why do we tip people for their services when they already get paid for doing the job?

Answer 1

most people you normally tip only work for minim wage.

Answer 2

Most services that get frequently tipped do not pay well at all. For example, wait staff only makes $2 something per hour--way below minimum wage--because they report their tips.

I work at a Starbucks with my BA in English, and I only make $7.92 per hour, which sadly for Michigan is not bad. I make about $1/hour in tips and the company takes really good care of me with health benefits, etc. The weekly tip payout makes a difference. It is enough to fill my gas tank for an entire week or to buy groceries that I didn't plan for.

Tips make a huge difference. They should not be required or even expected, especially if the service is poor, but it really makes a difference when the appreciation is shown. I feel like the tip jar is an additional incentive for me to provide the best possible service to customers--so in short, when you go to a place that accepts tips, it is benefiting you, the customer.

To the person that mentioned Starbucks above: although we are paid higher than most McDonald's workers, for example, the company expects us to provide 'legendary service.' We are not supposed to 'just make a drink,' but also ask the customer how they are, give genuine compliments, and make sure the customer is satisfied with the drink. If your barista isn't doing that, then you're right, they don't deserve a tip, but Starbucks lets baristas accept tips as an insurance that they provide the service. It's really a reward for us going above and beyond.

After a year serving coffee in a no-economy state with my aforementioned BA, it really warmed my heart yesterday when I received a $16.00 tip for a $3.00 drink, especially since the day was going crappily and the weather was awful. Accepting tips at Starbucks has made me always give the customer the benefit of the doubt--9 out of 10 customers are kind and patient and appreciative and most of them leave at least a small tip when they can. They even seemed to approve when prices went up because of how well the company pays us (they wanted to keep us above minimum wage, and minimum wage went up) and most don't seem to mind paying what they do for coffee because of the service quality and the cleanliness of our store.

Answer 3

In the case of servers, they are paid a mere $2.13 an hour and the employers expect the tips will make up to, or exceed, minimum wage. In any service industry, most jobs are kept at entry level with little or no chance of working your way up the ladder. Many times there is no ladder to climb! If you feel someone did good service, it is always better to err on the side of courtesy and extend a tip.

Answer 4

Most people that you tip for services get paid minimum wage or less... or for some professions, they still earn rather less than most "white collar" workers. Tipping is an expected part of their compensation.

Etiquette-wise, you tip for the gracious manner in which they provided the service, or for their going "above and beyond" the requirements of their service. For example, a waitress is required to bring your food... she's not required to ask if you need anything else, be cheery and perky for you, make several extra trips to bring you more napkins/ketchup, or smile at a guy's lame attempts to flirt with her.

Tipping, and tipping generously, is the classy thing to do. Its a way of showing kindness to the world.

Answer 5

In australia we generally dont tip at all...reason being that they are already paid a salary to do a job and our minimum wage is a hell of a lot higher than yours. as in about $10 a hour for wait staff etc and they have a wage they have to stick to for their particular service which has been legally negotiating with the government...we dont have to tip...

Answer 6

You know this is funny because my uncle (aged 82) has that same philosophy.

I took him and my aunt to Home Town Buffet (his favorite, not mine) and the servers there keep your table free of dishes. Once we were finished, we received a small plate of mints, to which my uncle enjoyed. As I was leaving the tip, he discouraged me heartily and asked, "Why are you paying them for what they already get paid?" I tried to explain that they probably are paid low wages and that they showed extra service by keeping our table clear of used dishes, etc. "That's their job! If you leave that money, I'll take it - no sense wasting on people who will pick up their check at the end of the week!"

When he was out of sight, I left the money. I don't necessarily agree to tip the people at Starbucks because they are simply making the beverage they advertise for sale and do nothing special. The same goes for these other shops that think just by standing there making a sandwich that I ordered, I should put in a buck or two.

What's the difference? Waiters/Waitress have to literally "wait" on you, hand and foot while you decide what you want, change your mind, complain about the food, etc. They deserve a tip if they provide quality service.

A sandwich is a sandwich!

Answer 7

TIPS: To Insure Proper Service. Employers do this as a sort of insurance that their employees will do a good job and represent the company well. The majority of "tipped" jobs are service oriented, as such, the employer uses tips as a way of making sure the employees are doing their job. Otherwise, the employees wont make money.

Answer 8

depends on just what job or person you're talking about. if you are talking about a waitress or waiter...they do not get paid completely by their employer...their wages are structured based on tips they are expected to get. waiters and waitresses make 2.14 per hour. How hard would you work for 2.14 per hour if no tip was forthcoming? Not tipping is just plain stingy and shows the worst of manners and is openly rude. If you cannot afford the tip, you probably couldn't afford the meal and should stay home and save your money until you can.

If you were thinking of something other than a waiter or waitress you should have clearly stated it.

Answer 9

Because, you figure the average waitress/waiter makes only $2.00 hour. This is because the employer expects that they will receive tips as a large portion of their wages. They don't make enough. Now, tipping bellhops and other whatnot working at fine hotels, it's to get better service, and so you're remembered.

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Answer 10

These people are paid a minimum salary. When they provide you with a service, in effect you are their boss and according the the service they give you, you are the one who determines how much to pay them. This is an incentive to them to do a good job and serve you better. Be appreciative when they serve you well and leave a pittance when their service is poor.

Answer 11

It's similar to a salesman who works on base pay plus commission. He gets paid a fairly low amount to work, but he gets paid extra when he does a good job selling.

It's similar with services. A person gets a fairly low base pay to work, and they get paid extra when they do a good job serving.