Counter Tipping

[flip]

I came across this really good article about the art of counter tipping. Counter as in tipping when you pay at the counter as opposed to the traditional tip of just leaving cash on the table.

I thought it was extremely well written and I've been through exactly what the writer talks about.

Old-school tipping was a secret transaction. You left your tip on the table and left the restaurant -- in a brisk walk, if you stiffed the waiter. But now, with debit machines and counter tipping, privacy is lost. The clerk or waiter is watching. Closely. Eyes on you. Judging.

Then, if you pay with debit, you get a serving of Awk-Ward with your coffee or takeout order. Especially, if the machine asks you to inform the clerk of your tip, so she can punch it in. But even if you hold the machine, she's watching and deciphering your key punches.
Beep-beep, be-beepetybeep. Is that enough?

^^This part is SO true. I hate it when I'm prompted to tip on a cheap transaction and I bypass it. The clerk can totally tell that I didn't use enough key stokes and there were too few beeps for there to be a tip.


Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/reached...#ixzz0kCyA01YM

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by flip

I came across this really good article about the art of counter tipping. Counter as in tipping when you pay at the counter as opposed to the traditional tip of just leaving cash on the table.

I thought it was extremely well written and I've been through exactly what the writer talks about.

^^This part is SO true. I hate it when I'm prompted to tip on a cheap transaction and I bypass it. The clerk can totally tell that I didn't use enough key stokes and there were too few beeps for there to be a tip.


Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/reached...#ixzz0kCyA01YM

So true. The anonymous tip is much better, but these days everyone pays debit/credit. As someone who gets tips (as a driver) I can relate. You DO judge, everyone.

[Swarly]

They forget to mention in the article that some places, I know of one at least, the unfortunate server who answers the phone and puts in your to-go order has to pay tip out on that sale. So if you put in a $50 pick up order and leave no tip they are still paying out $1-2 at the end of the night to the kitchen staff. Before I knew this I used to think tipping for pickup was asinine but now I'll throw in 4% to cover the tipout.

[flip]

Originally Posted by Swarly

They forget to mention in the article that some places, I know of one at least, the unfortunate server who answers the phone and puts in your to-go order has to pay tip out on that sale. So if you put in a $50 pick up order and leave no tip they are still paying out $1-2 at the end of the night to the kitchen staff. Before I knew this I used to think tipping for pickup was asinine but now I'll throw in 4% to cover the tipout.

I don't get a lot of pickup from restaurants but I almost never tip when I do because there is no service so I don't tip.

I hope it isn't very common. I would think that some places would realize that takeout won't generate much of a tip because the server isn't providing any service. I may have to start leaving a couple of dollars when I do get takeout.

[Swarly]

Originally Posted by flip

I don't get a lot of pickup from restaurants but I almost never tip when I do because there is no service so I don't tip.

I hope it isn't very common. I would think that some places would realize that takeout won't generate much of a tip because the server isn't providing any service. I may have to start leaving a couple of dollars when I do get takeout.

Its not universal, I know some places will have a dedicated take out server or host, like swiss chalet and the guy working the phone wont be paying tip out.

[Temporary_User]

I used to tip pretty good, and find at bars still do (continuous service throughout the night and want the good service to continue). Restaurants now though I tip 10% standard and 15% for exceptional service. If they are crappy I'll leave less than a $1 or so (just something so they know I didn't simply forget the tip).

It's weird how we are shammed into tipping now. Whenever I'm out with friends and we get bad service, I'm not tipping. It seems like even if we all get separate cheques so the server knows who didn't tip, my friends will still be slightly embarrassed.
And it is not that I'm cheap here, if we were throwing money into a pot to pay I wouldn't ask for my change back. I just find it principle.

[Komskies]

Obligatory Mr. Pink post (with a bit of censoring):

Nice Guy Eddie: C'mon, throw in a buck!
Mr. Pink: Uh-uh, I don't tip.
Nice Guy Eddie: You don't tip?
Mr. Pink: Nah, I don't believe in it.
Nice Guy Eddie: You don't believe in tipping?
Mr. Blue: You know what these chicks make? They make sheet.
Mr. Pink: Don't give me that. She don't make enough money that she can quit.
Nice Guy Eddie: I don't even know a Jew who'd have the balls to say that. Let me get this straight: you don't ever tip?
Mr. Pink: I don't tip because society says I have to. All right, if someone deserves a tip, if they really put forth an effort, I'll give them something a little something extra. But this tipping automatically, it's for the birds. As far as I'm concerned, they're just doing their job.
Mr. Blue: Hey, our girl was nice.
Mr. Pink: She was okay. She wasn't anything special.
Mr. Blue: What's special? Take you in the back and suck your cannon?
Nice Guy Eddie: I'd go over twelve percent for that.

[burn_this_city]

I don't usually tip on pickup. They have to do something to earn it and just grabbing a bag and putting my debit card through doesnt really qualify. Unless the chick is cute, then she gets a couple bucks.

[Russic]

I don't normally tip on pickup but I did on the weekend when I picked up an order of sushi from Kinjo. Food was ready a little early and I always appreciate the food so much. Beyond that I don't really do it.

