Tipping

dirtydog · 10 Dec 2006 at 13:33

Scam said:
I think that's pretty harsh. As already said, there's a lot of waiters in other countries that rely on tips to get a decent wage.

How is it my responsibility to provide them with a decent wage?

Scam · 10 Dec 2006 at 13:35

dirtydog said:
How is it my responsibility to provide them with a decent wage?

Nobody said its your responsibility, it's called having a bit of heart!

starscream · 10 Dec 2006 at 13:38

I think you have to judge each situation on its merits.

We went to Pizza Express for a friends birthday a couple of weeks ago and the service wasn't that great. Problem was, it was a Saturday night and very busy and obviously understaffed. The waitress was friendly enough and trying her best but obviously overworked. By not tipping in this case, you would only be penalising the waitress when it is not really her fault for slow service.

dirtydog · 10 Dec 2006 at 13:40

Scam said:
Nobody said its your responsibility, it's called having a bit of heart!

Giving my money to strangers just because they do their job? :confused:

No sorry I'm having trouble getting my head around that concept.

Remember I am already paying their wages in the bill for the food.

TheCrow · 10 Dec 2006 at 13:42

i wont tip untill people tip me for my job...o wait no, I have a fixed wage as do they. So why should i pay for them twice? there services are already built into the price of the meal.

If they need more money get another job, dont expect me to pay out of my (un-tipped) wages twice!

(btw i dont agree with the whole concept of tipping

)

ReeceKB · 10 Dec 2006 at 13:44

no i dont think you were in the wrong. If it was poor and the service wasent so good then why should they get a tip.

touch · 10 Dec 2006 at 13:46

Jolteh said:
You're in England and here it's customary to tip 10% for service

But is it?
What are the "rules" on tipping? type of food? type of resteraunt?
i'v never in my life seen any1 tip in Burger King, yet some places expect a tip from every customer.
Maybe its the length of time the waiter is with you?
maybe its to do with them bringing you your food?

JollyGreen · 10 Dec 2006 at 13:48

I don't agree with tipping (in this country anyway, it's a bit different when the meal costs less than my shoelaces).
I generally only tip when A) it's somewhere I go to regularly B) when I'm on a "proper" night out (ie; out with people who you entertain with a repartee rather than by belching the red dwarf theme song) or C) if the service is exceptional

Scam · 10 Dec 2006 at 13:52

dirtydog said:
Giving my money to strangers just because they do their job? No sorry I'm having trouble getting my head around that concept.

Remember I am already paying their wages in the bill for the food.

You're missing my point. I'm not talking about in the UK. Not all countries are privileged enough to have the minimum wage and people who are out to try and earn an honet living can probably struggle, and work for a lot less than they should. I'm not saying you should tip, but why not?

What starscream is right. You have to judge each situation individually. If your food is late but your waiter apologetic enough, maybe it was the chefs fault? That waiter could have been running around like a loony getting your food to you. On the other hand if your waiter is amazingly friendly, but slow to serve you (or messes up etc.) then i probably wouldnt tip (much), as those are the sorts of people that probably expect a tip for a smile and a bit of conversation!

dirtydog · 10 Dec 2006 at 13:56

Scam said:
You're missing my point. I'm not talking about in the UK. Not all countries are privileged enough to have the minimum wage and people who are out to try and earn an honet living can probably struggle, and work for a lot less than they should. I'm not saying you should tip, but why not?

Because I'm not stupid enough to GIVE AWAY my hard-earned money to strangers?

Lots of people are worse off than me. The vast majority of people on earth probably, if we included the third world. That doesn't mean I'm going to give my money away to them.

Berserker · 10 Dec 2006 at 13:57

dirtydog said:
I disagree with the concept of tipping so I would never tip on principle.

Have you seen those TV programmes about how hotel/restaurant/airline staff take revenge on customers they don't like?

PS - best not go to America either. A tip is expected there.

dirtydog · 10 Dec 2006 at 14:00

Berserker said:
Have you seen those TV programmes about how hotel/restaurant/airline staff take revenge on customers they don't like?

