Is tipping compulsory or depending on customer?

[naire37 53]

I'm the person who always tips even when getting horrible service (5% then or 3-5$, whatever is lower), but usually 15% for food, and anywhere from 20-50% for beauty services, such as when I get an amazing haircut it's my way of saying "thanks for making me feel so pretty!" But I never feel like I absolutely *must* give something. Jeez, I don't care how much they get paid and what would happen if restaurants actually paid minimal wage to their staff. We all have to make a living and we choose how to do it. With all due respect, if they are poor, we have enough social programs for that, and 'm already paying that bill with my taxes, I'm not going to double-pay it (especially not if anybody is trying to guilt-trip me into it!); and if I want to give money to charity, I pick third-world where this helps children get clean water and go to school - something servers in US already have. I'm sorry, it may be awfully cold-blooded, but most of my friends, myself included, worked in food industry at some point, and I honestly don't feel that we should be imposing our "wants" on the customer. There is a menu with prices on it, and that's the end of story. Anything above that is "gift" for good service and not mandatory.

Chasing you and demanding to see wallet - #######, I'd demand to see manager and write a complaint.

Having said that, I've been in a situation where places only take cash for tips, and being there without cash, I would tell my hairdresser about that in advance and mention that I'd bring tip in later - and always done that. They were grateful. No faces, no chasing. As expected. Your server totally ruined her chances that day. And restaurant's reputation with that.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

If I sit through the order and eat the meal, I still tip. Even the worse places I would leave at least a $1 instead of walking away.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

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?

The waitress was crazy ..but to address the underlined statement. If you meant that as in whether it is legal? Then , she was rude , unprofessional about the incidence but that was nothing illegal.

Your best bet is to call and complain about her or don't go there again.

[WandY 430]

"I too would have told her off, or given her a dime." (and) "She would have been told off."

Comments that are seriously bad advice in the U.S. Escalating the situation is stupid and may lead to violence. Perhaps getting stabbed or shot over a tip is OK with some, but in the U.S. it can be avoided by stopping your tongue and moving your feet. Anyone that chases down a customer for a tip is literally crazy - and likely to want confrontation. Avoid the situation and forever avoid the restaurant. Giving someone a dime or a penny does nothing - except to show you're also an a-hole.

[NikLR 13,227]

Avoiding situations does not fix them. Ypu dont need to rant and scream to fix a situation either. Imho the waitress should be fired so the OP can enjoy it again! That kind of person is bad for business. The manager and owner should be made aware. Who knows how much business they've lost because of this crazy horrible waitress? But everyone just runs and hides and no one tells them.

[Transborderwife 4,666]

I saw a situation on my local buy/sell/trade of a waitress harassing a customer on fb (knew his name from his credit card) for not tipping. That is utterly ridiculous

[TBoneTX 45,267]

Thread is closed at OP's request.

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Edited March 31, 2016 by TBoneTX