Tipping

Splint · Post by **Splint** » 31 Jul 2005 01:13

I currently wait tables and tend bar for a living. I have 2 years left of school before I get my real job of Teaching.

In the US it is customary to tip when out at a bar or restaurant. The going rate is 15-20% of the tab.

Many people do better or worse for different reasons. Some don't tip at all, while others will occasionally tip well beyond 20%.
Tipping isn't mandatory by any means. As I said, it's customary.

I'm really wondering what countries out there don't involve tipping as a custom or ones that have it as a strict custom.

Anyone, anyone?

MegaFighter_X · Post by **MegaFighter_X** » 31 Jul 2005 01:57

Japan. People find if offensive to be tipped, as it's somehow insulting.

NotHisRealName · Post by **NotHisRealName** » 31 Jul 2005 02:33

Tipping is not really big in Australia. There are some caffe's and coffe shops that have a 'Tip Jar' up at the counter, but that's pretty much it (to my knowlege).

Muffinman · Post by **Muffinman** » 31 Jul 2005 04:22

In a lot of restaurants here tips are a part of the waiters' pay (like, I mean the head guy includes what the waiters SHOULD be making in tips in their income -- so if they're not tipped, they don't get paid what they should), which is stupid. I don't mind tipping, but I hate it because I feel that I have to. I'm going to move to Japan.

I'm supposed to be able to bar tend where I work, too, but I don't know anything about drinks, so I avoid paying attention at the bar and working night shifts. I'm happy when I actually get tips -- extra money. That's the BLOODY way it should be. I would probably make 33% more if I worked night shifts (we split up the tips between everyone working at the time), but I don't want to work nights, so who cares?

Splint · Post by **Splint** » 31 Jul 2005 20:00

See, the thing about tipping in the US is that base pay for a waiter or bartender is usually about $2.16 per hour. It all dpends on the state and the place. So if people don't tip then wait/barstaff starve to death. I would assume that in other countries where tipping is not the norm the base pay is much higher.

carl winslow · Post by **carl winslow** » 31 Jul 2005 21:41

yeah in the US you gotta tip waiters.waitresses cause thats how they make thier money.
-I never put money in the tip jars on the counter at delis or coffee shops though cause they get paid more.

Muffinman · Post by **Muffinman** » 31 Jul 2005 22:00

It's so messed up.
Tips should be based on good service.
Stupid The U.S.A..

kaos · Post by **kaos** » 31 Jul 2005 23:03

In South Africa tipping is very common. Waiters depend on their tips, since they usually don't get paid an hourly rate (although some do get paid on a commission basis, but thats something like 2.5% of the food/drinks sold...not enough to make a living on).

The going rate is 10%, anything less than that is frowned upon, and I will usually tip alot more, since I was a waiter once, and it is a really horrible job (if the service was really bad though, I'll just stick to the 10%).

Its also getting more common for restaurants to add a service fee of 10% to the bill, if the table was large (well, 8 or more people). I really don't like it when they do that, and I won't tip in that case (which usually screws the waiter, even though its not his/her fault).

EDIT: when it comes to tipping the bartenders at clubs, there is no real guideline. I personally won't tip after every drink I buy, but I try to tip every now and then...it helps getting better service

shreddaily · Post by **shreddaily** » 31 Jul 2005 23:04

Erik Chan wrote:.
Tips should be based on good service.

Its actualy no tips for bad service, tips for service and good tips for good service. Makes sense to my undersized american brain

mosher · Post by **mosher** » 01 Aug 2005 01:48

Tipping seems to be less of a big deal in Europe. and by less of a big deal I mean it isn't really done. nor is it done in England.

I like this practice. I find it a fucking pain in the ass in North America to be dumping away all this extra money on every drink I buy. the cheap prices are a total illusion.

Jeremy · Post by **Jeremy** » 01 Aug 2005 04:32

yeah I think it's pretty ridiculous to give an expect amount as a tip every time. If you don't get good service you should complain to the manager and not go there again. Otherwise the person will suffer but if it's a big deal things won't change at all. I occasionally tip - usually when you're in a big group and it's easier than counting out the right change etc for everybody. Just throw in slighlty more than whatever your meal cost and then you don't have to worry about all the adding up etc.

Apart from that I would never tip and I think that's the common practice in Australia (not to tip). I don't think waiters in Australia rely on tips at all - I'm sure they get an ok wage without them.

MegaFighter_X · Post by **MegaFighter_X** » 01 Aug 2005 13:35

Splint wrote:See, the thing about tipping in the US is that base pay for a waiter or bartender is usually about $2.16 per hour. It all dpends on the state and the place. So if people don't tip then wait/barstaff starve to death. I would assume that in other countries where tipping is not the norm the base pay is much higher.

they have to have a base that is the minimum wage at least I would think. But still $5.15 is shit to be paid per hour.

oh.. I forgot my main point. It's stupid to tip 10% religiously. I find it easy to tip at least 15-20%

but I'm always rather generous...

HG · Post by HG » 01 Aug 2005 13:37

No john. Waiter's base pay is around $2.00-$2.50. They have different laws for the people who receive tips regularly.

MegaFighter_X · Post by **MegaFighter_X** » 01 Aug 2005 13:40

damn... I guess casinos have a hell of a high base pay for dealers then...

max · Post by **max** » 01 Aug 2005 13:55

In France 15% of the bill in bars / restaurants is for "service". That means that if the service is absolutely crap you've still paid for it. That said if the service is good it is quite commonplace to leave a tip, especially in restaurants (more than bars). The US is known amongst other things for their exceptionally good service. I think that the fact that barmen / restaurant staff actually have to do something to deserve a tip explains why it's that way.

Zeke · Post by **Zeke** » 01 Aug 2005 13:57

MegaFighter_X wrote:I find it easy to tip at least 15-20%

but I'm always rather generous...

Same here.

blackcrown · Post by **blackcrown** » 01 Aug 2005 14:07

When I was in New Zealand I found out a couple of things:

1. The food is incredible

2. You don't have to tip

3. The service sucks ass

Eric

Jdigges · Post by **Jdigges** » 03 Aug 2005 13:25

I work in a coffee shop, and make a decent amount off of tips. i make $7 base pay, and then i usualy make another $1-4 extra from tips. Whenever i do go somewhere i tip very well though, seeing as how i make alot of money off of the system.