I always wonder...
If you are travelling over the Holidays, (yes, I have no problem calling them Holidays, we can take that up in another post if you like) and don't know what to tip -- here you go.
If you are just like me and wing it all the time, well -- here you go.
Just visit this site and all your tipping questions will be answered.
Interesting and good to know..thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in Europe the "tip", or gratuity, was included in the bill already. So, one did not tip a waiter/waitress. I liked this practice and thought it more than fair to me and to the wait staff. However, upon returning to the U.S., I was told I was a “snob” and a “cheapskate” for not wanting to tip, or when I did so, for tipping too little. I wish the U.S. would let go of its antiquated mores. Let’s start with tipping first, shall we?
ReplyDeleteFirst, I want to get out my frustrations about tipping in general, and then I will follow up with my solution to the tipping problem. What bugs me the most about restaurant wait staff is they are way too “polite.” It is my personality, I know, but I automatically suspect insincerity in a waiter/waitress who ask me, “How ya doin’ today?” followed by the well rehearsed “My name is Tiffany and I will be taking care of you today.” I mean, come on, get real. First, I know most Americans do not really want to know how I am doing anymore than they care about the decreasing value of the U.S. Dollar against the Euro. Nonetheless, since I am an American, I usually don’t think twice and robotically answer, Fine, and you?” – and in good American insincerity do not stop to listen for the obligatory answer. Honestly, I am not bothered by the quaint, mysterious American custom. In fact, I taught my English as Second Language students in Romania all about it and how they should not be put off when an how-you-doing-inquiring American does not stop to hear about Uncle Ovidiu’s sore toe.
Actually, what drives me nuts is the constant badgering I get once my meal arrives. It seems as though I am in mid-chew when the overly-eager waiter/waitress rushes over to ask “How’s everything?” I don’t mind being asked this question the first time, or even a second time. What gets me is the third, fourth, and sometimes fifth drilling as to how much I like the food. If I did not like the food, I would either not eat it or call the waiter over and complain. So, by the third time I get the third degree, I strongly suspect the waiter is vying for my tip and is trying to elicit a 20% plus handout from me. Well, not me, buddy. Go away and ensure the cooking staff are cleaning the kitchens and not inserting unmentionable items into my food! I watch Gordon Ramsey’s “Kitchen Nightmares” so I know there is something that can be scrubbed and disinfected back there.
OK, now that I vented, here is my solution to the tipping problem. Pay the wait staff a livable wage, ensure they do there jobs and let me keep the 15% .
Thanks, I could probably use this info.
ReplyDeleteI do like the upfront gratuity included in the meal price. However, I'm far more inclined to favor the American inquiries (within reason and not overkill while I'm eating).
ReplyDeleteCustomer service is a dying art, and should be resurrected. Cordial wait staff is a blessing to me.
"anonymous" I do sometimes wish that people were just paid for their job and paid to provide good service, but I always get arguments about why that won't work. The cost to us would be greater, etc. So I don't know what to think about that.
ReplyDeleteBut as far as including the gratuity in the tab-- I don't like that. I have had poor service in those situations. Although, I suppose I could have reported it to the manager. I just am always doubtful about how much that accomplishes.
I like to tip well for good service and I will tip poorly for poor service.
I don't really like them bugging me, but do like when my glass stays full, etc, but somehow I never seem to actually see it happen. That's good service.
Hi Kay,
ReplyDeleteI was going to suggest googling it but looks like you have it covered !
Please tip your hair person very well.My husband is a barber so I gain from that!!
I am with anonymous about the constant badgering!!
Except for restaurants, I purposefully avoid any situation that might require a tip.
ReplyDeleteI may be weird..I like giving tips..it is a way of blessing someone! I also am a mom who spends a lot of time at home...I love the "badgering"...it is so nice to have someone wait on me! I do not like giving tips in those tip buckets at Starbucks...unless they do an amazing job..but when you spend five dollars on a cup of coffee and they do not serve it to you and give you refills..nope..not into giving extra.
ReplyDeleteYep, I usually wing it! Thanks for the info!
ReplyDelete