I always tip the waitress, waiter and bartenders 15-20% depending upon their level of service. These jobs pay at or below minimum wage, so they rely on tips to supplement their income. There are lots of other service people I tip like my hairdresser, sky caps, bell hops etc. However, under NO circumstances will I tip the mailman for doing his job! They get tons of paid holidays, good benefits and are paid well above minimum wage. Same goes for the garbage collector! How did this crazy tradition get started anyway?

I guess I am now required to justify everything I say. Two of us in a play together in our local community theatre went to dinner together after the Sunday matinee. We stopped across the street at the ATM (Bank of America)on the way to the restaurant just two blocks away. We each asked for $100 from the ATM and surprisingly each got 2 $50 bills. Usually I get 20's, but perhaps because it was late Sunday, the ATM was spitting out 50's as it had run out of 20's. I don't know why, perhaps if it is important to you, you could call Bank of America and ask why their ATMs sometimes give out 20's and sometimes give out 50's. It didn't make much difference to me, but apparently it does to you. If you really need more details of my personal life and need me to justify anything else, xxx, or whatever your name is, then email me directly and if I feel that it is imperative that you know, then I will answer. You can email me as I am not afraid to use my real name or email as you obviously are. Otherwise you might consider gettting yourself a life instead of stalking my every post as you do. No this was not a "nightmare", and yes I get your supposed attempt at a witticism.

Oh, and xxx, I hope you see that I clearly stated my point in the above post without being "whiney", since that is usually your other issue with my posts.

I tend to tip too many people too much. Thaat's just the way I was brought up but let's be honest people. These businesses have changed. When I get my hair cut and colored I'm in and out in an hour, and while I'm under the drier another client is getting a cut. For my hair and the others, they're taking in $200 an hour plus at least $25tip from me and $10 from the other client...$235 an hour minus rent on the chair and products ---I'll be generous and say they're still making $150 an hour<BR><BR>All I'm saying is let's be honest here. And yes there are many small shops that charge less and work harder. So I'm not saying they don't deserve a tip<BR><BR>Another instance is the waitress at a moderately priced chain restaraunt warrents more of a tip than the many high end places I frequent. When the bill for two comes to $125 and I leave $25...well add the other tables that are keeping my waiter too busy to fill a water glass, and I say they're pulling in at least $100 an hour over minimum wage. <BR><BR>Alas, I will continue to overtip, but never ask me if I need change unless you want to loose half your tip.

I have a tipping question...<BR>Recently went out to dinner at a Japanese restaurant with a group of friends. We sat around the grill (can't remember the name of those things...) and a chef prepared our meals. He was great, very entertaining, good food, funny, etc...<BR>My date tipped the chef, no one else did. <BR>What do you think? You're supposed to tip those guys, right?<BR>

Yes-you were supposed to tip him:)

yeahhhhh -pat- especially the ones on other forums bashing the japanese.

I read those posts about Japanese tourists on the European board. If anyone things Patrick was bashing the Japanese, then they don't read English. He seemed to be defending them, not bashing them. But someone, perhaps you, xx, seems to be calling him a liar and trying to accuse him of things he never said. What is your point?

Hey Hollywood, Yes I know that maybe a few French Canadians might have left next to nothing in tips in Florida. We stand out because of out language and beauty too(Just kidding, well actaully not) It just goes to show you how if a few people from a place dont tip the whole country gets branded as cheapskates. When my friends and I go to the Stated we do tip. I must confess that I usually only leave 15% or more depending if the service was good and the waitor is cute(kidding!!!)THIS IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR NOT TIPPING but We do take a beating on the dollar. We pay 1.65 Canadian for 1US dollar. Still, there is no excuse to not tip if the service was good. It does hurt us when we pay this amount for a dollar and then you need to add 8% food tax and then a tip. Bonne Chance et n'oubliez les pourboires ( Good luck and dont forget the tips)

Who's paying taxes on those tips?? Us!<BR><BR>Yup ... all those "underpaid" employees the bleeding hearts in this forum feel so sorry for you can be darn sure are not reporting all that extra income to the government. So the rest of us, who work in non-tip environments and have our full pay taxed, are forced to pay more than our fair share to make up for the others.<BR><BR>Again, I'll tip for service that is deserving, but just because a doorman grabs my bag, which I've already carried thus far, and puts it in the car is by no means deserving of $1. If I call a bellman to come to my room & get my bags, then I'll tip a few bucks.<BR><BR>It's gonna be ME who decides on tips, not some extortionist trying to pick my pocket.

