Service Industry Tipping?

Question

I run a computer consulting and service company providing onsite support and new product delivery. I personally provide hands on hardware, software, and networking support... Why shouldn't I get a tip after doing a good job while cab drivers, waitstaff, hairdressers, car wash attendants, etc... expect one? Is doing one's job worthy of a tip? How about if they do a bad job? Everyone seems to expect at least 15% if not 20%.

(Please don't give me the standard waitstaff answer of your reliance on tips for a living due to lower pay rates. Indirectly, it is your fault for allowing the restaurant industry to lobby the government into excluding you from minimum wage laws.)

If you don't make enough $$$ waiting tables, then choose another job. As for making $100 an hour and expecting a tip, please read the posting that inspired me to write. It was a hair dresser ? which asked the amount to tip on a $100 hair doo. Everyone suggested 15% or more.
Give me higher food prices in restaurants. I don't eat in restaurants anymore, because they charge 40$ for 2 lbs. of snow crab that costs $4.99 retail!
Please explain $5.95 for a salad!!!.

I never said that I went to college... I worked hard and invested the money I earned while my friends spent their money on adult toys. Once I had accumilated a decent amount of venture capital, I opened my own business. Why is there so much critiism without knowing all the facts? I have been called everything allowable by yahoo.

Answer 1

The basic gratuity is 15%, the 20% or higher is if the service was exceptional. The 15% is a recommended minimum BUT...if the service was crappy, then your tip can reflect that also. So for the basic service 15%, then crappy = percentage commensurate with the crappiness of the service.

There are certain times and places you don't have to tip. For instance, hotels (gratuity and VAT, value added tax are included). Group meals (when you reserve a group table, tip is included).

As for international eating. Anything managed by a hotel or travel management, etc, not tipping. Certain countries tips are not necessary (e.g. Mexico and South Korea).

I hope that helps. As for where my qualifications came from, I used to work for a catering company and I run my own business now and take clients out to eat. So my answer is not based on "It should be this way or that way", but from experience and the facts of life.

Answer 2

Personally, I hate tipping. I would rather they just include whatever percent they want for the tip in the cost of the food. In Japan they don't tip in restaurants, and the service is basically better than it is here. The only place I don't really mind tipping, ironically, is the tip jars where a tip isn't really expected or required. I am not cheap when it comes to tipping, but I do think that many waiters provide better service to tables that order more food while basically ignoring tables that order less. If I see a restaurant that provides good service on an uniform basis I tend to tip the most.

Answer 3

Whether you want to read it or not, not all of us have had the good luck to finish college and land a good job. You are on a salary.
Those of us who are in the service industry are not necessarily proud of the fact that we cannot get a cushy job. We just do the best we can to provide for our families, get through college, whatever the case may be.
If you do not receive good service, you should consult the manager of the establishment. But, do recognize that we are providing a service. If you do not feel you should tip, go to a fast food restaurant or a buffet.
Have you ever seen the movie 'Waiting' ?
:-)
We are in an industry that relies on people willing to tip for a service provided.
The word 'tips' is actually transcended from an abbreviation.
To
Insure
Prompt
Service

If you want the desired service, you will tip.
If not, we do remember you:-)

Answer 4

If people didn't tip, the food would be more expensive to make up for the higher staff salary.
Also, who are you to tell me it's *my* fault for "allowing" the restaurant industry to lobby the gov into letting my boss pay me $2.65/hr? You really think waitstaff can do anything about that? And, don't computer consultants usually charge $50-$100 an hour for their work? THAT'S why you don't get tipped.
I'm really sick of the people who b**** about "doing your job isn't worthy of a tip" It's indirectly part of the food cost. Would you prefer we did it like Europe, where the service charge is automatically part of your bill?

Answer 5

I think for the crap you have to put up with, then you should get a tip. You may make 100 bucks an hour, but if you only get two calls a week, then you totally deserve it. My ex is an MS programmer and owned his own consulting company. The idiots that you have to deal with, not to mention family members who want free tech support, alone are worth well over what you are making. If you ever fix my computer then I will tip you.

Answer 6

Oh my God you are such an ***. The restaurant industry is one of the most powerful lobbies in the nation, so don't give me that crap that we are at fault because we can't take them on. You are just a cheap *** bastard, you are an elitist and a snob. I've waited on people like you, and when you leave me little or nothing it feels like a kick in the teeth. Why? Why do you want to hurt people who have worked hard to serve you and have done nothing to harm you? Because you're a selfish snob. You have nothing to be proud of. If most people were like you I wouldn't be working in the restaurant industry. Do you realize that the people who take those jobs are college students who need a flexible schedule to go to school, single mothers who also need a flexible schedule to raise their kids, people who are down and out and know it's a way to make money in a hurry instead of having to wait for a paycheck. We are fellow citizens, not beneath you. It just so happens you live in country where tipping for a sit down restaurant dinner is traditional. Deal with it. Quit being so selfish. You rat bastard.

Answer 7

Ok so lets really think about this for a minute.
Wait staff it typically tipped along with housekeepers, hairdressers, car wash attendants........... Typacally blue collar people with lower salaries. (well mabye not the hairdresser, but it is personal service)
Now you do computer work, providing support.
First this is a white collar professional job. (do you tip your Doctor, Lawyer, Accountant, Teachers, etc.)
Secondly, it is very customary not to tip the owner of a business and this includes restaurants.
Typacally people in personal service receive tips. Others do not. and owners never do.

Answer 8

Your reasons for deserving a tip are valid. I think, however, that the public would have to become more "educated" on the matter. The assumption now is that you are charging an hourly rate for your services which must be at least sufficient to cover the cost for the special nature of those services. If you are not, then you need to "up" your prices.

Answer 9

People who do not receive a substantial salary for their job and rely on tips like waitresses and the other jobs that you listed, should absolutely be tipped for good service. Personally, when a computer tech., cable installer, light fixture installer or anyone in that type of position comes to my home to do a job and they do it well, they are friendly, present themselves in a professional manner... I always tip at least $10.00 to $20.00 . Waitresses/Waiters Start the meal with 20% tip.however it will go down if service is poor.

Answer 10

Give yourself a tip and raise your prices by 15%. If you think that will drive away business, then you are being paid what the market will bear for your services. Tipping is market driven, like all business functions. If people don't want to pay 15% over the menu price, they either eat fast-food or eat at home. Wait staff are compensated for their services almost entirely by tips, hence their services are market driven also. The market will pay for what it values their services to be worth.