Tipping Discussion

[Barrister]

What do you guys do when it comes to tipping?

Generally speaking, if I am being served by a waiter/waitress in a sit-down restaurant I will have my starting point be 20%. If the service is very exceptional, I will increase it. If the service is mediocre or even poor, I will decrease it. If it is downright pathetic, I will leave no tip. I don't see it as something that has been earned simply by the waiter/waitress having a job.

More and more I see "tipping" becoming an option for things where it shouldn't exist. I took my kid into Coldstone the other day and there was an option to tip now on the screen. For plopping some ice-cream and toppings into a cone. I simply declined to leave a tip and didn't feel bad about it at all. I also saw the other day when I popped into Subway between meetings for a quick and admittedly mediocre lunch, that there was now an option to tip the workers at Subway. I again declined. I even asked the lady working at Subway if she actually legitimately sees any of the tip and she said she would get a "percentage." So basically just a way for these establishments to make more money on things they are already over-pricing.

Sometimes, if I pickup a pizza I will leave a tip for the boys in the back room if I feel gracious. However, I feel like it should generally be reserved for a sit-down setting. Who is with me? Or am I heartless?

 

[SW15]

I watched the video below recently on tipping.

The reason you see "tipping" becoming an option for things where it shouldn't exist is because of merchant software programs like Clover, Toast, and Square. These merchant software programs are the high tech equivalent of the tip jars that were commonplace in the 1980s-2000s. There was even one Seinfeld episode (The Calzone) in the 1990s where a tip jar was a key plot device.

I think tipping is generally for sit-down restaurants and delivery. However, tipping norms have also increased. Standard tips for sit-down restaurants workers were 15% in the 1980s-2000s, but seem to have exploded to 18-20% in the last 10-15 years.

 

[Barrister]

I watched the video below recently on tipping.

The reason you see "tipping" becoming an option for things where it shouldn't exist is because of merchant software programs like Clover, Toast, and Square. These merchant software programs are the high tech equivalent of the tip jars that were commonplace in the 1980s-2000s. There was even one Seinfeld episode (The Calzone) in the 1990s where a tip jar was a key plot device.

I think tipping is generally for sit-down restaurants and delivery. However, tipping norms have also increased. Standard tips for sit-down restaurants workers were 15% in the 1980s-2000s, but seem to have exploded to 18-20% in the last 10-15 years.

I don't know all the ins and outs of the software behind it - that's interesting. But that Seinfeld episode (like most Seinfeld episodes) is a classic.

It has just gotten to ridiculous levels. Leaving a tip for moving things onto a sandwich or plopping ice-cream and mini Reese's cups into a cup and handing it to me is a major stretch as something deserving a tip. The sad part is I can guarantee that these establishments are making money off of this little gimmick. And I doubt the workers are seeing much difference -- just a "percentage" apparently (so a percentage of a percentage).

 

[Doctor Europeo]

@Barrister Seriously, why didnt you named this thread "Just The Tip"? Total missed opportunity right there bro!

Im not sure where to stand on this. On one hand, It feels natural to leave a good tip when you had a good time.

On the other hand, sometimes I think tipping shouldnt be a thing at all, because now everyone and their grandma wants a tip. Its similar to how I feel when taking a vacation and the hotel and everyone are just Nickle & Diming you at every turn.

 

[Billtx49]

When wait staff of any kind, restaurant, bar, or wherever, goes out of their way to provide an above average customer experience, they deserve a good to great tip.
Wait staff that expects a tip while just putting in minimal job performance deserve less. A great tip would only make them feel entitled…

Tip totals are all about valuing the customer, personal friendly interaction level, and attentiveness to service. When I get it my tip level is 20%+ to +++.

 

[Gamisch]

When wait staff of any kind, restaurant, bar, or wherever, goes out of their way to provide an above average customer experience, they deserve a good to great tip.
Wait staff that expects a tip while just putting in minimal job performance deserve less. A great tip would only make them feel entitled…

Tip totals are all about valuing the customer, personal friendly interaction level, and attentiveness to service. When I get it my tip level is 20%+ to +++.

European here. Overhere going " above and beyond " is always expected from personell...in return you get a base salary and yes, despite this customers still can and WILL leave tips...i always round up the number and leave the change for the cashier. Most companies refuse it though..

I always wonder if the opposite of "above and beyond " means dgaf , make a customer wait and serve cold food and warm drinks , and that the customer thinks" oke well that wasn't above nor beyond. I'll just pay the normal prize". Overhere that means free food, dude or chick gets FIRED immediately due giving the company a bad name..especially in this era of reviews!

I cant blame yall though...its a cultural thing, one y'all grew up with so its normal to most of you. To me its...baffling.

At the end of the day its yet another way of companies to drag more money out of your pocket. Its sad to see, just like the ability of companies to " lobby " politicians. Completely unheard of.

Will there ever be a generation of men who'll stand up against this BS???

 

[Mike32ct]

20% is my standard. They’d have to mess up REALLY badly to not get that from me.

If it was an honest mistake on their part or a screw up/delay in the kitchen (beyond their control), I still give the standard tip.

 

[Barrister]

20% is my standard. They’d have to mess up REALLY badly to not get that from me.

If it was an honest mistake on their part or a screw up/delay in the kitchen (beyond their control), I still give the standard tip.

And I agree with that. I would never penalize the waiter/waitress for the kitchen screwing up. I will still give them the standard. When I mentioned poor service, it was in reference to the waiter/waitress being awful personally or messing up the order themselves.

 

[SW15]

waiter/waitress being awful personally or messing up the order themselves.

