Tipping Getting Out of Control

[Gray Beard]

I’ve been to Europe a few times, and I always tell them to keep the change.  I don’t tip as much as I do in the US but I feel weird if I don’t leave anything.

 

I’ve noticed that tips have gone from 15% to 18% to 20% in the past ten years or so.  Who decided that?

 

I generally leave about $5 per night in a hotel, and I leave it every night so they know they will get something and maybe they’ll take a little more care with my room.  They probably don’t, but I like to think they do.  

 

I rarely tip for takeout, other than putting the change in the cup next to the register. 

[Bad Things]

24 minutes ago, Buffalo_Gal said:

That is very nice of you! Thanks. 

No worries at all.

I know of some great places off the beaten path that I'm sure you'd enjoy.

[ExiledInIllinois]

1 hour ago, Gray Beard said:

I’ve been to Europe a few times, and I always tell them to keep the change.  I don’t tip as much as I do in the US but I feel weird if I don’t leave anything.

 

I’ve noticed that tips have gone from 15% to 18% to 20% in the past ten years or so.  Who decided that?

 

I generally leave about $5 per night in a hotel, and I leave it every night so they know they will get something and maybe they’ll take a little more care with my room.  They probably don’t, but I like to think they do.  

 

I rarely tip for takeout, other than putting the change in the cup next to the register. 

Minimum wage and people's resistence to a fair wage?  Just a stab in dark.

 

Workers produce 6% more now than they are paid. Boom... There's your 6% equalizer?

[Just Jack]

10% for take out at typical sit down restaurants.

 

20% if I'm dining in. 

 

Pizza delivery - I used to live within two miles of three pizza joints. When I'd order delivery, I'd try to get my bill just about $15, so when the driver would arrive, I could just hand them a $20 and tell them to keep the change. Pretty soon, they all learned it was an quick and easy $5, so when I'd order and was told 45-60 minutes for a delivery, it never happened. I was always getting mine in about 30 minutes or less. 

 

[Wnybricky]

I don’t have a problem with tipping. It is irritating to do it before you get your food or sit down. I tip usually 20-25% but just recently told my wife I am going to lower it to the lowest option. You go and sit down and the seats are dirty and you get up and take your own plates up to the trash. They give you a empty cup and you go fill and refill it. Where in there is service? Just because somebody walks my food 20 feet from the kitchen isn’t service. I have actually noticed that I am surprised whenever I use one of those kiosks that they don’t hit you up. It has gotten out of hand. 

[seregil42]

16 hours ago, Limeaid said:

 

Depends on state at least in US.  I know that was part of argument of employees and restaurant had to repay them NOT because it was illegal but the way they did it.

Oh.  I thought it was a federal law. 

[Wayne Cubed]

On 5/28/2019 at 10:06 PM, coloradobillsfan said:

 

this was a point my friend from England made too, but it seemed to me like the tip may have been 'built in' by the inflated prices, ie. pints of beer were commonly £5 which came to over $8 at the time of my visit to the UK

 

Wowser £5 a pint, you must have been in London. Across the UK you'd find most pints are around £3.

[BritBill]

5 minutes ago, Wayne Cubed said:

 

Wowser £5 a pint, you must have been in London. Across the UK you'd find most pints are around £3.

 

You can still get a pint of Sam Smith's in my old local for under £2. 

[LB3]

On Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 3:32 PM, shrader said:

 

The random place that asks you if you want to round up to the next dollar for a charity, those ones do it right.  Sure it's a small donation each time, but I bet they consistently get that donation from most customers.

 

[Mark80]

18 hours ago, Limeaid said:

 

As I stated "I can see restaurant wanting a small amount to process credit card" (as far as I know no credit card company charges more than 5% which is certainly not a good chunk but I have never had diner's club) but restaurant's point of view was management was part of service so they should get portion of tips.  

 

It is my understanding that it is against the credit card processor companies policies to charge extra for customers to use the service.  It is also against their agreements to have minimum credit card purchase amounts.  This may be outdated info, but I was told that a few years back doing work for one of the Big 3 credit reporting companies.

[row_33]

you are forgetting the big rip off

 

stores and restaurants in business districts place a healthy premium on all goods and services knowing that 2/3 are going to be expensed, not out of pocket for the user

 

if you aren't expensing it, your tip is a minor issue here...

 

 

[Punching Bag]

1 hour ago, Mark80 said:

 

It is my understanding that it is against the credit card processor companies policies to charge extra for customers to use the service.  It is also against their agreements to have minimum credit card purchase amounts.  This may be outdated info, but I was told that a few years back doing work for one of the Big 3 credit reporting companies.

 

Do not know about agreements but in Northern VA very common for  minimum credit card purchase amounts.

