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Author Topic: Tipping somebody other than a waiter . . .
lcarus
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Guidelines, please?

How much do you tip your barber?

The person who carries your luggage at the airport?

The bellhop?

Do you tip the valet when (s)he takes your car, when (s)he brings it back, or both?

Do you still tip when they charge you for valet parking? Do you tip less?

Do you tip when you pick up carry out food from a dine-in restaurant?

Do you tip the groomer?

Do you tip the person who carries your groceries out?

Does anybody really tip doormen?

How much do you tip movers?

If you must be moved to a new hotel room due to a screw up on the hotel's part, do you tip the bellhop again?

[Confused]

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Stan the man
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quote:
How much do you tip your barber?
Depends on price of the cut. Mine are generally $11.00. I tip $2.00.

quote:
Do you tip the person who carries your groceries out?

You can. I always refused to accept tips as I was paid more than the cashiers to do my job. However, when I go to the commissary and buy groceries I tip the person carrying them out. Then again, they work for tips. These people in specific do not get paid a decent hourly wage. (BTW a commissary is a grocery store for at least the Navy, but I do believe the Air Force uses them too)
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Da_Goat
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Most people tip my dad about $1.00 per pizza - 20% when he delivers. And I know that the delivery charge doesn't go to him (well, it does, but indirectly), so I suspect the same may be true for valet parking.

And you should also tip the people who bring you food at Sonic. I usually use the same rule as waiters and waitresses for them.

quote:
Do you tip when you pick up carry out food from a dine-in restaurant?
Unless somebody brings it to you, no.

As for all the rest, I don't think I've ever been in a situation where they would apply to me.

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sndrake
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How much do you tip your barber?

I'm pretty generous - I tip 25% or more, but that's because I go to the same place every time. It's often 2-4 months between haircuts, depending on weather, speaking gigs, or other things that might make me pay attention to my hair. She has to spend more time and do more work than she would if I came in every 6 weeks, so I tip generously.

The person who carries your luggage at the airport?

I never let them get their hands on my luggage! Part pride and part miserliness.

The bellhop?

Same as above - it can take really quick reflexes and a death grip on luggage in a fancy hotel (I only get to be in those if someone else is footing the bill.)

Do you tip the valet when (s)he takes your car, when (s)he brings it back, or both?

I only tip when they bring it back.

Do you still tip when they charge you for valet parking? Do you tip less?

Yes - I tip the same amount. The person parking doesn't receive the parking fee.

Do you tip when you pick up carry out food from a dine-in restaurant?

Not me.

Do you tip the groomer?

I don't have enough body hair to need a groomer. It hasn't come up.

Do you tip the person who carries your groceries out?

Not Applicable

Does anybody really tip doormen?

I do if they get me a taxi.

How much do you tip movers?

I've only been moved by friends who were more than happy to be paid in pizza and beer.

If you must be moved to a new hotel room due to a screw up on the hotel's part, do you tip the bellhop again?

I have done that when forced to do this. It's not the bellhop's fault the hotel screwed up and they had to do more work. I try whenever possible to have them let me do the work myself.

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Coccinelle
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How much do you tip your barber?
15% of the cost, generally a minimum of $1. If you do not get your hair cut often, then $5 is suggested.
If the person who shampoos your hair is not your barber, then they should be tipped $1-$2

The person who carries your luggage at the airport?
Skycaps should be tipped $1 per bag

The bellhop?
$10 for bringing you to your room with luggage; $5 dollars for opening and showing the room

Do you still tip when they charge you for valet parking? Do you tip less?
yes I still tip, no I don't tip less because they don't receive the charge

Do you tip when you pick up carry out food from a dine-in restaurant?
not necessary, but appreciated. $1-$2

Do you tip the groomer?
the groomer of your pets?
15% of the bill. No less than $2 per dog

Do you tip the person who carries your groceries out?
Most grocery stores have a no tipping policy in the US. If they don't then $1/bag- $5max

How much do you tip movers?
Try to get friends [Smile]
One Person Job :
$20 - $50 for large and difficult moves. This includes but is not limited to:
stairs
small elevators
narrow doorways
odd furniture or appliances
large heavy boxes
$10 - $20 for small moves. One to ten items and only for regular sized items or boxes. Nothing too heavy (20 lbs. or less.)

