Do You Tip?
If yes, for what services do you tip, and how much?

I tip for the following services:
* waiter / waitress : 0 - 20% of the bill (depends on many factors)
* barber : $3
* cab driver : $2 - $3
* valet parking : $5
* room service / and house keeping : $3 - $5
* casino dealer (if I had a good night) : depends on how many beers I had
* pizza guy : $2

A friend of mine always gives his server a large tip, regardless if the food / service was good. (This I don't agree with) I've had some servers with a bad attitude, and I've had no qualms leaving them a "big fat zero" for a tip.

Want a tip? Earn it! Be pleasant, have a nice attitude, and do your best, for this, I will reward you. However, have a perpetual sneer on your face,and sigh when asked anything (like it's a chore) and you get nothing.

My "in-laws" on the other hand, are the cheapest ***** that ever walked the earth! They never tip, EVER!
When I asked them about this, their reply is "Oh, we don't believe in tipping"
They believe that business owners should pay their employees a fair wage, and not force the customers to have to pay them.
While I can see their point, I still think that someone who performs beyond the call of duty should be entitled to a gratuity. (I think some people who use the "I don't believe in tipping", just use it as a cop out.

What about gas jockeys? Since I always pump my own fuel, it doesn't apply to me, but how about you NJ guys, do you tip for gas?

What are your thought on tipping? Where the heck did tipping start anyway?

Habibi

 

I don't have problems tipping servers/waitors. Otherwise you'd get a bunch of "I don't give a crap" kids serving food. I do feel wierd about tipping in other instances.

 

When we go out to eat I usually tip double what the tax is then round it up a dollar (works out to around 12-13%), but thats only if the service was good. I also do not feel bad about leaving a low tip (I always leave something) if the service sucked. In my book a low tip tells them they did poorly (along w/the note I write on their receipt.

I tip the vallet at the mall $2. I give a $5 on a $3 fee. They always park my truck very close to the door so I see it immediately when I give them my ticket. I do tip higher for them in the winter.

We tip the pizza guy pretty well since they will say our food will be here in 30-45 minutes & it usually arrives between 15-20. I gladdly tip them.

 

I think if it's a minimum wage service occupation, then I tip. Otherwise, I don't. Example: My insurance agent goes out of the way to give me good service, has even come by the house on occasion to drop off or pick up paperwork. Do I tip him? Hell no, he's making over a million a year in the business. The mechanic that works on my truck or van, do I tip them? Rarely, but if I get good service I usually write a letter to the dealership and specifically name the individual that provided the service. The guy at Tire America that rotates my tires (it's free), yeah, he gets a tip.... usually a fiver.

I'm with Habibi, the type and quality of service decided the amount of the tip.

I used to teach school many years ago. On occasion I would find a student that needed some special attention, or a ride home, or extra tutoring, did I ever get a tip for it? NEVER! Did I expect one? No! Was I making minimum wage? Just about! My kids would have qualified for Government assisted free lunch if my wife wasn't working. So maybe I should have gotten one.

 

I also do not feel bad about leaving a low tip (I always leave something) if the service sucked.

My wife used to share this same "tipping philosophy", until she became versed in the logic of Habibi!

While there are several definitions of the word "Gratuity", I use this one:

Gratuity - Something voluntarily given in return for a favor or service, as a recompense or acknowledgment.

From my "perspective", a tip is an acknowledgement for good service.
Why would you give any tip if the service was bad? (I mean no disrespect by this question)
A tip by any other name is a 'reward'. I won't reward someone who doesn't deserve it.
Imagine you & I are dining in the same restaurant, but sitting at different tables...We each have our own server.
My server is courteous, friendly, and goes out of the way to make sure my needs are met.

Your server is rude, short (as in temperament), has a poor attitude, and only comes to your table at the end of the meal to hand you the check.
I tip $10 because my service was great, you tip $5 because your service sucked.
Why would you reward your server with anything?

