Tipping in Australia

[drron]

I know I am a bit of a simpleton but I thought the thread title was ‘Tipping in Australia’

But most of us are even simpler and just see the title as "Tipping".

 

[kermatu]

Always cash direct to staff too. I particularly like it when the staff take any tip back to the desk and put it in a collective drawer and/or specify that all tips are shared among all staff every night. A few places in Australia I've seen that. Very common in NZ in my recent experiences.

 

[serfty]

I know I am a bit of a simpleton but I thought the thread title was ‘Tipping in Australia’

While this is certainly true - Tipping is a real hot button for many Australians and it's hard to avoid anecdotes from Oz or not.

Some years (decades) ago we left a 50c piece in the tray at a reasonably well know Melbourne restaurant. We had the only table occupied that lunchtime and the service had been abysmal.

The loud CLUNK as that coin was pointedly tossed into the tip tin as we left simply reinforced our decision never to go back.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Apparently the assembled masses here have grown no smarter in my absence so let me ask another question - Why tip at all in Australian restaurants?

Are we all supposed to be shocked and dismayed that the restaurant we choose to attend all of a sudden produces food and service we find GOOD! So much so that we feel pressured to pay more? When was the last time you attended a restaurant expecting cough food or service? Hang on food and service GOOD so we pay over what is listed on menu and wine list?

Isn't it the job of wait staff to 'wait' on customers? Hang on he / she was a good waiter - we'll sling money at her / him. Really?

No excuse for not paying restaurant staff correct award rates - what other industries get paid over their product or service listed price? Everywhere else customers are trying to get discounts not overs.

drron when was the last time some dude tried to pay you extra after you provided your 'witch doctor services'?

Today I sold 2 x $2,000 items to a customer and first up he wants the RACV 10% discount - then he wants another $100 of each item - so we do the deal - EVEN - even after I offer first up $100 worth of extra value each item and free delivery to his home 50km away.

I don't expect overs - my sell price has been costed correctly IMHO. How are Australian based restaurants any different?

(I would have included a smiley after my first statement if not for this totally unfathomable new format)

 

[serfty]

In Oz restaurants, I do not tip by default or as a rule.

If I feel I have had really good service from an individual, I may (especially after a few convivial inks) try to discretely leave some cash for the person.

 

[Denali]

I rarely tip in Australia. It would have to be an absolutely awesome meal/service/experience and I had cash in my wallet and left the notes and told him to keep the change.

I recall one office Christmas party that was something like $15000+ and there was a compulsory 15% tip. Compulsory. Yeah, dont tell me the staff were getting 100% of $2250 that night.

 

[UP4014]

And then there is tipping receptacle in some Cafes where you go to the counter and order and pay before there is any service!

Hmmm

 

[JohnK]

I guess tipping has been part of our culture in Australia for a long time.

I remember entering the clubhouse at Victoria Golf Club in 1996 to pay for the game of golf I was about to play and noticed an old style gratuity box.

I sort of had a chuckle as I could not understand why it was there as I was paying $80 for that round but then realised that people a lot richer than myself would play that golf course and may feel the need to leave behind a tip.

 

[turtlemichael]

The tipping thread in the Hilton forum on FT has taken a priceless turn from post #92. The videos are priceless too. I'm not giving it a long life on FT.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

...majority of staff are backpackers and I would assume should not be working anyway

Working holiday visa holders are allowed to work. Similar to the scheme for Aussies visiting the UK/Canada etc. You have to arrive in Australia before your 31st birthday.

 

[amaroo]

But most of us are even simpler and just see the title as "Tipping".

LOL, no big deal ... about 75% of this thread is discussing tipping OS

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I often tip if the service is good. To avoid that mental issue, I let my wife pay ... the only tip she ever gives is "be kind to your mother" and I feel better for two reasons, a) I don't feel guilty about not tipping; and b) I didn't have to pay!

 

[amaroo]

I'm a tipper. In OZ it's taxis and restaurants. In true AFF style - I hardly ever carry cash, so it always goes on a point earning card. With OS tipping it goes on a point earning card that doesn't charge Int trans fee

The only exception to the above is housekeeping. I'll leave a few dollars on the bed with a smiley thank you note.

 

[Bolthead]

1. I am an Uber driver and I once picked up an American girl that worked as a waitress in one of the high end restaurants around Potts Point in Sydney. I said to her it must be difficult not to get tips from the clientele. She said she easily earned $400-$500 in tips per week. That really surprised me. I don't tip in OZ however I use to round it up with taxis along time ago.

2. As an Uber driver I have done over 2000 trips now and earn't about $80 in tips. (I also have a 4.96 driver rating) It's usually the people that really appreciate the drive (good discussion, helping with bags etc..) that tip. I often work the International airport and no overseas customers have tipped me. They have all been Australian. I also always knock it back but they can be persuasive at time... LOL

 

[dajop]

1. I am an Uber driver and I once picked up an American girl that worked as a waitress in one of the high end restaurants around Potts Point in Sydney. I said to her it must be difficult not to get tips from the clientele. She said she easily earned $400-$500 in tips per week. That really surprised me.

That's not terribly surprising. By the logic I've seen most commonly about tipping in Australia, most people tip on a discretionary basis where they deem the service to be good. "High end" restaurants tend to charge a lot, and that I assume pays for enough staff to provide a high standard of service (most likely with a lower table:waiter ratio than cheap and nasty diners and cafes). Also people are more likely to enjoy the food, which again is one of the factors people indicate decides whether they tip or not. Ergo ... waiters at high end restaurants get tipped well.

 

[travelislife]

That's not terribly surprising. By the logic I've seen most commonly about tipping in Australia, most people tip on a discretionary basis where they deem the service to be good. "High end" restaurants tend to charge a lot, and that I assume pays for enough staff to provide a high standard of service (most likely with a lower table:waiter ratio than cheap and nasty diners and cafes). Also people are more likely to enjoy the food, which again is one of the factors people indicate decides whether they tip or not. Ergo ... waiters at high end restaurants get tipped well.

Also the people eating there generally have higher discretionary income spends (or it is on the corporate card) so are more likely to tip than your everyday eatery for the masses.

 

[Buzzard]

Just because somebody works for a restaurant or drives a cab and gives me good service doesn't mean I should have to tip them. What if I get really good service at a department store, should I have to tip that person too?

 

[straitman]

I know I am a bit of a simpleton but I thought the thread title was ‘Tipping in Australia’

Careful @Cruiser Elite as we might agree with you!

 

[Denali]

.....What if I get really good service at a department store, should I have to tip that person too?

My 85yr mum in law had a problem with a brand new fridge she purchased. LG techs (3 visits) and support didnt return phone calls or emails.

Phoned the Good Guys (where we got it from) and couldnt have been easier. Different brand fridge, higher price waived, free delivery next day, pick up broken one and apologies.

Anyways, I sent the sales person/staff 3 dozen Krispy Kreme donuts as a thank you. I wouldnt tip them but Im OK with extending an extra thank you for recognition of their work if warranted. Sometimes its a email to management, complimenting the staff and why.

 

[OzEire]

Anyways, I sent the sales person/staff 3 dozen Krispy Kreme donuts as a thank you. I wouldnt tip them but Im OK with extending an extra thank you for recognition of their work if warranted. Sometimes its a email to management, complimenting the staff and why.

This is the sort of thing that can reinforce good behaviors in staff, like going above-and-beyond with customer service.

While a letter to management ought to suffice, i fear that often managers don't take the time to properly reward frontline staff when such a letter/email is received.