Tipping Etiquette

Chai Tea wrote:

you're are correct sir....and I hate farging cheap bastards.

Notice how these people always have some deep complex reason to why they don't tip in order to justify their cheapness? Drive me crazy.

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Walter, I don't know about Europe, but it is pretty common here to have a "tip jar" at a counter such as Starbucks or the ice cream shop, where you are simply handed your food and are expected to clean up after yourself. I won't tip unless the order is unusual or large in that case.

I'm waiting to see such a thing appear at McDonalds et. al.

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You might fin some here as well - from doctor's practises to restaurants (with and without service).

They are usually collected once a year.

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Chai Tea wrote:

We've all gotten your message here mame....you don't tip...let's move forward....please.

Well, obviously you haven't gotten my message, Chai, because I said I did tip but was against it... Reyn said he didn't... we feel this way for the very same reason that they apparently don't tip in Germany - our servers make $8.50 per hour. We all clear now?

Chai Tea wrote:

It takes two, so, sorry, you're left by yourself.

Guess this means I get the last word. LOL

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From the Wikipedia:

Quote:

In general, in the European Union and other parts of Europe, tipping is rather uncommon, although there are regional variations. ... A tip is known in the German language as Trinkgeld, which literally translates as 'money for drink'. In similar fashion, the French expression is pourboire. ... Tipping is not the custom in Bulgaria, although one can leave a tip as a sign of appreciation. ... Tipping is not particularly common, although it happens in restaurants and bars. ... The service charge is included in the bill, but a small tip may be given as a sign of approval of the service. ... In France, service charge is always included and tipping is usually not expected, though most people will leave 1 or 2 after a typical restaurant meal. ... When the bill is presented, pay any multiple of a Euro. Replying with a new total "nice" figure and asking for change in full Euros, no Cents, is okay. ... Tipping in Italy is almost absent today, and is seen as an odd, very old-fashioned custom. ... Tipping is not the custom in Slovenia and it is almost never done. ... Tipping is not the custom in Spain and it is almost never done. ... Swiss workers enjoy a very high per capita income and minimum wage. As a result of this and modern cultural influences, tipping is typically low (ex. max. CHF5 regardless of bill size), if not non-existent. Tipping is also very rare outside of restaurants and and is even rare at bars. ...

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The salary of a waiter (in the first years, after three years apprenticeship) is 1,600 ($ 2.050), 39h/week, 6 weeks holidays, tips taxfree up 1.400 /year (discussion still going on that tips are completely taxfree).

Head waiters and waiters in posh restaurants get a lot more, salary gets up every couple of years of practise.

That's for Germany - in Switzerland, waiters get really a lot more.

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jpinMilwaukee wrote:

Chai Tea wrote:
you're are correct sir....and I hate farging cheap bastards.

Notice how these people always have some deep complex reason to why they don't tip in order to justify their cheapness? Drive me crazy.

The thing is, I find it spills over into other areas of their life.

Now I'm not talking about places where it isn't customary, or built in, or what have you. I'm talkin' the good 'ol U.S. of A. Also, I'm not talking about those that are really needy, or can't afford it.. I'm thinking of people who wear decent clothes, drive an ok car...you know, isn't living hand to mouth.

It seems the same people who won't put one extra dollar down are the same one's that always make sure they've got everything coming to them when it's free. Not the being smart stuff like waiting for a sale, or taking a rebate, I mean the ones who'll eat hog jowls or something if it doesn't cost them anything.

Last year, we were having a job fair at a local venue...to bring people in, they got tickets for 2 drinks, there was a nice buffet, and some entertainment even.

At one point this guy walked up, holding 2 tickets, asking how he could get his drinks. I pointed out a waiter. He went over and spoke to the waiter, who came back w/ 2 beers. While he was waiting, the guy filled up his plate.
I didn't really pay any attention, since, well....that's what they were there for, everyone was getting food. However, they were supposed to be job seekers.

When he got his beers, he juggled his bottles and full plate (big plate, not these cheesy little cocktail plates, there was definately enough food on there to make a big meal) and walked out the door of our room, into the main area....I said to a co-worker "Hey, let's go check this guy out." we looked out and saw him sitting at a table with a friend, our beers, our food laid out for them. From the way they were dressed, and the location of the place, I'd bet they were software engineers.

sheesh Rolling Eyes

good deal, now they didn't even have to tip anyone.

oh...they got the tickets from a job applicant who didn't want a drink.

Also, I think it'll tell in a relationship....oh definately.

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Walter Hinteler wrote:

The salary of a waiter (in the first years, after three years apprenticeship) is 1,600 ($ 2.050), 39h/week, 6 weeks holidays, tips taxfree up 1.400 /year (discussion still going on that tips are completely taxfree).

