Question on tipping

[Ginger's Mom]

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?

[Sirrahsim]

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.

[sirrahved]

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

[slleipnir]

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.

[Ginger's Mom]

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.

[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.

[pitc9]

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.

[Catlady711]

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 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.

[Randi]

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 agree with this.

[anna_66]

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 ).

I'm glad you've started this thread.
It gets us away from the bitter feelings in the other thread

I'd love it if tips were just included and we could be paid an hourly wage. No more guessing what your going to get.

If that's being grumpy, I'm grumpy too

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.

I so don't agree with that Angie. Of course there are servers who are like that and are only there to bring home the money, but then there are others who really care about taking care of their guests...people like me


As for the single woman and women in general,
I get just as bad tips from men as I do from women. A lot of times I get better tips from women

[Miss Z]

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.

Precisely. As I said in the other thread, tipping is very culturally based - some places over here even require you NOT to tip because it is insulting!

I don't mind tipping as long as it's a gesture for excellent efforts and not a necessity just because the waiter/ess did their job.

It has been interesting, though, to note how it is more common practice to tip across the pond. I'll have to keep that in mind for the future!

[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!

[BitsyNaceyDog]

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!

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.

[cassiesmom]

They probably did that because the credit card compay gets a percentage of the tip when you add the tip to the card.

Thank you, I didn't know the credit card company could do that. At the place I used to go, I liked being able to include the tip in my check because I was never really sure how to properly give it to the stylist. At this new salon, the receptionist takes care of that. I just made a note on my appointment card to remember to have cash ready for the tip on the day I go.

My very first haircut after college - now this was 20 years ago and I'd been going to an inexpensive salon as a student. I was getting ready to start my first nursing position, so I went to my mom's salon for a haircut. It cost $25 which was exactly how much money I had with me. I couldn't give a tip! I just remember being so embarrassed and not knowing how to get out of there. The next time my mom went, she turned in my tip with hers.

[Freedom]

I much preferred when I was travelling in UK and Europe where there is no tipping. The servers make a proper wage. And tips if offered were refused.

Mostly, I tip because it is expected and the person can't survive in that job without tips. I leave little or no tip if there is a problem, but I always make sure the person knows what went wrong.