Two or more movers:
This is a bit more complicated. Follow the guidelines above but adjust it as per the following criteria:
Decide whether you want to give a lump sum tip to the whole crew (they take care of splitting it) or if you want to tip each mover individually. My suggestion is to calculate per mover, subtracting $10 from the rules above and then pooling it and giving it to the supervisor or team leader.


If you must be moved to a new hotel room due to a screw up on the hotel's part, do you tip the bellhop again?
It is courteous, but not necessary.

Most of these suggestions were found at The Tipping Page

edited to fix ubb code

[ March 07, 2004, 11:43 PM: Message edited by: Coccinelle ]

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Shan
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Ahhh - thank you, Icky - I needed this thread with the travel I have to do . . . [Smile]

what other good business travel tips and other etiquette for "on the road" do people have?

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Mrs.M
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How much do you tip your barber?

I tip my stylist at least 20%, but 15% is the minimun for any haircutting service.

The person who carries your luggage at the airport?

$1.00 per bag minimum.

The bellhop?

$1.00 per bag minimum.

Do you tip the valet when (s)he takes your car, when (s)he brings it back, or both?

Only when they bring your car back, unless you have a special request when you drop it off.

Do you still tip when they charge you for valet parking? Yes. Do you tip less? No.

You are tipping the valet for his or her service, which are separate from any charges that the venue may apply.

Do you tip when you pick up carry out food from a dine-in restaurant?

Not unless they carry it out to your car.

Do you tip the groomer?

15% minimum. I tip at least 20% because I have a long-haired ornery dog.

Do you tip the person who carries your groceries out?

Yes, if the store allows it.

Does anybody really tip doormen?

To hotels? Buildings? My in-laws tip their bulding doorman during the holidays, as is customary in NYC. The doormen do things like sign for packages and hail cabs.

How much do you tip movers?

It depends.

If you must be moved to a new hotel room due to a screw up on the hotel's part, do you tip the bellhop again?

Yes. He's not the one who messed up and he is performing another service for you.

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mr_porteiro_head
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I don't know why, but I irrationally HATE the whole concept of tipping! I always either feel guilty for not tipping enough or I feel ripped off for being guilted into giving them more than I want to. It always leaves me with a negative feeling towards the person/place.
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Book
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I don't tip. The real reward they should be thankful for is basking in the glorious prescence of someone as undeniably fantastic as I am.

[ March 07, 2004, 11:57 PM: Message edited by: Book ]

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Dreamwalker
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I've never tipped. Ever. [Dont Know] Don't really understand the whole concept. Guess I'm a bit provincal [Wink]
But, since you guys insist on exporting such stuff I guess I'll have to learn sooner or later [Eek!] and it's going to be tricky until we pick up the habit coz half the people you'd tip are going to be offended thinking it's some kind of forced charity...

So have I read this right? Tipping is a way of supplementing income because the people doing those jobs aren't getting paid (or paid properly) why not just pay them in the first place?

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Danzig
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Oh dear. It appears I have been undertipping my barber. The next time I get my hair cut I will have to rectify that situation. I like my barber quite a bit, although it is hard to see him when I am in school. I have been in the habit of giving a $1 tip for an $11 haircut. Should I just go up to $2 the next time I see him, or give him a large tip to make up for all the times he only got a dollar?

Restaurants - I try to give 15% or $1 and any change, whichever is higher. If I am eating with a group of people who are cheap, I usually try to put in a little more for the tip. This depends on where we eat to; an Applebee's waiter does more than a Hooters girl.

I have never used valet parking, and I have never been to any place with a doorman. Similarly, if I stay in a hotel it will probably be as cheap as possible and have no bellhops. My standards are low. [Smile] Were I at a place that used them, I would not let them carry my baggage unless I had more than I could carry alone in one trip, but I would tip them if I needed their services.

If I am buying pizza, it is usually for me alone so I only get one. The delivery guy gets $1 or sometimes all the change, although I might start giving them $2 or $3.

I hate tipping. Not the money part, but the guessing part.

