Is tipping compulsory or depending on customer?

[Roy&Chanel 109]

Hey guys, I am just wondering if Tipping is a MUST or Compulsory in restaurants and hair salons.

I had the worst experience I ever had ever since I came to US yesterday.

I went to a restaurant yesterday with my husband and we did not bring cash unfortunately, so we paid off with card at the counter.

The waitress did not serve us well other than we had to call her to order food, she served the dishes, and we had to walk over to her to pay the bill and ask for to gos.

After we paid, we walked out to our car and she came out chasing us and demanding for tips in a rude manner.

She asked, "You don't give tips?" and reached out her hand.

We explained to her that we do not have cash, and she waited and expected me to show her my wallet.

My husband and I showed her our wallets, we really DID NOT BRING cash and only Singapore dollars. She gave us a mean look and my husband even apologizes and I told her do not worry next time I will give u more tips because I used to often visit that restaurant and I always gave tips.

It got me really disgusted with how she treated us, demanding us tips and stopping us at our car. I understand that most waitresses earn their wage by tips as they are paid very low. But is this even allowed to stop customers by doing that?

[NikLR 13,227]

No it is not compulsory or required. I would call the restaurant and speak to the manager. Hopefully your bill has her name on it.

Even when paying with a card though you can generally tip.

[Roy&Chanel 109]

The bill does not have a tipping section unlike some restaurants and unfortunately it doesn't have her name on it.

I was really disgusted by how she treated us, it feels like extortion.

[Fuji1978 33]

It's offensive to servers to receive no tip because generally they are paid around $2 - $3 per hour just to cover taxes and deductions. So essentially she worked to serve you for free. The tips are the entirety of the salary of a server. However, it is very unprofessional to chase you down and demand a tip. This generally results in immediate termination of the employee. It's crazy how they don't have the option to add a tip to a card, I feel bad for the servers there as it's quite common nowadays not to carry cash.

[NikLR 13,227]

It's a stupid US thing left over from prohibition not to pay servers in full. In Canada tipping is normal but servers are still paid full wages.

[Ontarkie 14,223]

I would not have tipped her. She wants a tip then she needs to do her job. You having to flag her down to place your order was nuts. Then to have to track her down to pay is also nuts. She would have been told off.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

It's a stupid US thing left over from prohibition not to pay servers in full. In Canada tipping is normal but servers are still paid full wages.

Not alcohol servers in Ontario. Yes, as opposed to $11.40 it's only $9.90. Quebec, Alberta and BC have similar restrictions

Edited March 30, 2016 by Transborderwife

[Umka36 781]

Tipping is a choice and not mandatory. If it were me, I would not go to that restaurant anymore if I had that kind of service.

[Boiler 45,514]

Colorado the base rate is lower but for the pay period still have to meet normal minimum. Usually tipped staff earn several times minimum so not an issue.

The ones not earning much are those working in the back not those getting the tips in the front.

If it was compulsory it would be on the bill. Never heard of a place that expects tips and does not allow it to be added on to a CC.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Colorado the base rate is lower but for the pay period still have to meet normal minimum. Usually tipped staff earn several times minimum so not an issue.

The ones not earning much are those working in the back not those getting the tips in the front.

If it was compulsory it would be on the bill. Never heard of a place that expects tips and does not allow it to be added on to a CC.

When I worked at a sports bar it was an unwritten mandatory rule that the bus boys and bar tenders got tipped out. I believe that we gave out 10-20% overall. The bar tenders didn't get tips at this particular bar and the bus boys were often young people who were either newcomers or refugees. I often wondered their immigration status. Edited March 30, 2016 by Transborderwife

[Boiler 45,514]

When I worked at a sports bar it was an unwritten mandatory rule that the bus boys and bar tenders got tipped out. I believe that we gave out 10-20% overall. The bar tenders didn't get tips at this particular bar and the bus boys were often young people who were either newcomers or refugees. I often wondered their immigration status.

I would include them in front of house.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

I would include them in front of house.

I believe the bus boys were the dishwashers as well. It was a long time ago. The cooks, no clue what they got paid

[NikLR 13,227]

Not alcohol servers in Ontario. Yes, as opposed to $11.40 it's only $9.90. Quebec, Alberta and BC have similar restrictions

Its lower but but its not $2/hr. Plus as alcohol servers they are more likely to get tips. As a bartender my cousin would routinely come home with several hundred dollars during the week and up to a couple grand on weekends.

[Dal&Rose 45]

Don't ever feel guilty for not tipping unless the service deserved it. Then I would make a point to let the server know and I'm a regular and get her back next visit.

I've had the entire range of service, at times I don't tip if not worth it. Others I'll tip $10 for a $30 meal. If it's horrible, I'll tip a quarter and let the manager know.

I'm originally from Vegas, hospitality is a fundamental in that city. While I have never been in the field I have family who are and explained the income to me as a teenager. It's stuck with me ever since...

If you do go back to that restaurant, and you get her again, request a new server. If not given, leave. Make it apparent they are losing business because of her.

As for chasing you down and demanding to see your wallets... I would have told her off, then let her manager know . That's complete BS.

[gradtaai 8]

I have known of a restaurant that didn't pay anything at all, the serving staff were volunteers, but it was a place for the rich and famous where they tipped very very well. As far as I know the workers have to be paid minimum wage. I usually tip since it is not at all possible to live on that wage where I lived unless the service is bad. I too would have told her off, or given her a dime.