Is tipping compulsory or depending on customer?

[Boiler 45,468]

I generally tip my hair stylist, waxer, pedicure/manicurist etc. There was one waxing place I went to that specifically said you were not allowed to tip though.

It's not required but generally a good idea and is based on service imho. If you ever want to tip but dont have cash you can tell the cashier you want to add a tip and they add it on vs having a tip location on the bill. Anyhow, not tipping was no reason for that waitress to act crazy. Following you to your car is crazy.

I have never tipped a waxing place.

My hair stylist charges me $5 and I give her $10 so 100%!

[goolia 54]

To have her chase after you and berate you for NOT leaving a tip says to me that she's a terrible server. A real professional would've left it at that...and probably have remembered you next time and either given you crummy service the next time you visited or (if she was a real pro) have given you great service.

You're never required to leave a tip, unless there are 10 or more people in your party; then it's usually added to the bill. The few times I've left nothing have been because the service was horrible, or the wait was inordinately long, or some other problem that was a direct result of the waitress/waiter's actions.

Tips are about service. If it's mediocre, leave a mediocre tip (10%). If it's great, let your server know by leaving a good tip. (18-20%)

The wait being inordinately long is not usually the server's fault. 9/10 it's the kitchen or management and punishing the server is wrong. That being said, if the server ignores the fact that your wait was long and doesn't apologize, I could see why you would leave less than normal.

As someone who served and bartended when I was younger, tipping IS essentially a requirement. I knew when going in though (as someone else mentioned) that some tips would be great, some would be and some would be non existent. It pretty much balances out, for the most part.

For those of you that think tipping isn't a requirement though, think of it this way: if the restaurants had to pay their employee's an appropriate hourly wage, where do you think those costs would come from? The cost of your food and drink would skyrocket. At least this way, you have discretion in rewarding your server with a tip appropriate to his or her service.

As for OP, the only thing she could have done is told the server about her cashless situation prior to asking for the cheque though the fact that she visits regularly and probably was going to offer to get the server next time, would have been enough for me. Definitely report her to management.

[teanet 20]

Honestly I dont think you were wrong, and I was working in restaurant and bar for over 6 years. Last time I worked at Roadhouse where we barely would get foreigners, and trust me there is lot of Americans who would have bill over 70 $, got great service and wouldnt tip anything, nothing the server could do about. I usually tip something even if server is horrible but I am getting to the point that if server doesnt do anything and dont care, why should I tip, if server dont like the job, they can get different job. I worked as host and bartender while at school, I hated it and didnt want to do that job but I would never give bad service. If their income depends on tips, they need to learn how to serve or get better job where they dont depend on tips. At least in Texas if they dont make enough money on tips they get paid minimum wage for those hours.

[NikLR 13,227]

I have never tipped a waxing place.

My hair stylist charges me $5 and I give her $10 so 100%!

You get waxed? Waxing the city purposely doesnt allow tips.

The wait being inordinately long is not usually the server's fault. 9/10 it's the kitchen or management and punishing the server is wrong. That being said, if the server ignores the fact that your wait was long and doesn't apologize, I could see why you would leave less than normal.

As someone who served and bartended when I was younger, tipping IS essentially a requirement. I knew when going in though (as someone else mentioned) that some tips would be great, some would be #### and some would be non existent. It pretty much balances out, for the most part.

For those of you that think tipping isn't a requirement though, think of it this way: if the restaurants had to pay their employee's an appropriate hourly wage, where do you think those costs would come from? The cost of your food and drink would skyrocket. At least this way, you have discretion in rewarding your server with a tip appropriate to his or her service. As for OP, the only thing she could have done is told the server about her cashless situation prior to asking for the cheque though the fact that she visits regularly and probably was going to offer to get the server next time, would have been enough for me. Definitely report her to management.

If my food is cold, the restaurant is slow, and I see tbe waitstaff yabbering, who's fault is it?

Also people like me, who are from countries who already pay their staff more, are used to less food that costs more. US portion sizes at restaurants is ridiculous. I shouldnt come home with 2 or 3 more meals. I'd rather they pay the staff more than give me that much food. I actually tip more than my husband does, but the service down here is generally pretty good. He pays per person, not the cost of food. But he does tip well for really good service even when the food is bad.

[Roy&Chanel 109]

The wait being inordinately long is not usually the server's fault. 9/10 it's the kitchen or management and punishing the server is wrong. That being said, if the server ignores the fact that your wait was long and doesn't apologize, I could see why you would leave less than normal.

As someone who served and bartended when I was younger, tipping IS essentially a requirement. I knew when going in though (as someone else mentioned) that some tips would be great, some would be #### and some would be non existent. It pretty much balances out, for the most part.

For those of you that think tipping isn't a requirement though, think of it this way: if the restaurants had to pay their employee's an appropriate hourly wage, where do you think those costs would come from? The cost of your food and drink would skyrocket. At least this way, you have discretion in rewarding your server with a tip appropriate to his or her service.

