Tipping advice
Dec 18th, 2014 | 12:48 PM
#102
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,710
Likes: 0
That is a moot point.
In the US, we get sick of the in your face service, we just don't want it. Just want someone to carry our take our order and carry the plates.....and not top our bloody wine glasses up.
We have had waiting staff sit down with us to take orders. What is that all about?
Just another cultural difference.
We like the general Asian approach which is stay out of the way bit be attentive to customers when needed.
To us the cultural difference isn't just tipping, the difference is in the level of service which is required from country to country. Which probably explains why the high levels of service expected and offered in the US leads to the tipping system...or vice versa.
In the US, we get sick of the in your face service, we just don't want it. Just want someone to carry our take our order and carry the plates.....and not top our bloody wine glasses up.
We have had waiting staff sit down with us to take orders. What is that all about?
Just another cultural difference.
We like the general Asian approach which is stay out of the way bit be attentive to customers when needed.
To us the cultural difference isn't just tipping, the difference is in the level of service which is required from country to country. Which probably explains why the high levels of service expected and offered in the US leads to the tipping system...or vice versa.
Dec 18th, 2014 | 01:06 PM
#105
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Hi everyone, I am the OP. Wow, this is a very sensitive topic. We leave for the US in the morning and we're very excited! We will be travelling the entire West Coast for 5 weeks, so we will come across many different opportunities to tip. Australians by and large, aren't opposed to tipping, it is just very foreign to us. So, my OP was really to establish the norms so that we would not insult anyone. I hate to think that we might not get good service due to our 'foreign' accents, as we will endeavour to tip just like the locals!
Mms... we plan on having a great holiday and can't wait to explore your beautiful country. Just praying for a little bit more snow. Sad to travel all that distance (not to mention the cost!!) to not have a white Christmas. Oh well, what will be will be. It won't dampen our spirits.
Merry Christmas to all. And... no more bickering!
Mms... we plan on having a great holiday and can't wait to explore your beautiful country. Just praying for a little bit more snow. Sad to travel all that distance (not to mention the cost!!) to not have a white Christmas. Oh well, what will be will be. It won't dampen our spirits.
Merry Christmas to all. And... no more bickering!
Dec 18th, 2014 | 01:06 PM
#106
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,965
Likes: 0
We have had waiting staff sit down with us to take orders. What is that all about?
It is about people who shamelessly do whatever they believe will get them a better tip. It's about people who have no sense of propriety--people who are willing to transgress the accepted boundaries between themselves and those they serve. Blinded by their greed, they don't see the disgust in the eyes of those who are offended by this behavior.
HTtY
It is about people who shamelessly do whatever they believe will get them a better tip. It's about people who have no sense of propriety--people who are willing to transgress the accepted boundaries between themselves and those they serve. Blinded by their greed, they don't see the disgust in the eyes of those who are offended by this behavior.
HTtY
Dec 18th, 2014 | 01:10 PM
#107
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,749
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Kymjon--Don't worry at all! Here in the PNW you will be absolutely fine, and your accent will intrigue people We are super laid back here. Yes, we too are hoping for more snow! We live in both OR and WA, and will be in the WA mountains soon and hope we don't have to venture too far from the cabin for the winter sports.
We are super laid back here. Yes, we too are hoping for more snow! We live in both OR and WA, and will be in the WA mountains soon and hope we don't have to venture too far from the cabin for the winter sports.
Dec 18th, 2014 | 01:13 PM
#108
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 0
>
Classy
I'm not surprised 20% is now considered the norm, the waitstaff have a lot of mouths to feed.
There's the hostess who needs to be bribed so they get the people who look like good tippers sent to their tables
The barman who pours the drink, he needs his share
The person who brings the food, often different to the waiter
The bus boy who clears the table
Have I forgotten anyone?
Even United airlines had a series of adverts in the UK about the absurdity of the tipping culture in the US
Classy
I'm not surprised 20% is now considered the norm, the waitstaff have a lot of mouths to feed.
There's the hostess who needs to be bribed so they get the people who look like good tippers sent to their tables
The barman who pours the drink, he needs his share
The person who brings the food, often different to the waiter
The bus boy who clears the table
Have I forgotten anyone?
Even United airlines had a series of adverts in the UK about the absurdity of the tipping culture in the US
Dec 18th, 2014 | 01:38 PM
#111
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 26,778
Likes: 0
Wow, this is a very sensitive topic.
Only because a handful of Brits like to make a big show of opposing it, even though tipping is common in the UK. You know how they are. Upset about losing the empire. Embarrassed because they make less money than Americans and even the Irish. So they overcompensate by prattling on like idiots about everything that is "wrong" with America. It is tiring, but they don't have much else, so we are stuck with it.
So, my OP was really to establish the norms so that we would not insult anyone.
And I applaud you for that.
I hate to think that we might not get good service due to our 'foreign' accents, as we will endeavour to tip just like the locals!
I wouldn't sweat it. There isn't much you could do about it anyway, so just go with the flow and I suspect you'll get fine service.
Sad to travel all that distance (not to mention the cost!!) to not have a white Christmas.
You could always go to one of the mountains that is always snow-capped.
