Tipping in the service industry

_Crazy_Mary_ wrote:

In California, waiters make $8/hour, unless they live in SF, where it's closer to $10/hour. I only make the extra $1/hour because my bosses are amazing people. They gave me a raise and didn't even tell me about it. It took me a month before I even noticed.

So someone else who makes a lower min. wage wants to take their family out for dinner, but shouldn't be allowed to because they can't afford to tip 10 dollars on their $50 meal? I.e. Give up more of their shitty wage because its an unwritten law in the food service industry?

I know you didn't directly say this, but this is the notion of a lot of people... that I really don't understand.... or at least don't understand why some are so dead-set on it.

decides2dream wrote:

wow.
good to know.
so basically, tipping shouldn't really even exist in california, or only for truly exceptional and amazing experiences...meaning, very rarely, or large parties, etc. hmmmm...it would be great if they could get this going EVERYwhere, and do away with tipping entirely!

yah, i'm still in amazement that there is a min. wage for 'tipped' workers and that its so low!

actually I find that somewhat disgusting!
in Canada you are below the poverty line if you live off min. wage... I couldn't even imagine what that would be if you lived of 4 dollars an hour.

and ps, i've agreed with every post you've made so far

Ok, late comer to this conversation. anyway here's my viewpoint.
Tipping is evil. If someone who serves me puts in a little extra effort in improving my experience, and y'know, DESERVE a tip, then they will get one. Otherwise they won't. Call me cheap if ya want, but I'm paying for the service already in the hiked up menu prices. That's at home. When I was in the states, I begrudgingly paid the 15% almost every time because it's the custom over there. But if the service was bad I didn't.
The bars is where the whole tipping culture REALLY pissed me off though. Some of you guys say you don't mind paying a couple of dollars extra f it means getting served quicker next time. That makes sense in theory, but fucking EVERYONE tips the barman so it makes no difference at all. Thank god it isn't expected over here.
And I also totally agree with the Reservoir Dogs speech. "Society says tip these guys over here, but don't tip these guys over there". I work in an off licence. I serve people booze (much cheaper than in bars might I add) like a barman does. The only difference is I don't open the bottles for them. I help customers carry stuff to their cars when they have big orders just like a waiter brings your food to you. Should I get a tip? NO! I don't expect it, and neither should barmen. FUCK OFF TIPPING!

_Crazy_Mary_ wrote:

It sucks, I agree. I guess the family would just need to eat at a place they can afford. Obviously, you don't have to tip, but then you should go someplace that isn't full service.
When I get a 15% tip, my feelings are actually hurt. I wonder what I did wrong. Last night, I had a table give me $25 on $155. And it affected the rest of my night. I felt terrible. What could I have done to have given them a better time? But then I remembered it's Sunday and only weirdos go out to eat on Sunday...

No offense, you really shouldn't take things personally....
That might be more of a personal thing than people in general being 'cheap'. I thought 15% is customary? So now if you do what is customary, its actually not enough. So then 20% is now customary? So if everyone tips 20%, then what? We make it 25%? Where does it end, exactly...

In contrast to what you've said, you do have to tip.
At least this is what can be summed up from this thread.

decides2dream wrote:

well obviously, they DON'T live on less than minimum wage, not even close! thus why our optional customary tipping customs. but i learned something new about cali...wish it would happen in NY and everywhere. i'd also like to see all workers get paid vacations and helathcare...but i'll take it one step at a time.

as i said, tipping is a necessary evil. i would love to see it abolished entirely. going to the hairsalon is ridiculous.....:p

keep in mind, that we still need to earn a living, even in California. Somebody has to wait tables. Somebody has to support the family. $8/hour x 40 hours = $320. That's less than $1300 a month. A lot of people who wait tables do it because those hours work well with their family schedule/routine or because they are single parents, etc. Rent is $1300/month and up in California. So if you stop tipping, you are screwing all of us over and there will be no reason to wait tables anymore. Service will be shitty from then on.

Hitch-Hiker wrote:

Ok, late comer to this conversation. anyway here's my viewpoint.
Tipping is evil. If someone who serves me puts in a little extra effort in improving my experience, and y'know, DESERVE a tip, then they will get one. Otherwise they won't. Call me cheap if ya want, but I'm paying for the service already in the hiked up menu prices. That's at home. When I was in the states, I begrudgingly paid the 15% almost every time because it's the custom over there. But if the service was bad I didn't.
The bars is where the whole tipping culture REALLY pissed me off though. Some of you guys say you don't mind paying a couple of dollars extra f it means getting served quicker next time. That makes sense in theory, but fucking EVERYONE tips the barman so it makes no difference at all. Thank god it isn't expected over here.
And I also totally agree with the Reservoir Dogs speech. "Society says tip these guys over here, but don't tip these guys over there". I work in an off licence. I serve people booze (much cheaper than in bars might I add) like a barman does. The only difference is I don't open the bottles for them. I help customers carry stuff to their cars when they have big orders just like a waiter brings your food to you. Should I get a tip? NO! I don't expect it, and neither should barmen. FUCK OFF TIPPING!

Hey, we tipped in Bellingham even when my pasta was watery!
We're slaves to society

Hitch-Hiker wrote:

Oh yeah. :( but she took it off the bill so it works out

Haha yeah she was great.
And deserved a tip

Hitch-Hiker wrote:

Oh yeah. :( but she took it off the bill so it works out

With the price of things as they are in Dublin HH, I'm suprised anyone has a beer at all, never mind tip the barman :eek:

I pretty much always tip a waiter (ess), but never a barman, it's just not the done thing here I guess.
I will not tip if I feel I've been ripped off, or if the service has been poor, otherwise I would usually leave something.

when i'm in the states next year i fully intend not to tip. I dont care that the service might be shitty next time i'm in there as i wont be in the same place twice. if staff 'feel hurt' that they only got 15% then wait till they get fuck all from me... then they'll know what real hurt is.

dunkman wrote:

when i'm in the states next year i fully intend not to tip. I dont care that the service might be shitty next time i'm in there as i wont be in the same place twice. if staff 'feel hurt' that they only got 15% then wait till they get fuck all from me... then they'll know what real hurt is.

A rebel without a cause