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Da_Goat
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You know, I think I'll start tipping Amway salesman...

Anyway, my usual policy is that if I know they started off at below minimum wage, I tip them.

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Danzig
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Dreamwalker - I take it you are not from the US?

Basically, your system would work but the one we have now works just as well. It would be too much trouble to switch over for too little benefit. Besides, if your waiter is absolutely horrible then you can let them know. However, when I say horrible I mean it; they cannot help it if the restaurant is busy. I have never actually not tipped a waiter at a sit down restaurant, because never have the screwups been bad enough. Hell, I even tip at Waffle House.

The tipping is now thought of as part of the income for many jobs, especially food servers. However, it is also a way to show appreciation for the person you are tipping - their help, their service, and hopefully their congeniality.

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fiazko
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I'm very generous to my "stylist" for the same reasons as sndrake. When it comes to dining out, I generally tip around 18%, but I definitely adjust according to service. I am not above rewarding particularly excellent service, and I will decrease or skip a tip if the server is rude. It does take quite a bit to sway me either way, and I understand that restaurants can get busy and short-staffed. Flustered I can deal with, but when it comes to customer service, there's no excuse for being ignorant.
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Stan the man
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Danzig, I tip $2 because that is what my mother taught me. The actual amount to tip I believe really is up to you. Like I tipped a waitress I had one time $1. Service was poor so we gave her money enough to pay the check and the $1 tip and quickly left. we never went back there either.

oh and the waitresses I have now (they are all good friends of mine) get a tip enough that my mother wishes she were our waitress.

[ March 08, 2004, 12:09 AM: Message edited by: Stan the man ]

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ClaudiaTherese
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Travel Tips:

- Pack light by wearing a set of mix/match neutral colors (eg browns/cream, gray/blue, black/white/red)
- Pack undergarments in ziploc baggie (easier to sort at security)
- Carryon is your friend
- Use the inside of shoes for storage in luggage
- A stash of energy bars and a bottle of water can save your sweet patootie
- Use disposable calling cards in airport (avoids number theft)
- During cold months, a blanket-like cape does double duty as a comforter
- EAR PLUGS & SPARE EAR PLUGS
- Always have a book and writing paper on hand
- Your own pillowcase is small to pack but very nice to use
- Ditto for swimsuit
- Have phone numbers and addresses for all contacts (hotels, friends) stashed on yourself and in the luggage

- Pack everything 3 days in advance, or better yet, also always have a stashed little luggage in the closet with
1. tee shirt
2. undergarments
3. sweat pants and top
4. warm muffler
5. throwaway tennis shoes (~$4-5 at Payless)
6. copy of birth certificate
This way, if you suddenly have to run (overslept for the plane, etc), you can go in 30 seconds, so long as you know where your driver's license is.

Also,
- Leave a set of keys with someone back home (in case you need your place accessed)
- Keep Post Office hold mail forms in the side pocket of suitcase (if you forget, you can fill it out & drop it from your destination)

And finally,
- If you are OCD about leaving the stove burners on, iron plugged in, or what have you -- a Polaroid camera is your friend. [Big Grin] Be sure to date the picture.

[Re: tipping, I tip on the high side, usually 25% for meals and 30% for superior service. Even higher if we split a meal and didn't get drinks (it's essentially the same amout of waitstaff work, but the percentage is of so much less). However, if the service really sucked -- not late food (could be kitchen's fault), but waiter with plenty of time who ignores me -- I drop to 10%. In theory. Usually, even then it's still 15%, but I send out 10% vibes. [Mad] As someone who bloodied her feet waitressing, I take my tippage seriusly.

Don't use bellhops, hairdressers, skycaps, groomers, grocery carriers, or movers. I'm a DIY kinda gal. [Smile] If I am sort of forced into valet then a $2 tip, regardless of business fee. I tip $1-2 for takeout and $5 for pizza delivery, more if the weather is terrible.]

[ March 08, 2004, 12:21 AM: Message edited by: ClaudiaTherese ]

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Danzig
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It is up to me, but I really do like my barber. Of course, should I only have $11 then he gets no tip, but I have no problem with giving him a bit more than I would some random hairstylist. I can afford it.

