Tipping in NYC

richardw

Mr_Wang wrote: »

So you are suggesting that someone would refuse to do their job properly if I didn't flick them extra cash at will?...

If you are a bar person in a busy Manhattan bar, you are only going to serve the tippers a second drink, it's how you survive economically.

Dirk_Gently_2

Mr_Wang wrote: »

So you are suggesting that someone would refuse to do their job properly if I didn't flick them extra cash at will?

They won't refuse to do their job, but they'll do it grudgingly and without any priority or goodwill, which will make the whole experience less pleasant.

That's not specific to the USA, it's just human nature - no different to the apocryphal stories of dustmen (sorry - refuge operatives!) who get a bit clumsy if they don't get a Christmas tip.

Doshwaster

Nick_C wrote: »

People in service industries in NYC work for minimum wage or less. They need tips to survive.

I don't know about NYC but in Boston the minimum wage for most workers is $8/hr but if you are in a "tipped" job it is only $2.50. You may not approve of that system but that's the way it works. One advantage is that it is much cheaper for bar owners to employ staff so you will find that a bar in the US has many more staff per customer than a pub in the UK.

When it comes to tips I'm a great believer of "when in Rome". When you are in a strange city a friendly bartender can be your best friend so it's always worth keeping them happy.

cashbackproblems

Mr_Wang wrote: »

So you are suggesting that someone would refuse to do their job properly if I didn't flick them extra cash at will?

I'm sorry, but I've spent a lot of time in the States and in regular restaurants and bars the locals only leave a couple of $$, it seems tourists get hung up and start re mortgaging their house in order to go with they believe is the local flow.

I agree! Your buying a round or two of drinks in a busy bar you dont need the barman to be your best friend and having to wait to be served (never had this problem) is hardly going to ruin the experience. I always tip 5-10% for dinner and never for drinks, locals do not do either. Your simply paying for the company to offer poor wages.

claire16c

cashbackproblems wrote: »

I agree! Your buying a round or two of drinks in a busy bar you dont need the barman to be your best friend and having to wait to be served (never had this problem) is hardly going to ruin the experience. I always tip 5-10% for dinner and never for drinks, locals do not do either. Your simply paying for the company to offer poor wages.

Americans most definitely tip in bars!

My husband didn't realise you were supposed to & almost got thrown out of somewhere for not doing it after buying a few rounds.

Expected tip for dinner is 10-15% or more I'd be mortified leaving 5% in the US unless the service was bad.

andygb

Nick_C wrote: »

I assume you never go to the same bar twice?

I have a favourite bar in NY, and I've got to know the staff quite well. They don't like the Brits because we usually don't tip, and if you don't tip then you will find it impossible to get a second drink as you just won't get served!

People in service industries in NYC work for minimum wage or less. They need tips to survive.

That is the job of their employer. We are living in the 21st century, and I refuse to be intimidated into parting with my hard earned cash just because some mean, greedy employer doesn't pay their staff enough wages.

$1 a drink - you must be barmy:rotfl:

Lovelyjoolz

Delree wrote: »

A tip (geddit?) I learned from a local there was to check your bill and see what the sales tax element amounts to and there you have your tip amount.

When I lived in the states we always tipped DOUBLE the tax. And that was in the @rse-end-of-hicksville, Redneck Co.

Most Brits just don't understand the concept. You are not being generous by tipping in the US - it's the accepted norm. Tip-earners would take home barely £13 for an entire 8hr shift if they weren't tipped.

Generally this is how it's viewed:

5 - 10% - an insult. The service was bad and you're showing displeasure
10 - 15% - an OKish tip. Service could have been better
15 - 20% - You're happy, you were well looked after
20%+ - you had the best service ever!

Lovelyjoolz

andygb wrote: »

That is the job of their employer. We are living in the 21st century, and I refuse to be intimidated into parting with my hard earned cash just because some mean, greedy employer doesn't pay their staff enough wages.

$1 a drink - you must be barmy:rotfl:

Not to be insulting, but you sound like a pompous @ss with that post.

Do you often go to a foreign country and insist they change their entire culture just because it doesn't agree with you?

cashbackproblems

Lovelyjoolz wrote: »

When I lived in the states we always tipped DOUBLE the tax. And that was in the @rse-end-of-hicksville, Redneck Co.

Most Brits just don't understand the concept. You are not being generous by tipping in the US - it's the accepted norm. Tip-earners would take home barely £13 for an entire 8hr shift if they weren't tipped.

Generally this is how it's viewed:

5 - 10% - an insult. The service was bad and you're showing displeasure
10 - 15% - an OKish tip. Service could have been better
15 - 20% - You're happy, you were well looked after
20%+ - you had the best service ever!

Isnt that something the government needs to look at to make it fairer for employees or employers need to pay better wages, otherwise it is just another consumer tax and by tipping your are saying that this exploitation is ok. To call it "part of the culture" is stupid

From your rating iv insulted waiters everytime Iv eaten outside! New York is no longer a desirable destination anyway so do not go.

andygb

Lovelyjoolz wrote: »

Not to be insulting, but you sound like a pompous @ss with that post.

Do you often go to a foreign country and insist they change their entire culture just because it doesn't agree with you?

Their culture is not my culture, and there are plenty of people who come to this country and ignore our culture in far worse ways.;)