Head waiters and waiters in posh restaurants get a lot more, salary gets up every couple of years of practise.

That's for Germany - in Switzerland, waiters get really a lot more.

Sorry, I don't think I'm converting this correctly. I don't know what you mean by 1,600 (marks) ($2.050) Is that an hourly, weekly?

In dollars, what do those figures translate to?

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1.600 Euros per month = 2.050 Dollars.
39 hours work per week. Six weeks vacancies (paid, of course).

That's about $12 per hour.

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That's for a 39 hour week.

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jpinMilwaukee wrote:

Most servers are paid under minimum wage and make most of their living off of tips.

Yes, you folks must live by diffrent rules. Here, minimum wage is minimum wage, which, apparently, is $8.50 an hour here. It would be illegal for an employer to pay less.

As to your comment about those who don't tip are cheap, I don't get that customers are somehow responsible for a server's livelihood. An employer is responsible for that. Should it be on a customer's back that someone is paying less than minimum wage? After all, the fact that customers patronize a certain restaurant is helping to keep it in business in the first place. If not, employees would be laid off.

If the employer is cheating their employees out of a decent wage, then they should be reported to the Labor Board (presumably there is something equivilent in the US).

The argument with restaurant workers doesn't hold. What about agricultural workers? I bet they're paid even less.

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Those without any apprenticeship, non-skilled workers, get a minimum of $1.300 per month.

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Reyn wrote:

jpinMilwaukee wrote:
Most servers are paid under minimum wage and make most of their living off of tips.

Yes, you folks must live by diffrent rules. Here, minimum wage is minimum wage, which, apparently, is $8.50 an hour here. It would be illegal for an employer to pay less.

As to your comment about those who don't tip are cheap, I don't get that customers are somehow responsible for a server's livelihood. An employer is responsible for that. Should it be on a customer's back that someone is paying less than minimum wage? After all, the fact that customers patronize a certain restaurant is helping to keep it in business in the first place. If not, employees would be laid off.

If the employer is cheating their employees out of a decent wage, then they should be reported to the Labor Board (presumably there is something equivilent in the US).

The argument with restaurant workers doesn't hold. What about agricultural workers? I bet they're paid even less.

Actually, Reyn, you're right - it's $8.00, but that's not much different. Not much to live on, esp in the Lower Mainland, but it's a sight better than $2.50 or $5.15 they were quoting for the USA.

Maybe I'll take a page out of your book and not tip anymore. You've made some really valid points. I just get guilted into it!

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Actually, since my wife is on a specialised diet, we don't even go out to restaurants anymore.

I guess I'm supposed to feel guilty about that. You know, not supporting restaurant workers' livelihood, etc...

In the meantime, I've got charities knocking at my door and ringing me up on the phone, all with their hands out. Don't get me started about that one.

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Reyn wrote:

As to your comment about those who don't tip are cheap, I don't get that customers are somehow responsible for a server's livelihood. An employer is responsible for that. Should it be on a customer's back that someone is paying less than minimum wage? After all, the fact that customers patronize a certain restaurant is helping to keep it in business in the first place. If not, employees would be laid off. .

You're going a little off-topic. Think it's been pretty clear that the thread is revolving around US customs. Different kind of discussion, whether or not it's right or wrong. There are reasons why servers here are paid less and expect tips. Restaurant owners want their staff to provide good service, and since people are motivated by money....than good servers will make $$ and represent the company well by working hard.

And whether you agree with it or not, if you're in the US and don't tip, you're considered a cheap bastard.

I sometimes tip take-out. Usually just the extra change, sometimes a buck on top of it. At restaurants I usually tip at least 20%.

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Slappy, You always manage to contribute some wise words that seems to fly over the heads of some people.

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Apparently, I'm not going out often enough. It seems things have completely changed, because I didn't know this:

Wikipedia wrote:

In general, in the European Union and other parts of Europe, tipping is rather uncommon

and therefore usually do this:

Wikipedia wrote:

When the bill is presented, pay any multiple of a Euro. Replying with a new total "nice" figure and asking for change in full Euros, no Cents, is okay.

It's a good custom, I think. I don't even really think of it so much as a tip. It's more that I can't be bothered with carrying around all these cents. Seriously.

There are exceptions, when the service was especially good or something. On the other hand I don't feel guilty for not tipping when just ordering a drink or something.

Then again, over here, I usually pay in cash, whereas in the States I usually use a credit card. Big difference. You actually have to think about the tip, and even write it down.

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cicerone imposter wrote:

Slappy, You always manage to contribute some wise words that seems to fly over the heads of some people.

I agree. Especially when I tell the attractive women to post naked pictures of themselves...just never listen.

Tipping Etiquette

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