Tipping Etiquite [Split from the Money & Friends Thread]

[PYroMaNiaC]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

I pumped gas and rarely got tips. I got a few loonies the one Christmas I was there, but that's about it. I worked there for a year and didn't make more than 20 bucks in tips.

And that tip jar at the liquor store drives me nuts too. Dude, you are just standing there. You didn't do anything.

I gave the gas jockey at the Co-op on 17th six bucks the other day. He was efficient and very friendly - he made the effort to stop and chat and all with a sincere smile. I was absolutely floored at the quality of service. I thought $6 actually might be a little small, but I usually just fill it myself, and I've certainly never received service like that at a gas bar, so I was in a little bit of a flap about what would be proper. Does 10% seem cheap? Or, as the majority here seem to think that tipping for gas is excessive, was this amount okay just to let him know that I appreciated his effort?

[Cawz]

Originally Posted by PYroMaNiaC

I gave the gas jockey at the Co-op on 17th six bucks the other day. He was efficient and very friendly - he made the effort to stop and chat and all with a sincere smile. I was absolutely floored at the quality of service. I thought $6 actually might be a little small, but I usually just fill it myself, and I've certainly never received service like that at a gas bar, so I was in a little bit of a flap about what would be proper. Does 10% seem cheap? Or, as the majority here seem to think that tipping for gas is excessive, was this amount okay just to let him know that I appreciated his effort?

The tip was probably the biggest he ever receieved.

I've never tipped for gas, although it should be common practice (yeah, kind of hypocritical).

[gottabekd]

I like tipping big. It makes me feel more important than the people I'm giving money to. I also like to leave the total a palindrome, to show off my superior intellect.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by V

Pffft, hard work.

I made minimum wage working 12 hour days installing carpet with my dad. I never made no friggin' tip. Never would've dreamed of asking for one either.

I can't believe the sense of entitlement people in the service industry have.

You raise a great point. To me a tip is not something one should expect but rather it is one that needs to be earned. Back in my pre teen days i used to cut lawns on the weekends for spending money. One older lady whom i cut her lawn for told me not expect a tip from anyone but if you do something above and beyond your duties people will reward you for that extra effort.

[wittynickname]

I'm going to chime in, as I've worked in two different industries that generally involve tips:

I've worked various jobs in my life--I've done retail, I've done cashiering, I've done manufacturing type work, I've done waitressing, and currently I'm a stylist.

Waitressing is by far the WORST JOB I have ever had. I did it for six months and dreaded every last day of it. People who say servers shouldn't expect tips must have never done it--my paycheck for two weeks, for anywhere from 40-50 hours, was usually around $55. I was making $2.83/hour. It's a flawed system, there's no question, but if you really expect people to bust their ass for you, and 4-8 other tables, for $2.83/hour, you're insane. And for people who say that servers should just "deal with it" or "get another job"...it's not always that easy. And if everyone left crappy serving jobs--who would bring your food when you go out?

Again, I've done work that was far harder work, more labor-oriented, but I would take it any day of the week over waitressing--it's much harder than anyone who hasn't done it can imagine, and some of the people you have to deal with are just horrendous human beings.

Now as a stylist, I have noticed: guys tip better about 80% of the time. Our men's haircuts are $15, women's cuts are $19. I will often have a guy tip me $5-7 dollars on a cut, whereas a woman will regularly tip $2. I don't know how that works out, but that's the way it goes.

But I would never, ever go back to waitressing. Worst experience of my life.

[Swarly]

Originally Posted by wittynickname

Waitressing is by far the WORST JOB I have ever had. I did it for six months and dreaded every last day of it. People who say servers shouldn't expect tips must have never done it--my paycheck for two weeks, for anywhere from 40-50 hours, was usually around $55. I was making $2.83/hour. It's a flawed system, there's no question, but if you really expect people to bust their ass for you, and 4-8 other tables, for $2.83/hour, you're insane. And for people who say that servers should just "deal with it" or "get another job"...it's not always that easy. And if everyone left crappy serving jobs--who would bring your food when you go out?

dont know what its like where you are from but here there are minimum wage laws so no 2.83/hour. I thought the states had those too. as for your last question if everyone left and employers couldnt find anyone to replace them they would be forced to raise wages to a level people would work for, thats how capitalism works

I should add my brother has worked as a waiter for about a year now at denny's. He makes about 66% of his salary from tips. and minimum wage is just below 9 dollars now?

