Not always, there are places I go to that it isn't included. Sure in London it most likely is but down here not always.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Thoughts on Tipping
- Thread starter stevento
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I give a tip if the service is good. If the service is not good, they do not get a tip. In a restaurant, if the food is good and I tip the waiter that is the wrong move to make.
When I was in New York on holiday I visited TGI Friday's (never again) and on the bill (check) there was a list of how much I should tip them depending on how much I liked my meal. Well, even if the meal had been good they would have got nothing for this obtuse and frankly vulgar begging for money.
When I was in New York on holiday I visited TGI Friday's (never again) and on the bill (check) there was a list of how much I should tip them depending on how much I liked my meal. Well, even if the meal had been good they would have got nothing for this obtuse and frankly vulgar begging for money.
Here in the states, a large part of a servers income is based on tips...been awhile since Ive worked in that field though, so maybe someone currently working as a server can explain it.
Frankly, Im a little surprised at the attitude of some on here towards tipping.
Keep in mind that most people who work as servers, especially the older people, really struggle to make ends meet. If I am going to indulge in a luxury like eating out, (which means i have disposable income), I don't mind throwing the people serving me my food a few extra bucks.
If a server is working in a restaurant where they aren't paying them enough to make ends meet, then that's the server's fault for continuing to work there. Yeah, I know, tough times at the moment and all that but really, isn't there a minimum wage?
To me, a tip is something which is given as a reward for outstanding service. The only reason that there is an expectation of a tip is because some people are so keen to give them to everyone. If we stopped that and returned to a system of true reward then maybe things would be a little more sane again!
To me, a tip is something which is given as a reward for outstanding service. The only reason that there is an expectation of a tip is because some people are so keen to give them to everyone. If we stopped that and returned to a system of true reward then maybe things would be a little more sane again!
Not to politicize this, but this attitude is confusing to me. Most (at least many) on this board are left leaning, and believe that gov't should take respsonsibility for helping people out. Why does that attitude end when it comes to helping people out at the individual level?
Also, FWIW, people end up in circumstances through no fault of their own and have to take whatever job is available to them.
Anyway, like I said. Eating out is a luxury, as are many other things where tipping is customary. If you can afford to do these things than you can afford to leave a tip.
Generally, I only leave a tip if the service has been good and warrants it - this is generally the system here in Englandshire. However, when you're abroad I think it's important to be aware of what the local custom is on such matters - so if for example I was on visiting the States I'd leave a tip as a matter of course, unless the service was extremely poor in which case I do think you have justification for not tipping.
Equally, there are some countries where you should never tip, as it's seen as being insulting.
Equally, there are some countries where you should never tip, as it's seen as being insulting.
It's funny reading the comments from Americans here, treating tips like they're a God-given fact and shouldn't be doubted. Tipping isn't an absolute truth. I grew up in the UK where tipping is just something people study before going to Disney Land/World/the Grand Canyon. Now, after over a decade in Japan I'm at home with this thing called S-E-R-V-I-C-E. That is a concept whereby people give you products or services with a smile and get pleasure from doing so without needing their palms greased. And no, they don't earn much. I don't know the history of tipping but I would hazard a guess it originated as a reward for good service...as opposed to passing employers' costs onto the consumer.
Perhaps deep down inside they like the idea of personal responsibility and question if having Government regulating every aspect of life is really necessary and beneficial? At some point the abstractness of government ends the the reality of life begins...and that is usually at the individual level.
The problem with a minimum wage is it sets a floor for labour costs, so it reduces the incentive to pay more in what are essentially non competitive industries. You could take the big gov view that it offers protection against lower wages, but in doing so it all offers protection against higher wages.
I always round up the bill (hate coins) and tip if service was good. But a 20% tip, no chance, after all the price was quoted on the menu ... and its pretty annoying to *have* to tip more as what often feels like a bribe for not having your food tampered with.
Disregarding the fact that this situation is less than human, doesn't the tip come after the food preparation...?
Please stay in the UK if you can't adjust to how things work in the States. Sounds like you just made an excuse to not tip. I noticed you didn't even mention the service, only the food.
He's from the UK. I was the service industry for 20 years and noticed this is a very common attitude with British tourists. The actual excuse I've been told to my face is that it's not how they do things in their country.
Apologies to the majority of our British members. I know you guys are great and wouldn't do this yourselves here. But the hard truth is that if we heard a British accent in any restaurant I worked in, we braced ourselves. Rarely were we pleasantly surprised.
Just spotted this article on the BBC, if anyone's interested
For New Zealanders of my generation it's met with even greater disbelief than Brits (although the revolting practice is making inroads there as well). There's a Irish custom,somewhat rare these days, of returning part of the money to a buyer after purchase a much more civilised custom.
Just spotted this article on the BBC, if anyone's interested
That's a pretty condescending article. Once again, if the author doesn't like how things work here, he is free to go somewhere else.
No- discuss all you like. I'm just saying that if one plans to visit a foreign country, respect that country's customs. If one cannot do that, then one shouldn't travel.
Then the places you go to are an exception!, nowhere should be taking away wages and expecting the customer to pay a percentage of an employees wage via a tip, in-fact that would be illegal in the UK.
An employee is paid via the company they work for , ie: a waitress by the restaurant, the delivery driver by a courier company etc etc etc.......
PS, I lived in Cornwall for a good while and never experienced this .
Agree
But not in a discussion.
PS I wonder, if I go to America and deliberately don't tip anyone, what would Americans think of that? Personally I would think I'm kicking in the right direction, morally-wise, like.
I know that Lee,it's just very hard to accept for me that a worker isn't paid for the work they do and have to rely on the customers whim to achieve a living wage.Waiters for instance perform a worthwhile service and should be given a wage commiserate with that service.My parents and grandparents fought for the right to a decent wage for a decent job,tipping belongs in the world of child chimney sweeps and child miners.
All I mean is we're discussing the principle so it doesn't really matter what customs are.
PS I guess Peterkro's comments about chimney sweeps does it for me.
That's fine. And I'm just saying that the time and place to make that opinion heard is not when you're in the States and decide to stiff the server. The only person that hurts is them. It would be nice if things were different, but I doubt it will change, especially with the economy the way it is.
We would think the same of you as anyone else who doesn't tip. Hint- it's not good.
I start out at 20%. not including tax amount.
They are providing a service and should be paid accordingly. If their wages were a flat rate where would the motivation be to service their tables. do the minimum and still get paid the same.
Sometimes I think that is some of their philosophy. If the service is horrible the tip reflect it.
One thing that irks me is watching the wait staff shooting the breeze over by the bar while the customers glasses are empty, waiting on a check or waiting forever for their food.
I am far more generous with tipping than my wife.
They are providing a service and should be paid accordingly. If their wages were a flat rate where would the motivation be to service their tables. do the minimum and still get paid the same.
Sometimes I think that is some of their philosophy. If the service is horrible the tip reflect it.
One thing that irks me is watching the wait staff shooting the breeze over by the bar while the customers glasses are empty, waiting on a check or waiting forever for their food.
I am far more generous with tipping than my wife.
Do you do the same for your tax accountant or equivalent? Your kid's ballet teacher?