To tip or not to tip

[Von Tonner]

Ok, I am going to hang my colours to the mast from the outset - yes, I do think "tipping" is the name of a small village hidden away in the remote hills of China somewhere!

I have no problem tipping a car-guard in a parking lot for example whose only source of income is reliant on goodwill in return for the service he is giving.

But it really irks me that in restaurants it is expected to tip the waiter. Why must someone subsidise the owners wage bill? Why must one reward someone for doing a job they are employed to do in the first place?

TIPS (To Insure Prompt Service) came into practice by some bright spark to speed up service from waiters. And hell, are we paying for it now!

In the link below a sports team tipped " $25,000 service fee for 2 hours of just drinking and not eating a single bite of food."

In SA we have CEO's of parastatals receiving astronomical year-end bonus over and above their bloated salaries - with the tax payer picking up the tab. Just another form of tipping. Even our esteemed law officers are getting in on the act - giving new meaning to what is for all intents and purpose nothing other than a common bribe.

Who do we have to thank for this practice of tipping? Apparently its history goes all the way back to Tudor England where overnight guests in private homes would leave the servants a "little something" in appreciation for services rendered.

According to the linked article this insidious practice is now starting to creep into other services as well and finding favour in more and more countries.

http://u.osu.edu/zagorsky.1/2015/01/12/tip/

[Betonov]

We don't have a tipping culture here.
It's something no one expects you to and is really up to the person being served.

I don't always tip even if satisfied with the service or even if the waitress is a personal friend. It all comes down to how I fell and how heavy my wallet.

Usually it's just rounding up a €7.80 check to €8 etc. Almost no one tips when the check has a round number.

And from what I've seen, only the lower class tips.

[Torplexed]

Tipping. Proof as if one needed it, that life is neither fair nor equitable.

[Herr-Berbunch]

Brilliant, as usual, Torplexed.

Tipping isn't the norm where I am, if service has been good then they'll get a little extra. I usually tip my barber, but only so I get the right change for the car park.

[STEED]

Never tip never will, not got money to throw away.

[Jimbuna]

I always tip unless there is a problem or small altercation that wasn't resolved.

Example: Usual takeaway delivery is approx. £18 so I give £20.

[Schroeder]

Originally Posted by Torplexed

Tipping. Proof as if one needed it, that life is neither fair nor equitable.

That's actually true. Some university once did some testing there and found out that waitresses in miniskirts got higher tips than those with pants.

Originally Posted by ikalugin

In general I have a 5-10 percent tip rule, or just leaving the change. In Russia tipping is expected, but not demanded. Personally I tend to leave a tip if I frequent the place, as then the staff gives me a better service

That's how I do it as well.

[ReallyDedPoet]

Usually tip 10-15 %, unless the service does not warrant it.

[MH]

Why not tip waiter.
It is usually teenage or students job , a very hard job with minimal wages so why not make their life little better.
Every job an its pros and cons , waiters get their tips... yet to get them have to keep certain standards and attitude.

[Aktungbby]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

I always tip unless there is a problem or small altercation that wasn't resolved.

Example: Usual takeaway delivery is approx. £18 so I give £20.

Originally Posted by ReallyDedPoet

Usually tip 10-15 %, unless the service does not warrant it.

Absolutely! I generally double the sale tax; having been in low pay 'personal service' jobs myself-golf caddy and waiter. Quite often wait personnell are below minimum hourly wage as the tip is figured in to their pay...and the IRS certainly sees it that way in pusuit of taxes on tips based on a waiter's reciepts. Attenpts to make wages the legal minmum-wage are resisted by restaurant owers; especially in new york as profit margins are slim. Since I'm usually a repeat customer in touristy Napa, I try to keep 'em happy at 16-20% ; and they DO have long memories!

[Aktungbby]

Originally Posted by Torplexed

Tipping. Proof as if one needed it, that life is neither fair nor equitable.

^Naturally I'd be at 20% here; as Ms Blondie clearly and generously 'splits' her tips with her BUSSBOYS; my gratuity should reflect my gratitude!!...especially when it's my wife's 'Dutch' treat on her card...

[Sailor Steve]

Oh, and I forgot: My tips are never based on age, looks or clothes. The waitresses at the place my friends and I frequent are often middle-aged women trying to survive in a world that values youth and beauty. If they do a good job and constantly check to make sure the coffee cups and water glasses are full then they get our gratitude. We're there to eat, and that's all that matters.

[Aktungbby]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Oh, and I forgot: My tips are never based on age, looks or clothes. The waitresses at the place my friends and I frequent are often middle-aged women trying to survive in a world that values youth and beauty. If they do a good job and constantly check to make sure the coffee cups and water glasses are full then they get our gratitude. We're there to eat, and that's all that matters.

I salute you high moral character and integrity...I'm so old' I think the middle-aged syrens ARE the youthful and beautiful ones! This actually is in everyone's interest as, in the end, all are tipped equally!

[fireftr18]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Oh, and I forgot: My tips are never based on age, looks or clothes. The waitresses at the place my friends and I frequent are often middle-aged women trying to survive in a world that values youth and beauty. If they do a good job and constantly check to make sure the coffee cups and water glasses are full then they get our gratitude. We're there to eat, and that's all that matters.

I like to think I'm the same way, but I'm not going to say I'm better than the average guy. At least my wife is attractive enough that she keeps my thoughts in perspective.