Tipping in NYC

andygb

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!

Minimum wage in the US is $7.25 per hour

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/09/how-americas-minimum-wage-em-really-em-stacks-up-globally/279258/

By applying your quite franky ridiculous tipping scale you are helping the employers find an excuse to break the law.

You do realise that you are on a MONEY SAVING FORUM I suppose?:rotfl:

richardw

andygb wrote: »

..$1 a drink - you must be barmy..

How many times have you had a drink in a Manhattan bar?

Doshwaster

andygb wrote: »

Minimum wage in the US is $7.25 per hour

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/09/how-americas-minimum-wage-em-really-em-stacks-up-globally/279258/

By applying your quite franky ridiculous tipping scale you are helping the employers find an excuse to break the law.

You do realise that you are on a MONEY SAVING FORUM I suppose?:rotfl:

Actually, the $7.25 is the federal minimum but a minimum wage is also set by each State and there is often a lower level for tipped workers and other exemptions. Employers aren't "breaking the law".

Here's the official rates:
http://www.dol.gov/whd/state/tipped.htm

Lovelyjoolz

andygb wrote: »

Minimum wage in the US is $7.25 per hour

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/09/how-americas-minimum-wage-em-really-em-stacks-up-globally/279258/

By applying your quite franky ridiculous tipping scale you are helping the employers find an excuse to break the law.

You do realise that you are on a MONEY SAVING FORUM I suppose?:rotfl:

You are not looking at the correct minimum wage figure. Minimum wage for tip-earners is $2.13. Which is £1.36 per hour.

http://www.dol.gov/elaws/faq/esa/flsa/002.htm

Yes, the balance should be made up by the employer if the amount of tips earned doesn't bring them up to minimum wage, but I expect that some employers don't do that.

Those tipping levels I quoted are pretty standard across the US. Whether you feel its ridiculous or not, that's how the natives tip. Choose to go lower if you like, but don't be surprised if on your second visit your server isn't as attentive. It's really no wonder they think us Brits are mean!

Frankly, considering how hard service staff in the US work to make your visit enjoyable I'd rather tip generously than leave knowing that someone who looked after me so well takes home so little.

To pass it off as moneysaving to be a miserly tipper is disingenuous. You are cheating someone out of their wages. Or stealing, if you look at it in an extreme light. It's not the wait-staff's fault that the system is so screwed up. They rarely have little choice but to work in that industry and despite the poor pay, they still do a far better job than anyone working in McD's over here.

And you can be as pompous as you like saying " it's their culture, not mine" and "the government should fix it" but at the end of the day, that's the way it has been for years in the US and, until it changes, I will continue to tip so that people who serve me get a decent amount of reward out of it.

Lovelyjoolz

cashbackproblems wrote: »

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

Stupid or not I cannot, with clear conscience, leave a restaurant/diner/bar/whatever where the wait staff have worked hard to make the experience enjoyable for me without leaving a tip that gives them at least a reasonable take-home pay. Most servers work their butts off to make you happy. They deserve a fair pay for that.

cashbackproblems wrote: »

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

It's not "my" rating. Its the rating most natives use. And yes, you have been a crappy tipper if you're only leaving 5-10%. And that's absolutely your choice. But I'm not that mean.

andygb

Lovelyjoolz wrote: »

To pass it off as moneysaving to be a miserly tipper is disingenuous. You are cheating someone out of their wages. Or stealing, if you look at it in an extreme light.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
You have set a new standard for stupidity on these forums.

NiftyDigits

How annoying. People with their hands outstretched everywhere that you go. Sounds like a third world country.

KarenG

andygb wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:
You have set a new standard for stupidity on these forums.

Money saving is not an excuse for being tight. What a very rude and incorrect statement you have made.

moaninggit

How much is a pint?

Doshwaster

moaninggit wrote: »

How much is a pint?

Varies a lot between backstreet dive bars and upmarket hotels. Expect what you'd pay in London and you won't be shocked. Plus tip of course

Also, unless you go to an Irish bar or brewpub you are unlikely to get a British "pint" as most beer in the US is served in 16 oz glasses which are 473 ml in size compared to 568 ml in the UK.