When to tip?
#46
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,124
Re: When to tip?
That is going to take some serious organising then - I am used to using no cash in my daily life and having to think ahead, pop to an ATM before going out, just for the tip is going to be a hard habit to get into!
I am so glad I read this thread - no idea at all! I hate the idea of inadvertantly offending waiting staff, or anyone else - so this is a great reminder.
I am so glad I read this thread - no idea at all! I hate the idea of inadvertantly offending waiting staff, or anyone else - so this is a great reminder.
#48
Re: When to tip?
Montreal Mike - Apparently! But I am one of those people who finds that money burns a hole in my pocket, so it has to be spent! The other day, quite out of the blue, OH was scouting around to find the $2.50 our son needed for school, thought to look in my purse - to find $19 in notes and change! Well we were both shocked and stunned - who trusted me with that money, and how did it stay in there? Brain like a goldfish clearly.
#49
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,124
Re: When to tip?
Montreal Mike - Apparently! But I am one of those people who finds that money burns a hole in my pocket, so it has to be spent! The other day, quite out of the blue, OH was scouting around to find the $2.50 our son needed for school, thought to look in my purse - to find $19 in notes and change! Well we were both shocked and stunned - who trusted me with that money, and how did it stay in there? Brain like a goldfish clearly.
Many years ago I returned from the UK and had a few half crowns left over. No problem because I would keep them for my next trip. Eventally I returned and went to a Chinese restaurant in Soho, Lee Ho Fook (is it still there?). Upon leaving I got some of those coins out and they became part of the tip. The waiter looked astonished and said NO GOOD. Only then did I discover these coins were no longer legal tender although surprisingly the two shilling coin was still being used. The UK had converted its currency to decimals.
One of life's embarrasing moments!
#50
Banned
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: Beautiful BC
Posts: 1,106
Re: When to tip?
Just a thought. At least here one has the ability to tip, not to tip, tip a little, tip a lot, be generous, be miserly, whatever.
In some European countries the tip (aka as pourboir in France) is added to the bill. I find that presumptious.
The waiter has no incentive to provide good service. Reminds me of Paris 1968, somewhere near the Arc de Triomphe, slow and mediocre service but the food was OK (nothing beats French cuisine), but the bloody pourboir was added to the bill. We paid, had no choice, but on the way out I told the garcon he was lucky to be a frenchman as he really didn't deserve it.
We never went back!
In some European countries the tip (aka as pourboir in France) is added to the bill. I find that presumptious.
The waiter has no incentive to provide good service. Reminds me of Paris 1968, somewhere near the Arc de Triomphe, slow and mediocre service but the food was OK (nothing beats French cuisine), but the bloody pourboir was added to the bill. We paid, had no choice, but on the way out I told the garcon he was lucky to be a frenchman as he really didn't deserve it.
We never went back!
I am a regular tipper, usually 15 - 20% unless service is bad. However, this discussion has come up in our local newspapers lately, and many argue that tipping should not be expected or required, because many of the people we tip actually earn as much, if not more, than the customers. I know that is true of my hairdresser!! And that the server/whoever who chose to take a low-paying job shouldn't expect the customer to subsidize. Any thoughts on this viewpoint? I'm kind of split because I always tip the kids who work at restaurants and not just the servers but the bus-boys as well. But many people work for minimum wage in other industries that don't get tips.
#53
Re: When to tip?
i think that if they add the tip they have to tell you (usually a note on the menu) that an "optional" amount will be added to the bill. since this is optional, surely you have a right as a customer to not pay that amount in the end if you don't agree with either the policy or have not had the service to deserve the reward?
it probably comes down to apathy (can't be bothered to work out the bill without the tip and then work out what tip to give) or people just not noticing their bill is inflated
#54
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,715
Re: When to tip?
When I waited tables I didn't choose a low-paying job. I chose the job because I knew it was a job that I could make a lot of money in as little time as possible. Most people who wait tables would likely say the same.
I worked in the right types of places, on the right types of shifts, was very good at it and I made buckets of money.
If customers stop subsidizing labour costs, they should expect the prices on the menu to rise.
Different industries, different rules.
#55
Re: When to tip?
Personally I would much prefer it if restaurants put their prices up and abolished the 'tip' altogether.
I rarely used to tip in England and when I did it was only a few pound coins no matter how much the bill was.
I have started to tip 15% since arriving in Canada as generally speaking the service has been excellent, what I object to though is tipping bar men. I just cannot for the life of me get my head around that idea what so ever? Why? All they do is pull a pint for Gods sake and even then they only fill the glass 3/4 why do I need to leave a tip?
I rarely used to tip in England and when I did it was only a few pound coins no matter how much the bill was.
I have started to tip 15% since arriving in Canada as generally speaking the service has been excellent, what I object to though is tipping bar men. I just cannot for the life of me get my head around that idea what so ever? Why? All they do is pull a pint for Gods sake and even then they only fill the glass 3/4 why do I need to leave a tip?
#56
Re: When to tip?
Thats odd.. I never tipped bar men/women unless they brought the drinks to our table... if I was at the bar getting the drinks, I'd just pay whatever amount for the drinks plus tax & thats it. And I'm half Canadian!
Do you go to really posh bars or something?
Do you go to really posh bars or something?
#57
Re: When to tip?
Whilst I don't mind tipping, I find the actual placing of cash in hand very embarrassing and couldn't ever do it your way.
Highest on the embarrassment scale for me is doormen getting cabs, they're almost always seniors and I just feel like a patronising little git giving them a few dollars. If I could do that "anonymously" too then I would.
Highest on the embarrassment scale for me is doormen getting cabs, they're almost always seniors and I just feel like a patronising little git giving them a few dollars. If I could do that "anonymously" too then I would.
#58
Re: When to tip?
The waiter thought we were Americans anyway so its just as well we didn't leave extra.
#59
Re: When to tip?
When I waited tables I didn't choose a low-paying job. I chose the job because I knew it was a job that I could make a lot of money in as little time as possible. Most people who wait tables would likely say the same.
I worked in the right types of places, on the right types of shifts, was very good at it and I made buckets of money.
I worked in the right types of places, on the right types of shifts, was very good at it and I made buckets of money.
The implication being that if people dont tip, or tip below a certain level, the server not only doesnt get the tip, they lose money as they have to pay the tax on the income they didnt get too.
#60
Re: When to tip?
Just curious about the tax thing. It was my understanding that the CRA automatically assume a certain income from tipping anyway. Is this true?
The implication being that if people dont tip, or tip below a certain level, the server not only doesnt get the tip, they lose money as they have to pay the tax on the income they didnt get too.
The implication being that if people dont tip, or tip below a certain level, the server not only doesnt get the tip, they lose money as they have to pay the tax on the income they didnt get too.