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

[bluebirdsforever]

1 hour ago, Yawn said:

yeah it’s a heck of a lot easier to just select “10%” “15%” etc on a card reader when paying the full amount rather than writing it on the piece of paper.  that’s the norm in the UK and there’s not even a tipping culture.  the staff then disappearing with your card to run it up and making 2 journeys lol. not to mention if there’s a group of you but you can only pay on 1 or 2 cards maximum. girl that was a struggle…  

 

maybe that’s changed post-covid idk. 

It’s the same tap and go system here in Australia, and I think that’s what I was expecting 

 

It was definitely easier in some places, but just made it even more confusing when I ended up somewhere where it wasn’t 

 

I’m sure there are a lot of people who just reject tipping on principle, but it's definitely not always the case

[brooklyndaddy]

On 2/3/2024 at 9:27 PM, supaspaz said:

"Why should I make up for the what the restaurant doesn’t pay? The server should take it up with their boss."

Exactly! 

[Kamil24]

Tipping is horrible. I am lowering the amount I tip for sure going forward. 

[Blue Jeans]

On 2/2/2024 at 10:03 PM, brooklyndaddy said:

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.

I used to work in a restaurant for 5 years in a state where the minimum tipped employee wage is $2/hr. So my paycheck was $0 after taxes every time. Everything was tips (after more taxes). Yes, the system is screwed and stressful on employees, but if you are in the US, please tip restaurant waiters at least 20% if they did job well. 

If restaurants paid waiters fairly without the tip system, you would pay more for the food itself

If you want cheap food, go to McDonald's

I still have nightmares when I had large groups of teenagers who tipped $0, so I wasted 3 hrs serving them and left with nothing for that time period

Yes, the system is screwed  

[supaspaz]

1 hour ago, brooklyndaddy said:

Exactly! 

Okay! You've very clearly never worked a service job. So while you may disagree with the system as it currently exists, your principled stand is only punching down at those who need the money. That you knowingly do that is what makes you the asshole.

[samsclubPRESENTSavam]

The laws around restaurant labor are designed to put the well-being of the staff's income on the consumer. No one is happy about tipping. However if you aren't changing the system or playing along, I suggest simply not eating out. The system is set up against the staff so they're the ones getting screwed when people don't tip.

[Villas]

well you can simply not tip but go somewhere where it doesnt need any customer services as MCdonalds or whatever capitalism may suggest you. It is simple, but dont take on those working ppl who struggle with these kinds of jobs that you would never do.

[hawx23]

How about just think of it as the true price of the food but you have the option to lower the price if the service is bad. 

[Edu]

why is it so hard for restaurants in america to add a service fee to your bill?

[BGKC]

I don’t necessarily support tipping culture, especially when it comes to cashiers, but as far as servers go a lot of them can average $30-50/hr in major cities because of tipping culture. I know I used to average $6000 a month only working 3-4 days a week serving and bartending in Manhattan where the hourly was $10/hr (most states pay less than 5). Like I would have never put up with the physical and mental demands it took to serve the god awful American public for less than $2000-3000 a month which is what the average server in France, Germany and Switzerland makes (but then again, these are places that don’t have to worry about obscene healthcare costs among other forms of highway robbery). American restaurants are also rushed, overbooked and all around more stressful. It can often feel like abuse. European restaurants are typically more refined with a slower pace that doesn’t take as much of a toll on the body and mind (in most cases). Serving in general is just seen as a more respectable profession in Europe compared to the US where servers are looked at as poor unfortunate souls with no other choice, hence the way people feel it’s not their problem that they’re working for tips regardless of how talented they may be. People don’t respect them, which can feel humiliating. I know it all depends, but this is in general.  

 

You also have to consider the fact that A LOT locally owned restaurants fail in the US, especially in suburbs that are overrun with chain restaurants that offer endless/all you can eat sort of deals that squash smaller businesses that can barely afford to pay their employees as is due to a lack of support from the community. Places like Europe value a sense of community and the well being of its people much more than in the US where everything is a for profit scheme. 
 

I’d also argue that by saying you don’t feel it’s “your job” to pay for a service is basically saying you’ll go as far as supporting the exploitive business owner, but draw the line at supporting the exploited staff that is essentially working for you, sacrificing their weekends/holidays/nights without any PTO or benefits of any kind. You don’t have to agree or like tipping culture, but the fact is they are working for you. It’s definitely not for everybody, much like kissing the ass of greedy corporate giants and/or higher ups all day isn’t for everybody. It’s a broken system and people do whatever they gotta do to survive. If you choose to support a business knowing full well the workers aren’t compensated  anywhere near a livable wage, then the least you can do is respect the hustle for what it is… But if the rules changed and servers had to be paid $15-20/hrs by tmr, then many restaurants would go out of business (since most American restaurant owners rely on tipping culture to even be in business). This is why more and more restaurants are simply just adding a 10-20% service fee to the bill. Especially since it’s becoming more of a trend not to tip which results in restaurants being short staffed, full of incompetence with servers constantly quitting. 

