Tipping for customer service
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Topic: Tipping for customer service
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Subject: Tipping for customer service
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 00:45
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You might actually find it funny (let alone ridiculous), but I find this topic pretty interesting. How much do you tip? How much is it appropriate to tip in your country? Do you think you tend to be pretty generous? Do you know any tipping-related stories or jokes? Discuss!  For example, every time I go to this place called "Elements" (what a corny name for a "cafe" that has really nothing to do with science at all), I tip about 20% there if I have it. If I don't, I either compensate for it later or just give as much as I have. 20% because I think it's good enough for people who actually do their simple jobs there and they do it right.
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Replies:
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 00:50
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If the staff are good, usually ~18-20+%. I'm most often paying with cash so it's hard to get something exact If the staff aren't as good, still around 12-15% The only places I ever go that I have a need to tip are bars  At my Friday afternoon hangout we had three waitresses fighting over our table today, not sure if it's because I'm so good looking or just because they know we tip fairly well and are polite. |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 00:58
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Triceratopsoil wrote:Posted By: Chris S
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 01:00
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Tipping should not be a given. If the service sucks....don't pay if it is excellent pay 20% ------------- ...As I venture through the slipstream, between the viaducts in your dreams...[/COLOR] |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 01:05
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^ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here's a joke I remember from a Friends episode:
Joey: [Talking about his tip] Hey. So... What's with the 20 percent tip? Did I do something wrong? Chandler: 20 percent is a pretty generous tip Joe. Joey: Do you know what's more generous than that? 50 percent. You know what's even more generous than that? Chandler: I see where you're going. |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 03:31
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Generally 15%, unless horrendous or stupendous. ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 04:58
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Tipping should be stopped - it's a stupid, outrageous and demeaning ritual that lost it's true meaning eons ago. It is no longer a gratuity or reward - now it's a wage payment for just doing your job. It is far from discretionary even when it is not mandatory because in terms of salary and taxation it is considered to be a part of the waiting staff's wages and that's wrong. Owners and managers should pay their staff properly and charge their customers accordingly, expecting the customer to "make-up" the staff wages to a living-wage is archaic and insulting - tipping should be a payment over and above wages, not an expected part of them.
Also the practice of percentage-tipping is just dumb - whether I order the cheapest thing off the menu or the most expensive the "cost" of delivering that should be the same so the dollar-amount of the tip should be the same.
Even if a tip was a reward for good service (which it isn't when it is considered to be compulsory) it would still be an asinine practice - it is an after the event bribe to do your job.
Why is it that people working in hotels, resturants, taxis and hairdressers expect tips for doing their paid job? You don't get this in any other service industry and you certainly don't get it in any non-service industry - you wouldn't pay Microsoft or Apple an extra 20% for delivering a working piece of tech, or tip an accountant for auditting your accounts "adequately", so why are we expected to tip someone for serving food?
If a tronc system is in practice then I want to know about it up-front - because if I want to tip someone in a resturant then I want to tip the guy that cooked it, not the table staff who managed to write down my order with it screwing it up and then managed to carry it the 20 feet from kitchen to table without dropping it or putting their thumb in the mashed potato.
I also want to know whether the staff get 100% of the gratuity I include on a credit card payment and that deductions are not made for breakages, till shortages or customer walk-outs. Is the widly believed notion that in some establishments staff only get a small fraction of the credit card paid tips true or just a rumour spread around by resturant staff because credit card tips cannot go undeclared on a tax return (hence coercing customers to leave a cash tip)?
In the UK 10% is "normal" (this isn't mean or stingy - European restaurant prices are considerably higher than in the US) - we register our disapproval or dissatisfaction by not tipping - the idea that you can get crap service and still be expected to tip is just silly. In some of the restaurants I've eaten in I should be tipped for being a good customer in spite of the poor service I've received.
------------- What? |
Posted By: tamijo
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 05:32
In Japan its (more or less) non existing.  ------------- Prog is whatevey you want it to be. So dont diss other peoples prog, and they wont diss yours |
Posted By: TheProgtologist
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 08:44
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You all do know that people who depend on tips get a miniscule hourly wage right? -------------  |
Posted By: timothy leary
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 11:22
| My solution is I eat at home where I know what to expect. As for people getting small wages, because of tips I think they do rather well. Here in Washington state they have little drive thru coffee shacks where they station scantily clad women called baristas. The is always a line of cars backed up for that action. I am sure they are doing quite well on miniscule wages and big tips. |
Posted By: infocat
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 11:31
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Dean is spot on! But how can the system be changed? Certainly one cannot justify not tipping until such time as the servers (etc.) get actual living wages. ------------- -- Frank Swarbrick Belief is not Truth. |
Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 11:32
I don't care about that even the slightest bit. I tip because I want my servers to like me and not tamper with my food. The practice is ridiculous and should be retired. Then wages would rise to compensate. ------------- 
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Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 11:59
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Things being as they are, though, I'm a very generous tipper. Usually at least 25%. If the service is bad, 8 times out of 10 it's not really the server's fault anyway (e.g. the food takes a long time to arrive). I guess if they're rude (which is rare), I'll probably tip the minimum of 15-20%, but I'm easy to please and don't demand a lot from such people.
