What if by 2007, tipping custom was more widespread...

[OatEatingMule]

We tip waitresses, hotel bell hops, parking valets, and blackjack dealers.

Recently we have begun to tip drive thru window cashiers at Starbucks.

What if the tipping custom was more widespread...

For example... the supermarket cashier, the cashier at the video store,
the cashier at the dry cleaners, the bank teller at the drive thru window...

How about tipping as a way of saying hello?

Can anyone think of a more ridiculous tip?

[Michael Canaris]

We tip waitresses, hotel bell hops, parking valets, and blackjack dealers.

I don't. As far as I'm concerned, tipping ought be banned.

[Dean_the_Young]

Compared to most other countries, in America tipping is widespread.

Tipping is mostly for service jobs, such as at restraunts, hair cuts, and other things when personal skill is required for an enjoyable experiance. We even have coin-jars in fastfood restraunts for extrodinary service.

It's at jobs where skill and such isn't needed that tipping is rare. Fast food, drycleaning, banks; things where the person you're dealing with has little/no impact on the experiance. These people really don't make a differance, so why reward them? Most non-tipping jobs get better base pay anyway, while tipping jobs require generosity to make up the differance.

Perhaps you should spread American tipping elsewhere. My uncle, who does buisness abroad, tells all sorts of stories how in Britain, India, and even some places in France people remark at how generous he is when he gives a 10% tip after a somewhat bad dinner. (For the most part, 10% for bad service, 20% for good service)

[Calgacus]

Originally Posted by Dean_the_Young

Compared to most other countries, in America tipping is widespread.

Tipping is mostly for service jobs, such as at restraunts, hair cuts, and other things when personal skill is required for an enjoyable experiance. We even have coin-jars in fastfood restraunts for extrodinary service.

It's at jobs where skill and such isn't needed that tipping is rare. Fast food, drycleaning, banks; things where the person you're dealing with has little/no impact on the experiance. These people really don't make a differance, so why reward them? Most non-tipping jobs get better base pay anyway, while tipping jobs require generosity to make up the differance.

Perhaps you should spread American tipping elsewhere. My uncle, who does buisness abroad, tells all sorts of stories how in Britain, India, and even some places in France people remark at how generous he is when he gives a 10% tip after a somewhat bad dinner. (For the most part, 10% for bad service, 20% for good service)

I give 10% in restaurants, though if the service was very poor, I wouldn't leave anything. I don't tip in bars. I tip taxi drivers sometimes, just rounding up, and I tip the milk boy. That's it.

[Sargon]

I try to give what I can, but that usually just amounts to 5 or 6% only as I am not flush in money these days.

If tipping was more widespread, it could cause problems for those on low incomes, so you'd maybe see people going out less often, or not going to the supermarket so frequently if they had to give tips there. Don't forget that tips are actually taxable (well, they are here), and so businesses can get into trouble if they are not put through the books and someone mentions it in such a way that a tax official finds out. Of course tax officers are aware it goes on as a general thing, and usually nothing is done, but if it is mentioned specifically, and it is a lucrative amount, they WILL investigate - restaurants etc., should set up a TRONC account if they are accepting tips...


Sargon

A Timeline of mine: The Roman Emperor Who Lost His Nose

[ninebucks]

In the UK, there isn't so much of a culture for tipping. Which I think is a good thing, because when a tip is given that gesture then has an actual meaning behind it.

I can't really imagine that changing much either. Traditionally, British mainstream culture has been more centered on the working class, who tend not to splash money about willy nilly. America, in contrast, is a much more beourgeois society.

[Sargon]

Originally Posted by ninebucks

In the UK, there isn't so much of a culture for tipping. Which I think is a good thing, because when a tip is given that gesture then has an actual meaning behind it.

I can't really imagine that changing much either. Traditionally, British mainstream culture has been more centered on the working class, who tend not to splash money about willy nilly. America, in contrast, is a much more beourgeois society.

Perhaps, yet I still tip in cafes, restaurants, hotels (if I'm lucky enough to stay in one these days), or porters in various places and of course taxi drivers (which again I rarely do since I can't afford to travel in them much).

Actually I really shouldn't do it, as it does me little good at all, but I just FEEL I should do it for some reason, even if the service is not exceptional. There used to be a time when I could go to a good restaurant and have no trouble whipping out a £5 tip...but not any longer....


