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

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

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.

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...
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...
My date tipped the chef, no one else did.
What do you think? You're supposed to tip those guys, right?

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!

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.

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.

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?

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,<hair stylist>,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..
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.