Tipping - For? Against? How Much? Yes To Waitstaff, But No To...?

[Angelskates]

That answers the question about division of the tips but why?

Because people put money into it. It wouldn't be there if it was continuously empty. It ends only when people stop putting money in!

[millyskate]

I never used to tip much until I did a job where tips happen. Now, I always tip well if the service has been good.

[milanessa]

I think that what Panera Bread does is actually nice (I hope I am not being naive). They do not have a tip container, but a container to put what you would offer as a tip, which goes to a local food bank. They all have them and they support their communities, I think that's great.

That does sound like a nice thing. I haven't noticed one in our local Panera but I don't go there very often - I'll have to look for it next time.

[numbers123]

It seems this thread topic comes up every 6-9 months and I will bet that it comes up around Christmas or holidays.

In theory, I object to the need for tipping. There are many service jobs that if someone was tipping on service alone would get a tip. Most every job is based upon the service that they provide to another. Where and when do you say that tipping should or should not be an "expectation"? Some professions or employers have a rule that one should not accept a tip (healthcare is one). Do you tip the plummer? the cable installer? the person who sells you your phone, furniture, etc. They can provide you great service above and beyond or poor service.

In practice I generally tip 20% for dining wait staff. But then I am confused as to whether I should independently give tips to the staff who clean the tables or are the assistant to the wait staff. Do I include a tip for the cook - they did a great part of the work for my meal? The people whose only job is to seat me?

In practice I tip my hair stylist and when I went to a massage therapist ~ 15-20% but my dilemma is when I tip well one time, now I am stuck with doing the same tip every time. Maybe I thought today's service was outstanding but not the next time, maybe I had a little extra money that I could share this appointment but the next time I have experienced a money flow issue like a loss of job or medical issue. And I have been advised that owners of their establishments should not be tipped because they entire amount of the payment for the service goes into their pocket.

Until these issues started cropping up, I never considered tipping for postal services, housekeeping services in hotels/motels. Tipping is so sensitive in nature

[El Rey]

I normally tip 20% but has this always been the norm? It just seems like it used to be less. Or maybe I was just younger and didn't know any better.

[barbk]

My experience was that 10% seemed to be the norm back in the sixties and seventies. 15% in the eighties and nineties, and now 20% seems pretty common for restaurant tipping.

[CantALoop]

That answers the question about division of the tips but why? Sure, found money is always a nice thing but where does it end?

Why? Because I know what it's like to be on the other side of that counter. You have to put up with some sh*t and attitude from customers who think they can yank your chain just because you're working a low-wage job. I tip if they're doing strong work just to show that they're appreciated.

When I was working there, I knew that maybe only a fraction of a cent from each tip would find its way back to me, but if anything I appreciated the gesture more than the money, and thanked the customer even if it was only a few pennies.

[milanessa]

Why? Because I know what it's like to be on the other side of that counter. You have to put up with some sh*t and attitude from customers who think they can yank your chain just because you're working a low-wage job. I tip if they're doing strong work just to show that they're appreciated.

When I was working there, I knew that maybe only a fraction of a cent from each tip would find its way back to me, but if anything I appreciated the gesture more than the money, and thanked the customer even if it was only a few pennies.

So if you had a wonderful customer who was understanding and kind and let you go ahead and serve that ass yelling about their mocha and missing their bus do you tip them?

[genevieve]

In practice I generally tip 20% for dining wait staff. But then I am confused as to whether I should independently give tips to the staff who clean the tables or are the assistant to the wait staff. Do I include a tip for the cook - they did a great part of the work for my meal? The people whose only job is to seat me?

No - the bussers and cooks are paid out by the server, so a portion of your tip is already going to them.

When I was a busboy I did get a thrill out of the occasional direct tip from a customer, but it was a high end restaurant and if I did get a direct tip, it was generally a dollar (I think I once got a $10 direct tip and was overjoyed, whee!). So if a busser ends up giving really exemplary service, feel free to tip them, but it's not necessary or expected.

[nubka]

While I always tip, I didn't vote on this poll, because I tip according to what kind service I recieved.

[vesperholly]

Until these issues started cropping up, I never considered tipping for postal services, housekeeping services in hotels/motels. Tipping is so sensitive in nature

Postal services?! The UPS man probably makes more than I do, and I know that USPS does. The only person I could see tipping is a bike messenger, and that's more of a delivery service like pizza delivery.

[Pierre]

Postal services? Are you referring to tipping when receiving a package in your room during an extended stay at a hotel? Or perhaps giving the postman a gift for Christmas? Because I've done those things, but I can't think of other situations where I'd consider it appropriate to tip someone for postal services.

[skatemommy]

My garbage truck driver sends us a Christmas card every year and I send him some cash or a gas card. That's hard work that I think deserves something.

[cruisin]

I give a Christmas/Holiday tip/gift to the postman, the trash collector, my manicurist, and my hair stylist (on the day that I give the gifts to the manicurist/hairstylist, that is in lieu of a regular tip).

[BigB08822]

I don't understand the people who are confused about why they have to tip and where to draw the line on who to tip. When it comes to restaurants, in the US, you tip because the server makes around $2 an hour and relies on tips to make enough money to live. No one can live on $2 an hour in the US. You tip or don't eat in the restaurant. There is no point in arguing about whether you should tip the chef, bus boys, etc just to make yourself feel better when you stiff the waitress. The bus boys make at least minimum wage AND the servers tip out to them, usually a percentage of their sales or tips. The chefs make a salary or an hourly wage.

[numbers123]

Brian - I think you missed my post that in reality I tip between 15-20%.

And basically my question wasn't one that I need an answer for, although genevieve did clear up something I had wondered about. I have never been a wait staff person but my roommate in college was and I saw how hard she worked, how tired she was at the end of a shift. I have no doubt that the wait staff work hard for the money. I tip more than my husband. I tip more if I have squatted at a table for a longer period of time that normal.

It was at what point should we no longer consider a person's job a service? Should it be based upon salary tables and if so, should those salaries be made known when you enter a restaurant or hair salon or other business, so that you know what you are expect to compensate for the lack of employer responsibility? if a certain service provider makes less than xx amount per hour we are obligated to make it up? I am paying for a service or meal that the owner is getting a profit from, why should I subsidize their lack of proper payment for their employees? However that is an issue for PI. The lack of responsibility of employers to pay and appropriately support their employees because it eats into their profits.

[Kasey]

(is thinking about putting out a tip jar at the nursing station; we may be paid better, but it's never enough for being treated like a physical and verbal pinata on a regular basis....)

[my little pony]

imagine what kind of stuff might be put in the jar at the nursing station....

[cruisin]

(is thinking about putting out a tip jar at the nursing station; we may be paid better, but it's never enough for being treated like a physical and verbal pinata on a regular basis....)

When my parents were in the hospital, we usually brought the nurses a box of chocolate or some cookies from the bakery. Not a real tip, but an expression of appreciation for truly wonderful women and men.

[skatemommy]

Cruisin, so true. My dad spent some time in a nursing home and I had some unwanted gifts (pjs, robes) that I took to the staff to give to the long term residents there. Never have I seen so much joy in the staff that had Christmas presents to give to the patients who did not have family in the area. I bawled all the way to my car and home.