Edited February 7 by BGKC

[Mr.X]

On 2/3/2024 at 3:03 AM, brooklyndaddy said:

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. 
 

 

You are not an *******. The bosses should be paying the workers properly. As a customer you are basically forced to pay twice in this way, while the boss laughs to the bank. Politicians should be making this practice illegal.

 

It's rank. I never tip, and if I am asked to do so, I explain and tell the boss to pay their workers.

Edited February 7 by Mr.X

[spree]

20 hours ago, Edu said:

why is it so hard for restaurants in america to add a service fee to your bill?

they are starting to.  My job might in the future.  There is talk of it already.  I mean, if there is a 20% service charge across the board on every customer, and I walk with 18% of that (1% to bartender and 1% to busser), I might be ok with it.  If it's a higher wage and 10% service fee, then no.  I'd look elsewhere.  Cuz right now coming into season, I am making anywhere between 500-700 a day in tips on a double and that's not including my $9/hour wage.

[spree]

4 hours ago, Mr.X said:

You are not an *******. The bosses should be paying the workers properly. As a customer you are basically forced to pay twice in this way, while the boss laughs to the bank. Politicians should be making this practice illegal.

 

It's rank. I never tip, and if I am asked to do so, I explain and tell the boss to pay their workers.

uh, yea they are an *******.  Anyone is who doesn't tip.  And low and behold, you might be forced to tip via service fee in the future.  It'll be non-negotiable.  If you don't like it, don't eat out.

[Bloo]

On 2/5/2024 at 11:07 AM, Blue Jeans said:

If restaurants paid waiters fairly without the tip system, you would pay more for the food itself

I don't understand this argument for tipping. I'd rather the extra 20% towards tipping just be listed on the menu while I'm making my dining choice and then rest assured that staff are paid a living wage. The food is already 20% more than advertised because of tipping, so if waitstaff are paid a living salary and the list price of food goes up, it's effectively no different for customers.

[ugo]

for some restaurants it makes sense but some others are making millions and they can afford to pay their staff a bit more

[Bubble Tea]

The cost of the food should cover all costs, including a fair living wage (at minimum) for the staff.

[AndresVanDeKamp]

Not going to try to convince anyone but what I WILL say is I just started serving in June and the ONLY times I haven't been tipped have been when I was serving the most disrespectful, needy, disgusting tables. Not once has someone who hasn't tipped me been hassle free. If you were to come in, sit down, be polite and leave in a reasonable time without asking me to literally cater to your every whim I'll forget about the fact you didn't tip in about 3 seconds. It is ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS the piss poor customers who act like animals who don't tip. My job is to guide you through the menu, make recommendations, and answer questions as well as provide you an enjoyable experience however I can. If you just want me to take your order, drop your food, and not check on you or give you any additional conversation or assistance then I could understand not tipping - but most people are not expecting that type of service. So, if you expect high quality service then expect to tip accordingly. Serving is definitely a SKILL and takes a lot of practice and experience to really hone. Anyone who says otherwise hasn't served or wasn't a good server.

[KFC]

10 hours ago, ugo said:

for some restaurants it makes sense but some others are making millions and they can afford to pay their staff a bit more

It does not make sense for ANY restaurant I'm sorry. If you can't afford to hire and retain staff without taking advantage of a loophole in the law then you shouldn't be running a business

[Orsay]

Idk but I leave 20% always for waiters cause that’s how I was raised. It would have to be REALLY bad for me to leave less, like completely ignoring me or making me feel insulted lol then I might skimp. At a coffee shop you don’t have to tip but it’s nice to leave a dollar. At a bar I think $1 tip per drink is appreciated. Also tip your local drag queens. This ain’t Europe baby sorry! Money talks and leaving a tip is a way to show your appreciation and ensure good treatment on your next visit  some of y’all going to end up with spit in your food one day

[Butters]

I have my qualms with tip culture but it's funny hearing Europeans acting outraged about tipping and refusing to follow our local customs when they visit the US as if they're making a principled stance against restaurants not paying their waitstaff fairly when they're just BROKE/CHEAP.

[Frappucino]

I’ve worked for tips before, it’s definitely an interesting perspective not working for tips anymore and seeing what it’s like on the opposite end. I wouldn’t say it’s not that deep until you’re one relying for tips. Be grateful or do it yourself. 

[BabyBenzz]

i'm so happy i live in Europe where people make decent amounts of money for the work that they do without having to rely on someone's good will... who tf would want that 

[Mornings]

7 pages of complaining about something that’s not going to change? Can the OP go this hard for American healthcare??

 

get over it and tip or call the local politicians or whatever. 

[ugo]

12 hours ago, KFC said:

It does not make sense for ANY restaurant I'm sorry. If you can't afford to hire and retain staff without taking advantage of a loophole in the law then you shouldn't be running a business

if you can't afford to pay tips eat at home

[Lamb]

Those defending tipping are serving major Stockholm syndrome