discussion I do not understand America’s tipping culture. Someone convince me.

[brooklyndaddy]

Why is it me, the patron’s problem that the restaurant has deemed the waiter must rely partially on tips? This is not my problem. The restaurant should be fairly compensating workers. I see no reason to add additional money onto a bill for someone… doing their job. Even if this is considered rude, it is optional. Why should I make up for the what the restaurant doesn’t pay? The server should take it up with their boss. 
 

if the service is exceptional, I understand giving a few extra bucks as a treat. But this is rare. 
 

I also do not understand giving more tip because more money was spent… the same one plate and one drink was brought out. It’s not like more work was out in by the waiter.

 

Am I an a**hole? It just makes zero sense to me. 
 

 

[Bears01]

I know servers and bartenders who make an insane amount of $$$. You don’t understand that servers are paid literally $0 per hour and rely on them? It’s an American thing. 

[byzantium]

It’s a poor institution, but don’t take your problems on the institution out on the workers just trying to earn a living.  

[Josh]

If you can't tip your waiter you shouldn't be going out to eat

[Allopatry]

1 minute ago, Josh said:

If you can't tip your waiter you shouldn't be going out to eat

most don't even deserve tipping. they're rude and the service is mediocre.

[Josh]

Just now, Allopatry said:

most don't even deserve tipping. they're rude and the service is mediocre.

When they're dealing with snobs like you every day 

[flower moon]

its a messed up system and you're not an asśhole for not wanting to participate in it... but thats just the way things are and the US people arent willing to change.

[KFC]

It's a horrible system and I do have sympathy for all workers who rely on tips to survive however I refuse to contribute to the problem. I will only tip for exceptional service and even then only like $5-10, not 20 or 30% or whatever the norm is  

 

I'm sure servers hate me whenever I visit the US but it's literally not my problem, take it up with your employer. 

[Josh]

1 minute ago, KFC said:

It's a horrible system and I do have sympathy for all workers who rely on tips to survive however I refuse to contribute to the problem. I will only tip for exceptional service and even then only like $5-10, not 20 or 30% or whatever the norm is  

 

I'm sure servers hate me whenever I visit the US but it's literally not my problem, take it up with your employer. 

Clearly you don't have sympathy if you don't tip. 

[Allopatry]

3 minutes ago, Josh said:

When they're dealing with snobs like you every day 

i'm actually pretty polite, even when they're difficult. most don't deserve it and i'm not sorry

 

[brooklyndaddy]

1 minute ago, Josh said:

Clearly you don't have sympathy if you don't tip. 

That empathy shouldn’t come from me. It should come from their employer. They can choose to work somewhere else if they don’t want half their income to be up to the patron. 

[brooklyndaddy]

1 minute ago, Allopatry said:

i'm actually pretty polite, even when they're difficult. most don't deserve it and i'm not sorry

 

And even if they are polite… that is their job 

[Josh]

Just now, brooklyndaddy said:

That empathy shouldn’t come from me. It should come from their employer. They can choose to work somewhere else if they don’t want half their income to be up to the patron. 

and you can choose not to eat out if you don't feel like tipping. 

[Into The Void]

If ur not American, I wouldn't expect you to understand but servers literally make like $2.31/ hr or so. Tips are basically how they survive. Its just how it is.

[Comedor]

Real question to Americans: do you tip when traveling internationally? Or you only tip in the US? 

[NEX]

Just had lunch at a sushi place in LA. The menu said that a 16% service charge will be added to your bill and that they don't accept tips in this establishment. In the UK most places add around 10-12% service charge. Which is optional, but it's a bit embarrassing trying to opt out of it. Maybe this is a better way doing things but it needs legislation. No one single restaurant or a person could influence the tipping culture by themselves 

[brooklyndaddy]

3 minutes ago, Josh said:

and you can choose not to eat out if you don't feel like tipping. 

Except I DO eat out. Because I pay the full price of the food. As is required. A tip is optional. Very simple. A backwards system has corrupted you. 

[brooklyndaddy]

3 minutes ago, Insanity said:

If ur not American, I wouldn't expect you to understand but servers literally make like $2.31/ hr or so. Tips are basically how they survive. It’s just how it is.

How is that my problem? Genuinely trying to understand. Why would someone take this job then… a tip is not guaranteed. 

[byzantium]

2 minutes ago, Comedor said:

Real question to Americans: do you tip when traveling internationally? Or you only tip in the US? 

I do research on the local customs of every place I visit and act accordingly.  The range and customs around tipping tend to vary pretty substantially. 

[Moloko Plus]

1 minute ago, brooklyndaddy said:

Except I DO eat out. Because I pay the full price of the food. As is required. A tip is optional. Very simple. A backwards system has corrupted you. 

You’re a tool  You can dislike the system but having someone properly wait on you and not tipping in the US is ******, they’re literally working for tips

[Azulito]

Tipping is similar to what a lot of other countries know as a service charge. I agree it’s gotten out of control in the US but it’s not the only place where tipping (or something similar) is a thing. 

[Machete]

I'm not American but Canadian and it INFURIATES me how America's tipping culture has become the norm here in restaurants despite servers making normal minimum wage or above it. Literally WHY does a server at a restaurant deserve to be tipped but not the cashier at McDonald's or the grocery store. 

[byzantium]

1 minute ago, brooklyndaddy said:

How is that my problem? Genuinely trying to understand. Why would someone take this job then… a tip is not guaranteed. 

Because you are choosing to go to a place to accept their service?  If you don’t want to tip, go to a counter service restaurant.  Why is it so hard for you to follow local customs when traveling. 

[brooklyndaddy]

1 minute ago, Moloko Plus said:

You’re a tool  You can dislike the system but having someone properly wait on you and not tipping in the US is ******, they’re literally working for tips

Then choose a different profession. Or take it up with your employer to add a few dollars to the meal. None of this is my, the patron’s, issue. Once again, I understand a few extra dollars for exceptional service. 

[byzantium]

Just now, brooklyndaddy said:

Then choose a different profession. Or take it up with your employer to add a few dollars to the meal. None of this is my, the patron’s, issue. Once again, I understand a few extra dollars for exceptional service. 

You don’t sound like you are genuinely trying to understand.