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Why Do We Suckers Tip?
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| 27 September 2003
| Dick Gaines
Posted on 09/28/2003 4:51:27 AM PDT by gunnyg
click here to read article
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Have at it!
1
posted on
09/28/2003 4:51:28 AM PDT
by
gunnyg
To: gunnyg
Well, Mr. Gaines, except for the fact that the "to insure promptness" business has absolutely no basis in etymological fact, therefore rendering your premise moot, it was a great article.
2
posted on
09/28/2003 4:54:32 AM PDT
by
Xenalyte
(I may not agree with your bumper sticker, but I'll defend to the death your right to stick it)
To: gunnyg
It is indeed true that waitstaff are paid below the federal minimum wage. The federal government is totally aware. The IRS assumes that waiters combine their tips with their hourly $2.01 (which it was when I was a waitron) to receive the minimum wage each hour. Furthermore, the IRS assumes that your tips and your hourly rate ALWAYS match or exceed the minimum wage.
3
posted on
09/28/2003 4:57:05 AM PDT
by
Xenalyte
(I may not agree with your bumper sticker, but I'll defend to the death your right to stick it)
To: gunnyg
If you are a cheap, ego-centric bas*ard (libertarian??) you should only dine at places where tipping is not traditional. Certain caferterias, buffets and the like.
Go to McDonald's, Wendy's, Checkers drive through. If you don't tip there you won't get angry scowels.
4
posted on
09/28/2003 5:01:27 AM PDT
by
dennisw
(G_d is at war with Amalek for all generations)
To: gunnyg
I tip good service 20-30%. I tip nothing for lousy service. It is my suggestion that the incompetent/disgruntled waiter/waitress find other employment.
Before I'm flamed regarding the latter, I worked my way through undergrad as a waiter. I know when to pin the blame on the waiter or waitress for lousy service as opposed to the kitchen.
5
posted on
09/28/2003 5:09:03 AM PDT
by
Young Rhino
(Do the French know the meaning of the words soap, water, and deodorant?)
To: dennisw
Dear Dennisw:
The only part of your predictable response I do not understand is your use of the word "if."
6
posted on
09/28/2003 5:09:40 AM PDT
by
gunnyg
To: Xenalyte
There is no tipping in Japan and most of Asia except in the most unsual circumstances (i.e., your kid ralphs in the back of a taxicab).
I worked on the Ginza for five years, then the most expensive real estate in the world. During our 45 minute lunch, I could walk to any number of places and have a decent sit-down served meal for 1,000 yen ($7.50) or less. One restaurant watron lived in the same neighborhood as did I.
Compare the cost of a similar meal in Manhattan where the watron expects a tip exceeding 15% and either comutes in from Jersey or lives in broom closet tenement locally. Something, indeed, is very screwed up about our society.
To: gunnyg
As an ex-cabdriver, I tip. If I cant afford the cost plus tip, I order something cheaper. I also believe in tipping after service is rendered. I can then tip appropriately. I dont base my tip on a percentage of the bill that would be meaningless. I tip based on what the service was worth to me. If in a restaurant or bar and I receive great service I tip an amount equal to what I would charge to carry the food or drinks to a stranger. If the service was mediocre, it would be less. If the service was bad or the person was impolite I generally leave two pennies the traditional way to say that your service was worth two cents, and no more. That way the message is clear, and the tip is not construed to indicate that Im just cheap.
8
posted on
09/28/2003 5:14:17 AM PDT
by
R. Scott
To: Young Rhino
Each of my three sons has gone the busboy/server/bartender route in their growing-up years, and they would agree, wholeheartedly, with your approach.
9
posted on
09/28/2003 5:16:01 AM PDT
by
leadpenny
To: gunnyg
Why do we tip? So we can go to the same place twice and be assured that nothing bad is going to happen to our food before it gets to us. Well, so we can be a little more assured that nothing bad will happen to our food before it gets to us as a result of not having previously tipped.
10
posted on
09/28/2003 5:17:16 AM PDT
by
aruanan
To: aruanan
In my book that is called extortion. Why would you return to a place where that potential exists?
To: gunnyg
Some of these irate responses came from enraged waiters, waitresses, etc. (excuse me, "SERVERS") who felt that they were entitled to tips, since their employers paid them below minimum wage and they needed the tips. I'm not sure that is even so and/or legal. This is certainly true. On a really slow day (very bad weather, etc.) it's possible for a server to make less than minimum wage, although this doesn't normally happen for good waiters and waitresses at busy restaurants.
