Worst tippers

[TomVexille]

While a bit of an insult to write that on the docket, you couldn't expect a tip for taking an hour. I would have got up and walked out after half an hour.

Although assuming that the waiter put the order into the kitchen promptly, it's not really their fault. Although there's plenty that they can do to keep a customer updated and placated in that hour.

 

[Dr Ralph]

While a bit of an insult to write that on the docket, you couldn't expect a tip for taking an hour. I would have got up and walked out after half an hour.

Agreed.

When I've left no tip at a US restaurant I've always made it clear why I was doing so.

 

[chelzmalee]

US waitstaff seem to think they are entitled to a tip no matter what.

It's not really the customer's responsibility to make up for management's lack of human decency.

That said I happily tip well when service is good.

 

[UP4014]

Although assuming that the waiter put the order into the kitchen promptly, it's not really their fault. Although there's plenty that they can do to keep a customer updated and placated in that hour.

Of course it's not, but business wins or fails as a team.

 

[harvyk]

US waitstaff seem to think they are entitled to a tip no matter what.

It's not really the customer's responsibility to make up for management's lack of human decency.

That said I happily tip well when service is good.

The US makes no secret of it's extremely low wages to wait staff, and the fact that tipping is pretty much mandatory. Whilst I agree in principal that refusing to be part of the mandatory gratuity system is a good thing, all you are doing is punishing those whom are in the least amount of power to actually change the system, and whom can least afford to be stiffed on their days take.

Yes, there are some servers whom shouldn't be doing the job, or whom have had an off night. Does that mean that they don't deserve to be paid something real for the time they did put in? As part of entering a restaurant you've in principal agreed that the job of paying the wait staff is actually yours and not managements.

Yes it sucks, yes it needs to change, part of that whole human decency thing. But if you are going to do something about it, refusing to tip is not the way to do it.

 

[opusman]

Wait staff in the US get taxed based on theoretical tips they could receive, not the tips they actually receive. So by not tipping not only are you not paying the staff but you are actually costing them money!

 

[Foreigner]

Wait staff in the US get taxed based on theoretical tips they could receive, not the tips they actually receive. So by not tipping not only are you not paying the staff but you are actually costing them money!

Blame the (US) system

 

[opusman]

Blame the (US) system

Of course, but you're the one choosing to go to the US and take part in the system. Penalising those least able to do anything about it simply to make a point is pretty coughpy imho.

 

[farstar]

Of course, but you're the one choosing to go to the US and take part in the system. Penalising those least able to do anything about it simply to make a point is pretty coughpy imho.

The USA is held up as a democracy so they can fix the problem themselves and pay people a decent wage if they want by voting for it but they don't. Politicians will change the laws if they think the people want it. It is sad that people in the USA don't make a fuss about the whole tipping practice and get people a decent wage.

 

[Foreigner]

Of course, but you're the one choosing to go to the US and take part in the system. Penalising those least able to do anything about it simply to make a point is pretty coughpy imho.

Nonsense. No need to deflect responsibility on visitors. And i don't believe it's right to extort customers into paying salaries. The employers must.

 

[Himeno]

Of course, but you're the one choosing to go to the US and take part in the system. Penalising those least able to do anything about it simply to make a point is pretty coughpy imho.

They are able to do something about it and doing so would not be that hard. They chose not to.

Many of the people in these jobs do the least amount needed, then feel like they are entitled to a bribe.

 

[Himeno]

Wait staff in the US get taxed based on theoretical tips they could receive, not the tips they actually receive. So by not tipping not only are you not paying the staff but you are actually costing them money!

What the IRS expects is no where near the "required" 15-20%. It's about half that, 8%.

 

[opusman]

No wonder Australians have a reputation for being lousy tippers is all I can say!

 

[Dr Ralph]

They are able to do something about it and doing so would not be that hard. They chose not to.

Many of the people in these jobs do the least amount needed, then feel like they are entitled to a bribe.

Youre exactly right.

The only way for them to learn is for everyone to stop tipping.

 

[amaroo]

I tip however, I get the "tom cough" with the expectation that I need to fork out $40 if I order a $200 wine.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I tip however, I get the "tom cough" with the expectation that I need to fork out $40 if I order a $200 wine.

Never tip on the wine if there's a markup above 150% of RRP.

 

[Foreigner]

The only way for them to learn is for everyone to stop tipping.

Here's a tip: stop tipping

 

[kamchatsky]

About 10 years ago when I was in US for work, a colleague of mine wasn't impressed with the service at restaurant, so he gave them a 1 cent tip, even though our employer pays for the meal (we have Corporate cards).

 

[trixydoza]

It's almost like you're all (most of the most recent posters) confused by the fact that a "tip" in the US hospitality industry means something different to a "tip" in Australia.

Please just stop eating in the US if you can't get your head around it rather than try to pass it off as some human rights initiative.

 

[Dr Ralph]

About 10 years ago when I was in US for work, a colleague of mine wasn't impressed with the service at restaurant, so he gave them a 1 cent tip, even though our employer pays for the meal (we have Corporate cards).

Ive done something similar when on a guided tour and at the end the tour the guide gave everyone an information card as to suggested tips. "$40 if you had a great time. $30 if you had a good time. $20 for an OK time etc" I tipped 1 cent as it was a very poor tour.