/hour or something (AUD$2.07). The last place I worked at offered casuals only AUD$3.70/hour as a barista and it included having to clean up the place as well. Tips at most times are almost unheard of, not because it's not in our culture. It's already included in the bill (10% service charge), just that most establishments do not distribute that amongst their staff.

Back on topic, both mr_fluffy and I try to tip at least 15%, but we usually end up tipping 20%.

 

[Squeaks]

Hmm..okay my first comment/question: Where do you guys live that you are getting paid around 2 dollars an hour? Minumum wage in California is $6.75 an hour. But isn't there a FEDERAL minumum wage as well? It says so on the employee information poster thing at my work anyway..it says it's like at least 5 something an hour, for all of the USA. So how can you guys be paid so little per hour? Anyone..?

In Pennsylvania Minimum wage for tipped employees is $2.83 an hour

There is a federal minimun wage law but thats for non-tipped employess something like $5.15 or so(been a waiter so long I forget)

Every state has different individual tipped employee minimums BUT also every state also has to compensate a tipped employee if thier tips PLUS thier hourly wage don't equal $5.15 an hour per the federal standard

 

[@lterEgo]

but some of the times, i cant afford to tip and usually tell the waiter/waitress i couldnt leave one.

while i appreciate your honesty and i'm sure your server also does to some degree, i really don't think people who can't afford to tip should be eating in a full-service, sit-down restaurant. there are alternatives such as fast food, grocery stores, and take-out for such difficult financial situations.

Every state has different individual tipped employee minimums BUT also every state also has to compensate a tipped employee if thier tips PLUS thier hourly wage don't equal $5.15 an hour per the federal standard

true, the wage does have to "work out" to at least $5.15, but sometimes the actual paid hourly wage is way less than that. for example, in texas, the hourly wage for servers is $2.13 an hour. that is just insulting. my roommate waited tables in texas and didn't even get an actual paycheck after taxes most weeks.

i currently have a night job as a server, so i am especially sympathetic to other servers when i go out. 15% is actually my low-end tip - i'll leave this amount even if the service is only lukewarm. people in the service industry generally leave me big tips as well - i consider it a professional courtesy and i figure a fair portion of the cash in the industry just gets circulated among all of us

I don't even know how I would figure out percentages. I'm no good at math.

in california, you can just double the sales tax. the tax here is 8.0 or something like that, so it works out pretty well.

 

[fizzygirl]

Yes, I'm going to serve through that time and if you think for one minute that the mental/physical stress of shuffling papers even closely resembles that of your typical dine-in restaurant, your head really hasn't seen the light of day - I can't even begin to count the amount of servers I've seen break down into tears during a busy rush, nor the amount of customers who don't give a shit so long as their needs are met.

After reading all these I do want to say that I was a little pissy about the original comment this was based on as well. Jobs can be difficult in a variety of ways and for many different reasons, but I don't think it's helping anyone to automatically assume the job of a server is more difficult than that of someone that 'pushes papers'. Very often those papers are attached to something quite real for someone out there (loans, financial aid, housing, food stamps, etc) and so that also brings along the threatening phone calls, the mistakes that fuck everything up and the fact you worry about things even when you go home from work. Just because you aren't running around all over the floor doesn't mean something can't be difficult to do. I've broken down over a pile of papers a few times myself

 

[@lterEgo]

i really have a hard time believing that being a waitress is so much more difficult than an office job.

as someone who has done both, it is my opinion that being a waitress is quite a bit more difficult than an office job.

i've worked in some pretty demanding offices, too.

If you want more money, get some education, and get a job that's salaried or at least a higher wage.

how ignorant. i have a degree in political science from UC Davis. whether you personally "agree" with tipping or "want to" tip or not , tipping is a cultural norm in this country. some state governments even base their wages on this cultural norm. it's shitty to just opt out of the practice, and it's only screwing over working people who are counting on you to play within the system that's been set up.

and yes, i do realize you said you tip when the service is good, but you've also made some pretty bullheaded comments in this thread so i wanted to respond to you directly.

and now that i'm reading through this whole thread, i have to give props to frostyangel. two thumbs up, you're saying things much better than i am.