[wittynickname]

Originally Posted by Swarly

dont know what its like where you are from but here there are minimum wage laws so no 2.83/hour. I thought the states had those too. as for your last question if everyone left and employers couldnt find anyone to replace them they would be forced to raise wages to a level people would work for, thats how capitalism works

I should add my brother has worked as a waiter for about a year now at denny's. He makes about 66% of his salary from tips. and minimum wage is just below 9 dollars now?

There are minimum wage laws--but they're different for servers than for most jobs. Servers, the minimum wage is (or at least it was when I was a server) $2.82. At the time, minimum wage otherwise was $5.15. That went up to $7.25, so I assume the server minimum wage went up--but the law basically sets it up so that a server HAS to expect tips, otherwise they can't survive.

Also, you would need a unionized group of people to walk out like that--because for any server who would walk out for that, there are other people who are unemployed and need work who would jump on it. It's not just a simple "well if you hate it, leave" kind of thing--people need money to survive, and crappy or not, waitressing can pay the bills.

I've always stuck with the theory that every single person should be forced to work in a service industry for six months, otherwise they can't go out to eat/go to a bar/etc, because it can really be a miserable job, and people who haven't worked in the industry can't ever know that.

[Bagor]

Consider myself a decent tipper, 20%er + rounded up.

Only never tipped once, and it was the same night as I only ever sent food back once and that was at the Cheesecake at Northlands.

Ordered a chicken.

Her: Is Everything fine with your meal?

Me: Actually, my chicken's not cooked (open it up and show her the blood running out of it).

Her: That's ok sir, it's a grain fed chicken.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by wittynickname

I'm going to chime in, as I've worked in two different industries that generally involve tips:

I've worked various jobs in my life--I've done retail, I've done cashiering, I've done manufacturing type work, I've done waitressing, and currently I'm a stylist.

Waitressing is by far the WORST JOB I have ever had. I did it for six months and dreaded every last day of it. People who say servers shouldn't expect tips must have never done it--my paycheck for two weeks, for anywhere from 40-50 hours, was usually around $55. I was making $2.83/hour. It's a flawed system, there's no question, but if you really expect people to bust their ass for you, and 4-8 other tables, for $2.83/hour, you're insane. And for people who say that servers should just "deal with it" or "get another job"...it's not always that easy. And if everyone left crappy serving jobs--who would bring your food when you go out?

Again, I've done work that was far harder work, more labor-oriented, but I would take it any day of the week over waitressing--it's much harder than anyone who hasn't done it can imagine, and some of the people you have to deal with are just horrendous human beings.

Now as a stylist, I have noticed: guys tip better about 80% of the time. Our men's haircuts are $15, women's cuts are $19. I will often have a guy tip me $5-7 dollars on a cut, whereas a woman will regularly tip $2. I don't know how that works out, but that's the way it goes.

But I would never, ever go back to waitressing. Worst experience of my life.

Sort of clears things up for me. I do the standard tipping (10% bad, 15% ok, 20% good, 25% if its a nice place) but seriously, if you are paying $20 for a pasta that probably took $4 to make, where does the rest go?

I think servers/waitresses/etc make a ridiculous amount on tips, walking out with a couple hundred bucks in a night. But I tip the standard just cause they're the ones preparing and bringing you your food.

As for the comment from RougeUndersomething, the regular bar I went to in Edmonton (we were regulars for like 3-4 years) every couple times, the waitresses come with a round of shooters or free booze since we usually leave a 40% tip or so. Every week, the girls come sit with us and talk with us and everything, seems sort of wrong but whatever. (I'm usually tipping 20-30% there, but one guy that is a little hornier tips like 50-60%. We usually rack up a bill between $90 to $240, tipping $35 to $80 in a night)

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by PYroMaNiaC

Does 10% seem cheap? Or, as the majority here seem to think that tipping for gas is excessive, was this amount okay just to let him know that I appreciated his effort?

Hah. 10% is 10% way better than any customer I ever had. I haven't been "on the pump" (so to speak) in a while now so maybe the rules have changed.

