Tip
- Thread starter assari
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Harley Spencer
Official Checked Star Member
Maybe tipping isn't part of Finnish culture, but you asked this question on a very diverse, multi-cultural forum. So stop basing this off just your culture.
Clearly you do know the American practice, because if you asked this question in the first place, you would have to have known that in some cultures, people tip. And now you know because you've had a multitude of responses from Americans in here saying that yes, in America, it is standard courtesy to tip and people who don't tip in America are frowned upon.
Well, tipping is part of American culture, but I will not give five dollar tip if I buy a five dollar hamburger.
One dollar is enough.
Don't base the tip on the price of the product alone. For example, if you go out to eat at a pizza place and get a few slices of pizza, a soda, and some breadsticks, then of course the bill is going to be cheaper than going out to eat at a fancier restaurant where you got a leg of lamb, a greek salad, a glass of wine, and some sort of amazing desert. But you still got the same good service from both places. You're not tipping based on the food, you're tipping based on the service. Why is a pizza place's waitress any less deserving than a cocktail waitress? They both worked just a hard.
Well most waiters are trained to be kind, friendly, and professional, no matter how good or bad the tip is. So if you don't tip and come back a second time, the service is going to be just as good as anyone else's. The difference is that the waitress will be secretly cursing you out in the back of the restaurant, hating your guts.
No, that's not necessarily the case. In a lot of restaurants, whether the tips are cash or card, they're divided between the waiters, bartenders, hostesses, and bus boys. I've worked as a waitress at a restaurant where I had to tip out the bartender every night, being a percentage of what I made in tips, and the rest I took home. And another that I worked at, my tips were all mine to keep. Then I've also heard that at some restaurants, they make the waiters each put all of their individual tips in a huge pile at the end of the night, and they all split up the total amount equally, each taking home an equal amount. So if one of those waiters is shitty and only pulled in $30, and another is awesome and pulled in $90, the one who pulled in $90 gets shafted.
But generally, it makes absolutely no difference whether it was cash or charge. I did hear of one restaurant where the delivery drivers didn't get a percentage of the tip when it was charged on the customers card, but that's not very common.
For real? I'm going to have to start sticking the money right in their pockets then.
They'll love you and think you're the sweetest guy ever if you do that! One waitress I worked with when I was a manager, a little Asian lady once stopped her as she was cleaning a table a said, "This is for you." And shoved a $20 bill in her apron. She was so happy and shocked at that lady! That is unheard of, and for all the bullshit restaurant workers have to go through, those little gestures can seriously brighten their day.
Yes, yes, yes, and yes!
I could never stand it when someone would leave me a single penny on the table as a tip as a way to say that they didn't like me. That's fucked up on so many levels. Those are the people who have never worked in a restaurant. They have no clue what goes on back there. 9 times out of 10, if you speak up about a mistake in your order, your server will fix it as quickly as possible and won't be too upset about it. But to say nothing throughout your entire meal then leave a nasty napkin note or not tip, you're just being a dick. I also hate it when people are rude about mistakes at restaurants- so you asked for no onions on your burger and got onions, just pick them off, don't yell at the server and not leave her a tip because of it. Shit happens.
And exactly, if you can't afford to go out to eat and leave at least a few bucks, don't go. I've been poor (I kind of still am but not nearly as bad as it used to be), trust me, I understand, but... come on. If you can afford to spend money on a meal, you can spare a few bucks for a tip.
Most tourists do know, but they're stuck in their ways and don't tip because they think their country is so much more proper than this country. I know that they know how to tip, they just don't. Not all tourists, because most do know and do tip (not usually good tips, but some tip at least), but many are just being kind of like.... kind of old folks, who are stuck in their ways and aren't open to change.
And just as it's rude not to tip, it's also rude to ask for a tip. I was always taught to never ask, "Would you like your change?" when picking up a table's check. It gives the customer a greedy impression. So unless a customer specifically told me not to bring their change, I always brought it back.
It's not really about the gesture, it's about making sure I know where my money is going. Like you say, if tips are divided evenly, the one who actually earns it ends up getting shafted. I want to be sure that when I'm essentially rewarding someone's work off my own bat, that that reward is going to the person who owns it. If you win, say, a sporting event through your own ability, you don't expect to split the prize with everyone; same should be true of working well enough to have received a good tip.
Harley Spencer
Official Checked Star Member
This is all true and I agree with you 100%, but even if you do put a tip directly in the water's pocket, chances are they're going to have to divvy it up anyway. It's not good to lie about tips at a restaurant, especially when it's a restaurant where the servers are required to split tips. If someone were to catch that waiter not sharing all of their tips, the waiter would likely be reprimanded and possibly fired.
bobjustbob
Proud member of FreeOnes Hall Of Fame. Retired to
My thinking that the price for the services are built onto the price of the product in Finland. The tipping system is pretty good because it assures a certain level of service. Like someone else mentioned above, if I can't afford the tip then I won't use the service. Even if there is a delivery charge for the food I always throw the delivery guy a few bucks. If I get bad service in a restaurant I will still leave a reasonable tip but see the manager going out the door to make my complaint. Don't forgrt your bar tenders. They'll usually toss you a free one after 4 or 5 drinks, make them stronger for you, and serve you faster. the 2 places where I don't agree with the tipping are the ushers at the ball park and the matre d.
Harley Spencer
Official Checked Star Member
Yep. Drivers should always be tipped. Not only are they driving out of their way to bring you food, risking their lives on the road, but they have to pay for gas and with running so many deliveries around, that's a lot of mileage, wear and tear on their vehicles. FYI, most restaurants don't provide the vehicles, the drivers must have their own. So when there's a delivery charge, firstly, not the entire delivery charge goes to the driver- part of it goes to the restaurant- and secondly, the delivery charge is to help cover gas.