 

[alasdairm]

Originally posted by MynameisnotDeja
One last thought: One thing I REALLY can't STAND is certain types of establishments that REQUIRE you to tip. I once ate at a place that took it upon themselves to add in a hefty little tip to our bill. I was fuming. How fucking dare they assume I wanted to leave a tip. Needless to say I never went to that place again. How arrogant!

if you have such a problem with it, i would recommend that you make the decision not to eat there before you sit down. it's a simple matter to ask the restaurant if they automatically add a tip, isn't it? if you forget/whatever, it's normally marked clearly on the menu.

i have been in a situation where a restaurant automatically added a tip. the service was absolutely appalling so we explained that we were paying for the food but that we would not pay the tip. the manager wasn't happy but he conceded it was only fair.

i believe in leaving a tip which is commensurate with the quality of service i receive. that said, i understand that many workers expect to make up a poor hourly wage in tips. in cases where the service is bad and, in my opinion it is the fault of the server, i will leave a poor/er tip.

in the case that the food is bad or the kitchen takes forever but the server has provided excellent services, you can always talk to the manager about a discount for the poor food/service and still leave your server a cash tip.

alasdair

 

[frostyangel]

and now that i'm reading through this whole thread, i have to give props to frostyangel. two thumbs up, you're saying things much better than i am.

Why thank you very much I do appreciate it.

I really tried to make my opinion understandable to people who are not sure and against tipping. I just wanted to let everyone know how it does and will affect other people...

I'm glad that a couple more people have came into this, understanding the points that I'm trying to make.

I do understand how alot of people feel about tipping. And I went into the job, knowing it.. And I'm very pleased at reading some peoples' responses.

 

[Strawberry_lovemuffin]

as someone who has done both, it is my opinion that being a waitress is quite a bit more difficult than an office job.

i've worked in some pretty demanding offices, too.

I agree wholeheartedly. If by some stroke of luck you knew what you wanted to do from middle high school, got your degree and did it - good for you. But I've been in both situations (with a university degree yet unemployed, therefore pulling cappucinos at a local cafe) and I can tell you there's no comparison.

Office work may require some brain power (and office politics can leave you in tears as much as exhaustion can) BUT I'd trade a job serving customers for one sitting on my butt juggling forms and phones ANY DAY I have the utmost respect for those who make their career in hospitality.... I just *couldn't*

 

[randycaver]

as someone who has done both, it is my opinion that being a waitress is quite a bit more difficult than an office job.

i've worked in some pretty demanding offices, too.



how ignorant. i have a degree in political science from UC Davis. whether you personally "agree" with tipping or "want to" tip or not , tipping is a cultural norm in this country. some state governments even base their wages on this cultural norm. it's shitty to just opt out of the practice, and it's only screwing over working people who are counting on you to play within the system that's been set up.

and yes, i do realize you said you tip when the service is good, but you've also made some pretty bullheaded comments in this thread so i wanted to respond to you directly.

and now that i'm reading through this whole thread, i have to give props to frostyangel. two thumbs up, you're saying things much better than i am.

This is just getting ridiculous to the point that I dont care anymore, but I will reiterate for one last time: I tip always. I tip more if the service is excellent. i know that tiping is the norm. I do it. I never said i didn't. I've never opted out of it. Ever. I never said I didn't anywhere in the thread so I can't understand why you felt the need to preach to me about that.

I agree with fizzy. I have worked in both the service industry and in office jobs and none of my office jobs actually involved me sitting on my ass shuffling papers - I was constantly moving and constantly busy in all of them, so whatever. I had to deal with people on a close personal basis - and I dont know how many times I was brought to tears b/c of that. It's just silly to think that one is more mentally or physically demanding than the other - nothing is absolute.

I really dont care if you find my comments to be bullheaded or ignorant - whatever. There is just simply no way I would waste the time and money, and all that goes along with it, to get a degree only to be a server. It doesn't make sense to me, and it won't - I need a job that's more fulfilling than being a server. If that's what you want to do fine - but it's not my thing.

Kyk: You sound gratingly smug and condescending yourself - I forget, yes, anything you've ever done is so much more taxing than I could even dream!

8(

 

[Pasilda Nacera]

I give 15% almost every time, even if the service is really good or somewhat bad. If im not impressed at all by the service then I give less than 10% or nothing.

 

[michael]

as someone who has done both, it is my opinion that being a waitress is quite a bit more difficult than an office job.

i've worked in some pretty demanding offices, too.

it all depends on the job.

my last office job was supporting software designed for medical applications in a hospital. if i screwed up people could have DIED. furthermore, whenever i had to fix the computers in the MRI lounge i was greeted by the lovely sight of children balding from chemotherapy who would likely be dead within the year.

sounds real easy, doesn't it? i lasted 4 months.

 

[*Venus*]

I find it amazing that people will tip a bartender for grabbing a beer, yet leave nothing to the maid who has cleaned your pubes from the toilet for 3 days.