What does a gas jockey get paid these days? 12 bucks? 10% on a couple fills an hour will double that. That's motivation.

If you tip like that at a gas station you visit regularly the guys will run out when they see you coming and you'll get the best service in town. If you are particular about your car, it might be a good investment.

They won't charge you for an empty bottle of oil (a favorite scam when I had the job) or tell you your oil is fine if they don't feel like bothering even if they've checked and know it is low.

[Regulator75]

It drives me nuts when places charge me for refills on pop (and don't advertise this), I am generally stunned to see the extra $$$ on the bill. Usually I say something, but most times I feel ripped off and leave maybe 5%. $2.50 a refill, what a joke.

Yes I know it's "not her fault" that management charges for refills, but she could of mentioned something to our table when she is pushing for refills when our glasses are just under halfway done.

$2.50 for a refill, you kidding me? Bye bye tip.

[bigtmac19]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

Yeah, but does the tip go to that kid only? Or does the slacker that rang me through or the a-hole that answered the phone get a cut of that?

I worked in a kitchen when I was a teen and I never got a penny out of the servers. I made more money than them and I got to leave when my shift was over. That is the way it worked.

Maybe I am just a prick but why does someone deserve a tip for doing their job? Do the kids in retail who are making the same amount get a tip when they spend hours selling someone $400 worth of clothing on a really busy day?

In my son's case, the tip would go to him, because he is by himself, as I mentioned! He has to do everything, make all the food, take all the orders, do the cash, meanwhile while trying to do all the cleaning jobs the boss left for him, plus keep all the toppings stocked up and the pizza sauce made, etc. etc. The driver doesn't share his tips, all he does he pick up the pizzas and deliver them. If you come in to pick up your pizza, so you don't have to tip, that's pretty lame to me. Someone still worked hard to make you that pizza.

[Ryan Coke]

People work hard doing all sorts of things, but don't get tips. I generally expect people to work hard and do a good job because it is there job. Old fashioned maybe, but I am quite happy to relieve an employee of their demeaning job if they feel that is not enough motivation for them.

Fundamental truth---we can all justify why we deserve more money. Some people justify stealing, others justify tips, others justify pan-handling. I always just tried to work hard, gain more knowledge/experience/education, and get a higher paying job that very few people could do as well, thereby leading to a higher wage. Crazy idea, I know.

[Tron_fdc]

I worked full serve gas stations for about 3 years in high school, and only ONCE did I ever get tipped. I was a hell of a jockey too....I was told that the cost of oil, trans fluid, whatever included the cost for me to put it in so I always did it. I helped change tires, put in any fluids that we sold, changed fuses, even ran cigarettes out to the car if they bought a pack.

The biggest tip I ever got? $2. And that was after I checked EVERY SINGLE fluid level in the car, tire pressures and fuses when some grandma told me she was driving to Vancouver, and if her car broke down it was because I didn't check or add fluids properly.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by bigtmac19

In my son's case, the tip would go to him, because he is by himself, as I mentioned! He has to do everything, make all the food, take all the orders, do the cash, meanwhile while trying to do all the cleaning jobs the boss left for him, plus keep all the toppings stocked up and the pizza sauce made, etc. etc. The driver doesn't share his tips, all he does he pick up the pizzas and deliver them. If you come in to pick up your pizza, so you don't have to tip, that's pretty lame to me. Someone still worked hard to make you that pizza.

and I paid $25-30 for the pizza, take it up with the employer.

[JohnnyB]

I hate tipping. Such an annoying damn system. It's one thing that irks me going back to North America. Tipping culture just bugs me, and I don't find the service any better.

[Ruttiger]

Originally Posted by habernac

and I paid $25-30 for the pizza, take it up with the employer.

x2

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by habernac

and I paid $25-30 for the pizza, take it up with the employer.

Agreed.

[bigtmac19]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

Oh come on man, making Pizza by yourself on a Saturday night is brutal. And hard work! Its not like working a 7-11 graveyard or a video store where you basically take money and smoke weed all night.

The kid is working a hard working job for crap pay, because thats the reality of being a teenager in Calgary and having a job. However, this doesn't mean you need to be arrogant and forget what it was like to be there. A small tip to that kid might mean a hell of a lot.

Thank you.

[Jason14h]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBFUDbOldMs

This should sum it up!