Tipping problem in LAX TBIT Lounge [is back]

[Milefest]

Because I had a 5 star and after this dodgy wanker in LA commented repeatedly about tips and I didn't tip him I dropped to 4.7. He was a bad driver, I did leave him a 2 star only because I survived the drive, barely, after running 3 red lights, 2 near misses, getting lost twice constant texting whilst driving. He was a coughy, however I was waiting on time for him, did not criticise his driving, thanked him when I got out. No tip = lower rating with yank uber drivers google it, I just did. Tips are a joke and a ripoff

I've heard of it happening but it hasn't happened to me fortunately. I try to check my personal rating as often as I can..

 

[RichardMEL]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

You have to be careful who you offer them to, last time the guy I offered them to told me very indignantly that he was a recovering alcoholic and hadn't had a drink for 12 years.

"No worries mate - you can get a soft drink if you like."

the problem is with the reaction of the intended recipient. While I understand that if you ask a stranger "Hwy would you like a drink at the bar as I won't use this ans I'm leaving" is to assume that you're suggesting they drink alcohol, how are YOU supposed to know their personal situation? You're offering a random act of kindness. It's pretty rude to respond like that, though it is understandable from someone trying hard to stay sober, sadly.

I guess the other response could be "I'm sorry sir, no offense was intended. I'll offer it to someone else who wishes to make use of it" and smile.

 

[NM]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

It's amazing what an up-front tip will do to the drink.

But isn't an "up-front tip" really the same as a bribe?

 

[RichardMEL]

Noting 1 post only (welcome)...

Hi All,

I'm a little bit late to this party, but the QF lounge tipping scam is starting to make its way into some of the blogosphere here.

I'll admit that tipping is a tough subject, even for native born Americans, so you will rarely find much consensus amongst Americans about who to tip and when. (If you want to save yourself the headache, tip everybody you see. Me, I'll take the headache and spend less money.)

The only time tipping in the US is obligatory is when you're dealing with staff who are paid the "tipped minimum wage." This wage is about $2.16 an hour. It's peanuts, and nobody anywhere can survive off of that. While it is not law that you must tip those employees, not tipping them is akin to legalized theft. (Even if it's busy and they're making tips left and right, it's really, really not appropriate to skip out on a tip.)

As a visitor to the USA (or any country) how am I supposed to know who gets the mega minimum wage like this, vs the minimum wage, vs some other sort of wage (eg I think it's Seattle or Washington State or someplace that is trying to bringing in a $15 wage? something like that IIRC).

I mean seriously while I could take an educated guess at who may be earning $2.13 an hour, I don't really KNOW and frankly I shouldn't need to IMHO.

And as you write

Culturally, the discussion of personal finances is very taboo. I have no idea what my coworkers make, and heck, I have no idea what my own brother makes. So any suggestion of a tip from a service worker is beyond rude.

So nobody talks about what people earn (which is fair enough, same here) yet somehow we're supposed to know who does and doesn't earn what?

I'm there to visit or do business, not do an analysis of the local labor market.

I'm not trying to be rude, but I do get a bit fed up with this expectation that we're supposed to "get it" and do the right thing. I try to do the right thing (as in "when in Rome") but there are limits. Should I feel bad because I don't know if the janitor or the waiter or the bellboy or the valet earns what? I try and tip as I feel appropriate and, as you write, even many local Americans disagree on the practice.

I just don't want to feel like i'm not being aware or sensitive to the situation, but I also don't want to be an idiot to be taken advantage of.

And we're focusing on the USA.. while most other countries don't have a tipping culture(that I'm aware of).. then what other places might be? Or should I think about what someone is earning? I don't know - I can see both sides.

I can't help thinking of a visit to Russia I made 20 years ago this year. When I was there there was huge economic upheaval and MANY people had not been paid for months, or paid in goods (useless if you worked in a glass factory, possibly better if you were in a food cannery) but it was a dire situation for many. I think I had changed $100 into Rubles for 2 weeks worth, and literally what I had in my pocket probably would have been enough for a family for 6 months yet wherever I went, people were so polite and eager to help and there was NO hint of putting out the hand or asking for money despite, in some cases, a really obvious need.

Very different cultures.

 

[JohnK]

I don't know if the figure is true or not, but I was told that for really upmarket restaurants in New York, people pay $50,000 to get a job....

This just gets better and better all the time.

There are people who struggle in the world and they get by with what they've got. But this just confirms what I have seen. A lot of people working for tips are well off. Some would appear to better off than me.