Who gets their groceries carried out anymore? Hell, now they have machines so that you don't even get them rung up by someone else. I'll carry my own damn groceries until I am too infirm to do so.

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Shan
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Thank you, CT! Good information. I thought for about 1/2 a second on the pillowcase and realized that yes, indeedy, that would be a wonderful addition to my carry-on luggage.

Of which I need to find the kind with wheels.

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ClaudiaTherese
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Shan, do you have a TJ Maxx or Tuesday Morning store in your area? They often have great luggage at a big markdown.

I hope you like your pillowcase on your trip. [Smile] I have long hair, and the cheap scratchy pillowcases snag it into squirrels' nests.

[ March 08, 2004, 12:23 AM: Message edited by: ClaudiaTherese ]

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blacwolve
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How about the maid who cleans your hotel room? My dad usually leaves about $5-7 dollars in pocket change and ones out but I never know if that's because he's lazy or because he's tipping them. This is at fairly nice hotels like Embassy Suites, etc. His work pays for where we stay so we rarely stay at trashy places.
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lcarus
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When you have two little kids and a minivan full of luggage for a 10 day trip, you'll reconsider the use of bellhops. [Razz]
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ClaudiaTherese
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Icarus, I am of that type of eccentric crotchety old lady who will never have two toddlers or a minivan of my own. However, during my Grandmaing and Aunting duties, I firmly intend to take full advantage of the strapping young folk. [Big Grin]
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Shan
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It's the file cabinet I invariably have to bring along with me that kills me . . .

CT - I am sure we have something in this area that is relatively inexpensive. I think I saw some at Freddie's for $40.00 with the wheels and handle. A friend told me Target has it for less.

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ClaudiaTherese
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blackwolve, I usually leave $2 per night for the maid, even at a trashy place. It's hard work. And I leave it nightly, rather than all at the end of the stay, because often different people will do the room. If I ask for extra service, it goes up to $5. Or if my housecleaner looks extra-stressed in the hallway.

(Mind you, when I was working my way through school, I couldn't have afford to do this. But I always tried to leave something.)

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ClaudiaTherese
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Shan, you should think about posting a travel diary when you get back! [Smile]
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Danzig
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Icarus - probably very true!
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Emp
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I work at the Old Spaghetti Factory. Our servers are "informally required" to tip out the one server who is designated to do carry out orders. I'm not sure if this goes for all restaurants, but I imagine that tipping a carry-out server is superfluous.

However, I suggest side tipping bussers and hostesses (preferably out of sight from managers [Wink] ) at Old Spaghetti Factories. Hostesses are underpaid, and, since I'm a busser, I'd greatly appreciate the money. [Big Grin]

[ March 08, 2004, 12:40 AM: Message edited by: Emp ]

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T_Smith
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2 bucks to the barber.

5 bucks to guy at airport to check my bags ahead of everyone else. He didn't carry them though.

Thats about it (mainly because I haven't delt with anyone else), out of the ones you mentioned. Before people jump on me and beat me upside the head, let me just say that when I do tip, I tip VERY well.

For example, the other day, some friends and I went to Denny's. Total cost of our meals: 26 dollars. I left a 10 dollar tip.

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Beren One Hand
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I usually tip $1 minimum for take out food. If the food is hard to package (soup, for instance) then I will tip 20%.
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BannaOj
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I tend to tip 20% because the mental math is easier. Though when I was tipping 15% I got way too neurotic and anal about actually doing the mental arithmetic correctly. The other little thing that Steve and I always do both because it gives our server a little extra and because it makes our checking account easier to calculate is rounding up to the next whole dollar in addition to the 20%.

AJ

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zgator
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What about a buffet where you serve yourself, but waiters keep your drink filled and remove plates when you go back? I generally tip about 10%, but I've never been sure that was right.
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Danzig
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Is the buffet the only option, or could you have ordered a meal from the kitchen? If the former, no idea but 10% sounds fair. If the latter, 15% as usual.
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imogen
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quote:
I don't know why, but I irrationally HATE the whole concept of tipping!
I am very glad I live in a country where mandatory/expected tipping is unheard of. Whenever I visit the US it makes me uncomfortable - I don't know what to give, and quite frankly, as a struggling uni student, I can't afford it!