Sargon

A Timeline of mine: The Roman Emperor Who Lost His Nose

[Torqumada]

Yeah tipping is messed up. We tiip the people that bring you food, but not the people that save your life.

Torqumada

[Sargon]

Originally Posted by Torqumada

Yeah tipping is messed up. We tiip the people that bring you food, but not the people that save your life.

Torqumada

I thought that was called heath insurance?


Sargon

A Timeline of mine: The Roman Emperor Who Lost His Nose

[Torqumada]

Originally Posted by Sargon

I thought that was called heath insurance?

Then where is my 15% of the bill? Its not even close.

Torqumada

[Gladi]

Bright day
In certain countries tipping is the way the people earn money, with the amount you pay as listed being given to employers.

Maybe make this true everywhere?

[Sargon]

Originally Posted by Torqumada

Then where is my 15% of the bill? Its not even close.

Torqumada

Well, if someone saved my life, I'd give them a lot more than 15%, that's for sure. But even 100% would not be adequate to say thanks in that case....


Sargon

A Timeline of mine: The Roman Emperor Who Lost His Nose

[Sargon]

Originally Posted by Gladi

Bright day
In certain countries tipping is the way the people earn money, with the amount you pay as listed being given to employers.

Maybe make this true everywhere?

Doormen/Commissonnaires at big hotels do that IIRC. In some cases, I remember reading (something I could not believe) they even PAY the hotel to be there since they make so much and it's regarded as such a plum job....


Sargon

A Timeline of mine: The Roman Emperor Who Lost His Nose

[mattep74]

If a swedish tourist goes to USA without the knowledge of tipping, will they understand that he/she dont understand how it works?

We seldom tip anyone

[drakensis]

Tipping confuses me almost as much as the taxes when I visit the US or Canada. I've got to pay more than the price tag? Grumble grumble grumble...

[Calgacus]

Originally Posted by drakensis

Tipping confuses me almost as much as the taxes when I visit the US or Canada. I've got to pay more than the price tag? Grumble grumble grumble...

Oh taxes really annoy me. Are you supposed to go shopping with a calculator - one of the most annoying things in the US. Especially if it's changing between counties.

[Dean_the_Young]

By the way, I mentioned to my restraunt co-workers last night about this conversation. They were aghast at what you all consider good tipping. If you come to the same place in America for a meal, don't expect good service once they realize what you're like.

[Gladi]

Originally Posted by Dean_the_Young

By the way, I mentioned to my restraunt co-workers last night about this conversation. They were aghast at what you all consider good tipping. If you come to the same place in America for a meal, don't expect good service once they realize what you're like.

Bah in Europe if you show somewhere repeatedly they will give you appetizer gratis to show their thanks!

Not that in USA is the service bad, but it took almost of dozen of my visits before they just handed me my pitcher of Sprite.

[Sargon]

Originally Posted by Dean_the_Young

By the way, I mentioned to my restraunt co-workers last night about this conversation. They were aghast at what you all consider good tipping. If you come to the same place in America for a meal, don't expect good service once they realize what you're like.

Heh, but can't be helped if someone is on a low imcome after all, so some tip is better than none right?

I dread getting invited out to restuarants, as it shows up that I have little cash....but I'm too polite to make an excuse and not turn up, so after paying for the meal, which clears me out enough, tips are hardly manageable. People in eating places should take that into account perhaps....someone may not be a cheapskate at all....it's just they really can't afford to do so as the small amount they have left is their bus fare home or tomorrow's essential food shopping or something...


Sargon

A Timeline of mine: The Roman Emperor Who Lost His Nose

[Michael Canaris]

Originally Posted by Sargon

Heh, but can't be helped if someone is on a low imcome after all, so some tip is better than none right?

I dread getting invited out to restuarants, as it shows up that I have little cash....but I'm too polite to make an excuse and not turn up, so after paying for the meal, which clears me out enough, tips are hardly manageable. People in eating places should take that into account perhaps....someone may not be a cheapskate at all....it's just they really can't afford to do so as the small amount they have left is their bus fare home or tomorrow's essential food shopping or something...


Sargon

A Timeline of mine: The Roman Emperor Who Lost His Nose

Alternatively, those restaurants might consider paying their staff decent wages.