------------- My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 12:16
^ Steve, a generous tipper indeed.  OK, I've just talked to an acquaintance of mine, and here's what I've heard: The tipping system is out -> the workers would demand higher wages -> the prices go up. Agree/disagree? Then I asked him whether there are any trade-offs in this chain of events. Would it be better or worse for the workers and for the customers. Can't remember what he said except that "the tipping system works out".
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Posted By: Finnforest
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 12:21
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20% on an average two-person dinner bill. 25% if the server is awesome. But I agree with Dean, it's a stupid, unnecessary practice. Pay your people what you need to keep them, charge the customer what it takes to cover costs. ------------- ...that moment you realize you like "Mob Rules" better than "Heaven and Hell" |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 12:28
| ^ OK, but say we took the tipping system from under their feet. The restaurant chains would be forced to pay more to the workers. The prices on the food would go up, right? |
Posted By: infocat
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 12:29
------------- -- Frank Swarbrick Belief is not Truth. |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 12:31
| ^ So it would be the same. OK. |
Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 13:03
Absolutely agree. ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 13:11
Are you trying to undermine the restaurant chain industry?
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Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 13:11
In the USA http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=United+States" rel="nofollow - a mid-range meal for two costs $45 ... with 25% tip that's $56.25
In the UK http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=United+Kingdom" rel="nofollow - a mid-range meal for two costs £40 ... with a 10% tip that's £44 ... or $70.49
------------- What? |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 13:15
------------- What? |
Posted By: timothy leary
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 14:02
Waitresses who add a "smiley" face to their bills see their tips increase about 5%. Men who do the same watch theirs DROP 3%.* Thinking of tipping at a restaurant in Iceland? Think again - it's an insult! |
Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 14:03
And serving your customers rotting, fermented shark isn't? -------------
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Posted By: timothy leary
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 14:20
| ^ meaning what? |
Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 14:23
Man, my jokes are falling flat today.  It was simply a joke about Icelandic cuisine.
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Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 14:30
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%A1karl" rel="nofollow - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%A1karl ------------- What? |
Posted By: timothy leary
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 14:46
| ^ I'll pass |
Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 15:03
------------- My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran |
Posted By: The Bearded Bard
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 17:06
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^Me too -------------  
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Posted By: tamijo
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 17:11
------------- Prog is whatevey you want it to be. So dont diss other peoples prog, and they wont diss yours |
Posted By: Snow Dog
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 17:36
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The British in general resent tipping I think. It is not a given here as it is in the USA. I say that though I think it has become more usual. I believe some chains add the tip to the bill anyway. So you have to pay. ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Snow_Dog" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 17:41
------------- What? |
Posted By: tamijo
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 17:43
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In denmark the law says - tips must allways be inclued, but the tradition stays, special in the taxi and resturants.
But with more and more card payments it slowing down, people are less likely to give extras,when they dont carry mush change anymore. ------------- Prog is whatevey you want it to be. So dont diss other peoples prog, and they wont diss yours |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 17:47
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Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 17:51
Some places do include a mandatory gratuity (oxymoron?) though, for large parties. I do not believe you have the option of declining to pay these (although I could be wrong.) -------------
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Posted By: smartpatrol
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 17:58
------------- http://bit.ly/1kqTR8y" rel="nofollow">  The greatest record label of all time! |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 17:58
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/15/nyregion/15tipper.html?_r=0" rel="nofollow - A Mandatory Gratuity Is Just a Tip, and Thus Not Mandatory ~ New York Times. ------------- What? |
Posted By: smartpatrol
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 17:59
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0% I'm too young to pay for food :D
------------- http://bit.ly/1kqTR8y" rel="nofollow"> The greatest record label of all time! |
Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:00
Ah, see that is interesting. I'm not surprised I didn't know that since restaurants sure don't advertise it and I spend more time in restaurants than around lawyers. -------------
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:08
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Well if I've been served to a bit of cleavage, I may throw the odd tip on the table. That does however entail nicely shaped breasts forming an invisible forcefield hypnotising me out of my cash.
