Real life MMD: Should I tip when using daily deals vouchers?

duchy · 29 June 2012 at 9:52AM

Certain professions have an assumption that workers will be tipped and their basic wage reflect this -other professions don't. Most people entering a profession are aware if they are entering a tipping or non tipping career-often though appreciation is shown by service users in other ways. Someone mentioned nursery nursing-I've never tipped nursery staff with cash but I've given appropriate gifts of vouchers etc at Christmas -which in effect is an acknowledgement and reward of good service so is in fact a tip too.

I've worked in both -and there have been times my tips vastly outweighed my basic wage because I am capable of giving exceptional service and on the whole most customers express appreciation with a tip-however the job I do now I'm paid a wage and there is no tipping culture. I still do my best to go above and beyond but I think it means I can see both sides.

In all honesty most people given exceptional service who don't tip and in general are ungracious and miserable in their general attitude anyway-and I have little doubt that extends to other parts of their lives too.

Surreystarlet · 29 June 2012 at 10:27PM

On a more practical level, I was bought a gift voucher for a manicure last year. I had never had one before and on arriving at the salon was asked to take a seat. Before the manicurist started on my nails she suggested that I paid now as obviously my nails would be wet and I would scuff them getting my purse out later. I said I had a gift voucher which she said was perfectly fine and I handed it over.

Therein lies the dilemma! Was I a tight-!!!! for not tipping? But tipping for a service I had yet to receive seems wrong as well!

boldasbrass · 2 July 2012 at 10:31AM

Isn't the culture of tipping a form of tax evasion really? I mean, what's the difference between receiving half your income in tips and receiving cash-in-hand for work done for a mate?

In many businesses, staff are forbidden to receive any form of 'incentive', and politicians who do so are seen as corrupt. So why is it acceptable for taxi drivers and hairdressers?
What a mixed-up, contrary society we live in!!

Getting back to the question, maybe those who insist a tip is necessary feel some guilt about having someone perform these tasks for them?

Ashagill · 5 July 2012 at 12:44AM

Yeah, when my partner and I go out to dinner, I almost always have a discount card/voucher and we always tip a percentage of the original bill price. But I think it might have something to do with the fact that he works as a waiter, and I work in a bar at a theatre and I rarely get tipped, so really appreciate it.

Having said that if we get a really terrible waiter, customer service wise we don't tip, or tip like 20p.
However, I can't imagine ever tipping anyone for a massage - but then i've never had one. I also don't tip taxi drivers unless they've done something extra nice like wait or have to go back for something, or just been cheerful.

I don't know. Perhaps the Japanese have it right. Just don't tip full stop. Gets rid of all this uncertainty.

duchy · 5 July 2012 at 1:03AM

boldasbrass wrote: »

Isn't the culture of tipping a form of tax evasion really? I mean, what's the difference between receiving half your income in tips and receiving cash-in-hand for work done for a mate?

?

The difference is that employees in jobs where tips are customary have their tax returns assessed with an assumption they will havee been tipped. A London cab driver for example who submitted a tax return claiming they'd received no tips wouldn't be believed and would have their calculations reassessed.

So completely different to Joe Bloggs doing a bit of decorating and getting paid cash in hand.

dachse · 6 July 2012 at 10:41PM

Ashagill wrote: »

I don't know. Perhaps the Japanese have it right. Just don't tip full stop. Gets rid of all this uncertainty.

Yes 100% agree.:beer:

janiebquick · 22 August 2012 at 3:24PM

Yes, you should.

Real life MMD: Should I tip when using daily deals vouchers?

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