 

And in this case the management was taking part of commission from tips when tips were paid on credit card since in  their opinion they should not pay for percentage credit card company takes out of tips.

 

I was just a customer and what company was doing I had nothing to do with.  Employees who knew me griped to me asking for advice.

[row_33]

also your non-expensed payments are net of your federal/state tax, so bump up your $30 meal as it's really net of tax you pay

 

it's an expensive proposition for one, let alone 4 on your tab

 

[Augie]

1 hour ago, Mark80 said:

 

It is my understanding that it is against the credit card processor companies policies to charge extra for customers to use the service.  It is also against their agreements to have minimum credit card purchase amounts.  This may be outdated info, but I was told that a few years back doing work for one of the Big 3 credit reporting companies.

 

That was the case back in my banking days. It’s not unusual for businesses to have signs indicating a minimum purchase, but I believe it’s against their merchant agreements. A higher average ticket means a lower discount rates, so they don’t want their average brought down by a lot of little purchases. You just have to build that cost into your price. I very rarely use cash for anything these days. 

[Mark80]

59 minutes ago, Limeaid said:

 

Do not know about agreements but in Northern VA very common for  minimum credit card purchase amounts.

 

And in this case the management was taking part of commission from tips when tips were paid on credit card since in  their opinion they should not pay for percentage credit card company takes out of tips.

 

I was just a customer and what company was doing I had nothing to do with.  Employees who knew me griped to me asking for advice.

 

Yeah, it is common at places like gas stations for example, but if they get complaints about it then they can get their service pulled for breaking the agreement.  They do it anyways because most people don't know that and most people have no idea who the processor is to complain to.  Its not your issuer (bank) or credit card companies (MC, Visa), its someone in-between typically.

Edited May 30, 2019 by Mark80

[Just Joshin']

16 hours ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Minimum wage and people's resistence to a fair wage?  Just a stab in dark.

 

Workers produce 6% more now than they are paid. Boom... There's your 6% equalizer?

I am interested in this study on service industry productivity and tipping.  Please post link.

[Punching Bag]

49 minutes ago, Mark80 said:

 

Yeah, it is common at places like gas stations for example, but if they get complaints about it then they can get their service pulled for breaking the agreement.  They do it anyways because most people don't know that and most people have no idea who the processor is to complain to.  Its not your issuer (bank) or credit card companies (MC, Visa), its someone in-between typically.

 

Very familiar with processors. I used to buy some stuff from an ethnic bakery and I'd get regular "denied" when I used credit card but when I called credit card company there was no deny sent from them.

 

Most of the gas stations here who do it will give discount for cash so in this case they are letting anyone use credit but you end up paying for it.  The big gas stations do not bother with customers trying to save pennies per gallon and just try to redirect them to gas brand cards to get discounts.

19 hours ago, Buffalo_Gal said:

No tipping in NZ? Thanks for the er, tip. ? 

 

You get what you pay for. 

[Punching Bag]

17 hours ago, ExiledInIllinois said:

Minimum wage and people's resistence to a fair wage?  Just a stab in dark.

 

No correlation here.  In this area most of the area have raised minimum raises and default tipping percentage. I used an electronic payment pad at one place and they wanted explanation why I was not choosing the default 25% (including tax) tip on form.  I just pulled a cancelled credit card out of my wallet, went to counter and told them my card is not working and just gave the cash for bill with tip on table.

[Gugny]

2 minutes ago, Limeaid said:

 

No correlation here.  In this area most of the area have raised minimum raises and default tipping percentage. I used an electronic payment pad at one place and they wanted explanation why I was not choosing the default 25% (including tax) tip on form.  I just pulled a cancelled credit card out of my wallet, went to counter and told them my card is not working and just gave the cash for bill with tip on table.

 

Why, pray tell, would you have a canceled credit card in your wallet?

[Augie]

1 hour ago, Gugny said:

 

Why, pray tell, would you have a canceled credit card in your wallet?

 

Maybe the actual owner called the bank after it was stolen? 

[BUFFALOKIE]

On 5/29/2019 at 11:39 AM, Limeaid said:

 

Those that call on phone are almost always commissioned sales agents who get a large percentage of donation.  I will tell charities that I will not donate to those who use sales agents not only on phone but other means as well.  Most of my donations are via work who does some matching anyways but those companies are always crossed off list.

