[Food] Tipping

[Kaiser_Soze]

The problem with tipping is that it is customary to do so.

I went for a pub lunch yesterday and was totally forgotten about after being seated. I had to go to the bar to order the food. (It was table service.) To me, the service experience was not worthy of a 15% tip, but if I had not coughed up, I would’ve been in the wrong.

I disagree - having worked in hospitality for over 20 years, I absolutely would not have tipped in the circumstances you describe. I would also have made sure I paid at the till, preferably with a member of management staff and would have explained why I hadn't tipped.

 

[Kaiser_Soze]

Which is why you often see 12.5% in the UK now. 10% to the staff and 2.5% for the "admin" charge of sorting it out.

That's because most payment is on card now. These tips need to be counted, separated, taxed and then paid into peoples wages. When everyone paid cash, it was a much more straight forward process that didn't go by the tax man!

 

[Yes Chef]

I'll second/third or fourth this.

It's a bullshit yank construct that we seem to have blindly adopted and it makes no sense whatsoever. Americans do it because most states don't have an acceptable minimum wage so, ironically considering most of them are terrified of socialism, they feel like they need to prop them up. Why we have taken it on board is absolutely beyond me.

How many people also earning minimum wage eat out at restaurants and are forced to hand over an extra 10% just because? Why do we tip waiters but not the guys in McDonalds or Pret? Why tip cab drivers but not bus drivers?

In Spain they rarely tip except for a few euros on a massive bill and nobody particularly expects it. Same when I lived in Italy and long may it continue.

If you're questioning why people don't tip in fast food outlets then I fear you're too entrenched in your views.
But basically, tipping is just a nice thing to do, nothing more complicated than that.

 

[phoenix]

After loads of arguments the wife is in charge of this when we go out. Unless it was exceptional she would not tip at all, if it was 2 people maximum of 10 % - a group she would do less. Her argument is she never had a job where she was tipped. I don’t bother trying to pay these days. She also has a no guilt filter unlike me. She also calls out the obligatory service charge which seems the norm these days.

I totally agree wth her! But then i also agree with you and feel guilty. Last time i did tip i said the the girl i will only tip if its for you ! Thank you.

 

[Ernest]

I don't believe in tipping, it's just subsidising poor paying bosses. If they can't afford decent wages then put the prices up and stop tip shaming and pay decent wages that are guaranteed

 

[Icy Gull]

I don't believe in tipping, it's just subsidising poor paying bosses. If they can't afford decent wages then put the prices up and stop tip shaming and pay decent wages that are guaranteed

Just like communism, it works in theory but not in practice. You are too old to be such a dreamer Ernest

Maybe it’s just you making an excuse for being so MEAN.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Why not just increase every price by 10% and forget about tips.

 

[Yes Chef]

I don't believe in tipping, it's just subsidising poor paying bosses. If they can't afford decent wages then put the prices up and stop tip shaming and pay decent wages that are guaranteed

Nonsense

 

[dazzer6666]

I'll second/third or fourth this.

It's a bullshit yank construct that we seem to have blindly adopted and it makes no sense whatsoever. Americans do it because most states don't have an acceptable minimum wage so, ironically considering most of them are terrified of socialism, they feel like they need to prop them up. Why we have taken it on board is absolutely beyond me.

How many people also earning minimum wage eat out at restaurants and are forced to hand over an extra 10% just because? Why do we tip waiters but not the guys in McDonalds or Pret? Why tip cab drivers but not bus drivers?

In Spain they rarely tip except for a few euros on a massive bill and nobody particularly expects it. Same when I lived in Italy and long may it continue.

Pret and MacDonalds have waiters ? I might test that out.

 

[dazzer6666]

Woah, we're not married to the same women are we?

You both have more than one wife ? WTF ??

 

[Yes Chef]

Why not just increase every price by 10% and forget about tips.

Not a bad shout. Slightly more convoluted could be to reduce VAT, currently 20%, and keep the prices the same!

 

[Bold Seagull]

I'll second/third or fourth this.

It's a bullshit yank construct that we seem to have blindly adopted and it makes no sense whatsoever. Americans do it because most states don't have an acceptable minimum wage so, ironically considering most of them are terrified of socialism, they feel like they need to prop them up. Why we have taken it on board is absolutely beyond me.

How many people also earning minimum wage eat out at restaurants and are forced to hand over an extra 10% just because? Why do we tip waiters but not the guys in McDonalds or Pret? Why tip cab drivers but not bus drivers?

In Spain they rarely tip except for a few euros on a massive bill and nobody particularly expects it. Same when I lived in Italy and long may it continue.

Tipping or gratuity in the UK goes back to Tudor times.

So your argument would appear to be fundamentally flawed at the first hurdle.

 

[METALMICKY]

Lots of pictures of Steve Buschemi playing the world's smallest violin but no explanation. Here's what they are talking about.

 

[Tim Over Whelmed]

You both have more than one wife ? WTF ??

Good point, and no.

 

[Questions]

Agree. But many, often young kids starting out in the world, are paid the minimum wage to do this. Waiting on tables is, at times, a really really shit job due to many of the public’s attitude to the hospitality industry. It’s also demeaned by the crap money. Saying thank you, and adding 10%, makes a big difference. If I can afford to eat out, I can afford 10%.

My daughter worked at a restaurant in Bath during her University days and the tips really helped her out. I try and remember this when I come across a young girl myself who is eager to please.

 

[Knocky's Nose]

Agree. But many, often young kids starting out in the world, are paid the minimum wage to do this...

Also agree. However, this is the chance for them to learn that doing a job well brings rewards - in the form of tips!

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

When we first started doing holidays in the Med, the rep at the Welcome Party used to advise us it was customary to leave a tip for the maid. So we'd upturn the mattress, empty the fridge contents on the floor and leave beer cans strewn around

 

[Giraffe]

It was a warm evening and we were sitting outside with the dog. We couldn't help but overhear the conversations from neighbouring tables. On one of them, four or five adults were discussing the "absolute ****ing bitch" that was, it seems, the ex- of one of them.

The young son of the "absolute ****ing bitch" was with them and in tears.

The impression I took was that the Black Horse possibly caters to the rougher elements of the village, although I fully concede this was a small sample size.

Well yes, I think that is also a fair perception as well. That said last time I was in there I was the only person until a group of about 50 Morris dancers arrived to attend the wake of one of their group. I left shortly after it was clear that unless I was wiling to put bells on my fingers and bells on my toes I was going to stand out like a sore thumb. (speaking of which...)

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Q: What did the leper say to the prostitute?

A: Keep the tip.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Also agree. However, this is the chance for them to learn that doing a job well brings rewards - in the form of tips!

True. But given the way the world currently is, I merely expect people to act, work and behave adequately these days. A half decent job will get a tip from me.