Here tipping just isn't an issue. It has never been part of the culture - we have an award system that bases wages on both age and skill level - so the minimum wage for someone over 21 in the most low skilled job is $11.35/hour - $431.40 per week ($326.56 US - though the unions are pushing for a rise this week.) Plus we have a number of social security programs to help our people on lower wages.

As with all things American, tipping has started to permeate our culture: but only slightly. If I go to a fantastic resteraunt, have exceptional service and overall an excellent night, I will tip 10%. And that's pretty much all that anybody does.

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zgator
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quote:
and quite frankly, as a struggling uni student, I can't afford it!
Aren't you already paying it though? If they are paying the servers more, then the cost has been added to the price you pay for dinner.

One of my pet peeves is fast food places, like Subway, that leave a tip jar by the register. Why should I tip these employees?

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imogen
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zgator - in Australia, I guess I am. But I get used to just looking at the price and thinking that is all I'm going to pay. So when I've been in the US, looking at the menu (and converting into Australian dollars at the time [Eek!] ) I really didn't want to be leaving more money.
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PSI Teleport
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Linky.

(AKA Shameless Self-Promotion)

Tip your pizza man well, my friends.

I always tip anyone that I even think may possibly be expecting one, and I tip well, unless I don't have it to give.

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Farmgirl
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Okay -- you on here who have been waitresses, correct me if I'm wrong.

My understanding of tipping is that it should be done (at restaurants) because tax laws allow restaurant owners to NOT pay their waiters/waitresses minimum wage, because it is assumed a portion of the hourly wage will be earned through tips. So, in other words, is minimum wage is $5.15 per hour, a waitress might only really make about $3.15 per hour, and then the rest in tips. She DOES have to report her tips, and the employer is supposed to make sure it equalizes to at least minimum wage (if they are having a slow day). Right?

Now, I didn't know about all these other tips for a long time. I notice that many barbers/hair stylists in our area will charge an amount just under a "round" number, probably to encourage tips. Such as, the barber charges $9 for my son's haircut. So I just hand him a ten and call it good. Or they charge $19 for a style, so we just give them a twenty.

The whole thing with tipping at Sonic has been hotly debated in my work place. The guys here refuse to tip Sonic employees -- pointing out that they don't tip at McDonalds or ARbys or any drive-thrus, so what's the difference? I, on the other hand, always tip -- they are coming outside to bring me my meal (and offer extra condiments, etc) and sometimes in bad or very cold or hot weather. So I say they deserve a tip, although I don't usually make it as MUCH as I would a full restaurant waiter who is constantly checking up on us.

And I've never known the proper percentage to tip hotel/motel employees.

I haven't tipped my dog groomer, but that is because it costs $125 to have my dog groomed. That's enough, in my book.

Farmgirl

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fugu13
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No, its not because of employers paying less than minimum wage, its because of employers paying less than a reasonable salary for a waiter is. Were tips to go away, salaries would go up (or service would go significantly down, or both), and if salaries went up, the price of restaurant food would go up.

Minimum wage is minimum. Its what someone doing work 99% of the population can do without more than a day or two's (and more typically an hour or two's) training would be able to do.

Being a good waiter requires considerably more natural ability, training, and experience, than a minimum wage job.

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Dan_raven
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What do you tip the mohel?
Depends if he's giving you a cut rate.

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Da_Goat
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Don't tip the person who brings you your pizza for a pick-up order, because we feel terrible saying we can't accept it.
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katharina
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There have been a few times I haven't tipped the hair dresser, but that's when the bill ends up being much more than we'd discussed before.

...which, now that I think about it, is kind of the passive/aggressive, weenie way out. *frown* I need to change that.

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advice for robots
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I try not to tip anyone because they might fall over and then I'd feel bad.

