I always feel like I should wait to tip my "stylist" until I see how the haircut turns out. But I think they might find it odd if I paid, left, & came back the next day to hand them $10.

As for "If you dont like the $2.75 you're making, get a different job" ... waiters in decent restaurants can make $50k per year because of tips. If they do a good job & make people happy. The guy @ Chili's doesn't. But he still makes a decent wage, of course after tips. I personally have no problem with tipping less (down to nearly nothing) if service is crap. And view places with chronically bad service as a cost savings. I will also tip pretty generously if the service is exceptional, paying up to 50% at times (those time being at the lower end restaurants when I spent maybe $15 or something). Actually I wish I could pay my mechanic that way. If, instead of charging $150/hour, they charged $50 & if they actually fixed the problem & didn't break anything else, I would give them a tip.

MaxHedrm

@zrag: No.

If you dont like the $2.75 you're making, get a different job.

holymogwai

I disagree with almost everyone here. I don't do anything for myself if I can help it. I used to. I know how to fix cars, cook, iron a shirt, mow the lawn, etc., but I'm 40 now and all my time goes into three things: running my company, caring for my family, and learning new skills to keep my elderly-self competitive. Anyone who takes a tiny fraction of my salary to make my life easier is a boon to my existence. I tip everyone I can and I tip them well. I also have forgotten how to fear confrontation. If someone gives me poor service; I tell them so, and then I tip them, cause lousy job or not, at least I didn't have to wash those dishes or pour my own coffee.

Paul

@zrag: I have a 8-5 job as an admin. at a large company in Boston.
I havent rec'd a raise and I've worked here for almost two years. We also do not receive any sort of bonus, gift cards, turkeys, holiday lunch, etc.

So, while the trash collector and mailmen (who I've never even seen/met) half-ass do their normal jobs with a salary more than mine and awesome benefits to boot- i just don't see why it's necessary to tip them.

kogeliz

@alexander: Well, the food is 15% cheaper. If you had to pay more wage, the food would likely cost more, or have lower quality.

@Those of you mentioning lower-than-minimum wages: the wages+tips have to add up to the state's minimum wage, or the employer has to make up the difference. So, tipped workers, just as all others, are guaranteed (by the law, at least) minimum wage.

FLEB

Seems to me that those minimum wages for tipped employees do nothing but benefit the employer. If that is the case why isn't the food/service around 15% cheaper than? They are "passing down the savings" after all. That is pure bs. Pay everyone minimum wage or whatever wage above minimum is fair for the skills and leave tips for truly above and beyond service.

alexander

@zrag: Holiday bonus? Where? I don't think I've ever worked at a job that gave one (and yes, I am a professional, and very well paid).

I have worked at jobs that gave bonuses, but they were always tied to performance, generally both for the company as a whole and the individual. My first job actually had bonuses based purely on quarterly outputs (it was a chip fab), which wound up being quite significant.

@TechTalk WRLR 98.3FM: And yes, I would make a case that a sales rep should not get a commission. My previous (Fortune 500 level) employer had year-to-year profits that were up by roughly 35% for our division, and the company as a whole was very profitable. We got zero bonuses though because sales weren't up to expectations. Want to bet the salespeople still got their commissions though?

I tip at restaurants, but I won't be tipping any of the garbagemen, newspaper delivery, etc. Certainly not our mail carrier -- he regularly leaves boxes sitting next to our mailbox rather than getting out of his truck and walking the 20' to our porch. Makes me pine for our old mailman...

Zathrus

Too many times I experience waitrons fishing for tips at the end of the meal by getting all chummy and helpful. I don't like it when I see it.

If resturants paid better wages it would probably raise the cost of a pizza by a buck or so.

You know it's a broken system when:
-resturant discount cards say that you should tip according to the full price, not the discount price.
-the invisible newspaper delivery person gives you a Christmas card with her home address.
-NYT prints articles explaining tip expectations.

aeronaut

Oops, I didn't post the correct link, sorry! And I have to support Techtalk when he states the disparity between salaried employees and service employees. Tips were "invented" to narrow this gap and to recognize that not all jobs are compensated equally. [www.mahalo.com]

tc2633

minimum wage for non-tipped employees: ~$7
minimum wage for tipped employees: $~2.75

depends on the state, and is changing, however keep that in mind when you say 'you got paid for your job.'

Part of what keeps the cost of services what they are is that many people are willing to work for very little 'guaranteed pay' if they feel that through personal initiative and hard work they will be rewarded by the people who have the most direct experience with them; you, the customer.

This is similar to a sales position - would any of you try to make the case that a sales rep should not get a commission?