[Eric Vail]

I find it ridiculous that a retailer can just decide that the consumer should now be tipping at my business. Does that mean when I go to the Bay, and need help finding something, that I should now be giving the clerk a twoonie for the service. If a eat at the food court at a mall, should I be giving a janitor a twoonie for washing the floor? When I pay for my gas, does the cashier deserve 5% of my gas bill for ringing me through? When I buy a balloon for my kid at the dollar store, should I be tipping the person who fills the baloon with helium?

This is all stupid. I understand and appreciate tipping in restaurants. I think it is a good system to motivate the servers to give good service. I've been in France where this didn't go on and I don't know if I've ever had worse service.

Companies need to charge enough that they can afford to pay their staff. If they refuse to, then people should refuse to work there. I am not paying someone at a counter for passing me some take out chicken and taking my money just like I am not tipping at the grocery store or 7-11.

[Jason14h]

The problem is you are not just tipping on service, you are also tipping the food preperation.

In reality, any tip received for a pick-up should go 100% to the cooks, as they did all the work! If that was the case, I have no problem dropping a few bucks for the cooks as long as the make good food~!

[Komskies]

Do you guys tip for haircuts? I've been getting my hair buzzed the last couple months and I refuse to tip on a $12 haircut that takes them 6 minutes to do.

[mykalberta]

I never tip when I pick up, only when I sit down and eat at a restraunt.

Its the reason I pick up my pizza and not get it delivered.

[Agamemnon]

What I hate about tipping is that not everyone has to do it. In Britain, if you go to the pub and get a beer, you pay the exact price for that beer, and every single following one. The British I run in to traveling are always shocked that we basically tip for all food/beverage services in N America.

The funny thing is the locals when you're traveling try to decipher where you're from to see if you'll tip. If you're a Canadian you've got tipping rube written all over you.

[wooohooo]

Yes, I tip for haircuts. I usually go back to see them again so it's not a big deal if I give them an extra five bucks or so. I rather have a happy barber and do a better job then a crabby one. That's also because I see the same one all the time... and my haircut is much longer than 6 minutes and more expensive than $12.

I was at a restaurant two days ago and there was about 30 of us. I'm absolutely sure all of us paid and this restaurant was extremely disorganized. Some of us finished our meal and dessert before some got their entrees. Bill came out at the end, we paid... still gave a decent tip but they said we shorted them. Hell, they said we shorted them 300 dollars. We told them to check again and they recalculated it to 50 bucks. Still bull but we were in somewhat of a hurry so we just paid it. Pisses me off. Server fff's up the bill, gets a good tip and probably makes more because we 'under paid'.

[Ducay]

Ahhh, the monthly tipping thread. This one usually gets pretty heated.


I for one try to tip well if the service was good 15-20%, but if its sheet, Im not gonna tip well at all. A tip is earned, not required. If it is a required cost of business, then raise your prices so you can pay your servers a proper wage.

Same goes for everything else. I am extremely resentful of all the tipping that is becoming the norm.



Gah, makes me long for Australia's system:
-All posted prices include tax
-No pennies
-Tipping is still seen as a reward for extra service

[wooohooo]

Do you guys tip on the price before tax or the price including tax?

It can make a huge difference in some cases... but I tax on the full amount. I've never worked as a server or anything in that position but I can appreciate the hard work they put in... unless I never get my food and drink I ordered 50 minutes ago.

[gargamel]

Originally Posted by wooohooo

Do you guys tip on the price before tax or the price including tax?

I tip based on the price before tax is added or coupons/discounts are taken off.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by wooohooo

Do you guys tip on the price before tax or the price including tax?

It can make a huge difference in some cases... but I tax on the full amount. I've never worked as a server or anything in that position but I can appreciate the hard work they put in... unless I never get my food and drink I ordered 50 minutes ago.

I guess this is what it all comes down to for me. I actually find it pretty offensive to be offered a tipping option for places like Subway. I'm not sure that the service at a place like that can above and beyond to the point where I should be tipping? Frankly I prefer to pay cash just to avoid my feeling uncomfortable as a result of the whole tipping conundrum.

Some of the best service I've had recently was actually from a doctor and her office in general. (Spare me the "they get paid handsomely for that service BS....they also went to school and put the time in for that expertise and paycheque.) They gave that excellent service not to get an extra 10% though, they just gave that service because that is how you do your job properly.

[FurnaceFace]

Picking up food from a restaurant I wouldn't generally tip. If they have a tip jar and I'm paying cash (I'm typically old school like that) then the change <$1 goes into the jar. I have never heard of the order taker needing to tip out before. I shall try and remember that.

Originally Posted by Komskies

Do you guys tip for haircuts? I've been getting my hair buzzed the last couple months and I refuse to tip on a $12 haircut that takes them 6 minutes to do.

I'd toss a buck or 2 on a 12 dollar cut. If you're getting it buzzed just save yourself the effort and buy a pair of clippers and do it yourself. It's dead easy if you're just doing a single length.

Originally Posted by wooohooo

Do you guys tip on the price before tax or the price including tax?

GST is 5%, I take a look at the amount, do a quick "three times the tax is about ____" and tip that.