Tips and Taxes in the States
Feb 4th, 2004, 04:00 PM
#21
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GoTravel: you are very fortunate not to have received lousy service!
On tips: I always thought it was a voluntary act on the part of the diner, when did it become a mandatory part of the bill? Furthermore, isn't the amount of the tip related to how good the service is? If not, what is the point of the tip? And, more importantly, how is one to be assured of good service if the tip is there automatically, regardless of whether the service is good or not?
Fortunately or unfortunately, I will always tip according to the service I get.
Furthermore, I can remember when tips were "only" 8-10% of the bill. Then it crept up to 12$, then it settled at 15%. Now, apparently, we are encouraged to tip 20-25% with no correlative improvement in service!
In many countries, there is NO tip at all and in many other countries, one drops a few loose coins after a meal. Tipping in the States has gotten WAY out of hand.
My advice remains the same: tip no more than 15% - and ONLY if you are satisfied with the service. Otherwise, tip whatever you like. It's your dinner and your money. Just my HO.
On tips: I always thought it was a voluntary act on the part of the diner, when did it become a mandatory part of the bill? Furthermore, isn't the amount of the tip related to how good the service is? If not, what is the point of the tip? And, more importantly, how is one to be assured of good service if the tip is there automatically, regardless of whether the service is good or not?
Fortunately or unfortunately, I will always tip according to the service I get.
Furthermore, I can remember when tips were "only" 8-10% of the bill. Then it crept up to 12$, then it settled at 15%. Now, apparently, we are encouraged to tip 20-25% with no correlative improvement in service!
In many countries, there is NO tip at all and in many other countries, one drops a few loose coins after a meal. Tipping in the States has gotten WAY out of hand.
My advice remains the same: tip no more than 15% - and ONLY if you are satisfied with the service. Otherwise, tip whatever you like. It's your dinner and your money. Just my HO.
Feb 5th, 2004, 03:50 AM
#22
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Easytraveler - tipping settles where it is because of the way we pay service employees in the states. They are paid more base salary in countries where there is no tipping. But minimum wage, at least here in Michigan, is currently only $2.65/hour for wait staff! No one can live on that wage, so they rely on tips to survive.
Of course, tipping is not an obligation. And certainly if service is poor tips should be reduced or eliminated. But, if service is so poor that you feel no tip should be left, that really warrants a conversation with restaurant management because it must be a pretty big problem!
The actual tipping % may be a regional thing, and certainly not everyone feels the same way. But a minimum tip of 15% IS customary in the states, even if it's not required. There should be a reason to tip less than that, as that is money you're taking directly from the waiter's pocket, and that they rightfully have come to expect since they are paid wages that assume they will receive at least 15% tips.
Of course, tipping is not an obligation. And certainly if service is poor tips should be reduced or eliminated. But, if service is so poor that you feel no tip should be left, that really warrants a conversation with restaurant management because it must be a pretty big problem!
The actual tipping % may be a regional thing, and certainly not everyone feels the same way. But a minimum tip of 15% IS customary in the states, even if it's not required. There should be a reason to tip less than that, as that is money you're taking directly from the waiter's pocket, and that they rightfully have come to expect since they are paid wages that assume they will receive at least 15% tips.
Feb 5th, 2004, 04:39 AM
#23
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Maybe I'm just being cranky this morning but...while I tip appropriately and to those service providers who tradionally are tipped, I refuse to throw my change in the jar on the counter or any place else where a makeshift "tip jar" has been set out. Employees of those places are paid a wage equivilent to the job they perform. For example, IMHO, the boy who dries my car at the carwash is not tipped (despite the presence of the tip jar) because when I pay for the full service car wash it is his job to dry the car. The employer pays him. I feel the same about counter service food be it chain or local establishments. The employer is paying a wage for the worker to get my items from the production area to the counter. That is their job. It seems more and more that tips are expected simply for doing one's job.
Feb 5th, 2004, 04:51 AM
#24
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Also, don't forget that waiters are expected to pay taxes on estimated tips which is usually calculated on 15% of all of their checks.
Sidenote:
And while we're on the subject, let me rant for a minute. Please don't forget to tip for pizza delivery. In it's own way, that job is just as hard as a waiter's. Just because you only see us for 10 seconds at your door, doesn't mean we have only done 10 seconds of work. When I delivered in college, I was often the one that took you order on the phone, made your pizza, and then ran out in the heat or rain to get it to you. I drove in all kinds of conditions using and maintaining my own car and insurance. I've walked through dark alleys in dangerous neighborhoods, been attacked by dogs, been the victim of idiot pranksters, gotten into a car accident, and have been flashed by perverts. It's widely considered to be a dangerous job. My waitress roommate would come home with over a hundred dollars a night, and I would barely have enough money to pay for my constant oil changes or to put toward the new brake pads I needed every three months. Remember waitresses can usually take several tables at a time and while each delivery could take 30-40 minutes roundtrip depending on traffic and distance. So, please tip them. You may also want to keep in mind that a waitress may not remember your face if you don't tip, but a delivery guy will generally remember your house after the second time and besides comments can be added to your phone number and those people are completely alone with your food for a very long time.