TechTalk WRLR 98.3FM

For you stingy individuals that claim "you dont deserve a tip because thats your job" think again. How many of us have worked as waiters, waitresses, hair stylists, delivery guys, etc.? A lot. How many of you got xmas bonuses while working in these positions? probably 0. Why do you deserve your holiday bonus at your current job? You got paid all year to do it. why should you get extra? Maybe you shouldn't, but thats what this time of the year is about. Lighten up, an throw a few bucks to those people that help you out all year, the same way your boss throws you a few extra bucks for helping him out all year.

zrag

However, tips are a throwback to the age of class divisions, and do nothing to further an egalitarian society.

Logical Extremes

@waffles: Because thats how it "started", and now it has been turned into a supplemental wage.

Plus, you should do your job at 100% everytime, and if you get a bonus, then great, if not, well it shouldnt matter. I dont get bonuses for doing MY work, I have the comfort of knowing I still will get my paychec.

holymogwai

I recently wrote an article for Mahalo that outlined holiday tipping. I found some helpful guidelines from Emily Post, but also a comment from her grandson stating that the most important thing was to do what you could to acknowledge exceptional service, even if that doesn't mean a cash tip. And customs really vary throughout the country. Here is the link: [guides.mahalo.com]
I hope it's helpful!

tc2633

There are a lot of Scrooges out there.

Keep in mind that in the US at least, some categories of workers are legally allowed to be paid much less (much less at times even than minimum wage) because it is assumed that tips will compensate the difference.

I find the whole concept of tips to be repugnant (yes, just structure wages properly), but until laws are changed, I'll continue to tip for restaurant service (unless it's poor).

I do also tip for housecleaning, hair care, and a few other typical services where tips are expected (but find the whole process awkward). But it is only money after all, not my flesh, and a lot of folks need it more than I do. I'm happy to share, as long as the service provider has put in an honest effort.

Logical Extremes

@holymogwai: If it's like that, then why didn't I get my tip from being a waiter before they ordered? I could have had some people be a lot happier if they'd given me a big tip and I split it with the cooks.

waffles

Heehee (or should that be ho ho).

I was inclined to write: "you crazy americans and your tipping..." but it seems you don't love it quite so much as it appears. Bravo.

Now, if we can just get rid of the 'optional gratuity added to bill' beaten here in the UK we'll be set.

daintree

@holymogwai:

Nope, here we go again: Etymology of Tip at Snopes.

Deprong Mori

What I have observed about tipping is that really good tips hardly ever lead to better service the next time, but bad tipping does seem to lead to bad service. What gives? Oh well. Everything would be so much better if everyone did the job they are paid for and leave tipping for the truly extraordinary situations that deserve it. I read a story somewhere about a restaurant that discouraged tipping. They had signs stating their staff got paid properly and tipping was not necessary. I wonder where I read that story?

alexander

I'm not sure how it started, but I can tell you for sure that food servers make less than minimum wage because tipping is expected for them, and somehow the government decided that they could make back the difference with tips.

I'll bet it had something to do with people randomly starting to tip by themselves, and a restaurant owner figured that since the servers were getting extra money he could reduce their pay. But that's a theory based on almost nothing.

Anyway, I'm not going to tip someone just because they're doing their job, with the exception of food servers in a sit down and bring me my food restaurant.

The newspaper guy at my parents house can't even keep the paper in the same general area in the yard.

The garbage and recycling guys leave trash on the ground that fell out of the can while they were putting it in the truck.

As for a housekeeper or child care person, I'm going to be paying them well enough throughout the rest of the year and let them eat my food. Isn't that enough?

waffles

I agree that you should generally only tip for service that is above and beyond the norm. However, what do you do if you aren't actually there to observe the service you are getting? My mail is my box every night when I get home, so my mailman is doing his job. Whether he is busting his hump or taking his sweet time every day, I'll never know.

eeefresh

@alexander:
TIP = "To Insure Promptness"

It was back in the good old days, when you would slip a waiter some extra cash to keep drinks flowing and whatnot.

holymogwai

What is the story behind tipping waiters/waitresses? When did that get started? It is something that has always irked me. I'm already paying high markups for food and drink, and now I have to leave an extra 15% just because? I have heard that food servers get paid less than minimum wage and that is why they rely on tips. Why don't they get at least minimum wage then? If that was the case I'd expect the food to be cheaper. In all my life I've had so few food servers that actually deserved any sort of tip.

alexander

I am pleasantly surprised that so many apparently American posters here are in agreement over the tipping thing, as usually when in the States I find my opinion on tipping differs from everyone else's. The English (of which I am one) apparently have a rotten reputation overseas for tipping (among many other things) and I often over tip when in the US because of it, just to keep my US friends who are with me happy. It's ridiculous.

