I once had a roommate who worked as a bartender and food server. She worked full time, was paid minimum wage, and had no health insurance or benefits of any kind. As a matter of fact, she moved to California because she had heard they had "socialized medicine" and she figured she could get free health care. Guess what? She did! So not only are all you California customers paying the salaries of service workers, you're paying for their health care too, in the form of your taxes for MediCal. And all this while Big Business posts every increasing profits. Hey, if you had practically no labor costs, you could post big profits too!

Note to self: move outta socialist California ASAP. Try to find pure capitalist state. Oh wait, that's when they use OPM - Other People's Money. So it would just be more of the same, wouldn't it? I pay outrageous premiums for nonexistent HMO care while people who earn untaxed tips get medical care! Hmmmm...another note to self: become a cab driver.

How is this for a tipping shake-down? In my town, one is not permitted to take the grocery cart from the store to the car to load the grocery cart. You are to leave the cart at the curb and drive up, where employees will load your car. You are expected to tip, even though I would actually prefer to wheel my cart to my car and load it myself. So after clipping coupons to pinch pennies, I am expected to give the savings to the store employee. <BR> <BR>Also, I once needed the housekeeping staff to bring me an iron because the one in the room was broken. They clearly expected to be tipped for this special service.

ttt

this is unrelated but what is "DH" as JM continualy referred to someone?<BR><BR>Thanks for the lingo update

It means "dear husband", I believe.

I just read through this entire thread and couldn't believe how civil it was. Nobody was insulting each other. Then finally I realized it was a year and a half old. I guess we have changed. This thread would have had to be deleted due to the name calling that would have gone on if it were new.

reader, sorry you feel that way, hope that's not always the case. <BR><BR>I'm glad to know after reading through this that I'm not the only one who feels annoyed with the ever-increasing expectation of gratuities nowadays. In Europe, being a server is a real profession, not something you do for beer money in college. They are paid a living wage and they know all about food and wine. And their gratuity is included with the overall price of the meal. Much more civilized.

You should know beforehand whether a tip is included in the trip, restaurant, bus, etc. If it is, and there was no special service, stand your ground, and refuse to give an extra tip. Smile and say thank you. Sure, the service person needs it more than you do, but so do most of the people walking down the street. Don't feel guilty if you have paid your fair share.

This older thread seems to be running concurrently with a newer one, although the new one is focusing on hair stylist tipping.

Dear It is worse,<BR><BR>Your post reminded me of the town where I used to live. Not all of the grocery stores had drive-up loading (some did), but they all were very aggresive in having the bagger push the cart to your car and help you load it. There was no way to shake them.<BR><BR>They were not allowed to take tips, but one particular bagger tried to evangelize me every time. Somehow, being asked about my relationship with Jesus on the grocery store lot made me dread getting him as a bagger, to the point where I stood in longer lines to avoid him.

ttt

While in Costa Rica, I had to pay a set $100. cab fare back to the airport from where I was staying. It was a 2 1/2 hour ride. I didnt give any tip to the driver because I though I already payed quite a bit. I couldnt manage to catch the bus which would have been $5. or the van service of $20. I did buy the driver lunch however. When he left me off at the airport , I had the feeling that he was waiting for a tip. Also while I was in Costa Rica I went on a few tours which were pretty pricey. I am sure that there was a gratuity built in. I did tip once and the second time I did not. I do feel that if you pay $79. already, you shouldnt have to pay anything there after.

Service thesedays is horrible...I want to give someone 15% but the service generally warrants between 2-3% from my wallet

Its your money, if you want to give a tip, give one, if not, don't.<BR><BR>If you are going to be staying somewhere for a while, its probably good insurance to tip (bribe) the bell hop with a good 2-3 bucks per bag tip on the way in. Word gets around. Don't feel obligated to tip for every little ditty.<BR><BR>Can some one tip me for posting this by the way? I have two kids going to college in 7-10 years and am trying to save.

Once flew late night into Los Angeles and needed a cab ride to meet wife at Marina Del Ray. Broke up the "cabbie talk" at the taxistand (discussing whatever game of the day was), put my small carryon in the trunk, and told him my hotel destination and got in the car.<BR><BR>The cab driver moaned the whole way because I was taking him WAY out of his normal route. (Excuse me, he was at the AIRPORT.) He would now be tied up for about an hour or more, away from LA and more frequent taxi hailers and better lucrative opportunities. (This is what -- a 15-20 mile drive?) As he moaned about traffic (there was NONE) and the meter clocked more miles (and money), I read the posted fares, complete with taxes on this gas or that clean air bill and what appeared to be tipping "rules". (That didn't look gov't issue!)<BR><BR>When we arrived at destination, I got out and gave him money plus a 15% tip. He kept that hand out and said the full fare again and wasn't I going to tip him. I pointed out it was. He demanded a "tip that's right" and told me my math was off. I told him he was right... I must've made a mistake. I need the change. As I said that, I addressed him by name, permit/license number, cab company, etc. very loudly by the hotel bag boys. He grumbled and got back in his taxi as I began mock yelling "Thief!"<BR><BR>Or so the story goes as I remember it...

First I should note that I am normally a generous tipper. I make a very good living and I see it as my own way of helping out the hardworking taxi drivers, waitstaff and cleaning ladies (etc.) who make my life easier.<BR><BR>However, I recently was extremely offended when taking a car service to the airport: I used a credit card to pay and the driver handed me the slip and said "just fill in 20 percent of the total right there". Please note this is BEFORE he drove me to the airport so I had no idea if I would be getting an acceptable ride (p.s. he proceeding to very nearly get in a major accident on the way). HEL-LO! It's when tipping is requested specifically rather than seen as a bonus for good service when I think things get out of hand.<BR><BR>Marlena<BR>NYC

ttt

Why the need to top ANOTHER tipping thread? &gt;2 years old at that. Too stupid to start a new one?<BR><BR>Or are you just some horses ass?

I love these tip stories! Anybody ever been chased down for a larger tip? Happened to us when we left 15% for a waitress and she thought she deserved 20%. Complained to the management but doubt it did much good.