North American Tipping Culture vs the Rest of the World

[Underdog]

"If I don't sit, I don't tip." Words to live by...

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Oh yeah, no, not tipping on takeout. No way.

Also, very weird that RMTs have a tip option. This is health care, what kind of massage places are you trying to emulate??

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Oh yeah, no, not tipping on takeout. No way.

Also, very weird that RMTs have a tip option. This is health care, what kind of massage places are you trying to emulate??

The ones that are mostly concerned about the tip?

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Harry Lime

If you are having a meal (food and a drink for one person usually ends up on the 25 to 30 range before tax) that costs around 60 to 70 dollars, I have trouble tipping 14, which would amount to a small main on the menu. I'm not sure if I should be obligated to buy the server a meal.

I don’t really understand your math here but $14 is not much. I assume most tips are split, but if me dropping $70 means a server can go by a six piece nugs with fries and a drink then I’m happy for them. When you compare it to the “standard” rate of 15% it’s an extra $3.50 on a $70 meal. Not a big deal.

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Thing is, it's rare that I actually get bad service nowadays. I've been eating out a bit more the last week and a half for YYCEXP, and the quality of those meals has varied, but essentially I end up with the following scenarios:

1. Meal is great and service is good (e.g. Love Damian). I'm tipping 20% and that's fine.
2. Service is good, but meal isn't great (e.g. Ibu on 14th st). I am still tipping 15% or 18%, because it's not the server's fault their menu wasn't up to standard.
3. Service is good but the kitchen is slow and the meal isn't great (e.g. Wilde on 27). Again, it's not the server's fault, so I'm probably still tipping the same as I would be otherwise.

The problem here is that in scenario 2 or 3, I'm still paying at least 40 and more often 50 bucks per person, and I didn't feel like I got good value for my money. Yet I'm getting even worse value because I don't feel like I'm going to express that in my tip, because it wasn't the thing I'm tipping for that caused me to feel less than happy with the experience.

That’s why I just do the flat 20% (agree with exemptions on takeout). End of the day the three scenarios you’ve worked out in your head have a difference of around $2-$2.50. Mentally haggling with yourself over it just isn’t worth the time or energy.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Oh yeah, no, not tipping on takeout. No way.

Also, very weird that RMTs have a tip option. This is health care, what kind of massage places are you trying to emulate??

The incentives are bad for RMT tipping imo.

Their base fee I can get 80% covered by insurance. Any tip is 0% covered.

[Amethyst]

Tipping for a massage is a thing for a massage at a spa (like pedicures, facials, etc). At a clinic, it's not. Well, it didn't used to be. Now everywhere has tip options.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

Sure there is. This is exactly how a free market works.

Places with stupid tip prompts get less of my business and less $ per transaction. If everyone acted like me (amazingly) the market would force these places to knock it off.

Conversely, establishments and employees that respect the fact I may not be Daddy Warbucks capable of inflating all of my purchases by an arbitrary 30% will now see more market share, and more $ per transaction. This will hopefully fuel expansion by the "good guys" and imitation from the poor actors in their space.

Problem solved. Thanks to my "weird game". You're welcome

No the end state is every place doing the I’ll just hit no for you, you hitting the back button and you tipping.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Thing is, it's rare that I actually get bad service nowadays. I've been eating out a bit more the last week and a half for YYCEXP, and the quality of those meals has varied, but essentially I end up with the following scenarios:

1. Meal is great and service is good (e.g. Love Damian). I'm tipping 20% and that's fine.
2. Service is good, but meal isn't great (e.g. Ibu on 14th st). I am still tipping 15% or 18%, because it's not the server's fault their menu wasn't up to standard.
3. Service is good but the kitchen is slow and the meal isn't great (e.g. Wilde on 27). Again, it's not the server's fault, so I'm probably still tipping the same as I would be otherwise.

The problem here is that in scenario 2 or 3, I'm still paying at least 40 and more often 50 bucks per person, and I didn't feel like I got good value for my money. Yet I'm getting even worse value because I don't feel like I'm going to express that in my tip, because it wasn't the thing I'm tipping for that caused me to feel less than happy with the experience.

This is why it’s way easier to accept that sit down service comes with the cost of a tip baked in (like it does for large groups). Pick your number and never think about tipping again.

What didnt you like at IBU. I love that place though more so the appetizers than the mains.

[Bleeding Red]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Thing is, it's rare that I actually get bad service nowadays. I've been eating out a bit more the last week and a half for YYCEXP, and the quality of those meals has varied, but essentially I end up with the following scenarios:

1. Meal is great and service is good (e.g. Love Damian). I'm tipping 20% and that's fine.
2. Service is good, but meal isn't great (e.g. Ibu on 14th st). I am still tipping 15% or 18%, because it's not the server's fault their menu wasn't up to standard.
3. Service is good but the kitchen is slow and the meal isn't great (e.g. Wilde on 27). Again, it's not the server's fault, so I'm probably still tipping the same as I would be otherwise.

The problem here is that in scenario 2 or 3, I'm still paying at least 40 and more often 50 bucks per person, and I didn't feel like I got good value for my money. Yet I'm getting even worse value because I don't feel like I'm going to express that in my tip, because it wasn't the thing I'm tipping for that caused me to feel less than happy with the experience.

For better or worse, in a lot of restaurants that tip is being split between your server, bus person, bartender, AND the kitchen staff. The tips are pooled and everyone (even managers in some places) gets a cut.


If you knew that that the kitchen staff were getting 25% of your tip, would you still tip 20%?

[bob-loblaw]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Many of the machines always show a tip screen. There is no way to not show it.

When you set up your point of Sale terminal with a card processor, they ask what industry your business is in. If it's in an industry where tipping is common then they add it. It can be removed or added at anytime, although some merchants don’t pay attention or don't know how to change the settings.
I always wonder about tipping in a food app before you pick up the food. If you don't tip are you getting some added saliva?