I hate the whole concept of it - I am already paying for something, so why do I need to pay more? I want to know who it is that decides who gets tipped! We're supposed to tip a bar tender, however while a McDonalds or BK employee who performs much the same service gets no tip. Then there are the convenience stores with a jar for tips on the counter - What is that for?! I'm the one who walked in, I'm the one paying, I have to walk to the counter and all the person who works behind it has to do is pocket the money - Why tip? Even in restaurants, the servers are paid to take my order and ferry food about. If they do what their job description can be reasonably expected to imply, then apparently I am still supposed to leave a tip, just because they get a poor basic salary.

In the end, I've heard all the guff about needing tips to make a decent living etc. Well, tough. Nobody tips me, and huge swathes of society have to go through life working for a basic salary which may not be particularly good, but they don't then blame other people for that situation. I've had bartenders actually tell me off for not tipping... If someone really looks after me at a restaurant etc. then I have no problem at all leaving a tip, but beyond that I just feel like a fool.

The miserable, messy, lazy arse slackers who are paid to take my rubbish away never have the decency to even shut my gate or pick up anything they drop on the street. I've actually seen them ignoring piles of rubbish bags, so why on earth am I supposed to give them a fiver or a tenner just because it is the cultural norm? The last time I said hello to one of them he grunted and scurried away so I'm not about to say Thank You for that....

I think Feba has hit the nail on the head here. It's just a gift for doing your job and one that I don't really want to have to give. I am even less inclined to give it should I feel like I am being bullied into it.

Sincerely

Scrooge

Helius

I hate to say I've become a humbug, but I explicitly avoid some activities during this month to avoid tipping people I don't even know.

If and when I actually have the same person cut my hair all year, I'll consider a bigger tip. But I'm not tipping an accidental stylist just because it's December.

dagwud

I tip bartenders, waitstaff, and cocktail waitresses a little more during the holiday seasons (in principle, I'm a generous tipper to anyone who serves me alcohol to begin with). They have to deal with too many amateurs during this time of year.

Deprong Mori

I live in NYC, and I only tip my housekeeper, and I also tip my hairstylist and colorist extra. I deliberately choose those individuals and I think they are amazing, and I want to do something extra for them at the holidays. I tip restaurant workers the same as I always do, which can be nothing if service is crappy enough. If I lived in a full-service building, I might tip a doorman or a super if I thought he was truly exceptional, but I refuse to be blackmailed into tipping just so people will be willing to do their job properly for me.

I teach music lessons and although some people do give me gifts or an extra lessons' pay, I certainly do not expect it and would not alter the quality of my teaching based on tips and gifts. I give above and beyond to those who practice enough to truly benefit from it, and gifts and tips don't enter into my thought process. If I think I need to be paid more, I raise my rates.

nyc_live

I have a Norman Rockwell mailman who I would like to tip but I'm not sure how. If I leave a card in the mailbox, what if another mailman is working that day? What's the procedure?

Myron

It's appropriate to tip when the person goes and above and beyond in their job, or in a formal-restaurant-type situation where there's a cultural norm to give a tip (at least in the USA). But I'm generally not going to give it to normal service providers who don't distinguish themselves.

Erwos

Have to agree. Anyone who expects customers to give them gifts just for doing their job is full of themselves. The fact that people tip not because they actually think it's a good thing to do, but because they're afraid of poor service if they don't, is a good example of how the system fails.

And before someone plays the "but I don't make enough money" card, either tell your employer to pay you fairly, or get a better job. That simple. The customer is there for a good/service, not to pay for you. If the prices aren't high enough for you to survive without threatening your customers, raise them.

Feba

Okay, color me naive, but do people (outside of the all-important New York City) really do this? I get a paper three times a week, and I'm supposed to tip the guy twenty bucks? I think I pay less than $100 for a year's worth of papers and he gets $20?

edosan

Here's a tip. "You got paid for your job. Move along."

Now, if you go above and beyond your normal job duties, I'll throw something your way. But I'm not going to tip you for pouring hot water through ground coffee beans.

holymogwai

And to dispel any ongoing urban legends, tips does not stand for "to insure prompt service". See Snopes for more details. A tip is a gratuity.