As for OP, the only thing she could have done is told the server about her cashless situation prior to asking for the cheque though the fact that she visits regularly and probably was going to offer to get the server next time, would have been enough for me. Definitely report her to management.

Yeah usually even service is bad I still tip in restaurants. Its only this one time that I encountered and happened to have no cash with me. Weird thing is that I frequent the place and been tipping every time, and just this once she's reacting this way. We usually spent around 25 dollars and will put a 10 dollars tip.

Like I've said, I told her nicely "dont worry I'll tip next time", still she was rude.

Anyway I'm going back to pass her tip money and tip her again when I visit, I frequent visit that restaurant for past 6 months in US almost every week because I love their food. And the sad fact that I can't cook..lol

I'm going to still eat there so I don't think I'm going to report to the Manager.

Im trying to get over the whole thing, its quite a shock to me lol.

[Boiler 45,468]

Yeah usually even service is bad I still tip in restaurants. Its only this one time that I encountered and happened to have no cash with me. Weird thing is that I frequent the place and been tipping every time, and just this once she's reacting this way. We usually spent around 25 dollars and will put a 10 dollars tip.

Like I've said, I told her nicely "dont worry I'll tip next time", still she was rude.

Anyway I'm going back to pass her tip money and tip her again when I visit, I frequent visit that restaurant for past 6 months in US almost every week because I love their food. And the sad fact that I can't cook..lol

I'm going to still eat there so I don't think I'm going to report to the Manager.

Im trying to get over the whole thing, its quite a shock to me lol.

Rewarding crass behaviour?

Wow

I would have not been tipping her and complaining.

[NikLR 13,227]

I totally agree with boiler. Your food next time is likely to come to you with a huge pile of spit. She seems like that kind of person.

Edited March 31, 2016 by NLR

[Roy&Chanel 109]

I totally agree with boiler. Your food next time is lkkely to come to you with a huge pile of spit.

She seems like that kind of person.

OMG

Its not easy to find a yummy asian restaurant here

[Transborderwife 4,666]

I totally agree with boiler. Your food next time is likely to come to you with a huge pile of spit. She seems like that kind of person.

Or worse

[EmilyW 1,434]

I still tip, even if the service isn't great. I have no idea what has happened in that server's day. They could have a sick kid at home. They may have found out that someone they love has cancer. They could be in pain and can't afford to take the day off. Sure they SHOULD rise above that, but we're all human and sometimes it's hard to leave things at the door.

I'm not going to react to bad behavior by engaging in my own brand of bad behavior.

But that's just me. Everyone's mileage varies and everyone has the right not to tip and everyone has the right not to be questioned on that decision.

[Caryh 5,206]

I tip fairly good most of the time. I tip higher than 15% when service is excellent. If service was poor, I tip 10%. When service is down right horrible, I leave 2 cents. BTW I do not blame servers when I can see they have too many customers to keep up and I'm kept waiting. You have to expect to wait when they're very busy. If a place is constantly understaffed, then I'll just not continue to visit their business. But when a server makes no effort to give good service, then I'll blame them. Some people just can't handle the demands of being a server and shouldn't be in the business.

What I find weird lately is buffets giving suggested tip amounts on the bill. I'm sorry but when all you do is bring a drink, take away old plates and I'm getting my own food, 18% is not a tip that should be expected.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

I tip fairly good most of the time. I tip higher than 15% when service is excellent. If service was poor, I tip 10%. When service is down right horrible, I leave 2 cents. BTW I do not blame servers when I can see they have too many customers to keep up and I'm kept waiting. You have to expect to wait when they're very busy. If a place is constantly understaffed, then I'll just not continue to visit their business. But when a server makes no effort to give good service, then I'll blame them. Some people just can't handle the demands of being a server and shouldn't be in the business.

What I find weird lately is buffets giving suggested tip amounts on the bill. I'm sorry but when all you do is bring a drink, take away old plates and I'm getting my own food, 18% is not a tip that should be expected.

Buffet tips (in my experience) are about $1-2 per person customary.

[ttram312 10]

I actually encountered such behavior to someone else when I was living in the South (Louisiana) for a year. The waitress literally chased after a couple to the parking lot to demand tips. Anyway, I think you were being fair when you told her that you'd tip her next time, but you really should talk to the manager also.

About hair salon, my cousin owns a hair salon and people still tip them when they give out a good service even though they're owner. I guess it's really how you feel about the service. I always gives good tip to my hairdresser after a haircut.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

Something else that I've noticed here in the south is that even at fast food places (Chick fil a, kfc, even McDonald's) the managers tend to circulate the diners and ask how everything is meal wise and service wise. I expect this at full service restaurants but not fast food. All the better.

[Caryh 5,206]

Buffet tips (in my experience) are about $1-2 per person customary.

exactly, but I've been seeing these suggested tips at 18% or more lately. It crazy in my book, a buck for typical service per person, two if they're right on top of keeping table clear of old plates and your drink never gets empty.