Tipping in Australia

[bismarck]

My recent Maldives holiday presented a problem. How do you tip at a resort where everything goes on the bill? I had one waiter who hovered so much, it made me feel uncomfortable. I said to my wife he seems to be waiting for a tip all the time, but we didn't carry cash. I'm still unsure if he was just enthusiastic or he hadn't figured out that most guests did not carry cash with them, but that hovering beyond the point of easy banter tends to annoy me. My solution was to add 10% to each bill chit (with the hope that would be shared amongst all staff and not just end up in the Conrads profit statement) and the staff that really went out of their way to please us, without hovering, got US$30 each at the end of the holiday. I have absolutely no idea if that was reasonable, insulting, or just what! All in all, I think tipping is a worthy concept that's been railroaded by the US with their "you will pay, or you will regret it" attitude that fails to link quality service with the overriding expectation.

I would be interested in others perspective on this...

 

[Deleted member 29185]

You tipped at the CM Rangali?! (Throughout Asia) I figure that's what the service charge is for.

Yes I did and the tip of 10% was not overly small (roughly around the US$800 mark). The service charge, I believe, is a hideous communicable disease which allows great swathes of hotel operators across the globe to charge us without contributing to our status point balances! I think that's why the airline cabin staff walk through spraying those cans of poison....to kill any airborne 'service charge" bacteria to prevent the spread to any normal country! I doubt the "service charge" goes anywhere near the hired help (happy to be proven wrong though, as that will mean I definitely won't tip at any such establishment in future).

 

[Cynicor]

Yes I did and the tip of 10% was not overly small (roughly around the US$800 mark). The service charge, I believe, is a hideous communicable disease which allows great swathes of hotel operators across the globe to charge us without contributing to our status point balances! I think that's why the airline cabin staff walk through spraying those cans of poison....to kill any airborne 'service charge" bacteria to prevent the spread to any normal country! I doubt the "service charge" goes anywhere near the hired help (happy to be proven wrong though, as that will mean I definitely won't tip at any such establishment in future).

My thoguhts- the staff get paid a living wage in these hotels, the service charge, even if it isn't pooled and just added to the bottom line, forms part of their wages. I was under the impression it subs as a tip though, even if it doesn't go to the staff. I would never tip in Asia (and AU), including the Maldives, unless I was getting exceptional service or dined with >~8.

 

[drron]

I am pretty sure that in many establishments the service charge does not go to the workers.However I know at the SGS in Bangkok the staff tell us the service charge does indeed go to the staff.What they really appreciate is guest surveys that identify staff that give exceptional service.It can be the difference when it comes to promotion.This also goes for the cruises we take.
On Silverseas there is an all inclusive charge and there is no need to tip.The staff tell us that compared to other lines they have worked on the base pay is higher so that most prefer silverseas-though an honest one says because the Americans will tip anyway so they really get tipped twice.

 

[moa999]

I have also heard that in certain high end NY restaurants and apartment buildings (xmas bonuses) that the staff are often required to pay a kickback/commission to someone who placed them given the high income that can be earned.

All Crazy if you ask me

 

[JohnK]

So if you don't tip in the US, you are hurting the employee.

I love the spin they put on it.

If you don't tip then you are hurting the employee?

Actually if you don't pay the employee enough then you are hurting the employee. Simple solution is to pay the employee more and put up the prices. But that is too simple. Right?

And yes I am not going to stop visiting the USA and I will continue to decide where I tip and where I don't tip. I think I am over the hexing from the 2007 and 2009 trips....

 

[amaroo]

If everyone ceased tipping ... maybe, those stingy US employers/US Gov will start paying a decent wage. The USA wage system is pathetic - first world country, MY cough!

They need a decent union to cease this cough!

 

[Isochronous]

If everyone ceased tipping ... maybe, those stingy US employers/US Gov will start paying a decent wage. The USA wage system is pathetic - first world country, MY cough!

They need a decent union to cease this cough!

Unions would just ruin service standards and destroy the economy. Obama has ruined the USA enough as it is.

 

[TomVexille]

Unions would just ruin service standards and destroy the economy. Obama has ruined the USA enough as it is.

I think you mean he's allowed people to get their own healthcare for the first time ever.

