Worst tippers

[nickfromeastryde]

Interesting experience in Washington recently when we were dining out at quite a nice cafe/restaurant. We got to talking to a local couple whilst having coffee and they sat down at our table. Anyway, both bills come out, ours with the 18% service charge/tip already itemised (though not that prominent). So I leave my card and the waiter takes away to process then brings back with docket to sign that also contains room for another tip. I'm sure you have all seen this, seems to be the norm now over there. So I asked this couple if I'm expected to tip again and they just laughed, we were given the tourist account, their bill didn't have the 18% charge included, the amount of tip was left up to them when they signed their card docket.

It appears many if not most restaurants over there now do this hoping unsuspecting tourists end up tipping twice. Quite an expensive meal if you do, a $150 food and drink bill can suddenly be about $200 if you are not careful. This was far less common when we were last here in 2012 but happened 100% of the time on this trip

 

[Himeno]

Interesting experience in Washington recently when we were dining out at quite a nice cafe/restaurant. We got to talking to a local couple whilst having coffee and they sat down at our table. Anyway, both bills come out, ours with the 18% service charge/tip already itemised (though not that prominent). So I leave my card and the waiter takes away to process then brings back with docket to sign that also contains room for another tip. I'm sure you have all seen this, seems to be the norm now over there. So I asked this couple if I'm expected to tip again and they just laughed, we were given the tourist account, their bill didn't have the 18% charge included, the amount of tip was left up to them when they signed their card docket.

Didn't get anything like that last month during my last LA trip. Ate out at a cafe/restaurant 3 nights of 4. 2 nights with a group of 4, other night with 14 others. Each time everyone had separate bills. Everyone else was local. Didn't get anything extra like that added.

Just another reason not to pay with cards.

 

[Isochronous]

The cost of living inthe USA is also a lot lower than Australia.

 

[TheRealTMA]

The cost of living inthe USA is also a lot lower than Australia.

Including health care and gun licences?

 

[Captain Halliday]

At least it's a job. And it motivates waitstaff to provide better service.

I disagree. I've not long returned from a trip to LOTFAP and some of the service was terrible.

 

[Himeno]

I disagree. I've not long returned from a trip to LOTFAP and some of the service was terrible.

Tipping, as done in the US, is nothing more then a bribe.

I've rarely encountered good service in the US. Most of the time it has been terrible, or the server was just hovered around the table almost the entire time to the point of annoyance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_vivC7c_1k

 

[amaroo]

The cost of living inthe USA is also a lot lower than Australia.

Correct, it's a horses for courses thing.

 

[opusman]

Of course this is one of the things that makes using UBER in US/Canada more convenient for travellers - the tip is included.

Common misconception, actually Uber does not include a tip except for Uber Taxi.

 

[Foreigner]

It's a shame about the tipping culture in US esp. Instead of the employer it looks like customers pay the wage. In restaurants if tips are given to waitstaff what do kitchen staff make?

 

[harvyk]

At least it's a job. And it motivates waitstaff to provide better service.

Disagree, in fact numerous studies have confirmed that the size of the tip received has nothing to do with the service levels provided, and often have more to do with the look of the wait staff than the service received.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cough-consumericus/201004/big-breasts-larger-waitress-tips

http://www.psmag.com/business-economics/attractive-servers-get-bigger-tips

Furthermore, flirting and / or light touching (eg on the shoulder or elbow) are other things which will increase a persons tip which has nothing to do with the quality of service provided.

 

[get me outta here]

I think in the US, they expect us to not tip and so service to us is not so good. That's in the major places where an Aussie accent is easily recognised when their income partially depends on it.

 

[Himeno]

Furthermore, flirting and / or light touching (eg on the shoulder or elbow) are other things which will increase a persons tip which has nothing to do with the quality of service provided.

If they do that sort of thing to me, it lowers the tip.

 

[Isochronous]

It's a shame about the tipping culture in US esp. Instead of the employer it looks like customers pay the wage. In restaurants if tips are given to waitstaff what do kitchen staff make?

The customer always pays the wage. It is just a question of visibility.

 

[TomVexille]

It's a shame about the tipping culture in US esp. Instead of the employer it looks like customers pay the wage. In restaurants if tips are given to waitstaff what do kitchen staff make?

They often get a percentage of the tips received

 

[Warks]

Looking at prices in restaurants on my last visit and I'm thinking the gap has closed. Although a lot of food here is overpriced the pricing in the US looks lower but with the "plus plus plus" it catches up quickly. Plus (tip) plus (tax) plus (exchange rate).

 

[DC3]

Maybe they could just add 20%, say, to all restaurant/café prices, with no tipping, and then we would all be happy? No tipping to complain about.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Maybe they could just add 20%, say, to all restaurant/café prices, with no tipping, and then we would all be happy? No tipping to complain about.

Yes but then the owner would covert it all I expect.

 

[JessicaTam]

I met an american woman yesterday and we got to chatting about just this. She worked in a bar last year and earned $2.16 an hour. Wait staff are exempt from the (already low) minimum wage. Why should they rely on the good graces of a customer to pay the rent?

 

[cove]

Yes Jessica it can get very tough working 60 hours at $2.16 an hour to pay for more than a single room. Without tipping there would be nothing to cover food, clothing, transport and other requisites.
We are leaving a $10 room tip to cover 2 nights at Caesars Palace where the room in the "new" tower is quite lovely. Dinner for four at Spagos came to $325 plus a $50 tip and the food was really good.

 

[Hvr]

Tipping, as done in the US, is nothing more then a bribe.

I've rarely encountered good service in the US. Most of the time it has been terrible, or the server was just hovered around the table almost the entire time to the point of annoyance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_vivC7c_1k

I so agree with this. When in San Luis Obispo last year they had free drinks at the Hilton brand hotel I was at and of course the basic tip of $1 was still expected. I got some soft drink and tipped just so I wasn't noticed.

Next morning same person was doing the coffee machine and I used my free coupon for the hot chocolate and cookie. I asked what size cookie and he remembered me and said the large one although the coupon said small. Another $1 tip was paid.

Now basically he stole from his employer and gave me the extra food for free. Where would he stop to get extra money? Could loyalty to the employer be improved if a living wage was provided?

And does participating in this corruption mean you're more likely to participate in higher level corruption or other unethical behaviour? It is a question that needs to be asked and answered and the consequences understood.

Of course the basic premise of a living wage needs to understood in the US.