Oh, and for goodness sake. We told you the total 45 minutes ago. Do you think maybe you could have you check ready?
Ahh, I feel better now.
Sidenote:
And while we're on the subject, let me rant for a minute. Please don't forget to tip for pizza delivery. In it's own way, that job is just as hard as a waiter's. Just because you only see us for 10 seconds at your door, doesn't mean we have only done 10 seconds of work. When I delivered in college, I was often the one that took you order on the phone, made your pizza, and then ran out in the heat or rain to get it to you. I drove in all kinds of conditions using and maintaining my own car and insurance. I've walked through dark alleys in dangerous neighborhoods, been attacked by dogs, been the victim of idiot pranksters, gotten into a car accident, and have been flashed by perverts. It's widely considered to be a dangerous job. My waitress roommate would come home with over a hundred dollars a night, and I would barely have enough money to pay for my constant oil changes or to put toward the new brake pads I needed every three months. Remember waitresses can usually take several tables at a time and while each delivery could take 30-40 minutes roundtrip depending on traffic and distance. So, please tip them. You may also want to keep in mind that a waitress may not remember your face if you don't tip, but a delivery guy will generally remember your house after the second time and besides comments can be added to your phone number and those people are completely alone with your food for a very long time.
Oh, and for goodness sake. We told you the total 45 minutes ago. Do you think maybe you could have you check ready?
Ahh, I feel better now.
Feb 5th, 2004, 06:50 AM
#25
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To those who are opposed to tips. I suppose you'd feel better if they raised all prices 15 or 20% across the board to increase the salaries of employees and then say no tipping? Essentially that's what happens in countries where tipping is not standard -- costs are raised to cover those service costs. I guarantee you that if you think service is bad in the US now, you'd find it worse if good service was not rewarded with tips! There would be no reason for a server to make an attempt to go out of his way to please you.
Feb 5th, 2004, 06:57 AM
#26
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XXXX -
I agree about the counter service at Starbucks and now McDonalds. These jobs pay a resonable wage - especially for kids (which almost all these employees are - I would hve been overjoyed at $9 per hour when I was in school) - but not about the car wash attendants. At least in this area they do not get a living wage and I always tip them.
I agree about the counter service at Starbucks and now McDonalds. These jobs pay a resonable wage - especially for kids (which almost all these employees are - I would hve been overjoyed at $9 per hour when I was in school) - but not about the car wash attendants. At least in this area they do not get a living wage and I always tip them.
Feb 5th, 2004, 07:17 AM
#27
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In general I am not in favor of tip jars...however: In the case of Starbucks, if that person "makes" your individual cup of chocolate, latte, mocha, skim blah, blah, etc. (i am a regular coffee guy) might they not deserve a little something? How about the deli where the counter person custom makes your lunch? Just going to the cooler for a soda and tuna sandwich..definately not.
The car drying guy always gets a buck from me.
The car drying guy always gets a buck from me.
Feb 5th, 2004, 07:26 AM
#29
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I know it's just ranting...and I do tip the pizza guy!!
I'm not opposed to tipping--but not everyone for everything. I served my time working for minimum wage at McDonald's when I was a teenager. No, it wasn't a living wage but honestly, I was paid what flipping burgers and wiping counters was worth. If we tip based on worth of services provided, then I'm thinking my doctor, teachers and hair dresser are tops on my personal list (I might be cranky today, but even I appreciate a good hair day
. Yet, only one of those professions is tradtionally tipped. I think service in this country stinks for a variety of reasons. One of those reasons is a sense of entitlement--"I'm entitled to my pay plus a tip just for doing what I'm supposed to do."
Oh well, it's fun reading peoples' ideas and I promise to be in better mood tomorrow.
I'm not opposed to tipping--but not everyone for everything. I served my time working for minimum wage at McDonald's when I was a teenager. No, it wasn't a living wage but honestly, I was paid what flipping burgers and wiping counters was worth. If we tip based on worth of services provided, then I'm thinking my doctor, teachers and hair dresser are tops on my personal list (I might be cranky today, but even I appreciate a good hair day
. Yet, only one of those professions is tradtionally tipped. I think service in this country stinks for a variety of reasons. One of those reasons is a sense of entitlement--"I'm entitled to my pay plus a tip just for doing what I'm supposed to do."Oh well, it's fun reading peoples' ideas and I promise to be in better mood tomorrow.
