Do You Tip For Service?
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I can't afford to eat out often but I wondered how people viewed leaving a tip where the service was good and no service charge was levied? It's an interesting question because there was earlier debate that often tips went into the restaurant owners pocket and not the service staff who rely on tips to make up minimum wage etc. Last summer I went into a Chinese Buffet Restaurant where you serve yourself and paid by debit card. The owner had the gall to ask me to add a tip for 'service' which was minimal. So do you tip in restaurants and are you a ten percenter on such occasions?
Taking it on from there, do you tip elsewhere? Perhaps hairdresser, barber, taxi driver, breakdown mechanic or on any occasion where the service has excelled or perhaps been beyond the call of duty.
I know that in the USA tipping is expected and even added by default in certain places. When I was in New York, they add a service charge equivalent to the state tax and may not even tell you if they think you are from out of town, so to speak. But in Australia, tipping it seems is not par for the course.
Your views and experiences please ......
Answers (7)
Hi Snoopy48
I rather object to enforced tipping which is automatically added because it does not encourage staff to give good service. However, if I go to a restaurant and am given good service than I do leave a tip and it is generally 10% - as long as I have it in change (which sometimes I don't because you pay for almost everything with plastic). I don't tip if the service is not good. I also tip my hairdresser of 16 years - generally a flat rate of £5.
I tend to tip at restaurants, if I've had good service, but no specific amount - I make it up on the spot!
I don't tip anywhere else.
Yes we do tip. Depends on the service though. If its poor then probably wouldnt leave anything. Usually leave up to 10%. Rarely go out these days - prefer to have a chinese takaway as we can get at least 3 of them to eating out once. We aren't really into going out lots so it isn't a problem. Prefer to spend the money on weekly food shop (as costs have gone up alot!) or kids instead.
Actually I never tip if the service is poor or if its already added it to the bill. If I like the service then I will give a tip to the waiter and say its for him/her and not the resturant owner. I usually tip up to about 10% in places where I know the service was good previously otherwise I just pay the bill without additions. I hate it when the credit card slip asks for an amount to be added for "service" - I normally leave that blank. I do this all over the world and not only in the uk. I don't visit Paris very often !!
I absolutely hate those blank spaces on bills for you to add a tip and never add it on principle. If I'm presented with one, I pointedly give them a cash tip if the service was good. I never tip anywhere if the service is not good. I generally give 10%, sometimes more if the service was exceptional. Apart from waiting staff in restaurants, I tip hairdressers, taxi drivers, porters, doormen, barmen, hotel maid service etc.
I always tip in restaurants if the service is good, generally 10% and always in cash to the staff giving the service. If the service is poor they get nothing.
I used to tip the postman at Christmas when we had a regular one who was very good but recently we've had a series of temporary ones who frequently don't turn up at all and often deliver my neighbour's mail to me and vice versa. So they'll be getting nothing this year.
Taxi drivers, yes; delivery drivers, yes if they're fiendly and helpful. Hairdresser, no as she's a personal friend who cuts my hair at home but I would leave a tip if I went to a salon.
I used to tip 10% if service was good.Being on the bru i cant afford to on the very rare occasion i can afford a meal out etc.Do people feel guilty when they dont leave a tip?
Especially when the waitress gives you that knowing "skinflint" look?lol
In Eastern Europe if you give a tip then you are either considered stupid or rich and ripe for a mugging when you leave the restaurant so be warned! A friend of mine once joked that he had won the lottery at the local bus stop and was beaten to a pulp and had all of £15 stolen from his wallet.
You're destroying my illusions now, Omendata. From what you've said previously I was beginning to think Eastern Europe was a paradise!
No sadly that was in Bratislava which the Brits have once again ruined. They actually close the pubs early now because the British louts cause so much trouble. There was a rather nasty incident that made the newspapers in the Dubliner pub there - the Slovaks of course got the blame but the reality was the Irish were pulling their trousers down and being rather forward to the ladies there which is absolutely a nono in Slovakia. Very much old fashioned values - no violence tolerated, no puking in the streets, abusing women or its the clink and a good beating from the coppers! Ah halcyon days of old Great Britain eh lol
Unfortunately most of Eastern Europe has the blight of the Romany Gypsy - quite the dirtiest filthiest criminal element it has been my misfortune to encounter. Quite the most basic and stupid, ignorant people; totally uneducated or even capable of being educated. First time in my life i have ever seen people who see no value in education or any attempt improve their lives - quite happy to live in s***.
I was being quite polite (unusual for me) to one in Prague and he tried to pinch my Kilt Pin - he thought it was silver little did he know "Omendata The Tight" (My Clan Name) doesnt wear expensive jewellery it was just tin.
If the service is good, 10%. Bad 0% If bad and 'Service Charge Is Included'shows on the bill, I ask for it to be taken off (even if this means speaking to the manager - loudly if the restaurant is busy) We take what is given to us too lightly these days....time to speak out!
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