Question about the custom of tipping in the U.S.?

Question

I would like to know how it started and how come it is not regulated better.I have been told in other countrys it is not practiced.

Answer 1

dont know how it started, but I do know that other countries dont have it, but yet they charge you for the tip in your bill, so it's just built in to your check.

in the US employers use it as a way of getting away with paying people less because they expect that the person will make the difference between their pay wage and at least minimum wage with their tips.

Answer 2

It is difficult to change something so widely accepted for so long. I'm from the U.S. and grew up learning that it was 15 percent of the bill, and I only just realized the difficulties foreigners have, after staying for a year so far, in Australia. Here, the tip is included in the bill.

I do see the cultural difference, however. In the U.S, waiters and waitresses, who are good and want the cash, will make sure your drink is filled, and ask you if you have everything you need. My Australian fiance found it shocking.

In Australia, you're given a drink, and if you want a refill, you need to go get it yourself. The waitress has no need to return, afterall, they are getting paid anyway. I've also noticed that meals can arrive late, like 30-40 minutes after being ordered.

Eating establishments can get away with paying the waitresses/waiters in the US 2-3 dollars an hour, since the tips will be included in taxes. If the waiter didn't refill a drink/served your meal an hour after being ordered, then they wouldn't be bringing home a big paycheck. I really think, even though it's totally confusing, that the tipping procedure is fine.

Besides that, it would be entirely too difficult to have every tipping career place change their customs all at once, and have everyone used to it.

Answer 3

Tipping is a practice in almost all countries, it's just that it is added to the bill in a lot of other countries.
We do it in the US as a courtesy. You pay for service. Tips are a custom that you pay to people who serve you and probably make very little money in a salary. It isn't regulated because it is a courtesy, not a must. But, it is a nicety and should be done.

Answer 4

Don't know how it started but......waiters and waitresses and even the person pouring your coffee at the donut shop (if there is counter service)are paid on a different scale in New York State--I don't know about anyplace else. Standard procedure is for the employer to legally pay 1/2 the minimum wage and the shared tips of the shift are to be split until minimum wage has been attained. Anything left over is a freebee.

Answer 5

What other countries?
And who in heck would be able to regulate it?
No government.
They can't regulate the cost/charge so how could they regulate a gratuity?
I've tipped all over North America and Europe and so does everyone I see at other tables.
It started so many years ago there are zillions of stories made up about how it happened.
But, it's there, in place so live with it.

Answer 6

I don't know how it started but i wish more people would pick it up. As a waitress I get paid $2.15 an hour plus my tips. I maybe make $5 a night (4 to 5 hours). I am a full time college student. It bites trying to pay bills.

Answer 7

I am not sure how it started. It did not originally start in the U.S. The reason that it is not regulated is because it is voluntary in most cases. In cases where it is not voluntary (such as when a restaurant adds an 18% gratuity charge) you have a choice whether to patronize that business or not.

Answer 8

Well tipping has been around long before the U.S.

Now there are some places that build it in as a service fee, I usually walk out of those places. It should be my right to tip or not.

Answer 9

Someone told me that "tips" stood for "to insure prompt service", they used to give the tip beforehand. But then people wised-up and started doing afterwards...on a sliding scale. But it may just be a bunch B.S....

Answer 10

I have no idea where tipping originated, but here are some scenarios for tipping.
SCENARIO #1
You go to a lovely restaurant. Your waitress was very smiley and accomadating, and your bill comes out to $50.00. You tip her 20%, because she was nice, so $10.
SCENARIO #2
You go to a lovely restaurant. Your waitress was very mediocre, but she got the job done. Your bill comes out to $50.00.Because she wasn't all that great, you tip her 15% or $7.50.
SCENARIO #3
You go to a lovely restaurant. Your waitress was cranky and mean. She got the job done, but your food was late. Your bill comes out to $50.00 Because she wasn't a very good waitress, you tip her 10%, or $5.
Generally, the standard is tipping 15%. If the experience was good, you do more. If bad, less. But, you always leave a tip.