I don't blame this on ignorance, just the simple theory that people will only spare a tip if they have come face to face with a person and they're in a position to be judged.

However, I can't bitch because I get an hourly wage. If anyone deserves something extra IMO- its the person picking your used condoms out from the sheets and properly disposing the discarded tampon that never made it into the can.

I will admit, i knew this stuff came with the territory. Everyone should open their eyes to ALL the apects of a job before getting into it, or else, don't complain.

 

[MynameisnotDeja]

$30 - $2.00 = 7.5% = Shitty Tip, especially for someone in the service industry in California

Whatever. Like you said, I AM in the service industry, and I am happy to recieve a $2 tip, or ANY tip for that matter. Tipping should be optional, and to be honest, a lot of times I feel that the people I am tipping even deserve the $2. I do it to be nice, because I do the same job and I understand how stressful it can be. I leave a tip because I feel like a small one is the least I can do, even though a lot of people don't even leave me tips at all.

I'm sorry but I took offense to that. I do not make a lot of money, and I do what I can. Calling the tip I leave a "shitty" one was not appreciated. And I'm sorry if I am not good at math, but the percentage thing does not come easy to me.

 

[MynameisnotDeja]

Originally posted by MynameisnotDeja
One last thought: One thing I REALLY can't STAND is certain types of establishments that REQUIRE you to tip. I once ate at a place that took it upon themselves to add in a hefty little tip to our bill. I was fuming. How fucking dare they assume I wanted to leave a tip. Needless to say I never went to that place again. How arrogant!

if you have such a problem with it, i would recommend that you make the decision not to eat there before you sit down. it's a simple matter to ask the restaurant if they automatically add a tip, isn't it? if you forget/whatever, it's normally marked clearly on the menu.

Well I had no idea that such a thing even occured until that day. I never went back there again and it never has happened since. I just thought it was unbelievable.


I just don't think tipping should be mandatory. Ever. To me, if it's mandatory, it isn't a tip, it's a part of the price. And being in the industry only makes me feel that way more.

Yes, wait staff do a very hard job. But that IS the job. Just like *Venus* said, there are a lot of HARD jobs that never earn tips.
I think it is ridiculous to expect people to tip. I'm not saying it's not the nice thing to do, or the RIGHT thing to do, it IS. But as a waitress/bartender/cashier I would never just EXPECT a tip. I feel guilty for taking them sometimes. I feel like, "What did I do to earn this?"

I also disagree that a person who is low on cash should not go to a sit down restaurant if they can't afford a tip. If the meal came to exactly ten dollars and a ten dollar bill was all the person had in their pocket, then they should be able to eat there and get as good service as anyone else.

 

[MaliceNwunderland]

Bad tippers make it hard to adhere to sanitation standards...

Tip big or eat rat shit. Seems like an easy choice to me.

 

[Mechanix]

i always tip 15-20%. used to deliver pizzas, made $20+/hr, usually got stiffed once every 2 weeks or so. made more per hour doing that than my current engineering job. waiting tables more difficult than an office job? i highly doubt it. i tried writing out the rest of the post, but it was very hard to do so w/o sounding like an ass.

 

[DancinXTCangel]

I tend to tip very well most of the time. I am one of those people who gives a dollar to the bartender for my beer or the person in the drive-thru at Dunkin Donuts for my coffee. It makes me feel good to help out other people, and I like to be courteous. I suppose it's because I know how it feels to have that kind of a job. I work at a salon, and right now I'm an assistant (shampoo slave). I make minimum wage, plus tips (which equal out to roughly $20-30 a week). Most people don't tip, and I work in a very wealthy area where they can most certainly afford to. I've gotten used to it, though. Hopefully my tipping others will eventually lead to good karma and lots of tips for me in the future. :D

 

[randycaver]

Fuck tipping. I won't, not ever.

I only tip the person who does my brazilian wax.

 

[mariacallas]

ITS VERY SIMPLE. Is there service charge in the final bill? Well, thats my usual gauge....sometimes theres a whopping 50 perfect fuckin charge and i failed to see it, NO WONDER that fake bewbed amazon waitress was smiling so much she loooked like she won the lottery when i tipped her an extra fifty or more bucks ....cmon. But yeah.....there are times when i know im going to be frequenting the place again, or the servers will remember me, i try to tip a bit more, because in the environment i grew up in, people remember and they really make sure you are comfortable in the future. If i was in a restaurant in MAdagascar that i wouldnt be going to again, it depends.....if i was short on cash, very little, if not, then depending on the service charge... AHHH IM GETTING A HEADACHE lol