The only way to get your point across to some of these brain dead wait staff is to give them nothing when they do a poor job.
(that's how I see it anyway)

If you did a half-assed job, would your boss call you in and say "well, since you did a ****-poor job this year, I'm only going to give you a $3k raise in salary, as opposed to the 5k I was planning on giving you.

It's not often I tip "zero", but sometimes the situation warrants it, and I will never reward someone for being incompetent.

Habibi

 

When the service sucked I'll leave about .50 on the table. If you leave nothign the server will just assume you forgot but if you leave just some change they'll know that you didn't forget but that they sucked (I've heardthis from several people I know who worked in the serving industry). Thats also why I write remarks on their reciept (we almost always pay using a credit card) so that not just they see it but anyone who has to check their totals at the end of the night will see it.

 

I tend to overtip at restraunts, especially if I get good service. They keep my water glass full, I almost always give a ten dollar tip even on a bill that is $25.00. Give me bad service I leave 1 dollar. They have to split the tips with the bus boys so I make sure they both get good tips. If I sit down and the table is greasy or chair is filthy I give a smaller tip. Most of them only make minimum wage so I try to do my part and give.

 

For the record, there really is no "right or wrong" answer in the tipping debate.
I just find it interesting to read about other peoples perspectives.

Habibi

 

I have a big heart and nearly always tip well. Only once I didn't tip, but the service and food was so incredibly bad that I spoke with the manager and threatened to call the Board of Health. The place was just disgusting. However I've had service that was incredibly good and left 50% tips because I beleive in rewarding an outstanding job.

 

Forgive me my curiosity but what does a haircut cost washing included in Canada/US.

Habibi, I assume you listed Canadian dollars?

BTW I agree with your in-laws.

 

I tip 20-40% at restaurants NO MATTER WHAT! You VERY WELL may come back, and coming from a bartender of 5 years...I NEVER FORGOT a bad tipper...N-E-V-E-R. Next time...no matter where your at in the restaurant, or who your server is, Ill see you...& my revenge will be silent & sweet. And your server will not care, because they will be ON MY SIDE... this happens CONSTANTLY...believe me...more than you think Never tip badly, complain or be a di*k if you EVER plan to return.. I have seen some INSANE things done to the food of rude patrons, bad tippers or complainers (not that I have ever done those things...heh heh...you have NO idea...I shiver just THINKING about how despicable I've been). Shut up & tip well, or enjoy your pubic-hair seafood pasta... Your EATING the things these people are serving, so if its food based, restaurants, pizza delivery, dairy queen, chinese take-out...ALWAYS tip well...of you'll be getting more than you ordered...& it WONT be a free bag of cheese sticks....

I also tip 50% to the girl that cuts my hair. This is your head people...hair grows back...but VERY SLOWLY...

 

If food and and service is good, they get a decent tip. If the food and/or service sucked I leave 3 cents. So they know I did NOT forget to tip and tells them what I think of them and/or their service...

The lady that does my hair gets a nice tip, don't want to **** her off and have a mistake you have to live with for 6 - 8 weeks... Know what I mean...

Otherwise for other things like Habibi mentioned people already making good money, insurance agent, car mech's etc NO freaking tip, either they serve me well or I'm taking my business else where...

 

TINMAN,

remind me never to eat at a restaurant you are working at

F150europe, mt haircut is 12 bucks, so I always give 15.
3 bucks isnt a lot, but I know the hairdresser appreciates it.

Habibi

 

good topic

heres a question:
do you tip the car hop at sonic, if so how much say if you just stop to get a coke, i usually give them the change .50 to .40, my wife says dont do it, it not required and it not that much, i say if every one gave them .50 then at the end of the day it adds up.

next thing, i dont tip but i give the daycare workers something at christmas and something at the end of school year, $20 to $30 .

something i saw my parents do was tip the people that ran the retirement community that my grandparent lived at, $25 every 2 or 3 months made a huge difference in how they were treated (both my grandparents and my parents) when my mom called with a concerns they corected it fast and if my grandparents were not them selfs then my parents got a call.

 

26.50 Canadian here +- 4 clients per hour
You do the math:BINGO, no need for a tip.