 

[lovestotravel]

I will continue to decide where I tip and where I don't tip.

Oh you are one of THOSE people...........

 

[lovestotravel]

If everyone ceased tipping ... maybe, those stingy US employers/US Gov will start paying a decent wage. The USA wage system is pathetic - first world country, MY cough!

They need a decent union to cease this cough!

Don't like the pay/wage/conditions

Find another job

 

[JohnK]

Oh you are one of THOSE people...........

One of THOSE who don't believe in forced tipping?

 

[TomVexille]

I'm still amazed by the way people are so anti tipping. I guess most of you have never worked a service job in your lives. I'll say it again. In the states, if you don't want to tip, don't go to a restaurant. Don't stay in a hotel. It's that simple. Just go eat fast food and you won't have to tip. If you want service, expect to tip.

And for the tightarses out there, 10% is a bare minimum.

 

[Pushka]

I think people just like to know upfront what they need to pay.

And there's confusion. Some restaurants and hotels add a service charge. Is a tip expected on top of that?

I usually don't tip in Australia although I might round up to the nearest $5 amount. I do tip taxis though, always. Not sure about interstate but the loadings for service people after hours in SA are very generous. To the extent that on public holidays many places don't open because staff salaries make the day a loss. This was because of a deal done between shop Union and CBD traders who can now open on a PH but suburban areas got the raw prawn.

 

[TomVexille]

I think people just like to know upfront what they need to pay.

And there's confusion. Some restaurants and hotels add a service charge. Is a tip expected on top of that?

I usually don't tip in Australia although I might round up to the nearest $5 amount. I do tip taxis though, always. Not sure about interstate but the loadings for service people after hours in SA are very generous. To the extent that on public holidays many places don't open because staff salaries make the day a loss. This was because of a deal done between shop Union and CBD traders who can now open on a PH but suburban areas got the raw prawn.

In America if there is a service charge in a restaurant you wouldn't be expected to tip over the top of that. Of course if the service is exceptional you may wish to do so.

 

[drron]

I don't have a problem tipping.What annoys me is who decides the "correct tip".
On our first visit in 1981 the suggested rate was 10%.Now often 20% and some in NYC are suggesting 25%.
Meanwhile restaurant prices have increased so the cash amount of tip has risen considerably.
On top of that service standards have slipped IMHO.In 1981 at the Top of the Mark restaurant I happily tipped 25% then as the service was truly exceptional.Sadly that still remains the best service I have had in the USA.

 

[juddles]

... service charge .....

IMHO a service charge in a restaurant is like a fuel surcharge in an air ticket. A friggin ridiculous way of reducing the apparent Price, when all it is separating costs of the service.

I understand tipping is the done thing in many countries, that the staff rely on it, etc, but it is IMHO a pain in the bum. Having travelled much in Austraalia, and much in countries with tipping, I far prefer Australia.

 

[juddles]

I'm still amazed by the way people are so anti tipping......
....

Tom, I am anti-tipping as a concept. I do not want Australia to end up like so many other countries where you have to tip even the kid helping pack your supermarket groceries. Do you want to have to tip air hostesses so they give good service??

I do travel to the USA, I do eat in restaurants there, and I do tip. But as a system I think it sucks.

 

[TomVexille]

IMHO a service charge in a restaurant is like a fuel surcharge in an air ticket. A friggin ridiculous way of reducing the apparent Price, when all it is separating costs of the service.

I understand tipping is the done thing in many countries, that the staff rely on it, etc, but it is IMHO a pain in the bum. Having travelled much in Austraalia, and much in countries with tipping, I far prefer Australia.

That's fair enough. Everyone has a different opinion. Personally I don't think it's a big deal and that service in a country like America is consistently at a much higher standard than Australia. Not saying that you don't get great service in Australia, just that it's really hit and miss.

 

[juddles]

... service in a country like America is consistently at a much higher standard than Australia. ...

I agree with that in general. US service is almost always very good. But maybe some of that reason is the genuine need for work. Service charges remove the incentive that could justify the concept of tipping. And in many countries tipping is the norm but service is either cough, or totally unnecessary (see how many times you have to tip to get from an aircraft to a hotel room in Mexico!)