I'll ask you too, Just, what is your point? If you are so interested in him why not just email him? I have contacted him several times about travel matters and he has always given me detailed and helpful answers. If you want a personal relationship then perhaps you should email him and try to set something up. Otherwise, why in the world would you even be thinking about such a thing?

Just wondering? Why would you even bother to wonder about who Patrick sleeps with? Do you just wonder about that with everyone? And do you have straight-dar as well?<BR><BR>

You see, I'm a giver! I just give and give and give. Its the American way, by gum!

It's been my experience that the blue collar workers tip better than white collars. Wonder why that is?

..and they are way more happy to do so!!

TTT

They say that big tippers are usually insecure about their social status. People of high status do not want to tip too much. Blue collar types are more prone to tip to prove they have value, and that is why they end up broke!!

Tipping beyond waitors and maybe taxi drivers sucks! I hate those tip jars at Starbucks too. Its really out of hand

Over tipping is a sign of insecurity

THere might be some truth in who is a big tipper and who tips too little-in my profession,&lt;hair stylist&gt;,richer people,the ones with more than one home,many cars,etc..tip the minimum amount to a little less.People that have less money -- perhaps a couple that both work,have one home, two cars, "normal", will tip more on the generous side..<BR>I have come to believe that this is not from insecurity but when someone works for their money-they appreciate the fact that someone else does too and they acknowledge it with a good tip...whereas the ones who are waited on all day and never have to think,just hate to part with the cash! Of course there are as always, exceptions to the rule.

I don't know how to deal with valet parking at hotels. How much do people tip? And do you tip them every time they get your car and put it away?

Tip a valet once, when he brings your car,a dollar is fine.

I just got to this forum for the first time since early AM and am shocked at some of these responses have totally gotten out of hand. No pun intended.<BR><BR>I for one enjoy Patrick's posts and he has been a very helpful person and I see no reason why people choose to <BR>BASH him so. Patrick is a human being with opinions and feelings and if they don't agree with yours than I am sure there are other ways to disagree.<BR><BR>I for one believe in tipping well. I feel as if I am a secure person and consider myself a kind person. If a person performs a service for me than I will show my monitary gratitude in a way that I see fit and I don't consider myself a blue collar worker. <BR><BR>

Tipping is the quintessential Americanism - good pay for hard work, no pay for crappy work. It's all about merit.<BR> <BR>And I think blue collar workers tip better because chances are they have been in the service industry. I've never waited, but my family members are waiters and bartenders. While you may calculate a waiter making $100/hr at a fancy restaurant, you need to factor in that:<BR>1. he only works 4-5 hours a day, at dinner, and probably only 3-4 days a week, when he gets scheduled<BR> <BR>2. he splits that tip with the busboy, maitre'd, or host, floor manager, maybe the other waiters if they performed some service like fill water, deliver bread, whatever.<BR> <BR>3. Tips are taxed at 33% - and yes, they are declared as income. No one wants to risk this, because he can get fired. It's not taken out of his paycheck, so he has to stash it away to pay in April. <BR> <BR> <BR>So.... $100. after sharing - $70. after 33% taxes for tips - approx $45. Then the $45 is taxed as normal wages, maybe at 15%, whatever the tax bracket. So, he's pulling down maybe $35 and hour. But he's only working 25 hours a week, that's about $875 take home (if he stashed away his 33%!). Remember he doesn't have any benefits, and is on his feet all day. <BR> <BR>It's about the same for hairdressers. They're not getting rich off of your $20, trust me. <BR> <BR><BR>

Why should hairdressers get rich? I'm not!

We overtip out of liberal guilt.

Hairdresser - you state that you think blue-collar folks tip better because they work for their money. Why would you think that wealthy people don't work for their money? How do you think most wealthy people get wealthy and maintain their wealth?? It's usually not by sitting around all day being waited on.

Actually, Tom, if you looked at a list of millionaires in the US, you'd find that at least half inherited the money. (That's how I got mine.) So, while not all wealthy people "just sit around," many of them do.<BR><BR>P.S. I always tip 20%.