After hearing stories from several family members who worked themselves through college by waiting tables, I'm a bit more sympathetic to those who seem to be trying, and a good bit more generous to those who do a great job.
12
posted on
09/28/2003 5:19:37 AM PDT
by
Amelia
To: Xenalyte
Well, Mr. Gaines, except for the fact that the "to insure promptness" business has absolutely no basis in etymological fact,
Or in actual fact, which is, in this case, probably more important.
13
posted on
09/28/2003 5:20:47 AM PDT
by
aruanan
To: gunnyg
Mr. Pink has returned!
14
posted on
09/28/2003 5:25:14 AM PDT
by
SBprone
To: Young Rhino
I also did this work in college. I tip 20% for those that are pleasant, refill coffee and talk to my kids (we do family places). 10% if we got the food but no plates cleared. For those that are totally unpleasant, I dig a nickel out of my purse. This was the waitstaff will know that it was intentionally left as a reflection of the service.
15
posted on
09/28/2003 5:25:35 AM PDT
by
netmilsmom
(Ray has gone bye-bye Egon, what have you got??)
To: gunnyg
A bit off-topic, but a quandary: Domino's Pizza (and some others) now charge a $1.00 delivery fee for pizza. Since they are now charging extra for delivery, is tipping still de rigeur? I always tipped well in the past, three or four bucks for a $15-$18 order. Should I not tip, tip the same as before, or tip the same as before minus one dollar?
Maybe this sounds trivial, but there doesn't seem to be an etiquette for this that I know of. The reason I tip pizza delivery drivers is because they are risking their lives every time they go out on a call, whether to bad drivers, going into bad neighborhoods, or getting a bomb strapped to their neck. Plus, if I ever get the same delivery guy in the future, I won't worry about my food being spit on. I guess tipping has become a form of bribery in that respect.
I do tip commensurate with service in restaurants, however. And if the service is bad, I won't go back there anyway, so no worries about food tampering.
16
posted on
09/28/2003 5:25:39 AM PDT
by
TrappedInLiberalHell
(Hillary walks into a bar. Let's hope it leaves a nice bump on her forehead.)
To: netmilsmom
Like the nickel idea...I'll borrow it.
17
posted on
09/28/2003 5:36:24 AM PDT
by
Young Rhino
(Do the French know the meaning of the words soap, water, and deodorant?)
To: gunnyg
Anyone who dares voice an opinion contrary to tipping, is immediately attacked by tippers--the majority--therefore, mob rule prevails.Hear, hear! I'm pissed and have taken back my right NOT to tip sorry, no good, crappy service. It never fails the waitstaff has some chip on their shoulder. When you're being taken to your seat they run and leave you far behind rather than lead you as a polite hostess should. They can't seem to count and never have the correct amount of menus or place settings. They rattle off the menu at lightening speed so you have no idea what they disinterestedly mumbled and heaven forbid if you ask for a repeat. Of course you meal takes forever and your still left waiting for a place setting. In the past, waitstaff could remember what dish went to which patron, but now it's always mass confusion. Mr. M always tells them he drinks LOTS of water and it would be easier for them to leave a pitcher, but Noooo that's just not possible and it's impossible to get their attention later. We usually have to call another table's waiter over to help but he/she isn't the one who pockets the tip. And forget about the check, we usually give up and pay at the front desk. Service today is so bad I consider it a chore to go out anymore. I always feel it's a waste of time. I'd rather have a root cannal than to go to all the trouble of getting ready only to be disappointed with the outing. As to the "but I don't get paid enough" and "it's expected" reasoning for tipping, well it's hogwash. A tip is for service above and beyond the call of duty, not a requirement. Hear that? Above and beyond. It's not my job to suppliment their salaries. They agreed to accept the job at X salary and that's that. Do other workers get tips? No, the rest of us may get a raise or bonus IF and only IF they perform above expectations.
To: gunnyg
These people are working hard making a living, paying there way. Cheap bastards that complain about tipping "piss me off" Stay at home or go to the fast food joints. Could you imagine having to serve an SOB like you ? Thats worth atleast 15%.
19
posted on
09/28/2003 5:38:40 AM PDT
by
CroftonFreeper
(Britan needs parking. Pave France.)
To: gunnyg
Japanese don't tip -- it's not in their culture.
20
posted on
09/28/2003 5:41:05 AM PDT
by
Cronos
(W2004)
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