Tips, should I?
Nov 7th 2009, 6:05 am
#121
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Manhattan
Posts: 2,913
Re: Tips, should I?
I would never wait tables or bartend outside of the states. Servers in the UK do not make great money. In NYC waiters and bartenders can do quite well. I make more money than some of my friends doing office work. Put it this way. I can afford a one bedroom on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. I have been in the bar/restaurant business for about 20 years. I pride myself on giving good service and that is refelected in my tips. The owner would not be able to afford to pay me in salary even close to what I make living on tips. When you are a tipped employee you usually work harder to give good service. If you don't then you shouldn't be in the business. I managed a restaurant for a while but then went back to bartending. I work less hours and make more money. I have several regular customers that only come to the abr when I work. My bar is mainly for dining not drinking. Ther customers average about $65 a head or more dining at the bar and have been rated one of the top Italian restauarnts in NYC for food and service.
Nov 7th 2009, 6:07 am
#122
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Manhattan
Posts: 2,913
Re: Tips, should I?
When I was in the UK last year some of the restaurants gavve quite good service and I left the waitstaff quite a nice tip. Even if it's not customary to leave 20% over ther as someone who lives on tips I still do. If the service is not good I won't leave as much but I will still tip.
Nov 8th 2009, 11:09 am
#123
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Oz -> UK -> San Diego
Posts: 9,912
Not doing that every 4 weeks for the, er, roots. 
Had so much blond on my hair it did not take,looks just the same as when I went in 
Nov 9th 2009, 3:09 am
#126
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 145
Re: Tips, should I?
Read through this thread and it's a ******* minefield this tipping lark.
But QQ, when I have my gas pumped (in this part of NJ at least, they seem to do it for you) how much should you tip, generally?
What does everyone else give?
Personally I feel really lazy, because how much effort does it take to get out and do it yourself, especially with pay@pump? Although give me time, I'm sure I'll get used to it, I'll become a never leave the car queen!
But QQ, when I have my gas pumped (in this part of NJ at least, they seem to do it for you) how much should you tip, generally?
What does everyone else give?
Personally I feel really lazy, because how much effort does it take to get out and do it yourself, especially with pay@pump? Although give me time, I'm sure I'll get used to it, I'll become a never leave the car queen!
Nov 9th 2009, 3:12 am
#127
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,099
Re: Tips, should I?
Read through this thread and it's a ******* minefield this tipping lark.
But QQ, when I have my gas pumped (in this part of NJ at least, they seem to do it for you) how much should you tip, generally?
What does everyone else give?
Personally I feel really lazy, because how much effort does it take to get out and do it yourself, especially with pay@pump? Although give me time, I'm sure I'll get used to it, I'll become a never leave the car queen!
But QQ, when I have my gas pumped (in this part of NJ at least, they seem to do it for you) how much should you tip, generally?
What does everyone else give?
Personally I feel really lazy, because how much effort does it take to get out and do it yourself, especially with pay@pump? Although give me time, I'm sure I'll get used to it, I'll become a never leave the car queen!
Nov 9th 2009, 3:16 am
#129
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 145
Re: Tips, should I?
Read through this thread and it's a ******* minefield this tipping lark.
But QQ, when I have my gas pumped (in this part of NJ at least, they seem to do it for you) how much should you tip, generally?
What does everyone else give?
Personally I feel really lazy, because how much effort does it take to get out and do it yourself, especially with pay@pump? Although give me time, I'm sure I'll get used to it, I'll become a never leave the car queen!
But QQ, when I have my gas pumped (in this part of NJ at least, they seem to do it for you) how much should you tip, generally?
What does everyone else give?
Personally I feel really lazy, because how much effort does it take to get out and do it yourself, especially with pay@pump? Although give me time, I'm sure I'll get used to it, I'll become a never leave the car queen!
I'll go wash my mouth out!
Nov 9th 2009, 4:24 am
#130
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 1,455
Re: Tips, should I?
Illegal to pump your own gas in NJ?! Why?? 
Anyway, on the tipping front. If you go to a salon for say a cut and color. Do you tip the stylist and the shampooist (not sure that is even a word!) separately? When I got my hair done in UK a different person always did the shampooing and rinsing of my hair. I never tipped her. I always did the tip at the end when I was paying and it was the stylist taking my money, and that tip was usually £5 when the cut and color cost £66.
I do remember going to a salon in Michigan when I was an exchange student in the 90's and they had a sign saying no tips allowed so you would see people giving their tips by handshake! Was obvious what was happening but you weren't allowed to do it when paying at the end.
Anyway, on the tipping front. If you go to a salon for say a cut and color. Do you tip the stylist and the shampooist (not sure that is even a word!) separately? When I got my hair done in UK a different person always did the shampooing and rinsing of my hair. I never tipped her. I always did the tip at the end when I was paying and it was the stylist taking my money, and that tip was usually £5 when the cut and color cost £66.
I do remember going to a salon in Michigan when I was an exchange student in the 90's and they had a sign saying no tips allowed so you would see people giving their tips by handshake! Was obvious what was happening but you weren't allowed to do it when paying at the end.
Nov 9th 2009, 4:30 am
#131
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,099
Re: Tips, should I?
Illegal to pump your own gas in NJ?! Why??
Anyway, on the tipping front. If you go to a salon for say a cut and color. Do you tip the stylist and the shampooist (not sure that is even a word!) separately? When I got my hair done in UK a different person always did the shampooing and rinsing of my hair. I never tipped her. I always did the tip at the end when I was paying and it was the stylist taking my money, and that tip was usually £5 when the cut and color cost £66.
I do remember going to a salon in Michigan when I was an exchange student in the 90's and they had a sign saying no tips allowed so you would see people giving their tips by handshake! Was obvious what was happening but you weren't allowed to do it when paying at the end.
Anyway, on the tipping front. If you go to a salon for say a cut and color. Do you tip the stylist and the shampooist (not sure that is even a word!) separately? When I got my hair done in UK a different person always did the shampooing and rinsing of my hair. I never tipped her. I always did the tip at the end when I was paying and it was the stylist taking my money, and that tip was usually £5 when the cut and color cost £66.
I do remember going to a salon in Michigan when I was an exchange student in the 90's and they had a sign saying no tips allowed so you would see people giving their tips by handshake! Was obvious what was happening but you weren't allowed to do it when paying at the end.
I remember a few years ago there were rumours about the law being changed...it didn't get much support so it remained. I must say when it's 30 degs below zero F...I'd rather sit in my nice warm car than stand by the gas pump.