<BR>Just a point on taxes paid on tips. I waited tables while in college. My boss calculated my tips based the ammount of the checks I generated during my shift. He based it on a 15% tip. Thankfully, people I waited on usually left me at least that. <BR>So Frugal Fred I paid my fair share!

I tip my hair guy because he is great at what he does, and he always squeezes me in based on my schedule. That's what consistant tipping will get you...preferential treatment. Same with my hooker!

Often a hairstylist does the hair of the wife of a rich man,therefore her "job" is running the house,hiring firing underlings,staying good looking.Therefor she may be working but not the way you are referring to a job..<BR>Also, someone did mention that a lot of people inherit their money and business from parents, so they don't really climb the ladder, know what I mean?<BR>Of course this is all generalizing, some people are rich and work everyday and are big tippers too! But speaking from experience, my best tippers are the ones who work for their money and appreciate others who work too...

Re: tips being expected- I was brought up believing that tipping was a gracious way of applauding good service. And I tip good service - from my hairdresser(who is also a dear friend and who, belive me, even doing clients in her folks' basement after hours ,. still barely makes enough to keep body & soul together), taxi drivers here and when traveling, hotel maids when traveling, waitpersons, the guy who delivers my Szechuan when I order in , even the gas puimp guy if I go to a full-serve gas bar. The key words here are gracious a nd good service. I have never in my life had a tip responded to with anything but a smile at least and appreciation. I won't ,however tip an employee of Canada Post or the City of Edmonton (garbage collectors) - they make more than practical nurses do in this province!!!<BR>ja

i 100% agree with the original post.<BR>i am so tired of tipping people to do their jobs. <BR>i tip on average a waitress 15% for a GOOd/COURTIOUS job. i am soooo tired of hearing waitress complain that they don't make a good salary so if i don't tip then i'm the bad guy. if you don't like the job then get out, but don't stay in it and continue to whine. i find that the waitresses that whine the most are lousy waitresses. if you care courtious and good i don't know a single person who wouldn't leave you a decent tip.<BR>my hairdresser is the owner and she keeps out a tip jar.<BR>and tipping at a walk up counter...please!!! they poured me a coffee.<BR>again, just you reinforce, you CHOOSE the job.<BR>

Hey poster under the name "Wealthy"- Have you read the book "The Millionaire Next Door"- it is the most comprehensive study ever done on millionaires and how they got there. Hate to tell you.. most people are millionaires because of hard work...

TTT

Patricia, you beat me to the punch about "The Millionaire Next Door." It was written by two professors of marketing who were trying to determine what types of products and services to market to the wealthy. After 20 years of research they came to an astonishing conclusion: *Eighty percent of America's millionaires are first generation rich.*<BR><BR>Read this book to discover the difference between having a good income and lifestyle versus accumulating wealth, and see just WHO the millionaires of this country are and why.

Marketing is all about manipulating the consumer. Examples include:<BR>- gas prices $1.29 9 (we actually put up with that 9/10 of a cent BS to the amusement of the rest of the world)<BR>- hidden costs (menu item + tax + tip, instead of full cost included in the menu item)<BR>- pricing like 9.99 instead of just 10.00, to trick us into thinking it costs less<BR>- resort and energy fees and taxes and service charges tacked on to bill instead of upfront to make it appear less<BR><BR>We're a bunch of suckers manipulated by marketers, and we just sit here and take it. I noticed that the USA puts up with a lot of these practices than other countries.

Just tip if you think someone is deserving of it. Period!

Lot of cheapos here. Aside from tipping waiters, you should definitely tip cab drivers and the majority of hairdressers (owners the exception).<BR>I also tip waiters 20% unless they're bad, then only 15%, terrible 10% and under. My fiance thinks I'm stupid for tipping bad servers so much, and I can't say I disagree with her. I'm sorry I'm a sucker for the working class.<BR>All that being said I try to go 15% at least with waiters and a lot of other fields, using this formula how do I tip bathroom attendants.

Tip those that you feel deserve a tip, and skip those that don't. Lots of people in service professions don't make a lot, and a tip lets them know they are doing a good job. Tipping well also ensures good service in the future! Some of you people need to get a life! JMHO