I am not going to have someone tell me how much to tip or when to tip. And I will continue to visit the USA when I can and the thought of not tipping is not going to ruin my holiday.

 

[drsmithy]

This just gets better and better all the time.

There are people who struggle in the world and they get by with what they've got. But this just confirms what I have seen. A lot of people working for tips are well off. Some would appear to better off than me.

I am not going to have someone tell me how much to tip or when to tip. And I will continue to visit the USA when I can and the thought of not tipping is not going to ruin my holiday.

Dunno about "a lot". I doubt there are many people (as a percentage) in service industry jobs making a motza.

If your meal costs hundreds of dollars, the wait staff are probably doing alright.

If it costs tens of dollars (or less), they're probably not.

 

[drsmithy]

$2.13 and no one survives on that because no one has to. If their $2.13+tips isn't more than minimum wage then the employer must make up the difference so everyone is at least getting minimum wage. It is an important fact to remember when discussing the tipping culture in the US.

This is law, but it is extensively gamed by employers there, as the minimum wage is here in Australia (eg: the recent 7-11 expose).

 

[docjames]

A lot of the new 'cool' bars/restaurants in Australia now have this as an option on their cc/eftpos.

Usually they just say "you can tip of you want", followed by me pleasing enter on $0.00. I've never had a bad experience with this but certainly would have no reservations in advising them to give up their guaranteed rights and pay and move to America if they're interested in tips.

With the handheld POS machines, they are (can be) set up to accept tips (and i accept some may / may not wish to - not entering that aspect of discussion). But recognising some people wish to tip (here i Australia), most restaurants and bars want that capacity, whether it's used by 1% or 99% of patrons!

What I have been told is they reason they point out the tip screen is that people either don't look closely (or as they age and become longsighted, or don't have their glasses on, or cant read the tiny writing in suboptimal lighting!), and enter their pin number into the "tip" space (hence both revealing their pin and also giving an erroneous tip). By pointing it out, it saves that issue / embarrassment / chase up afterwards when they get their credit card bill and come chasing later for the 1234.56 (pin number) tip they left on their $50 bill......

 

[k_sheep]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

You have to be careful who you offer them to, last time the guy I offered them to told me very indignantly that he was a recovering alcoholic and hadn't had a drink for 12 years.

You're far more polite than me. I would have said something like "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you. Did you say 'thank you for the kind offer, but I don't drink'?"

Sheesh.

 

[jb747]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

What was the ad?..."Be nice to your mum, and work hard".

 

[Milefest]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

But isn't an "up-front tip" really the same as a bribe?

Also tips are supposed to be a reward for service, kind of pointless if you're grateful of a service that hasn't occurred yet, especially if that service is subpar.

 

[Sdtravel]

Re: TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

I read an article or read something here about tipping early. ie tip at the start or mid trip to see the benefits.

I like to think it worked. During a trip to the US i tipped a few people after a week in a 2 week stay. While some service was questionable i gave them the benefit of the doubt and tipped. After the tip i got better service and made it worth it.
Eg guy who made me breakfast went from "Here is the cup of hot water tea bags down the end" to "here is the hot water, which tea bag can i put in for you, do you want milk with that".
I felt no need to tip additionally after the 2 weeks.

 

[someguy]

Just left the F lounge showers in LAX... 'let me just get that [cash] for you' is back. I thought this was fixed, but apparently not.

 

[russ]

Did you raise it with management?

 

[Sdtravel]

I wonder if its worth starting to collect names and naming and shaming. That way if QF want to pursue this they can.

 

[someguy]

Did you raise it with management?

No I didn't sadly, it didn't cross my mind.

 

[Mattg]

Just left the F lounge showers in LAX... 'let me just get that [cash] for you' is back. I thought this was fixed, but apparently not.

Oh no, really?

That's an awful shame...

 

[texter]

Just came out of the OW lounge and saw with my own eyes the "oops I forgot to collect the $$ from the bathroom"......

The bar has a collection of $$ notes on the benchtop..

Soon there will be a tip jar!

 

[Mattg]

Just came out of the OW lounge and saw with my own eyes the "oops I forgot to collect the $$ from the bathroom"......

The bar has a collection of $$ notes on the benchtop..

Soon there will be a tip jar!

Oh dear.... :-|

Please send feedback to Qantas.

 

[UP4014]

Just came out of the OW lounge and saw with my own eyes the "oops I forgot to collect the $$ from the bathroom"......

The bar has a collection of $$ notes on the benchtop..

Soon there will be a tip jar!

I guess the many Yankees through there just do it out of habit.

All QF need to do is put up a few signs......it's a nice place otherwise.