This can happen in a sit-down restaurant. A waiter/waitress gets hired who is a poor fit for a server job for whatever reason. They might not end up lasting long in the job.

Most waiters/waitresses/bartenders are average and unmemorable.

Some of the highest tipped restaurant workers are the breastaurant waitresses/bartenders at establishments such as Hooters and Twin Peaks.

I’m a Hooters waitress and here’s how much I make in tips a day

“I’m a nurse and you make more than a starting nurse in a 12-hour shift.”

nypost.com

Hooters waitress Leah Fennelly showed she made $382 in tips during a 12 - 8 PM Thursday shift at Hooters. 12-8 PM on a Thursday isn't even a prime shift. Additionally, FL minimum wage for tipped employees is $6.98. On that Thursday, she made $437.84, including one simp who gave her $100 via cash app. If she were to make $437.84 every day as a full time employee, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year, that equates to an annual salary of $113,838.40. There are plenty of 35-45 year old white collar and blue collar working men who don't earn that salary. Many of those men aren't losers either, as they have solid trade certifications, bachelor's degrees, or even advanced degrees.

I don't know all the ins and outs of the software behind it - that's interesting. But that Seinfeld episode (like most Seinfeld episodes) is a classic.

It has just gotten to ridiculous levels. Leaving a tip for moving things onto a sandwich or plopping ice-cream and mini Reese's cups into a cup and handing it to me is a major stretch as something deserving a tip. The sad part is I can guarantee that these establishments are making money off of this little gimmick. And I doubt the workers are seeing much difference -- just a "percentage" apparently (so a percentage of a percentage).

The merchant services software is the primary reason for this. Additionally, fewer transactions are done in cash. Both of those factors are relevant to the discussion.

Tipping requests are ridiculous now. A sandwich artist at Subway does not deserve a tip and neither does a worker at Coldstone Creamery or Baskin-Robbins. Many of these places have now put in those updates kiosks and tablet terminals which have replaced traditional cash registers and are able to be programmed to request tips, which is much different from a psychology standpoint than the classic tip jars of a generation ago.

 

[Modern Man Advice]

I do not have a standard. It strictly depends on the quality of the service.

I've tipped 30-50% if I felt genuinely welcomed, informed, and cared for. On the other hand, if you clearly do not want to be there I will not tip to help you move on to a job you actually enjoy.

 

[member160292]

Tipping well and being friendly to the staff brings you favors. The staff will know the moment you walk through the door. I personally hate waiting, there are restaurants and bars that have at least an hour to 2 hour wait. I never had to wait more than 5 minutes.
last weekend, I bought a beer for the waiter and he came back with samples of their high end whiskey
Tip the service people, they work hard.

 

[Millard Fillmore]

In the US, I tip and tip well when it's merited. But it's a stupid system.

European here. Overhere going " above and beyond " is always expected from personell...in return you get a base salary and yes, despite this customers still can and WILL leave tips...i always round up the number and leave the change for the cashier. Most companies refuse it though..

I always wonder if the opposite of "above and beyond " means dgaf , make a customer wait and serve cold food and warm drinks , and that the customer thinks" oke well that wasn't above nor beyond. I'll just pay the normal prize". Overhere that means free food, dude or chick gets FIRED immediately due giving the company a bad name..especially in this era of reviews!

I cant blame yall though...its a cultural thing, one y'all grew up with so its normal to most of you. To me its...baffling.

At the end of the day its yet another way of companies to drag more money out of your pocket. Its sad to see, just like the ability of companies to " lobby " politicians. Completely unheard of.

Will there ever be a generation of men who'll stand up against this BS???

Yep when they're paid a decent wage and don't rely on tips there's none of the fake niceness or passive aggression going on. I will say that customer service overall is superior in the US (even in non-tipping sectors) but the whole model of gratuity is ridiculous there, esp. in some states that pay waiters and tenders less than minimum wage legally.

 

[IKO69]

When I go to a bar or restaurant or have a service done (like my tailor) I always tip 20%. A couple of times i've tipped more. I remember I once went to a restaurant and then visited again about 2 or 3 months later. The same bartender (a woman) was there and she greeted me by my name. She said it had been a long time since I had been there, stunned I told her yeah. She remembered my exact order and said that I had came in with a woman (a coworker of mine when I was at that particular company). It was like $20 worth of food but I gave her $50.

 

[Gamisch]

When I go to a bar or restaurant or have a service done (like my tailor) I always tip 20%. A couple of times i've tipped more. I remember I once went to a restaurant and then visited again about 2 or 3 months later. The same bartender (a woman) was there and she greeted me by my name. She said it had been a long time since I had been there, stunned I told her yeah. She remembered my exact order and said that I had came in with a woman (a coworker of mine when I was at that particular company). It was like $20 worth of food but I gave her $50.

Iirc , the food isnt worth 20 bucks, but 20 + 20% tip. I wonder if that means that a non tipping customer is basically committing a crime?

Tons of videos of crying delivery employees throwing tantrums because they got no 5 dollar tip. I don't get it.

 

[IKO69]

Iirc , the food isnt worth 20 bucks, but 20 + 20% tip. I wonder if that means that a non tipping customer is basically committing a crime?

Tons of videos of crying delivery employees throwing tantrums because they got no 5 dollar tip. I don't get it.

I'm European, was born Palermo - it's more customary here than there (and the % is larger) but it makes a difference. I had a job as a server for a year at a steakhouse during undergrad and the tips really helped. A lot of service workers don't make very much and may (usually) deal with a lot of bs.

 

[Redwood]

Like the others said, it depends on the service. But judging by the way things are heading, it looks like it's going to be a requirement.