 

Worse police donation solicitation was when a cop showed up at my door trying to get donation for some police fund.  The same cop was making his quota by watching brake lights and issuing tickets for not stopping long enough coasting to a stop in our neighborhood.  The place he choose was right past a playground on a very short road so naturally drivers were already going slow hence not need to brake as long to go complete stop.  I went to court on issue and twice he dodged court having postcards sent too late to arrive before court date.  On third court date he was there and judge asked if he was ready to present cases he said yes.  After all of those who pleaded guilty was done judge processed my ticket (I was in court for more than  2 hours waiting at that point) I presented my case including map of area with pictures of all intersections showing stop signs at each, speed limit sign of 15 miles mph by playground and distances measures.  Explained my points and then judge asked police officer for his rebuttal and police officer stated he did not bring paperwork.  Judge told him that he was never to show up in court again unprepared and he should cite him for contempt of court for lying saying he was ready to present cases.  Case was dismissed.

Unrelated to tipping, sorry, but I had a very similar experience. I was at a four way stop, backed up ten deep in all directions...and got a ticket for rolling through. FU! I stopped a dozen times!!! I fought it, like you, the cop didn't show up on the first court date, etc, etc. I won my case but still had to pay a $25.00 court fee!!!!

[row_33]

22 hours ago, Gugny said:

 

Why, pray tell, would you have a canceled credit card in your wallet?

 

always fun to accidentally use it and it's flat out rejected as dead on the machine

 

 

[BUFFALOKIE]

On 5/29/2019 at 2:25 PM, Chef Jim said:

 

They deliver here so yes. 

My "dispensary" has always delivered. I am such a good customer, they tip ME! 

[Chef Jim]

3 minutes ago, BUFFALOKIE said:

My "dispensary" has always delivered. I am such a good customer, they tip ME! 

 

Sorry to hear that. 

[BUFFALOKIE]

9 minutes ago, Chef Jim said:

 

Sorry to hear that. 

I am sorry you are sorry. (I was actually BSing though, surprise!) But seriously, good returnong customers are typically treated well, no?

[Chef Jim]

7 minutes ago, BUFFALOKIE said:

I am sorry you are sorry. (I was actually BSing though, surprise!) But seriously, good returnong customers are typically treated well, no?

 

Don't know.  A 1/4 lasts me six months so I'm not a good nor returning (often) customer.  

[Gugny]

1 minute ago, Chef Jim said:

 

Don't know.  A 1/4 lasts me six months so I'm not a good nor returning (often) customer.  

 

A local radio DJ has been sharing his experiences as he's pursued a "card."  In NY, dispensaries still do not offer actual flower/smokeable weed.

 

When you say 1/4, do you mean 1/4 ounce of smokeable weed?

[BUFFALOKIE]

10 minutes ago, Chef Jim said:

 

Don't know.  A 1/4 lasts me six months so I'm not a good nor returning (often) customer.  

So, tip for those tops?

 

And...I cannot remember the last time I heard "1/4". Its by the gram now around here. Actually, it's $50 or $100, etc, no weight specified, unless I suppose, you order quantity. LOL. 

 

I haven't even smoked in years though, so what do I know.

 

I sure as heck never tipped the delivery guy when I did. 

[Punching Bag]

14 minutes ago, Gugny said:

 

A local radio DJ has been sharing his experiences as he's pursued a "card."  In NY, dispensaries still do not offer actual flower/smokeable weed.

 

When you say 1/4, do you mean 1/4 ounce of smokeable weed?

 

I think he means 1/4 brick.  It is California.

[Chef Jim]

1 hour ago, Gugny said:

 

A local radio DJ has been sharing his experiences as he's pursued a "card."  In NY, dispensaries still do not offer actual flower/smokeable weed.

 

When you say 1/4, do you mean 1/4 ounce of smokeable weed?

 

Prior to recreational legalization in CA you could get pretty much whatever you wanted with a card.   Like a kid in a candy shop.  I went to a "lounge" in Palm Springs a couple weeks ago. Not only could you buy whatever you want but you could hang out and smoke it in the lounge.

 

1/4 oz.  

1 hour ago, BUFFALOKIE said:

So, tip for those tops?

 

And...I cannot remember the last time I heard "1/4". Its by the gram now around here. Actually, it's $50 or $100, etc, no weight specified, unless I suppose, you order quantity. LOL. 

 

I haven't even smoked in years though, so what do I know.

 

I sure as heck never tipped the delivery guy when I did. 

 

It's by the oz here pretty much now but when I bought it with my medical card it was by the 1/8 1/4 or oz.  

 

And I tip the delivery person here because it's not a guy.  ?

Edited May 31, 2019 by Chef Jim

[Teddy KGB]

4 hours ago, Chef Jim said:

 

Don't know.  A 1/4 lasts me six months so I'm not a good nor returning (often) customer.  

 

You need to roll bigger ones.   

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

1 hour ago, Teddy KGB said:

You need to roll bigger ones.   

gram a day, keeps the doctor away...

