Tipping in NYC

Mr_Wang

NiftyDigits wrote: »

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

It's actually a funny thing, in Third World countries you are advised not to give to the poor directly, but rather donate to a charity which spreads the help. I recently rounded up the fare for a taxi driver in the Philippines and he shot off to a private place in excitement.

Yet.... Go to the worlds richest country and you should shell out $$$ to someone for doing their job - Or they might serve you somewhat slower.
Maybe it's just me (and it probably is) but if someone decides to be a !!!!!! and serve me last/slowly - I'll just go somewhere else - Just like in the UK.

Coraline

Lovelyjoolz is right and summed it up eloquently.

The bottom line is you're going to travel somewhere, do as the locals do. There's usually a good reason they're doing it.

This has nothing to do with comparisons to what you think about one country vs. another's about their wealth. It has to with custom and what's expected, and in the States this is the way it is.

If you don't like the unwritten rules, don't go there. It's kind of the similar argument you hear in most countries "If you don't like it here then go home."

It goes both ways.

(And pay the bloody tip!)

zagfles

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.

Yes, I've always tipped but the $1 per beer is a ridiculously high tip - in a busy bar they might serve 50 beers or more per hour - who is worth $50/hour in tips? I tend to leave a couple of $ for a few rounds.

andygb

KarenG wrote: »

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

I was accused of stealing - how do you expect me to react?:D

Maybe you should have read his post before posting yourself?

Coraline

zagfles wrote: »

Yes, I've always tipped but the $1 per beer is a ridiculously high tip - in a busy bar they might serve 50 beers or more per hour - who is worth $50/hour in tips? I tend to leave a couple of $ for a few rounds.

You don't need or have to tip $1 per beer, unless you're only having one. You do exactly what you're doing, tip a buck for a round. Average about 25 cents per tip.

I used to bartend in that city--some bartenders are spoiled in the "right" sort of places, but that sort of money is not expected. Unless you're at the Waldorf!

andygb

NiftyDigits wrote: »

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

Exactly, except that the US tout themselves as being the WORLD'S leading economy.

Very strange that I cannot ever remember getting a tip for doing my job well, and looking after clients.
Then again, I suppose that is because my employers always played by the rules.
They played by the rules because the government would have taken them to court if they hadn't, which makes me wonder if the US government is corrupt?
That is a whole different thread though, so as I will not be visiting the US, I really do not care what people decide to give in tips.

cashbackproblems

Exactly...I am happy to and do tip when visiting places like India, Thailand, Africa etc, however not someone like US where they need tips for the Iphone 5s. You are better off giving that money to charity, one dollar here and there to anyone who breathes in your direction, adds up

Delree

We'll I stand by my tipping a buck a beer as when I do I never seem to have to wait more than a few milliseconds before my glass is refilled.

For the record I do believe miserly tipping isn't money saving it's miserly. You don't have to tip to my standard but I think it's fair that you play the game.

NiftyDigits

I am going to NY and needless to say i will be roundly ignoring the advice from the likes of Lovelyjoolz and Coraline.

Information is good. Their pontificating is bad.

NiftyDigits

Delree wrote: »

We'll I stand by my tipping a buck a beer as when I do I never seem to have to wait more than a few milliseconds before my glass is refilled.

For the record I do believe miserly tipping isn't money saving it's miserly. You don't have to tip to my standard but I think it's fair that you play the game.

Who cares what you think? It is our money and we decide. Perhaps you should drink less.