Now I'm living in NYC and I've noticed that most of the restaurants out here don't use cars for deliveries. The delivery guys have to ride bikes! Bicycles! And it's FREEZING outside right now! God that must suck. So, so far I haven't ordered a single delivery since living here because I feel so bad for those delivery guys. If I did get a delivery here, I'd be tipping at least twice the amount I tipped regular delivery drivers back home.
bobjustbob
Proud member of FreeOnes Hall Of Fame. Retired to
As you said before Harley, don't blame the waitress for bad food or a wrong order. If my chicken is undercooked she damed well is going to be pissed at the kitchen and try to fix it. If the kitchen is really fucking up she will get you free deserts. 4 at a table and my plate has brocolli and I ordered string beans, she will get a side of them out to me pronto. People don't understand what happens on the other side of those swinging doors. Cooks get the same paycheck every week.
Maggie Green
Official Checked Star Member
SO true! The servers just happen to bare the brunt of everything that goes on in the back on the house. I never got this until I experienced it first hand.
I always do, unless the service is atrocious.
Waitresses, Taxis, Fast food deliveries etc all get a tip.
Postman gets a couple of quid at xmas, not much I know, but if everyone did that he'd have like £200 per street of his deliveries.
The bin men get fuck all tho, they litterally jog around leaving the wheelie bins anywhere, don't bother picking up dropped rubbish etc, just in a rush to get finished work by 1pm.
Waitresses, Taxis, Fast food deliveries etc all get a tip.
Postman gets a couple of quid at xmas, not much I know, but if everyone did that he'd have like £200 per street of his deliveries.
The bin men get fuck all tho, they litterally jog around leaving the wheelie bins anywhere, don't bother picking up dropped rubbish etc, just in a rush to get finished work by 1pm.
SpexyAshleigh
Official Checked Star Member
I definitely tip, and tip well. If a server does a fantastic job, is quick to take my order, quick to bring me my food, refills drinks, checks on me, quick to bring me my bill and does it all while being friendly, I will tip up to 40%. I used to work in the restaurant biz, I know how hard it can be. My entire income on MFC is based off tips too, so I know how it feels when someone monetarily shows their appreciation for your work. But if the server sucks, only 10% for her/him.
Taxi drivers get 10%
Hairstylist/esthetician gets 20%
Hotel staff gets $5
etc etc
Taxi drivers get 10%
Hairstylist/esthetician gets 20%
Hotel staff gets $5
etc etc
Always !
Oh you're back? How was Barcelona without meeting me? Not that good i guess
Uhm meeting you? And yes Barca was nice even though the weather sucked monkey balls!
40%!?!?!?! Really there is no way I will ever tip someone 40% lmao
Waiters spit on food if you do not tip? >;/
That's apparently a rule of thumb.
I allready know that in your country the tip is an important issue.
I just wanted to find out if any of you dares to question this system.
Yes, and that's why the tip is optional issue here.
Ok, but what do you do if you do not have the extra money with you and you need a taxi ride?
bobjustbob
Proud member of FreeOnes Hall Of Fame. Retired to
Tipping around the world can be very complicated. Service charges are not common in USA. The only time you may see one is if there are parties of 6 at a table and that will show on the menu and bill. A few extra bucks on top of this is nice considering the extra time and attention the server gives to your table. Also remember that the bar and bus boy get a cut of the tips. I've read where in some countries tipping can be considered rude.
If you don't have the money for a cab ride home with a few bucks for a small tip you didn't do your planning. Go hit the ATM. Never leave the house without enough money to get back home.
If you don't have the money for a cab ride home with a few bucks for a small tip you didn't do your planning. Go hit the ATM. Never leave the house without enough money to get back home.
SpexyAshleigh
Official Checked Star Member
If the server has done their duties perfectly AND made me smile and laugh, yep up to 40% depending on what I can afford. Like I said before, I know what it feels like to have a tip-based income, and how good it feels to be rewarded for a job well done, so I have no problem making someones day a bit brighter. Especially if its a restaurant I frequent regularly, means I'll get good service next time.
I agree about good service the next time around.......works both ways. People remember things like that !
Mr. Daystar
In a bell tower, watching you through cross hairs.
Who in the fuck knows what they do...but for a few bucks, it's worth knowing they won't! Same guy delivers my pizza EVERY time, and I take good care of that motherfucker!
This was a timely story...I think $10 is low, but $85 high. I would've given him $40 or $50 though.
http://shine.yahoo.com/work-money/what-kind-of-person-tips-10-dollars-for-85-pizzas--173851199.html
bahodeme
Closed Account
My pizza & other food delivery folks get $10 from me. Taxi drivers it depends on as others here have said on how good or bad they are. I've had a few drivers that had GPS and STILL asked me for directions. I've asked a few times would they like for me to drive the car as well. Some others were great. The ones who were great, I have tipped the amount of the fare.
I was riding with a few friends and stopped at a diner. This poor waitress had the group from hell and they did not leave a tip. We were leaving the same time as the group. We tipped her in front of the group she waited on and told her this was for the BS she just put up with (yes we did tip our waitress).
I was riding with a few friends and stopped at a diner. This poor waitress had the group from hell and they did not leave a tip. We were leaving the same time as the group. We tipped her in front of the group she waited on and told her this was for the BS she just put up with (yes we did tip our waitress).
