To tip or not to tip

[Sailor Steve]

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.

[Rockstar]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

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.

LOL, Maybe you all should try crowd funding like Artistshare or Sellaband. Might be able to get a record label and sell a few to pay for some road trips.

[fireftr18]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

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.

My feelings exactly. I really hate that we are expected to subsidize pay. I don't mind giving a little extra for better service, but the staff shouldn't have to rely on tips. It's so ingrained in the culture that if we avoid a restaurant that under pays the staff, then we eliminate every one of them. I tip the same as you Steve.

[Wolferz]

Always ready with a tip:

Save your money.