Is tipping a requirement, or optional, or just expected.?

Question

I was always taught that you tip people that have provided you with personal service, but have not charged you a seperate labor fee.

For example:
We are supposed to tip a waiter, hair stylist, cab driver, hotel porter, and these type of people that provide a service without charging a seperate labor charge.

We are NOT supposed to tip the auto mechanic, the handyman, the appliance repair person, the shoe repairer.

I recently watched a movie with Anthony Hopkins and he is riding in a cab that drives him to the motel. The cab driver was rude throughout the ride.
When it came to paying for the fare, Anthony though the fare was a bit steep, but that is what was on the meter, so thats what he paid.
The cab driver became angry and demanded that he pay at least 10% percent more as a tip. A tip is expected the cab driver says.

Why is it wrong to not leave a tip at all if you have bad service?
I realize that some people never tip and I think that is wrong.

Answer 1

It isn't wrong, persay, but usually people have a reason for being rude. The cab driver in the movie might've almost just gotten into a accident, or just been mortally threatened (that happens more often then you'd expect.) The thing is if the service provider is being openly explicit, cruel, or insulting without any obvious reason, there is no need to tip them. On the other hand, if you tip them before they say anything, it might make the person, in this case the cab driver, re-think his rudeness, and maybe even apologize. A little bit of kidness will go along ways.

Answer 2

i think that is depends on the situation. I think you sound right for the most part. I think that it should be required in a restaurant and any other situation were the person depends on tips to make money. Servers get paid around 2.13 an hour and without tips would not make very much money.

I think that the only situation in a restaurant that you should not tip is if your service (not food, that is the cook's fault) was completely. Even then you should talk to the manager before leaving nothing.

The main problem I have is when people leave a bad or no tip when it is not justified. If you can not afford to tip well (you should assume your service will be good before deciding to go out) then don't go out and cook at home!

As far as taxi's and other services. I usually give a taxi driver a tip unless they take me a way I know is wrong or are rude. I always tip my hairdresser and usually very well. I also tip the valet and bellhop. I don't usually tip anyone else unless they do an extraordinary job and deserve a little extra.

Answer 3

First, I loved that movie. Now, I work in the restaurant industry. This has been a huge debate, as in Europe, they have a standard service fee, you don't tip the waiter. The waiter makes a decent wage. Europe has better service than America. AMerican service staff make $2.65 an hour, much lower than minimum wage. A tip is customary, not required. I used to tip all of the time, regardless. Lately, however, if I'm made to feel uncomfortable, or at the mercy of the server, or just plain treated rudely, I won't tip. I don't spend 50 hours a week kissing customers butts, and bending over backwards for them, just to take that cash somewhere, and be treated rudely. NO WAY! I love it when they run after me in the parking lot for their tip. All of a sudden, they are paying attention. It gives me a good opportunity to let them know exactly where they failed. I was a waitress, a bartender for years, now I'm a chef. You can't tell me I don't know what it's like. I've also noticed the waitresses who work for me, the ones who can't make 20% consistently, are bad waitresses. ANd I will tell them that perhaps waiting tables isn't their thing. It does take skill and personality, it's not just something you can do and make money at, just because you're young. Man, this question is hotly debated in the industry. Great question

Answer 4

I think it is dumb that the world has come down to 'expecting' a tip. I think there used to be a motive to do great service to get a tip. But I do not think it has to be required.

On the otherhand, I think if you sit down at a restaurant, you should tip no matter what. The amount you tip (not just a penny, that is an insult) is dependent on how well the service was. Like you had a horrible waitress, then you would tip the 10%, but if it was an amazing waitress (fast, kind, respectful, etc...) then you may want to tip 15-25%. It is rewarding for them, and you benefited from their service. It is a win-win situation, but that is only when they first are kind to you and not 'expecting' any special tip.

I think the taxi driver example you mentioned above, is horrible! I would not have tipped him in that situation! If they are rude and expecting more, they need to learn that tips are just a way of saying Thank You for your service. They are not 'mandatory' in any way, shape or form!!!

Answer 5

it is NOT a requirement, simply because there is no law requiring it . (i.e., there is no legal repercussions if you don't tip.)

however, it is customary, and it would be beyond rude if one would get service and not tip. furthermore, especially in restaurants with servers, a tip is expected. this is how the servers make their living. one would tip based on quality of service, however. if the service was good, it should be around 20%. After that, the tip percentage should go up or down depending on quality. there is nothing more irritating than a lousy server who expects a great tip, especially at a more upscale (read:pricier) restaurant. believe me, i've worked with plenty of lazy, inconsiderate, and downright nasty servers who think it is their right to get 30%, regardless of their demenaor and general quality of service.

as a general rule of thumb, if you want and get good service, tip well. if you don't have the money, then go to places where the service isn't important, or doesn't exist.

about cabs: the fare is what is required. tips are appreciated, but NOT required. same rule of thumb applies, though. if the driver gets you there promptly, and helps with baggage, and is generally courteous, then tip. if not, then pay the fare and get out...quickly!

this is all opinion, however. i generally tip 30%-40% for servers and bartenders (this drives my frugal and cost conscious girlfriend crazy!), and 10% for other industries where there is additional service than just the price included.

Answer 6

A tip is always expected, but in exchange for average or better service. I've been in situations at a restaurant when I had to ask other servers to get stuff for me. In those cases, I've split the tip between waitresses, personally handing each what I thought their fair share was.
If the service just plain sucks, yeah, I'd forget the tip. For the record, I tip over 20% if the service is good, over 25% if it's exceptional, and have only skipped on a tip about 2 or 3 times out of hundreds.

Answer 7

You should tip if the person providing the personal service is not the one being directly paid, or the owner of the business. For example, you tip the waiter because they work for the restaurant, and the restaurant is who you're paying. But if you're taking a cab and the cab driver is in business for himself and keeping all of the profits, you don't tip him. I would never not tip someone for bad service, because most people in service jobs make crappy wages, and they're being taxed as if they were tipped, whether they actually are or not. I would tip the minimum that's acceptable for poor service, and more for good service.

Answer 8

TIP stands for To Insure Prompt Service. I have heard of places where the tip is automatically added to the bill, but from what I understand that is legal in certain places and is actually the service persons wage. Also employers may take a cut of the tips. I have worked in the service industry for a long time and I suppose that when you do an outstanding job, you expect to be tipped. You also know when you are having a bad day, your service is lacking and should expect your tip to be adjusted accordingly. Generally I believe tipping is up to the customers discretion.

Answer 9

As Miss Manners has pointed out, there's no logic behind what services get tips and what don't.

I would say tipping is a requirement, but if the service was really bad or the person really rude, then not, so I guess I'm calling it optional, but the default behavior should be to tip.

People in those jobs get very little pay, as tips are expected.

I think it would be better for all if tipping were eliminated, but I don't see this happening any time soon.

Answer 10

Hey there, I wouldn't leave a tip if I had bad service, and I would seek out the manager and let them know. A lot of restaurants now put 10% automatic gratituity on the check, so check your receipts before you add a tip that it has that on there. If you didn't like the service, you can ask to get it taken off. If you have a group of 20 or more though I think it is mostly required to leave a 10+% tip.