That's why I am always very polite and patient when I go to McDonalds

It might not guarantee they don't spit in my food but at least I won't have asked for it.

penski · 10 Dec 2006 at 14:02

I tip hot waitresses if they flirt.

And by flirt, I mean go under the table...

*n

TheCrow · 10 Dec 2006 at 14:03

Scam said:
You're missing my point. I'm not talking about in the UK. Not all countries are privileged enough to have the minimum wage and people who are out to try and earn an honet living can probably struggle, and work for a lot less than they should. I'm not saying you should tip, but why not?

What starscream is right. You have to judge each situation individually. If your food is late but your waiter apologetic enough, maybe it was the chefs fault? That waiter could have been running around like a loony getting your food to you. On the other hand if your waiter is amazingly friendly, but slow to serve you (or messes up etc.) then i probably wouldnt tip (much), as those are the sorts of people that probably expect a tip for a smile and a bit of conversation!

I think the OP was talking about the UK. As for other countrys it may be custom, but hey we all know how much they respect out customs.....sorry i mean our winterval LOL!!!!111

anyway back to the point - Its there job, they are ment to work there hardest to get us our food in the best time with a smile and a bit of chat if they so feel. Fare enough if they go out of there way to help you, but anything inline with service (cooking good food and putting infront of me as quick as they can) dose not deserve anything. I do my job to expected standards, why dont i get a 10% bonus - because its what im already paid to do.

It is a false standard that they have set up to make more money, there is no need to follow the flock of people who fall for this trick.

Jolteh · 10 Dec 2006 at 14:03

touch said:
But is it?
What are the "rules" on tipping? type of food? type of resteraunt?
i'v never in my life seen any1 tip in Burger King, yet some places expect a tip from every customer.
Maybe its the length of time the waiter is with you?
maybe its to do with them bringing you your food?

There's no 'service' at Burger King - you do it yourself. What you tip for is the people coming to your table and taking your order, then bringing the food to your table.

It's for that reason I only tip half at places like pubs where you place the order at the bar.

Scam · 10 Dec 2006 at 14:04

dirtydog said:
Because I'm not stupid enough to GIVE AWAY my hard-earned money to strangers?

Lots of people are worse off than me. The vast majority of people on earth probably, if we included the third world. That doesn't mean I'm going to give my money away to them.

Sorry, but in this context that sounds pretty tight! We're not talking about charity (nice to know you think people who tip are stupid?). No one said anything about giving your money away. You're paying for their service. If it's good and they're not earning enough, theyre getting a raw deal and you're indirectly ripping them off

Berserker said:
PS - best not go to America either. A tip is expected there.

And in my experience far more deserved than any places over here.

dirtydog · 10 Dec 2006 at 14:07

Scam said:
Sorry, but in this context that sounds pretty tight! We're not talking about charity (nice to know you think people who tip are stupid?). No one said anything about giving your money away. You're paying for their service.

You're right, I am paying for their service in the BILL!

Now if they didn't get paid unless I tipped them then you'd have a point. In truth tipping is a bizarre practice which does not stand up to scrutiny and the fact that it is commonplace doesn't make it any less ridiculous.

Greenlizard0 · 10 Dec 2006 at 14:07

If the service was fine and I had a good time I would tip 10%. If the service was terrible and I wasn't in the mood to complain then they wouldn't get anything and I probably wouldn't return to the restaurent for a few months at least.

dirtydog · 10 Dec 2006 at 14:13

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Reservoir Dogs yet

TheCrow · 10 Dec 2006 at 14:17

Scam said:
Sorry, but in this context that sounds pretty tight! We're not talking about charity (nice to know you think people who tip are stupid?). No one said anything about giving your money away. You're paying for their service. If it's good and they're not earning enough, theyre getting a raw deal and you're indirectly ripping them off

Its not tight to not give people money. I have taken time to reply to your post, which will inturn may make your day more intresting. Please e-mail me to where you can send your money? didnt think so. Yet again - ITS THERE JOB, ITS THERE CHOICE TO WORK FOR THE WAGES THE AGREED!

You are paying for there service (its included in the bill already)

ill just not even start on the last part