Do you like tipping?

Question

I never enjoy it, even when the person did a great job and deserves it. I feel that he or she should get their compensation through wages not tipping. I even hated when I had job where I got tips. Something too 'master and servant' about it

Answer 1

I am in agreement with you although I never worked for tips.

Answer 2

You make some interesting points, which are based upon how you feel about the issue. Others, obviously, may feel differently, and that’s fine.

Personally, I like the practice of tipping. Aside from the fact that I have grown up in a society where tipping is a way of life, it gives me an opportunity to send the server a positive or negative message about his or her service (I never penalize a server if poor service is the kitchen’s fault). What I do not like is when restaurants automatically add an 18% “gratuity” to the checks of parties of six or more. That is effectively a price increase and is unrelated to the quality of service customers receive. I don’t even know if servers get the full amount of these mandatory “tips” (less the 10% for the busboys) or if the some restaurants cheat them. In any case, the servers may not know if their customers left with a positive or negative impression of the restaurant and their own service.

I can’t know this for a fact, but I believe servers earn more under the tipping system than they would if management decided how much to give them. I have often left tips of 25% or more when the service was particularly good. I seriously doubt that management would ever pay their employees such a large amount if it was up to them.

Another point here is that if a restaurant raised its prices to cover tips, people might fail to note the “no tipping” policy, give a tip anyway, and tell their friends the restaurant is over-priced.

Kind of a “heads I win, tails you lose" situation, isn’t it?

Answer 3

As one who relies on tips for a living, I sometimes feel like I'm a step away from a prostitute. While the money is usually good, (and contrary to what people think, we do have to claim at least a percentage of our tips), the things I have to put up from "guests" is appalling. However, I would just as soon earn an hourly wage than kiss *** and get 10% for running and dealing with rudeness. In most cases, a server doesn't make $4 an hour, (excluding tips), and we tip out our busser and bartender. So, I have to smile and laugh at your jokes, think your kids are great, and respond to "hon, sweetie, doll", and the occasional finger snap. Not to mention deal with your anger about having to wait for a table, or the fact that the kitchen is backed up, or that you can't pay the lunch price after four, or that you can't smoke in the restaurant. All of which effect my tips, by the way. Because everyone knows it is the wait staff that sets the price of the menu, enacts laws, in general, rules restaurantland. So, I guess this doesn't exactly answer the question, but it's not always easy to be the tippee...

Answer 4

I don't mind tipping at all; as a matter of fact I don't go out unless I'm certain I can tip well. I agree completely that people should get paid through wages, but the problem is some wages just aren't sufficient. And the fact of the matter is: we love to eat it's almost like another national past time for some people. So my tipping is my appreciation for the people who do the job that most people wouldn't deign to try.I mean how ticked off would you be if you went to your favorite restaurant and there were no one to serve you? When I'm going out I don't want to have to do anything and I wish to be waited on, and I even though I'm want to enjoy food I have the good sense to realize that what I'm actually paying for is the service. And when I don't tip, I'll NEVER receive the type of service any one person can dream about. So as far as tipping goes. I enjoy it, because when I TIP WELL. I know I'm making someone who works a job that's so often not appreciated feel appreciated for a change. And when someone feels that way that person will feel more inclined to work in a manner that makes everyone's dining experience pleasant. And plus it also ensures that in the event I go back to that same place that waiter will remember me as one of the few who DO tip, and thusly will never be tempted to maliciously tamper with my food to spite me for not having tipped.

Answer 5

Tipping is absolutely horrible. It is having to go to a place to pay to be served well (let it be a restaurant, taxi, bellboy, etc.). Stupid if you ask me.

I have lived in various countries were tipping is not allowed and it is wonderful BUT service can be pretty bad. Staff have great salaries so they do not need to serve a patron well because it doesn't matter to them, they are not working for a tip....

It is very unfortunate how the business mentality works from time to time.

I don't believe people who do not want to tip are being cheapskates I simply believe that that is the job you chose for whatever reason and so you ARE expected to perform just as well as you would at any office job. It is a job and have to do your best like any other job.

There really isn't much of a difference between waiting staff, taxi drivers, bell boys, etc., than a person who works as a receptionist. They are ALL jobs and the receptionist doesn't get tipped for doing her job does she, she to more than likely is at a minimum wage.

Answer 6

As someone who has worked for tips in several jobs in the US, and owned a restaurant outside the US where tipping is extremely uncommon, I think i have an unique viewpoint on this subject.

In the US there are people, and there are lots and lots of them, who make their careers as bartenders and waitstaff. These people can make a good living doing this, and as a consequence they are dedicated and professional about their jobs. If you are going to go to a nice restaurant and pay good money for a meal, you want the total experience to be nice, not just the food. You want assurance that the waitstaff will take your order in a timely manner, get the order right, bring it quickly once its cooked, check back, take the plate away when you're done, etc...

The same goes for barstaff. You want your drink made right, you want a knowledgeable bartender, you want prompt service, and someone that can facilitate conversation or know your name when you come in.

Without tipping you get people that will work hard for minimum wage, because they can't get a better job. The US is famous for its excellent service and bartenders. I have had many friends from Europe and Asia visit me in San Francisco, and be amazed at the bartenders, even in my local pub! Service staff in California make minimum wage, which is about 16k a year. You can't live in California on 16k a year and pay rent, clothes, bills, etc... Tips enable a professional service culture for all of us to enjoy. And they enable a bar/restaurant owner to gague the effectiveness of their staff. If one server makes twice the tips as the other one, he/she is either 1. A much better employee, or 2. Really good looking, or 3. Both. Both of these things are valued in the food/drink industry.

Your (everyone's) tips enrich our dining/drinking experiences immesurably. Its the cheapskates who say, "That person is already making $5.75/hour, why should I tip?" are the ones that should stay home, we don't want you out with the rest of us generous ones.

Answer 7

I think tipping is an important part of the restauraunt experience and actually its quite simple. All a good waiter/waitress has to do is be prompt, keep a friendly smile on their face and keep the ice tea coming! NEVER let the tea glass get empty and a fair tip should be a chinch...

Answer 8

Tipping your server is a part of the social contract when you go out to a restaurant with full service. If you don't like tipping you should NEVER go to a full service restaurant. You are not, as many people seem to think, paying the server extra. You are paying for the service received. Think about it for a second because the alternative is for the restaurants to add 18% to the price of everything on the menu and that goes to the server so you don't need to tip. This is the case in many places in Europe where it is customary to leave just the coin change or nothing because it is included in the price.
Would you rather have a server who is motivated to do a good job and go the extra mile for you or one whose tip is guaranteed so could not care less about your dining experience.
I condem you to one year of waiting tables with no tips if you ever stiff a server again.

Eat at Burger King cheapskate!!!

Answer 9

I tip because it's the accepted "norm" for appropriate behavior. Do I like it? No. Do I agree with it? Emphatically NO.
I don't understand those of you who say it's expected when you (the customer) receives good service, etc.
I think it's expected to receive good service because that is what your employer pays you to do.
Being a server has to be a difficult job indeed, but the employer needs to be the one to pay the appropriate wages.

Answer 10

Same here. If the service is good, and I have the extra, I don't mind too much. But, if I don't have it or the service wasn't good, I won't tip. I don't like feeling obligated to do so, or be treated differently the next time. Some staff will only give good service to those who look like they will be good tippers, that's crooked. The fact that you don't have to claim tips isn't fair either.

Answer 11

I hated working for tips also, but since I worked for tipss and knkow what it's like to struggle if you had a bad shift, I don't mind tipin'. If I have crappy service on the other hand, well thats another story. But i do see where your commin from