Deprong Mori

WTF? $25 for the guy that takes my trash? He was chosen by the city and I have no choice in the matter. On top of that, I never see him and my trash can is never where I left it on even the calmest, non-windy days. Who makes up these lists? I'll tip my hotel housekeeper who fits the same circumstance - I never chose him/her and I never see him/her but that's because I want clean towels and coffee. But the trash guy? I don't think so....

naptownman

what about my dog walker? she has cleaned after him the few times he couldn't wait for her. i've only had her for about 4 months. i just want to be thankful since it seems she really takes care of the dog. i was thinking 50 bucks cash, but lately have been thinking of a 50 dollar gift certificate to a local restaurant or a book store.

migrod

@kaobear: That's another of my tipping rules: no matter how cheap the meal, I never tip less than the price of a beer. A waiter ought to at least be able to buy a beer after waiting on me. Even if all he did was bring me a beer.

Paul

My pops waited tables in NYC Chinatown making nothing but tips...Unless there was a big banquet (wedding, company event, etc.), he'd bring home $20/day in a 12 hr shift. 15% tip is the suggested minimum standard, but even that is too little when meals for two in Chinatown can be had for less than $10!

kaobear

This whole tipping thing is just silly. Do I tip in restaurants? Almost all the time, unless the service is so bad I just want to get up and do it myself. My typical tip for a restaurant starts at 15-20% and goes up or down depending on how the service is. Exceptional service gets 25-30%, poor gets about 10%, really bad gets $0.05, just to make the point. I've only ever had to leave a nickel 2 or 3 times in my life though (I'm 35).

Tip the garbage man? I already did. I paid my taxes, and he's been getting paid all year long. Tip the mailman? I live 5 blocks from the post office, and don't get my mail until 4pm. I also get the plastic bag full of "sorry we ate your mail" scraps of paper about 4-5 times a year.

A few years ago, after I got married that my wife's younger brother (half-bro, really - her mom re-married and converted to Judaism) who worked at the JCC camp got tips for doing his job as a camp counselor. On top of already getting paid. Not sure if that's a cultural difference (Jewish vs. Christian) thing, or a time thing (88-93 era vs current day). During my teen years & early 20s, I worked many times as a camp counselor. Did I ever once get a tip? Heck no. Was I mad that I didn't? No way. I was there getting paid to do a job.

Entitlement sucks.

Floobtronics

I tip my mail carrier (who always puts a stamp on my mail when I forget) or my barber (who knows my head better than me ans who's work I trust... I don't even check it in the mirror when she is done). I always tip them in person to make sure the correct person receives it.

I don't tip the garbage collectors who leave a mess, the meter reader, or the plumber.

When I do tip, I give a gift certificate to a business in which I own stock.

The Consultant

@TechTalk WRLR 98.3FM: Not entirely true - the way it works is that minimum wage is something like $2.75, if tips will bring it over the actual minimum wage of $7. If tips don't bring it over the real minimum wage, the employer is supposed to pick up the difference. If that doesn't happen, something's wrong with your work situation, and there's probably some kind of labor shenanigans going on.

I've had both my brother and friends get chased by angry waiters because they gave them a bad tip(but STILL gave a tip nonetheless) for godawful service, with one guy making death threats through a car window. This probably explains why I hate the tip system.

I'm happy to live in Taipei, where they follow Asian standard and there's no such thing as tips*; you either don't pay a tip, or you're automatically charged 10%, usually in nicer sit-down restaurants. And you know what? Service is excellent, and bad service is rare. No calculations, no wacky table to refer to. If service is bad, you let them know and they actually do something about it.

*Exception: places like Starbucks have tip jars, because they brought that over. I still think coffee house tip jars are WHOLLY unnecessary, especially since they should be paid more because their coffee is ridiculously expensive, especially considering it's ground beans + hot water + hodge podge. I shouldn't have to give tips to ensure there's no spit in my coffee; it's their job, and I don't mean any disrespect by that. I can see the tip jar being nice for above/beyond service, but in a coffee shop? Buh?

Chef

So many people consider a 10% or 15% tip an insult, but as a graduate student with a family I think it's generous. I avoid insulting people by never eating in restaurants where tips are expected.

QuinnTheEskimo

Damn!! I sure glad to learn that I'm not the only one who thinks all these people with their hands held out for tips for doing their jobs has gotten ridiculous!

Seems every where I go, there's a tip jar!!

Starbucks?? Not a chance! Mechanic?? Yea, right.. I'm gonna pay a gratuity for getting screwed?

McD's(!?!?) are you freakin' kiddin' me!! I'm supposed to tip the person who's serving me my cold fries and luke warm burger and an empty cup for syrup water?! Give me a break!

Our condo association hires someone to take the garbage to the dumpster, twice a week. He gets paid a salary and the condo assoc. even gives him an Xmas bonus, but I'm supposed to tip him!?!... for doing a job he is paid to do??

I don't think so...

lunaticprophet