*had to say it*

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Dreamwalker
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Danzig... no not from the US [Razz]

So I asked my friends who own a restaurant and some of the wait staff what they thought.
The owner hates tipping. It makes him feel that people think he doesn't a)pay his staff enough and b)that they wont do do their jobs properly if they aren't bribed too. Only American tourists tip. The staff were a) insulted that anyone would think they needed extra to do their jobs properly and b)didn't think it was fair to all the behind the scenes workers.
Someone mentiones the price of things going up if tipping isn't there...I've never been to the US so I'm only going by hearsay but most people I know think your restaurant meals are more expensive regardless and THEN they are expected to tip! But tipping is becoming more accepted in the cities... which is interesting... the locals apparently avoid those restaurants coz the wait-staff are too in your face chasing tips.

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fugu13
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Economists love tipping [Smile] . Of course, economists also love bribes (from an economic perspective, not necessarily a moral perspective).
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Dan_raven
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Economics 101 and Tipping:

Tipping unregulated--Classic capitalism. It should promote better service as only good service gains good tips. However some bad apples cheat by not tipping, hence gaining good service at minimal cost. Where this may bring retribution on the customer if they return to the restaurant, and get the same waiter, or one that remembers their poor tipping, it does little to help the cheated server who worked hard to get no return.

Tipping with 15% minimum--Social Capitalism. All workers get a guaranteed sum (below the poverty line) but the incentive to ear the extra is lowered as customers resent being forced to give 15% on good service usually don't tip more than that for excellent service.

Tipping Built Into the Check--Socialism. This is sneaky addition to the bill. You will find this in small print on some menus where it says "A 20% gratuity will be automatically added to you bill." Again, this saps some of the motivation for excellent service but guarantees minimum wages for all workers.

No Tipping--Communism. All employees share the wealth. Since its not fair that the dish washer, bus boy and maitre-de may not get part of the tip left for the waiter, this mandated rule is that all are paid regardless of the quality of service. All are paid as the company bosses deem appropriate while service quality is not promoted by the customer, but by the company itself.

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celia60
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I tend to also tip 20% so I don't have to think about the math.

I have been known to tip things like: Don't work in the service industry, but Bill's been breaking me of it.

I tend to tip absurd amounts to Hooter's waitresses and waitresses in other hole-in-the-wall bars.

I tip my hairdresser 50% if she's quick and 30% if she's chatty.

I tipped a bathroom attendent an unknown amount last July, I'm pretty sure it was a 20. As drunk as I was, she earned every penny.

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Farmgirl
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quote:
I tip my hairdresser 50% if she's quick and 30% if she's chatty.

50% ?!!!!! For a $20 hairdo you give an extra $10? Wow!

and I thought I was generous..

Fg

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Farmgirl
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At a car wash I sometimes go to (when I'm too lazy to do it myself, and I want the hand-wipe job), there is a "tip" pot at the end of the line. Supposedly, you put your tip there and it gets split evenly between all the guys at the end of the shift.

So I can't show favortism is I notice one worker really making extra effort, or see that another is lounging around not doing his part. Seems kinda unfair.

Farmgirl

edit: and yes, when I read it over after posting, I realize I really set myself up for the "out of context" thread there without meaning to. *ponders changing the wording*

[ March 08, 2004, 04:44 PM: Message edited by: Farmgirl ]

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Coccinelle
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The new tipping tip that I recently learned:

To determine the tip for a waitress in a restaurant simply double the tax- that should give her a 16-18% tax.

(I realize that this might not be a new discovery for some of you, but I'm blonde and a little slow on the uptake sometimes: )

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Belle
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I round to the nearest whole dollar, then tip 20% of that, unless service has been exceptionally poor, and then they get 10-15%. I waited tables before too, I know how hard the job is.

I made $2.10 an hour back when I was waiting tables. And on days when it was really slow and you didn't get many tables, it made things tough.

I try to carry my own bags, because I'm just like that. If someone grabs my bags before I can get to it, then I tip $1.00 a bag.

I don't tip the people who take my groceries to my car because I always tell them I don't want help. If they take my buggy and start pushing it anyway, they don't get tipped. They didn't do what I asked them to do.

The pizza guy almost always gets at least 3 dollars for delivering here. I want him to like me. [Smile] Plus, I've had nothing but excellent service so far from the local pizza delivery place, and I like them to know I appreciate them.

At buffets, I tip about 10%. They can handle a lot more tables at once, when they aren't responsible for getting the food, so they still come out all right at 10%.

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