[Just Jack]

On 5/30/2019 at 12:53 PM, Gugny said:

 

Why, pray tell, would you have a canceled credit card in your wallet?

 

I used to carry one when I was doing pin pad installs so I could show the employees what would happen when someone tried to use a cancelled card. It helps when the customer starts saying “it must be your machine, my card is good!!!” that they know what is happening by what the register is showing on the screen. 

Edited June 1, 2019 by Just Jack

[LSHMEAB]

On 5/29/2019 at 1:48 PM, Bad Things said:

 

 

We've even had pizza delivery guys hand back the tip we gave them, not because it was against policy, but because the pizza guys felt uncomfortable accepting tips. 

Now THAT is stupid.

[SinceThe70s]

29 minutes ago, LSHMEAB said:

Now THAT is stupid.

 

Stupid or unexpected? Maybe a cultural difference? Which perhaps speaks to OP's premise of a growing expectations of tips.

[LSHMEAB]

7 minutes ago, SinceThe70s said:

 

Stupid or unexpected? Maybe a cultural difference? Which perhaps speaks to OP's premise of a growing expectations of tips.

I think it's stupid. Noble. But stupid.

 

As to the OP; my personal opinion is that a lot of people concoct reasons to avoid tipping when the true motivation is a desire to hold on to their money. Which is fine. Just keep it real. Like the idea that there are huge numbers of "professional beggars." There are a few, but the chances of the guy on the highway entrance ramp being a "pro" is SLIM. It's just mental gymnastics we play so we don't feel guilty. Same applies to tipping.

 

I say do you, but be honest about it. If you don't want to tip, don't tip. Just stop trying to rationalize it. If you don't want to tip, you shouldn't feel guilty or ashamed. That's your decision.

Edited June 1, 2019 by LSHMEAB

[SinceThe70s]

3 minutes ago, LSHMEAB said:

I think it's stupid. Noble. But stupid.

 

As to the OP; my personal opinion is that a lot of people concoct reasons to avoid tipping when the true motivation is a desire to hold on to their money. Which is fine. Just keep it real. Like the idea that there are huge numbers of "professional beggars." There are a few, but the chances of the guy on the highway entrance ramp being a "pro" is SLIM. It's just mental gymnastics we play so we don't feel guilty. Same applies to tipping.

 

I say do you, but be honest about it. If you don't want to tip, don't tip. Just stop trying to rationalize it. If you don't want to tip, you shouldn't feel guilty or ashamed. That's your decision.

 

I hear what your saying. I have my own tipping habits which probably range from modestly generous to downright cheap depending on your perspective.

 

I was just trying to acknowledge that another countries customs might differ and calling them stupid seemed kind of stupid to me.

[LSHMEAB]

Just now, SinceThe70s said:

 

I hear what your saying. I have my own tipping habits which probably range from modestly generous to downright cheap depending on your perspective.

 

I was just trying to acknowledge that another countries customs might differ and calling them stupid seemed kind of stupid to me.

It was a flippant, half joking quip. Personally, if someone hands me money, I'm taking it. Noble of those who have some kind of principle against such a thing.

 

There are cultural differences to be sure, even right here. I used to get my hair cut at a BLACK barbershop. When I first went to give the guy a tip, he wasn't having it. Something to consider when we label "certain" ethnic groups poor tippers. 

 

I worked in a sportsbook for many years and we knew to NEVER expect a tip from a foreigner. Like you said, different culture. 

 

Overall, I just don't understand why anyone would complain about something that's 99% voluntary. If you don't want to tip, don't and move on about your day.

[Ol Dirty B]

I can't believe how cheap this board is.

 

You don't tip hotel maids? 

12 minutes ago, LSHMEAB said:

It was a flippant, half joking quip. Personally, if someone hands me money, I'm taking it. Noble of those who have some kind of principle against such a thing.

 

There are cultural differences to be sure, even right here. I used to get my hair cut at a BLACK barbershop. When I first went to give the guy a tip, he wasn't having it. Something to consider when we label "certain" ethnic groups poor tippers. 

 

I worked in a sportsbook for many years and we knew to NEVER expect a tip from a foreigner. Like you said, different culture. 

 

Overall, I just don't understand why anyone would complain about something that's 99% voluntary. If you don't want to tip, don't and move on about your day.

 

I go to a black barbershop and have been for years. I've never seen them refuse a tip, however it's mostly priced there as 20 bucks includes the tip.

[Ol Dirty B]

On 5/30/2019 at 12:45 PM, Bandito said:

Only a moron tips on a take out order. Get with the program

 

Nah only broke people can't afford the dollar or two to give to the high school or college kid. 

 

Why you feel the need to skimp out on them at a pizzeria is beyond me.

 

You probably shouldn't even be ordering take out if you can't afford the tip.