------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:16
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One thing that really bugs me about resturants is the "Sorry, we're a very busy today" line that gets trotted out as an excuse for poor service, as if that's supposed to make everything better. I got this sorry excuse last weekend after we'd waited over an hour between the appetiser and main course (which was inedible once it finally arrived) ... sorry, we're busy is never an excuse ... it's bad management. If you've 50 seats then damn well make sure you can cater for 50 people and have enough waiting staff to service them.
And yes, the staff still got a tip (it wasn't their fault). ------------- What? |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:19
 ------------- What? |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:21
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^
I guess that depends on the expectancy of the number of customers at a particular time and day. They can't just have extra people talking to each other and rolling their dough away for the wasted time.
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:21
You'd be surprised... ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:26
------------- What? |
Posted By: Finnforest
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:26
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Sort of the flip side of the question as an aside..... In general, do you consider yourself to be a "difficult" diner? Can you roll with disappointments that may arise during your meal, or, do you start to roll your eyes at the first sign of a problem? Are you "live and let live" or are you the a****le your waitress will tell her boyfriend about when she gets home? ------------- ...that moment you realize you like "Mob Rules" better than "Heaven and Hell" |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:30
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^ I'm definitely the former. I ruin my day ... not exactly by ruining somebody else's, but by just being difficult. Negative emotions are like a visible scratch on a car. I might call for a manager and still stay cool.
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:32
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At one point in my life, I want to eat a big fat greasy burger in one of those American mid west diners with old beat down waitresses that smile like the sun itself, and then, providing the cleavage is present, I'll tip her like there was no tomorrow. Maybe give her a big sloppy kiss. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Finnforest
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:33
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For me it all goes by how I'm treated....I'll forgive anything if the server is being genuine and friendly.....what ticks me is when the server is both bad and unpleasant
------------- ...that moment you realize you like "Mob Rules" better than "Heaven and Hell" |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:33
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I'm a lamb - I'd rather say nothing, leave as quickly as possible (no pud, cheese or coffee) and never, ever return. My bro-in-law is the complete opposite, if something's not right he want's it fixing there and then. You sometimes wonder how much spit that wasn't his he's consumed in his lifetime. ------------- What? |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:33
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Well, you are certainly in a good mood today, David
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Posted By: Finnforest
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:33
------------- ...that moment you realize you like "Mob Rules" better than "Heaven and Hell" |
Posted By: Andy Webb
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:34
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I gets tips at work, so hell, I'm all for them. ------------- http://ow.ly/8ymqg" rel="nofollow">  
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Posted By: Finnforest
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:36
I see those gals up north. They can be so much fun, they've seen it all, and they enjoy someone who wants to have a good time. ------------- ...that moment you realize you like "Mob Rules" better than "Heaven and Hell" |
Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:39
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One time my daughter's softball team and all the parents decided to go to this Mexican joint after a game, and the staff were totally unprepared for a party that large to arrive during their busiest hour. The service was abyssmal, and our waiter was in way over his head. If we'd called ahead, it might have gone better. My wife and I never even got our food until after everyone was done, and the place was so apologetic they didn't charge us. We still tipped him on the amount we would have been charged, because he clearly wasn't at fault, and he's just trying to earn a living. He fully expected to get chewed out, but we were really cool to him (albeit hungry). I figured, what did I have gain for shafting the guy? A few bucks? Not worth it. ------------- My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran |
Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:42
I'm the same way. Things have to be very, very bad to actually get a verbal complaint from me. What's more, I pride myself on being easy to serve, as my orders are very specific. For example, I have the same breakfast every weekend at a local diner. "Number two, egg over easy, side of white toast. Black coffee." "Any milk with your coffee?" "Why would I specifically order black coffee if I wanted milk?" I don't say the last part, just think it. -------------
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:42
I decided to join a gym. Maybe that's why - I now know that in a months time I'll be teaming with muscles.... Nah, I have just listened to music that keeps me smiling. Have a listen to Lucio Battisti's Anima Latina and maybe it'll rub off! ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:46
| ^ Battisti ... Anima Latina ... noted! |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:47
That's exactly what I want. Maybe I've just read too much Kerouac, but there is a strong urge in me to experience the heartland of America in a way that leads me from smiling personas to towering mountainsides. I am very romantic and naive like that. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:48
| ^ Well, then ... don't come to Reno! The waitresses here act very professional. |
Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 18:49
Good man. ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: HolyMoly
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 19:29
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The heartland of America is now overrun with camera men filming Chevy Truck ads. It's sad. ------------- My other avatar is a Porsche It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle if it is lightly greased. -Kehlog Albran |
Posted By: The Doctor
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 19:36
I thought Tipping was a city in China. 
------------- I can understand your anger at me, but what did the horse I rode in on ever do to you? |
Posted By: Epignosis
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 20:42
Been saying this since I was a child! I tip 20% usually. We don't go out often. We did today to an upscale burger joint, not really to celebrate buying a car (finally), but because we had not eaten since breakfast and I could not be bothered to cook. ------------- https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays" rel="nofollow - https://epignosis.bandcamp.com/album/a-month-of-sundays |
Posted By: smartpatrol
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 20:58
Probably the most prusuasive reason to tip. A bit unfair to the smaller-chested girls out there, though. I don't think they deserve less money for being born with small tits ------------- http://bit.ly/1kqTR8y" rel="nofollow"> The greatest record label of all time! |
Posted By: smartpatrol
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 21:00
It doesn't matter, I'm already annoyed (and made paranoid) by the people before they even take my order. But I'd never mention any of my problems to the server. Try to talk to them as less as possible ------------- http://bit.ly/1kqTR8y" rel="nofollow"> The greatest record label of all time! |
Posted By: smartpatrol
Date Posted: November 03 2012 at 21:02
This reminds me of Dennys' at Texas ------------- http://bit.ly/1kqTR8y" rel="nofollow"> The greatest record label of all time! |
Posted By: JJLehto
Date Posted: November 04 2012 at 07:45
Some more brilliant commentary from Smarty
....you do realize that if you ever get poor service there is probably a reason? Annoyed and paranoid before they take the order? Dude wtf? Anyway, tip 15%. If its really good service, up to 20. If its poor, less. If its sh*t then I basically dont tip. Gotta be fair though, be observant, and smart, often its not really the persons fault. Many just always do regardless of service, guess I'm just cold. Also attractiveness plays 0 effect for me, do you deserve a tip or not? Just ya know, if you leave one dollar probably shouldn't leave your phone number as well |
Posted By: Alitare
Date Posted: November 04 2012 at 09:07
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The idea of tipping disgusts me. Whoever invented the scheme was a financial crook/genius. Hey, Joe, I got this great idea! I'll make the customers feel guilty and I'll play against their morality to make them pay most of my employees' salaries for me. I tip, but only because everyone around me becomes awfully angry with me if I even talk about the prospect of not tipping. And the rage that waiters/waitresses give me when I talk about refusing to tip! Look, here, I'm not the rot-soul paying you $2.75 an hour to work your ass off. If it is so bad, why not apply for a job at McDonalds or another of the myriad of fast food joints in almost every corner of the civilized world? I'm not speaking through lack of knowledge, either. I've work in awful food dumps. I've worked different sides of the sh*tty fields. Working as a waiter or not I still feel the same. I would only want to tip if the server went so far above what their job requires that it shocks me(which has yet to occur). I am always respectful no matter what kind of waiter I have. I am never rude, crude, or sarcastic. These are human beings working at a job they most probably detest. As long as my food is good and I'm not waiting an unnecessary length of time for anything I'm pleased. |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: November 04 2012 at 09:23
Yeah, well, ... but if you go carry out the pictures of Chairman Mao, you ain't gonna make it with anyone anyhow ... unless you are a CEO of a large restaurant chain who can abolish the idea of tipping and pay the servers what they deserve.
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Posted By: Jim Garten
Date Posted: November 06 2012 at 02:50
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Got to be realistic about this - tipping exists & there ain't nothin' we can do about it; those working in the service sector have always been paid appallingly - they object, they're out on their ear & another one brought in.
Crappy system? Yes. Anything can be done about it? No. That's the way things are & that's why we tip - don't like it? Don't go out for a meal. Personally, I usually tip around 10% if I've been given good service - in return for good service, I go out of my way to be polite & pleasant to the waiter/waitress; they get more than enough hassle from nobbers who think they can treat anyone on minimum wage with the minimum of courtesy, so I'm friendly & courteous to them & always give them the tip personally, rather than leaving it on the table as an afterthought. ------------- 
Jon Lord 1941 - 2012 |
Posted By: Argonaught
Date Posted: November 06 2012 at 03:52
[/QUOTE] My, my, am I familiar with this vivid description. Thinking of the generous refills of skunk-smelling, burnt paper-tasting "coffee" On a serious note, the tipping culture in the US has evolved into a method of concealing the true cost of eating out (along with the sales tax, which is never shown on a menu). Very little to do with "gratuity". |
Posted By: Dayvenkirq
Date Posted: November 06 2012 at 11:01
The Man! ... but ... only 10% ?
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Posted By: Jim Garten
Date Posted: November 06 2012 at 11:22
I'm a nice guy... ...but not that nice 
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Jon Lord 1941 - 2012 |