Here in the PNW you will be absolutely fine
Agreed. I find Oregonians to be about the most friendly people in the US.
Have I forgotten anyone?
Depending upon the restaurant, the expediter. Some really old school places might have a captain. Some waiters will tip out the dishwashers.
The person who brings the food, often different to the waiter
They aren't typically tipped out separately. It isn't usually a separate function, but rather simply other waiters that happen to be in the kitchen when the order is ready.
Only because a handful of Brits like to make a big show of opposing it, even though tipping is common in the UK. You know how they are. Upset about losing the empire. Embarrassed because they make less money than Americans and even the Irish. So they overcompensate by prattling on like idiots about everything that is "wrong" with America. It is tiring, but they don't have much else, so we are stuck with it.
So, my OP was really to establish the norms so that we would not insult anyone.
And I applaud you for that.
I hate to think that we might not get good service due to our 'foreign' accents, as we will endeavour to tip just like the locals!
I wouldn't sweat it. There isn't much you could do about it anyway, so just go with the flow and I suspect you'll get fine service.
Sad to travel all that distance (not to mention the cost!!) to not have a white Christmas.
You could always go to one of the mountains that is always snow-capped.
Here in the PNW you will be absolutely fine
Agreed. I find Oregonians to be about the most friendly people in the US.
Have I forgotten anyone?
Depending upon the restaurant, the expediter. Some really old school places might have a captain. Some waiters will tip out the dishwashers.
The person who brings the food, often different to the waiter
They aren't typically tipped out separately. It isn't usually a separate function, but rather simply other waiters that happen to be in the kitchen when the order is ready.
Dec 18th, 2014 | 01:47 PM
#113
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,749
Likes: 0
travelgourmet--That's the problem, our mountains have the lowest snowpack in years. We should have a lot more than we do at this point in time. The OP is headed to the WA mountains, same time as us, and there is very little there.
Dec 18th, 2014 | 02:11 PM
#114
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,476
Likes: 0
Even United airlines had a series of adverts in the UK about the absurdity of the tipping culture in the US.
________
In America, we have special chairs for the Brits with holes in them, so the stick doesn't hurt when they sit. It must be wonderful to be part of the perfect culture without its own idiosyncrasies.
________
In America, we have special chairs for the Brits with holes in them, so the stick doesn't hurt when they sit. It must be wonderful to be part of the perfect culture without its own idiosyncrasies.
Dec 18th, 2014 | 02:35 PM
#115
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 36,842
Likes: 0
I'm curious to see those ads by United on the "absurdity" of the tipping system. Is there a link? Is Absurdity their word or yours? Why would they "advertise"? Is it to say "don't tip like that if you go"? Or is it an honest attempt to educate UK travelers so they don't continue to get the cold shoulder by servers who know of their reputation?
Dec 18th, 2014 | 02:38 PM
#116
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
As a general rule, i do between 10 and 20%. 10% is for poor to mediocre service, and 20% is for great service. Rarely do I go above 20%, but will go below 10% if the service is bad... say 5%.
I wouldn't be too worried about it. Aussie's are known for not being great tippers. You win some, you lose some. That's the nature of the business.
Oh, and I refuse to tip on tax. It's just a personal beef of mine. I tip on the amount before tax.
I wouldn't be too worried about it. Aussie's are known for not being great tippers. You win some, you lose some. That's the nature of the business.
Oh, and I refuse to tip on tax. It's just a personal beef of mine. I tip on the amount before tax.
Dec 18th, 2014 | 02:42 PM
#117
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 17,801
Likes: 0
IMD, lol. Nice shot across the bow.
Kymjon, have a lovely trip! You've been a good sport about this thread--of course it's not about you, this bickering about tipping is a time-honored tradition on these boards. I find that the topic spurs many to new heights of hyperbole, which I find entertaining.
Again, happy travels, OP!
Kymjon, have a lovely trip! You've been a good sport about this thread--of course it's not about you, this bickering about tipping is a time-honored tradition on these boards. I find that the topic spurs many to new heights of hyperbole, which I find entertaining.
Again, happy travels, OP!
Dec 18th, 2014 | 03:45 PM
#119
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 0
>
I know that's why I said the waiters have a lot of mouths to feed
>
We also have special chairs for Yanks, its called extra wide, next we'll be incorprating some sort of soundproofing
>
I forgot the sommelier, I'm pretty sure he's commission based
> You decide
http://www.adforum.com/creative-work/ad/player/30051
I know that's why I said the waiters have a lot of mouths to feed
>
We also have special chairs for Yanks, its called extra wide, next we'll be incorprating some sort of soundproofing
>
I forgot the sommelier, I'm pretty sure he's commission based
> You decide
http://www.adforum.com/creative-work/ad/player/30051
Dec 18th, 2014 | 07:21 PM
#120
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,476
Likes: 0
We also have special chairs for Yanks, its called extra wide, next we'll be incorprating some sort of soundproofing
_______________
I went to what we call public school here in the states, that is for the common folk, so I never learned the word incorprating.
_______________
I went to what we call public school here in the states, that is for the common folk, so I never learned the word incorprating.
