For many things, the standard here is 20% if service rendered is satisfactory. I would include table-service restaurants, bars, hairdressers, taxis, salons, etc.
I often tip generously, but if I feel there is something amiss, I will speak up before I choose not to tip. Often, a management intervention is more appropriate than not tipping. Many tipped workers count on tips as income; for instance, servers in restaurants make only half minimum wage - taxes are taken from these wages and servers are left with little to no paycheck, therefore making their tips their only wages. I have occasionally not tipped a taxi driver because I believe he deliberately took a longer route, raking up a larger fare.
I often tip generously, but if I feel there is something amiss, I will speak up before I choose not to tip. Often, a management intervention is more appropriate than not tipping. Many tipped workers count on tips as income; for instance, servers in restaurants make only half minimum wage - taxes are taken from these wages and servers are left with little to no paycheck, therefore making their tips their only wages. I have occasionally not tipped a taxi driver because I believe he deliberately took a longer route, raking up a larger fare.
There are a few western states where servers make the full minimum wage, which is already higher than the federal. Does this change things for you?
Somewhat. I understand the need to earn a living, and working as a server or bartender is one of the few employment opportunities to get a fantastic return for short and unusual hours worked. However, the fact that my tips are practically all I leave with causes me to work hard at my job. I'm motivated. I would definitely look at the service I was given before making that judgment. If the servers in such places are lazier, slower, and less inclined to treat the guest with courtesy, it would probably cause me to leave a lesser tip. Probably. I can't say for certain.
For food and beverage servers, I tip every time. I might be a little more generous during the holidays. Counter service at a place where workers get a wage (minimum or above), I do NOT tip at. However, if I get carryout from a restaurant I would normally dine in at, I will tip whoever handles my carryout order.
Presumably this would include coffeehouses, bistros, delis, and the like. A lot of these places have prominently placed tip jars or provide a place for a tip on debit/credit card receipts. How do you feel about this?
When a service is rendered, I will show appreciation. I regularly tip at places like Coldstone Creamery (an ice cream shoppe), coffeehouses, delis (the kind which prepares sandwiches and the like). I don't tip what I would at a dine-in restaurant, because I know they pool tips and earn at least minimum, but I DO tip.
I am a server/bartender. Tips are expected, because it's my income. My paycheck for two weeks' worth (and I typically work 40-45 hours per week) is often less than $50. Sometimes they are voided, because all my hourly wages were deducted for taxes. I also have to pay a portion of my tips to other workers in the restaurant, because of my reliance on their teamwork. Bartenders get 5% of my sales (not of my tips!).
Have the taxes ever exceeded your earnings? If so, how is this handled?
Servers are taxed on taxable sales, so no, taxes don't really exceed my earnings. Occasionally, a problem we run into is this: due to the widespread use of debit and credit cards, more and more people use these in restaurants and bars. Every penny we earn on credit/debit transactions is reported directly to the IRS. However, every night we also tip out based on our sales (NOT our earnings). There have been many nights that I have had to claim more earnings than I actually made, because our tip outs are not automatically deducted. Let me illustrate:
Saturday night sales: $1200
Saturday night tipout: $60
Saturday night tips earned: $240
Saturday night credit card tips: $200
I would have to claim $200, even though my true earnings (what I went home with) were $180 due to tip outs. THAT is frustrating. I have to pay taxes on that money even though it went to someone else.
I think it makes me more critical of people who have never worked in the service industry. When I go out to eat with friends who have never had to earn tips, I usually find myself gently explaining to them why they need to tip appropriately. They are often misguided or ignorant of the work, the expectations, and the distribution of tips.
That's my experience as well. Do you find yourself more forgiving (and/or more critical) of servers when you go out?
I find that I have higher expectations, but I am more understanding of what can go wrong. I also have a pretty damn good idea of what things are a server's fault and what things are not a server's fault. A sincere apology goes a long way with me, but trying to make excuses will kill your tip. I tend to give wait staff the benefit of the doubt most times.
ABSOLUTELY, I remember how people tip, and ABSOLUTELY, I gauge my service accordingly. If someone sits in my section, and I remember they tip badly, it's a struggle to treat them with all the graciousness and charm I would treat someone who is a thoughtful tipper. If they are pleasant, but bad tippers, I will be more pleasant with them, just not in a hurry to get everything they need as quickly as possible. If they are bad tippers and rude or insulting, I will be at their table only when absolutely necessary. Why waste my time?
Makes sense. Do you think this is ever noticed? By customers, management, etc?
I certainly HOPE the customers notice! I am never rude to guests, but I will prioritise accordingly. My managers are pretty savvy to what goes on, and as long as service meets standards, they won't say too much. They make a point of visiting every table, so complaints would be addressed immediately (if they come at all). We all desperately hope that the bad customers will go far, far away, and never come back; OR that they figure it out and change their ways. We've had a lot of customers learn by observation at our pub. They have turned things around and are wonderful to wait on. THAT is the goal.
I have travelled to other countries where tipping is not customary. It's a challenge to not leave a gratuity. I make sure that I give a verbal thank you, and express my appreciation in another way, such as a nice email to management about the great service, or buying the server/barkeep a pint for later imbibement.
It is difficult, but clearly you go out of your way to show your appreciation. I think it would great if everyone had the opportunity to wait tables (or do something similar) for some time in their lives and that it would improve both customer service and satisfaction.
Agreed, wholeheartedly. I think it should be mandatory.
Tipping
- 25/10/2009 01:38:59 AM
575 Views
It is not standard practice to tip here.
- 25/10/2009 01:43:37 AM
415 Views
question...
- 25/10/2009 12:07:11 PM
402 Views
any of the above. *NM*
- 25/10/2009 12:52:32 PM
156 Views
Here's my soapbox speech.
- 25/10/2009 02:51:40 AM
392 Views
Re: Here's my soapbox speech.
- 25/10/2009 03:59:54 AM
385 Views
Re: Here's my soapbox speech.
- 26/10/2009 02:41:57 AM
452 Views
here in uhmurricuh you tip for taxis and food, 15% or so and a buck or so for bags and valet stuff *NM*
- 25/10/2009 05:29:23 AM
151 Views