To tip or not to tip

Sailor Steve · 02-22-15, 12:19 PM

The United States has a very strong tipping culture; so strong that most restaurants are legally able to pay far below the minimum wage - only 1/4 to 1/3. The waiters and waitresses are expected to make a certain amount in tips, and are taxed according to that expected amount. Supposedly 15% is expected. My friends and I always figure 20%, and then round up to the nearest whole dollar. That only changes if the service is very poor.

The downside is that now a lot of fast food places have tip jars on the counter. That I'll never do, as a behind-the-counter job doesn't involve actually waiting on the customer. Pizza-delivery guy? You bet. Taxi driver? Yep. Clerk of any kind? Not really. Unpaid musicians hosting the blues jam for nothing? Yes, please.

02-22-15, 12:19 PM	#10
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	The United States has a very strong tipping culture; so strong that most restaurants are legally able to pay far below the minimum wage - only 1/4 to 1/3. The waiters and waitresses are expected to make a certain amount in tips, and are taxed according to that expected amount. Supposedly 15% is expected. My friends and I always figure 20%, and then round up to the nearest whole dollar. That only changes if the service is very poor. The downside is that now a lot of fast food places have tip jars on the counter. That I'll never do, as a behind-the-counter job doesn't involve actually waiting on the customer. Pizza-delivery guy? You bet. Taxi driver? Yep. Clerk of any kind? Not really. Unpaid musicians hosting the blues jam for nothing? Yes, please. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo