Tipping has gotten out of hand in the US

[gravenewworld]

The other day on the radio the DJs were arguing over whether or not you should tip the cable guy after he comes to your house and fixes your TV. Uhhhh why? Why should you tip someone for doing their job? Why should I tip the mailman or garbage man for doing their jobs (which a lot of people do)? Should I start tipping the mechanic too? Should I tip my accountant? Tipping has started to get way out of hand in the US. I never leave tips in the tip jar at coffee joints or at the hoagie shop. I'm not going to give people more money to do their job that they are already getting paid to do.

Before you respond let's be clear here. We are NOT talking about waiters here. I always leave 20% tip for a waiter. We are talking about tipping people who make salaries at or well above minimum wage.

 

[WarPhalange]

Tipping is fine. I get tips all the time at the physics lab. I get paid per electron, which is really cheap, but I make up most of it from tips. People walk by and go "That's some nice physics there, WarPhalange" and give me $5.

I also tip my professors and I make sure it's before any tests are graded.

I tip my local police officers and judges.

I tip my county and state politicians.

I tipped the guy who gave me a student loan, too.

 

[jtbell]

Whenever I see a cow, I always tip it to thank it for contributing to the bucolic view.

 

[Helios]

Here's what you do. Make your OWN tip jar and take it everywhere. Take it to a bar. You made it. It's yours. You have the right to have it. Make a collection plate and take it to church. Same thing.

 

[OmCheeto]

We are talking about tipping people who make salaries at or well above minimum wage.

minimum wage? I tip people who brag about making more that I do! I hate them. But I love them. I've known them for years,... er... decades.

Do you work with any people from the region formerly known as the eastern block? They expect something extra for whatever out of the ordinary they do, no matter how much they make.

I thought it quite peculiar when I first noticed it. But then I ran it through my head, what they had to do to get ahead, and it made sense. It was just just a habit.

I now ask for chocolate whenever I go the extra half inch at work.

 

[Cyrus]

I don't tip the people at starbucks, and they are very friendly and I see them every day. Why should I tip them? All they did was make a drink they were supposed to anyways. And I don't feel bad about it one bit.

I only tip waiters.

I think you owe me money because I gave you advice not to see bond. I would have saved you $10.00 admissions fees. You owe me a tip.

 

[gravenewworld]

I don't tip the people at starbucks, and they are very friendly and I see them every day. Why should I tip them? All they did was make a drink they were supposed to anyways. And I don't feel bad about it one bit.

I only tip waiters.

I think you owe me money because I gave you advice not to see bond. I would have saved you $10.00 admissions fees. You owe me a tip.

Haha My thoughts exactly. You know I can't stay out of the movie theater.

 

[Proton Soup]

might tip to make an espresso drink, but not to pour a coffee.

and i get the impression tipping might be more of a big city thing. like in new york where people are expected to tip their doorman or make a big offering at christmas or something.

but where I'm at, tipping everyone and their cousin doesn't compute.

 

[Hexnergy]

I tip for exceptional service provided... when people go above and beyond, out of their way to make sure I am satisfied... tips are for extra service that's not required, necessary, requested, or paid for... something the person did as a personal favor to you.

 

[Cyrus]

I tip for exceptional service provided... when people go above and beyond, out of their way to make sure I am satisfied... tips are for extra service that's not required, necessary, requested, or paid for... something the person did as a personal favor to you.

I agree with that.

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

Why should I tip the mailman or garbage man for doing their jobs (which a lot of people do)?

Mail carriers are not allowed to accept tips.

 

[redargon]

I like it here, we don't tip, everything is so damn expensive anyway.

 

[Chi Meson]

Mail carriers are not allowed to accept tips.

Wow. But he takes it every year!

I did a climbing expedition with a USPS carrier once, and got some stories from the inside. He said a common occurrence would be an incorrect address. Many times the carrier knows where the letter should have gone (knowing the name and all) but sometimes he has already passed that house. Does he go back with the letter? Or does he file it with other "handling" mail (which need further sorting). "Handling" will delay delivery by a day or two. He said the choice is made by asking: "tip or no tip"? If the person is a tipper, then he goes back and delivers it. If not, then the letter is delayed.

(I hasten to add, that the correct procedure was to file the letter in "handling." The tip encouraged him to take the time out of his own schedule to add some convenience to the customer. Carriers are usually damn nice people)

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

He said the choice is made by asking: "tip or no tip"?

That's why they aren't allowed. I'm pretty sure your mail carrier is breaking both the letter and spirit of the law.

 

[physics girl phd]

This thread makes me think of http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/magazine/12tipping-t.html?pagewanted=all" NYT article from last month.

I tip pretty heavy. I only get my hair cut every three months, so I might as well make someone's day. The people at the coffee shop and our favorite restaurants are pretty nice to us, especially our P (who is disabled). Why not let them know you appreciate them by not only being talkative and asking how they are doing, but also putting a bit of money where your mouth is? I'm also known to give out wrapped chocolate if I just stopped by the candy store! Maybe i just think life is too short not to make someone's day, even if they are just doing their jobs.

 

[Evo]

You would not tip a cable installer, these people make decent money and they are not allowed to accept tips, unless it's Bill & Ted's cable service, they may not make as much, but if they are working for a major company, they may make more than you do. It is traditional to give something to your garbage collectors at Christmas time. Probably stems from the days when you had the same ones. A way to encourage them not to destroy your garbage cans.

Most people working in food services get very low pay because they are told that they will make up the difference in tips.

 

[Topher925]

When I worked in a fast food joint, the girls there would get tips all the time. This one really cute girl I dated for a short time would usually get around $20 a day in tips when working the front counter. What did I get when I worked the front counter? I got written up for talking back to the douche bag who wouldn't stop yelling about his fries being to cold.

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

You should tip us software engineers. If not, we'll put a bug in your code.

 

[Ben Niehoff]

I only tip in restaurants where someone else actually brings the food to my table. I always thought it was bizarre that coffeeshops have tip jars. If I have to go up to the counter myself to retrieve the order, then I don't see what service needs to be tipped for (i.e., I've already paid them a hefty markup to make the food, and that's exactly what they did).

At places where I actually receive service, I tip around 18-25 %.

 

[Evo]

I only tip in restaurants where someone else actually brings the food to my table. I always thought it was bizarre that coffeeshops have tip jars. If I have to go up to the counter myself to retrieve the order, then I don't see what service needs to be tipped for (i.e., I've already paid them a hefty markup to make the food, and that's exactly what they did).

You paid the owner, not the server behind the counter. Some places realize that not all customers understand tipping etiquette and will rotate people from the counter to the tables (if there are tables) so everyone has a chance of getting tips in case they wait on Ben at the counter and get squat.

My first job was at the food counter in a Pharmacy. People sat at or walked up to the counter and I fixed food and drinks for them. I worked for tips. Thank goodness people realized this. The rule of thumb is, if you pay your bill to the person that served you, you tip them because tips are part of their pay. If you pay at a separate checkout, you do not tip anyone. (the exception is a place where you can either pay the server or the cashier, in this case you can skate out without tipping the server without looking at them).

 

[misgfool]

You should tip us software engineers. If not, we'll put a bug in your code.

Would tipping really help?

Edit:

STOP putting bugs in my purchased code. They belong to nature. Oh yeah, one more thing. When I report a bug to you don't EVER tell me that it's not a fault, it's a feature. That always starts my impulse control inhibitor self destruct counter and there is no bridge where you can override that countdown.

 

[LowlyPion]

The rule of thumb is, if you pay your bill to the person that served you, you tip them because tips are part of their pay. If you pay at a separate checkout, you do not tip anyone.

I don't follow that one. Many places have you pay at the cashier on the way out as being efficient. Since I usually charge, I leave the tip in cash to the server. If they are pooling that's their business. Of course I expect that even when traveling I will eat at a place again, as one never knows.

As a side note it is with some relief that I see this thread was not about the tipping of cows getting out of hand - a decidedly different practice.

 

[Evo]

I don't follow that one. Many places have you pay at the cashier on the way out as being efficient. Since I usually charge, I leave the tip in cash to the server. If they are pooling that's their business. Of course I expect that even when traveling I will eat at a place again, as one never knows.

I had an exception as part of the paragraph.

If you pay at a separate checkout, you do not tip anyone. (the exception is a place where you can either pay the server or the cashier, in this case you can skate out without tipping the server without looking at them).

 

[LowlyPion]

I had an exception as part of the paragraph.

Except that many places say pay the cashier right on the bill. I don't look at it as an opportunity to skate. I think it is a matter of being fair.

On the flip side I once had a restaurant in a US hotel add a 20% gratuity that I refused to pay. I paid only the face amount and a gratuity of 10 % because it was a buffet for heavens sakes - not their 20%. They said it was their policy and I said "gratuity" meant that I get to choose not them. I was tempted not to pay anything for a gratuity for such presumption, but decided to just pay what I originally would have and left. Fortunately I wasn't staying in the hotel and I can say I won't consider it to this day. I think that kind of thing is simply bad business practice.

 

[Evo]

Except that many places say pay the cashier right on the bill. I don't look at it as an opportunity to skate. I think it is a matter of being fair.

Same here. You and I are good people.

 

[BobG]

How big should the tip be when you dine and dash?

Is it even worth tipping? Will the management just confiscate your tip as partial payment on the bill?

On a side note: Restaraunt smoking bans are the best thing to ever happen to "dine and dash". Usually, at least one person at the table just expresses surprise to find out that all of their co-workers are smokers and never suspects that they're not coming back.

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

I don't tip the people at starbucks, and they are very friendly and I see them every day. Why should I tip them? All they did was make a drink they were supposed to anyways. And I don't feel bad about it one bit.

I only tip waiters.

I think you owe me money because I gave you advice not to see bond. I would have saved you $10.00 admissions fees. You owe me a tip.

Starbucks employees are supposed to report all tips and as far as I know have the same taxation issues that any waiter does (excepting that they make less money to be taxed). The reason why they probably don't care that you don't tip is that all tips are pooled and split evenly among employees. And many people don't tip at coffee houses any way.

When I worked a coffeehouse I went out of my way to make sure I treated all of my customers well... except the annoying ones. I had a regular who would demand a new pot of coffee be brewed if what we had was not to her liking and always requested a cup of ice to pour the half and half over to be sure it was properly chilled. After two occasions of having everything ready to go by the time she reached the counter and not receiving so much as a penny I stopped going out of my way for her at all in any way what so ever. Which means I probably treated nonregulars better than her.

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

How big should the tip be when you dine and dash?

Is it even worth tipping? Will the management just confiscate your tip as partial payment on the bill?

On a side note: Restaraunt smoking bans are the best thing to ever happen to "dine and dash". Usually, at least one person at the table just expresses surprise to find out that all of their co-workers are smokers and never suspects that they're not coming back.

Waiters are often held liable for tables that don't pay their tab. It can be taken out of their pay check. Whether that's legal or not I am not sure.

 

[BobG]

Waiters are often held liable for tables that don't pay their tab. It can be taken out of their pay check. Whether that's legal or not I am not sure.

It doesn't seem like it would be legal. About the only justification would be that the crime is immediately detectable (as opposed to shoplifting where you wouldn't even be sure which shift of workers to hold responsible). On the other hand, if it's not explicitly addressed in state labor laws, I imagine most new-hire waiters/waitresses would be afraid not to sign an agreement to pay for losses.

One thing is for sure. Don't leave your purse behind when you dine and dash, especially when there's illegal drugs in your purse:
Miss Teen Louisiana Busted for Dine and Dash

 

[fileen]

I never know when to tip. I tip cab drivers if they are friendly and I tip at restaurants but only if it was a nice experience. I sometimes tip at coffee places. I was shocked when my hair dresser wanted a tip. When you pay like 40 bucks for a trim you don't really want to tip. One time I had an awful experience at a restaurant. They knew we were students and didnt feel they needed to be very courteous. I had asked the server if there were any vegetarian meals (I don't eat meat at restaurants) and he suggested a dish. When I got it, it was full of beef, bacon and chicken. I called him over and explained the situation and he wouldn't even look at me. As he walked away he said "thats what you ordered" I am not vegetarian and had he been concerned or friendly Id have told him not to worry about it, but he was so rude. So I asked to see him again and he asked if Id like to order something else, and he would give me a free desert. At this point I am thinking, well that's a lot better. So I order another dish and my friend orders a desert since I am not into junk food or bacon and 2 hours later when everyone is long finished eating, I finally get my meal. I tell him how long I've been waiting and as to get it to go and get the bill. I quickly realize he's charged me for both meals and the desert. I asked to see the manager and he wouldn't budge even though the server said it would be free. I paid the bill and on my way out the server stops and asks "Im just curious why you didnt tip me?" I was totally astounded! I don't remember what I said but I am sure it wasnt friendly

 

[Evo]

What suprises me are the people on here that say they won't tip a person that serves them unless they walk out to a table. I don't get it, someone that makes the drink (coffee, whatever) and serves it to them doesn't qualify for a tip, but a person that just picks the coffee up, already made, and walks 5 feet to set it on a table deserves a tip? The person that made the coffee did more work. I don't get this kind of thinking at all. Is it because the person that made your drinks somehow isn't worthy because they placed your drinks on the counter? You only tip people for walking?

I wonder if these same people go into a bar and refuse to tip the bartender because all he's doing is making them a drink?

 

[Moonbear]

Like others have mentioned, I tip for better than just the typical service, and how much better determines how much tip. For example, if I go to a coffee shop and they just pour a coffee, they don't need a tip. It's not like they're going out of the way to make that coffee, that was their job. But, if I go to the same coffee shop regularly, and the person working there remembers my order and is getting it ready as I'm walking up to the counter, or I have special requests that they fill for me even though it's not on the standard menu, then they get a generous tip.

As for garbage collectors, I've never tipped them. I'm not even sure how you tip them since I never see them. I don't even know if it's the same person every week. HOWEVER, back in the days when I wasn't paying for trash collection and they took whatever was put out (now I have to pay to have trash collected, and am limited to only two cans of trash or I pay extra...everyone gets the BIG cans), if I put out a HUGE amount of trash, such as when cleaning up the yard or basement or some such, THEN I'd be out at the curb on the day of trash pickup when I saw the truck pull up and made sure that crew got a tip for taking all the extra trash. That was expecting more of them than the usual household trash pick-up, so deserved a tip.

Oh, NYC is ridiculous though! If you live in a building there, they give you the list of all the employees who should be tipped. My boyfriend went through that last year. He didn't even know who half the people on the list are. I can understand tipping the doorman and concierge, and maybe a few folks on the maintenance staff if they did work for you, but when you don't even know who the people are, meaning you've had no contact with them at all, why should you tip them? But, if you don't and you need them the next year, they hold a grudge and don't help so much...even though THAT should be the year they would then get a tip for then being helpful. That is out-of-control tipping.

Wow, fileen, that was some experience! He had the nerve to ask why he wasn't tipped? I'd have told him he was lucky I didn't get him fired by making a big fuss in front of the whole restaurant and manager, and my tip to him was that he should get a clue.

 

[Moonbear]

You only tip people for walking?

Yes, that's an extra service to take it to the table for you...and more than that actually, it's that they keep coming back, saving you more trips to the counter, if you need anything else. They are actually waiting upon you, making sure you can just sit and eat and not get up everytime you want something else. If you order at a counter and carry it to your own table, it's just the same as a fast food restaurant. Do you tip at McDonald's? There's no special service there, just buying the item being sold.

 

[Cyrus]

I never know when to tip. I tip cab drivers if they are friendly and I tip at restaurants but only if it was a nice experience. I sometimes tip at coffee places. I was shocked when my hair dresser wanted a tip. When you pay like 40 bucks for a trim you don't really want to tip. One time I had an awful experience at a restaurant. They knew we were students and didnt feel they needed to be very courteous. I had asked the server if there were any vegetarian meals (I don't eat meat at restaurants) and he suggested a dish. When I got it, it was full of beef, bacon and chicken. I called him over and explained the situation and he wouldn't even look at me. As he walked away he said "thats what you ordered" I am not vegetarian and had he been concerned or friendly Id have told him not to worry about it, but he was so rude. So I asked to see him again and he asked if Id like to order something else, and he would give me a free desert. At this point I am thinking, well that's a lot better. So I order another dish and my friend orders a desert since I am not into junk food or bacon and 2 hours later when everyone is long finished eating, I finally get my meal. I tell him how long I've been waiting and as to get it to go and get the bill. I quickly realize he's charged me for both meals and the desert. I asked to see the manager and he wouldn't budge even though the server said it would be free. I paid the bill and on my way out the server stops and asks "Im just curious why you didnt tip me?" I was totally astounded! I don't remember what I said but I am sure it wasnt friendly

Jeezus lady. Stand up forself. You let people walk all over you like this? I would have just turned the plate upside down on the table and left so he could pick up the mess.

 

[TheStatutoryApe]

It doesn't seem like it would be legal. About the only justification would be that the crime is immediately detectable (as opposed to shoplifting where you wouldn't even be sure which shift of workers to hold responsible). On the other hand, if it's not explicitly addressed in state labor laws, I imagine most new-hire waiters/waitresses would be afraid not to sign an agreement to pay for losses.

One thing is for sure. Don't leave your purse behind when you dine and dash, especially when there's illegal drugs in your purse:
Miss Teen Louisiana Busted for Dine and Dash

I'm sure that to some extent they can argue that the waiter is responsible for keeping an eye on these things though there isn't much they can do even if they do catch someone dashing. Its also been years since I have known anyone in that line of work so things may have changed.

I paid the bill and on my way out the server stops and asks "Im just curious why you didnt tip me?" I was totally astounded! I don't remember what I said but I am sure it wasnt friendly

That's absolutely ridiculous. I stand up for people getting tips but even I stiff bad service. I don't understand those people who think you ought to tip no matter what because that poor jerkoff of a service person doesn't make much money. Waiters tend to make quite a bit of money if they are good at their job (due to tips). In some cases probably better money than I make.

What suprises me are the people on here that say they won't tip a person that serves them unless they walk out to a table. I don't get it, someone that makes the drink (coffee, whatever) and serves it to them doesn't qualify for a tip, but a person that just picks the coffee up, already made, and walks 5 feet to set it on a table deserves a tip? The person that made the coffee did more work. I don't get this kind of thinking at all. Is it because the person that made your drinks somehow isn't worthy because they placed your drinks on the counter? You only tip people for walking?

I wonder if these same people go into a bar and refuse to tip the bartender because all he's doing is making them a drink?

I'll bet you a Tiki lounge Apple Martini that Cy tips bartenders well. ;-)

Personally I tend to tip anyone in a job that relies on tips to make a decent wage. Waiters, Baristas, barbers, cabbies, bartenders, ect. Admittedly I tip small on take out orders from restaurants, but I still tip.