Topic: What are your thoughts on tipping?

[ChrissyRyan]

I realize that some of you live in countries where charges for services provided automatically include tipping, and perhaps if you give more some people like that and some people do not, and no one expects extra tips.

But let us say you go to a restaurant and tips are not included automatically (they are included at some percentage level for bigger parties, and some catering, especially at hotels) in that country…

Should you give a tip for a carry out order?  Like when you go to a fish and chips place, and take home the food to eat.  If you use a fast food drive though restaurant, do you tip for that service?  So, what is the difference there in terms of level of service provided?  I cannot see leaving a tip for someone who hands you a bag of food at a drive through but there are times when a tip should be given for a carry out order.  Especially so when you eat perhaps at the same place often and you always get good service.

Do you tip on the total tab, including taxes?

I do not eat out that often, but I tend to be generous because many of the servers do not get paid that well and they rely on their tips.  I do not like it when tips are included in advance unless you are assured that you will indeed get good food and good service. 

Also, many people do not realize this; but, servers at many restaurants are required to share their tips with cooks, hosts, dishwashers, even other servers.  In that case, sometimes I wonder if that is fair, I guess it depends!

I suppose one can differentiate your tip based on the quality and quantity of service you receive, which make sense also.  If you go to a buffet and you get little or no real service, is that a tipping situation?  That is different from a carryout order.

What I do not like is people not leaving a tip when it should be left.  This reminds me of the story of the little girl who went to get an ice cream cone at the counter but only ordered one scoop because the other dollar of her two dollars she had was for the tip.  Those that have little often can be the most generous, based on what they have to give.

It does seem that the tip percentage that is customary has gone up.  15% was considered a full tip, but not so anymore in many places. 

This discussion does not have to be limited to restaurant tipping if you desire to share comments about that.


Chrissy

[Devlyn]

I tip heavily and often.

[Jessica_K]

Just watch the first 10mins of Reservoir Dog and it kinda explains it all lol

[ChrissyRyan]

I tip heavily and often.

Does that mean you are tipsy often @Devlyn ?

No, I know that is not the case.  LOL

It is good to be a good tipper.  I would rather eat out less often and tip well than eat out more often and leave a mediocre size tip.  I did not eat out at all during the pandemic but now it is unusual for me to not eat a lunch or dinner during any week of the month it seems.  More if traveling of course.

But, I do not tip if using a drive through service lane at a fast food restaurant.

Chrissy

[Jessica_K]

Ok I will be serious, tipping is rarely done in the UK, but when I am in the US I tip well.

[ChrissyRyan]

Ok I will be serious, tipping is rarely done in the UK, but when I am in the US I tip well.

That is good!

I hope to visit the UK one day.  I feel sorry for you guys in that your inflation appears to be bad now and HRT supplies can be iffy.

However, I hear that a heat wave is coming your way, 20 degrees C I hear.  Has it arrived?


Chrissy

[Devlyn]

Ok I will be serious, tipping is rarely done in the UK, but when I am in the US I tip well.

We're in the UK and tip all the time. I think it was more traditional to not leave a
tip, but the times they are a changin'. 

[ChrissyRyan]

We're in the UK and tip all the time. I think it was more traditional to not leave a
tip, but the times they are a changin'. 

Do restaurant owners pay their workers better in the UK using the tips that were already included in the purchase price as compared to countries where tipping is optional?

Chrissy

[Devlyn]

To be honest, I don't know what the pay rate is. I  do know what my ability to pay is, and how much I enjoy the service I received. 

[SarahEL]

Awww am I the only one who came to this thread expecting it to be about cow tipping?? ... shucks

BTW.. I am British.. I do not tip.  (waiters, cows or anyone).


Hubby, on the other hand.. being a good American.. tips very generously to everyone.. Even giving a London busker a $20 note.. which the guy looked at.. and said 'What the <removed> am I supposed to do with this mate??'...

[Northern Star Girl]

When I get good service at a restaurant I usually tip 15% to 20% or perhaps more,
but if the service is bad, or the staff is rude and not attentive I have been known to
tip much less including "no tip" if things go very vbadly.

The rule of thumb is that tip percentages are based on the food and service, and not
the added and passed on taxes that the restaurant does not get.

Danielle

[Sephirah]

Do restaurant owners pay their workers better in the UK using the tips that were already included in the purchase price as compared to countries where tipping is optional?

Chrissy

It's kind of a culture thing, more than anything. Far as I can see. From what I can gather, in the US... tipping is kind of expected rather than optional. And people are paid lower because the employers kind of expect the difference to be made up in tips.

That really isn't a thing in the UK. Not nearly in the same way as across the pond. Maybe that is changing and... yeah, if you have a good experience then I don't see why you shouldn't give someone a bit extra to show your gratitude. But if you ordered a steak and got a leather shoe with a fair amount of lip and condescension then... you know. "Thanks for the <not allowed> meal, here's a bit extra! Good job!".. in Britain, that just isn't a thing, lol.

The best tip is for business owners to pay people better so they don't literally need tips to supplement their income.

[Northern Star Girl]

@Sephirah 
I will give you a little argument regarding the "leather shoe steak" ....

