Question on tipping

Anna's thread in the Dog House made me curious. How would you feel if we did away with tipping? What if service occupations were paid an hourly wage like every other occupation, and the service companies (hotels, restaurants, hairdressers, groomers, cab drivers, etc) just added 20% to their prices. Then the extra money is included in the price. No deciding who gets paid what, which service professional deserves more. They would be paid like everyone else. Yes that means that people who don't deserve as much pay as the person working next to them would be getting the same or more, but let's be honest it works that way in any non-service oriented job. So what are your opinions on this?

In Japan the tip was always included in the cost of the meal. They told us over and over that you were not supposed to tip off base and that they aren't supposed to accept it even if you choose to. I liked it and I think that it would be nice if we did away with tipping.

I like tipping the way it is. If you are working for a tip you work harder!

I work in a bar, so I work for my tips. As much as I'd love to always get the tip....people just wouldn't care for good service. I see people in wendy's or fastfood that are SO unfriendly. Could it hurt to smile??? I think if they depended on tips, maybe they would try harder to be friendly. Plus, if you're somewhere and you get crap service, you might not tip as much, or anything.

I think in britain that's how they do things though. We had a big group in once and they were very cheap tippers. I think they said it's because where they're from, they don't tip.

I started going to a new salon for haircuts. They have a policy about gratuities that my old place didn't. My new salon doesn't allow customers to include their gratuity as part of a payment by check or credit card. You can pay for the services that way, but the tip gets paid in cash. I've found that I round up just slightly by tipping in cash from what I would if I were including it on my credit card. I don't especially like the gratuity policy, but I do like the haircut!

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Originally Posted by cassiesmom

I started going to a new salon for haircuts. They have a policy about gratuities that my old place didn't. My new salon doesn't allow customers to include their gratuity as part of a payment by check or credit card. You can pay for the services that way, but the tip gets paid in cash. I've found that I round up just slightly by tipping in cash from what I would if I were including it on my credit card. I don't especially like the gratuity policy, but I do like the haircut!

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They probably did that because the credit card compay gets a percentage of the tip when you add the tip to the card. We usually try to have cash for tipping when we go out, if we don't we usually tip a little more generously so not to short the person we're tipping.

I think I'd rather not have to tip. I'd rather know that the meal I'm ordering is $15, rather than $12 plus the tip.

Thank you for your answers. They have actually made me think of something else. If people are truly tipping based on service, and not just giving 15% because that is what common practice is, is it too subjective? What is good service? For instance, Audrey said maybe it would get them to smile more and be more friendly. Maybe someone else doesn't really want someone who is going to be smiley and talky, but just wants them to take their order, keep their table clean, glasses filled, and respond quickly to a wave (I came in for dinner not to make a new friend-yes I really am that grumpy :) ). Obviously you can't please everyone, even though you treated both tables the same way, they may feel you deserve a different tip. Is this alright? Is it just a drawback, or benefit, of the job?
Just as a quick funny aside, cassiesmom I just saw your post. I went somewhere new to get my haircut this weekend. The stylist talked non-stop about nothing the whole time she was working on me. I will not be going back to her, but I did tip her well.
ETA: Kari, I agree, I would like to know upfront what it will cost and let the company figure out who should be paid what. Even if they have to charge a little more to do that.

I really could do without the tipping system. I do tip for good service where that is the policy, but I would much prefer that people were just paid a living wage and that was the end of it.

I'm on the fence about this...

Leaving as is:
I like knowing that my server is working for his/her tip. If they do a better than average job I always tip over the average. If they are short with me, rude, or leave me with an empty glass then I'm not going to leave anything extra.

Including tip into wages:
If the tip was included and my server isn't working for a tip then they won't care how long my glass is empty because they know they've already gotten my money.

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Originally Posted by Killearn Kitties

I really could do without the tipping system. I do tip for good service where that is the policy, but I would much prefer that people were just paid a living wage and that was the end of it.

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I totally agree with that. I hate going to places that add a mandatory tip onto your bill regardless of what kind of service you get. I don't go back to places like that again.

Tipping is not required down here and the minimum wage is a decent living wage, if it wasn't there would be no incentive for people to find work.

I voted other.

I've heard in other countries servers are paid a decent salary and that tipping is not required but appreciated. It'd be nice if the US did that.

I typically tip 20% unless the service is really bad.

I try to tip well but sometimes have a problem with tip jars at coffee joints.

I am one who generally over tips when the service is good. I'm picky and know it, and if my server can keep up with me and go above and beyond their job, they are doubly rewarded with their tip.

I have one Wawa sandwich maker who LOVES me because I raved to her manager about her... I wish I could tip that girl because she makes the BEST sandwiches for me :p and if she didn't already make me great sandwiches, she makes them BETTER since I talked to her manager. I feel bad that I can't tip the Wawa counter people.

A tip should be personal and at the discretion of the person served based on their enjoyment of their service. Its been my experience that every time the tip has been automatic that the service has been less than professional.

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Originally Posted by ramanth

I voted other.

I've heard in other countries servers are paid a decent salary and that tipping is not required but appreciated. It'd be nice if the US did that.

I typically tip 20% unless the service is really bad.

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I agree.

My niece sometimes worked breakfast hours and because of the "specials" barely made anything in tips. She still had to do the same amount of work as she did for lunch or dinner.

No offense to anyone, but some of the best service I had was during my overseas travels. My "extra" tipping was always graciously refused.And it would have been well deserved.