Money Moral Dilemma: Should I tip if other diners don't?

onwards&upwards

mrpunk50 wrote: »

I'm gradually coming around to the idea that tipping is ridiculous.

My wife works in retail for low wages, and nobody tips her. My sister doesn't make much money dealing with the public in an NHS job, and nobody tips her.

Why should we tip waiting staff, when other minimum wage workers work just as hard?

Have to say, i’d be happy to see the back of it. Proper living wage for everybody has to be better.

REJP

Most bar and catering staff are on minimum wage, and tips are important to them. If paid a decent wage then tips might not be important to them. Of course, the cost of eating out could go up if pay went up.
Depends a lot on the country in which you are eating out. I have lived in Russia and Japan, tipping in Japan is seen as an insult. In Russia when I was there the only people who got tips were porters, hairdressers, public toilet cleaners, and in some areas taxi drivers.
In many restaurants and cafes in USA staff rely on tips as the wages are shockingly low compared to here even with our minimum wage. There have been recorded cases of waiters chasing customers down the road if they have not left a tip.
My advice is check local customs and tip if you normally do in UK, but not in countries where it is an insult.
One thing I do object to is the practice in establishments of deliberately putting large jars on a counter half full of change with the notice "Staff Gratuities". And if you visit Cuba, beware of arranged day trips where a meal is part of the trip, you will often find that your party leaves by a narrow exit where a smiling little child holds a box for tips. I once went on a trip to a sugar cane factory by very old steam train and carriages. Every row of seats had a wicker basket nailed on the end with a local currency note pinned to the basket as a very heavy hint!

Takmon

REJP wrote: »

Most bar and catering staff are on minimum wage, and tips are important to them. If paid a decent wage then tips might not be important to them.

Minimum wage is enough for a very low skilled job such as those. They simply have to take an order and carry the food/drinks to the table and take it away when finished. It's a job anyone can do with very brief training.

There are also plenty of other minimum wage jobs that people are in and they never get tips so I don't see how much they earn means they deserve tips.

gloriouslyhappy

I find tipping awkward and embarrassing, how I wish everyone would stop doing it. I went on a dream trip for which I'd saved long and hard but didn't realise I've have to spend a good 10% over expected costs on tipping the coach driver, the coach driver's assistant, the performers at the paid for separately cultural experience etc etc etc. Ate substantially into my spending allowance and left me annoyed and embarrassed. Just wish the stated price is the final price!

hazyjo

onwards&upwards wrote: »

It depends on the group.

If you’ve got a veggie teetotaller and a steak eating wine drinker, one is always going to come out of it a lot better than the other if you split evenly! Groups of friends don’t always earn similar amounts or have the same financial circumstances either.

If you’re lucky and everyone is genuinely able and happy to split, great! Just never ‘take charge of the bill’ and make that assumption unless you’re 100% sure! Could be really awkward!

Do think that's a whole other debate and totally realise not everyone is the same. Only speaking from my own POV as I go out for dinner a lot with different groups of friends. Obviously not right for EVERYONE. As you say, depends on the group. We would always leave a tip though (unless service has been appalling) but again realise not everyone chooses to. Their prerogative, obviously.

I wonder if it makes a difference regionally too...

Saetana

In the UK I always tip in restaurants - unless the service is poor. If your friends are cheapskates that should not stop you leaving a tip. Waiters/waitresses are often on minimum wage, the tips for good service help to keep them off benefits. What kind of people are your friends? Barring poor service, there is no excuse for not leaving a tip. However, beware if you are adding to the tip on top of a card payment - these do not always go to the staff that waited on you - if you are tipping by card then make sure to ask for the company's tipping policy.

JReacher1

A lot of people don’t like to tip. They will claim it is because of some moral objection to tipping but at the end of the day these people are just a bit miserly!

Having someone cook and then serve you food to you is worthy of a small gratuity to show your appreciation.

Marvel1

Saetana wrote: »

In the UK I always tip in restaurants - unless the service is poor. If your friends are cheapskates that should not stop you leaving a tip. Waiters/waitresses are often on minimum wage, the tips for good service help to keep them off benefits. What kind of people are your friends? Barring poor service, there is no excuse for not leaving a tip. However, beware if you are adding to the tip on top of a card payment - these do not always go to the staff that waited on you - if you are tipping by card then make sure to ask for the company's tipping policy.

Do you tip everyone on minimum wage?

Zero_Sum

Saetana wrote: »

In the UK I always tip in restaurants - unless the service is poor. If your friends are cheapskates that should not stop you leaving a tip. Waiters/waitresses are often on minimum wage, the tips for good service help to keep them off benefits. What kind of people are your friends? Barring poor service, there is no excuse for not leaving a tip. However, beware if you are adding to the tip on top of a card payment - these do not always go to the staff that waited on you - if you are tipping by card then make sure to ask for the company's tipping policy.

And what if the person eating out is also on min wage. Theyd be tipping someone who earns more once you add in earned tips.

There isnt no excuse for it. As others have said its a ridiculous concept.
Do you tip the person on the checkout at Tesco?

Sea_Shell

JReacher1 wrote: »

A lot of people don’t like to tip. They will claim it is because of some moral objection to tipping but at the end of the day these people are just a bit miserly!

Having someone cook and then serve you food to you is worthy of a small gratuity to show your appreciation.

I'm sorry, but they are just DOING THEIR JOB!!

Do you tip all the minimum wage employees you come into contact with? I doubt it.

Why are only certain occupations expected to receive tips.