.... the server, unless they own the business,  had nothing to do with procuring the food supplies and cooking the food so it is possible that if the server tried hard to rectify the situation by offering an alternate meal or reducing the bill then perhaps I will still give a tip to the server showing my appreciation for their attention for trying to make the situation better.

Because the food was "bad" I may choose to not go back to the restaurant on another day for a meal.
HUGS,
Danielle

It's kind of a culture thing, more than anything. Far as I can see. From what I can gather, in the US... tipping is kind of expected rather than optional. And people are paid lower because the employers kind of expect the difference to be made up in tips.

That really isn't a thing in the UK. Not nearly in the same way as across the pond. Maybe that is changing and... yeah, if you have a good experience then I don't see why you shouldn't give someone a bit extra to show your gratitude. But if you ordered a steak and got a leather shoe with a fair amount of lip and condescension then... you know. "Thanks for the <not allowed> meal, here's a bit extra! Good job!".. in Britain, that just isn't a thing, lol.

The best tip is for business owners to pay people better so they don't literally need tips to supplement their income.

[Sephirah]

@Sephirah 
I will give you a little argument regarding the "leather shoe steak" ....

.... the server, unless they own the business,  had nothing to do with procuring the food supplies and cooking the food so it is possible that if the server tried hard to rectify the situation by offering an alternate meal or reducing the bill then perhaps I will still give a tip to the server showing my appreciation for their attention for trying to make the situation better.

Because the food was "bad" I may choose to not go back to the restaurant on another day for a meal.
HUGS,
Danielle

I agree with that. But I've also been to places where the whole staff think you're a cretin for daring to question the Godly quality of the meal they've deemed you fit to partake of, after forty minutes. And people only get argumentative when you get scared of breaking a tooth trying to bite into something, lol.

Maybe it's a British thing but I kind of think that when someone does a job that they get paid for, then it's like giving someone a rep point here. You do it as an exception, not a rule. When you feel they deserve it. I don't tip my bin men for emptying my bins. Because that's like... their job? I dunno.

[ImAllie]

Maybe it's an "American" idea... but I just think it's a human one.. Anyway, one of my favorite things my father ever said is something I quote often:

"No one every went broke from over-tipping."

[Oldandcreaky]

To be honest, I don't know what the pay rate is. I  do know what my ability to pay is, and how much I enjoy the service I received. 

I'm with Devlyn. I am so grateful for the people who take good care of me, bringing me food and cleaning my motel rooms, that I tip big and often, a minimum of 20%, often 50%, and the occasional 100%.

Bonus: The people who take care of me see me taking care of them and then they take even better care of me.

[Jessica_K]

The best tip is for business owners to pay people better so they don't literally need tips to supplement their income.

That is like a similar tip
Get a better job

I also believe that the price you pay should include the service costs so tipping should not be expected or necessary. What makes restaurants different from other employers, shop assistants etc?  What about the kitchen staff? I know some divvy the tips, but you are influenced by the waiting staff.

Back in the day when I was on a visit to the US I was told the waitress only got $1 hr and the rest was tips, but the food was cheap.

It is definitely a US thing.

In Japan you are expected to purchase snacks/small dishes at a bar, as money was not made on the drinks.

[SarahEL]

This really is a culture thing..  On the whole, in general sort of restaurants or service roles (doormen, car valets etc) tipping in the UK is not a thing. Some people cite the national minimum wage that applies to all employment here.. but even before this was introduced tipping was never a thing. The only time I have ever tipped in the UK was either outstanding or very special service (things that were above and beyond) or very, very exclusive restaurants where there is an air of 'money does not matter to me' in them.. and so it would look bad not to tip... I have never witnessed either my ex father in law or father ever tip anyone in the UK.. and so, it is cultural, it is also changing slightly.. and I think the profusion of tip jars in every coffee shop in the south is testament to that.

As for the USA.. I have been over there quite a bit in the last 18 months (as well as lots of trips before and I grew up in St Louis).. and can confirm that I have not been to a restaurant (sit down, service type) that my hubby has not left at least a 15% tip as a minimum.. Even when I thought the food and service was below par (Applebee's I am looking at you!).. he left a very generous tip.. we had words about it and it was obvious to me that this was an unwritten law in the social construct of America. Not tipping, I seem to feel, would be like seriously disliking the place and making a statement about how unhappy you were with your server and or experience.

So, I do believe this is were the differences lie.. In the UK tips are an expression of outstanding service (or a way of communicating you are rich and one-upmanship on your fellow diners/staff).. whereas in the USA, tips are only withheld when things are terribly wrong.. at all other times they are expected.. and maybe the level of tip indicates a type of 5 star rating (I know hubby goes from 15% to 25%).. and so a Brit seeing an American tip, makes the Brit think the American is showing off.. and the American witnessing a Brit not tipping makes the American think the Brit is either really upset with the service or is somehow being disrespectful...  culture is a funny thing and being partnered to a  yank is certainly eye opening at the differences we have as nations.

[LauraPortiaFan]

I don't go out to eat much. So, I don't tip there.

But, if I have food delivered or stuff from Wal-Mart delivered (rather than shipped), I tip there too.