Tips

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Restaurants: 0% - 30%. I tip well - upwards of 20% usually - but there have been occasions where the service was so pizzpoor that the server didn't get a dime. There's no entitlement on tips as far as I am concerned, they've got to earn it. That's the idea behind the whole concept.

Hair-Cut: $3.00-$5.00 for what amounts to a 10-15 min effort.

Grocery: Are you kidding me?

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

I refuse to go by any "guideline." or percentage. I tip ONLY when I truly feel it is deserving and in an amount to which I feel is appropriate for the specific extra service rendered.

[Jamie76 0]

If I was obligated to tip everyone that supposedly should get a tip, I would be broke. They come out with a list of everyone you should tip during the holidays. Good luck with that.

[V&Steve 0]

as far as eating out at a nice place, 15% is the norm. but some places add gratuity to the tab. other services (grocery carrier, computer tech) its all in the quality of the service. Did the person go way above and beyond to help you/straighten things out? a little something never hurts. As far as a tattoo, i paid $300usd for a large piece that covers the entire back of my upper arm, and i tipped him $60usd (20%) He was very clean, very personable, an all around good guy, and he did great work. You should always tip a tattoo artist (unless its ####### or the artist is #######) because they have to pay rent to the owner of the shop for the space, stuff like that. And that is taken out of the original prices that they charge. So if you tip a tattoo artist well, or even at all, they remember that if you go back. Also, with tattoos, a rule of thumb is you get what you pay for, so keep that in mind

hope it helps!

-Steve

[bostonparis 0]

Restaurants, standard for me is 20% unless the service is bad. Then I'll leave ~10%

My hairdresser is the owner, so I don't tip her.

Taxis, depends. If the fare is $5.05, I'll give $6. If it's 5.95 I'll give $7.

Grocery store, I don't tip.

Valet, I'll tip an extra $1 or 2, depending on the price.

Hotels, I leave maybe $2 per night.

As far as holiday tips, I don't tip the mailman, etc.

[eric&gen 0]

I tip like a cheapo lol.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

It's not tipping I believe in. It's overtipping.

[Fandango 1,440]

It's not tipping I believe in. It's overtipping.

I actually believe in that as well....

At the end of the day, a few bucks here and there to places I always frequent is not going to make a big difference to me, but will make a difference to the person working. Like if a tip is mathematically supposed to be like 3 bucks, I'll give 5. 7.50? I'll give 10.

My hairdresser makes loads off me...but she will ALWAYS fit me in, I never wait, and she always does a great job.

I worked for tips back in the day, and the people who hooked me up ALWAYS got hooked up in return. And I never forgot it. It used to bug the ####### outta me when I would take someone's money, and they'd ask for singles in change...then take ONE dollar back and give me the rest. Like seriously...is that dollar THAT important?

I don't tip at the supermarket, or starbucks/dunkin donuts cos you're waiting at a counter. What's next...tipping at MaccyD's?

Edited November 25, 2007 by LisaD

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Cat sitter? Do you tip the cat sitter?

I don't see why not. It's up to you - I think that is why there isn't too much of a standard for tipping (besides for restaurants). But we know that most servers are paid less so that they'll earn their tips.

We tip pizza delivery guys (well our friends do since we don't order).

I tip the bartender so I don't have to wait and anyone else I know works hard and is paid little.

I always tip at a motel/hotel too. My mom was a maid for quite a while and I know they appreciate it.

[JeanneVictoria 55]

Good tips for good service..if not then no tips.

[TinTin and Samby 11]

IMO for meals, 15%, if full service. 10% if it's only partial service, like drinks, etc with a help yourself buffet line.

Personal Services: ie tatoo, hair salon, etc 15%. some dont tip if the provider is the owner, some do. up to you.

grocery baggers: nothing unless some out of the normal, extraordinary feat/service was provided.

Counter help - nothing.

but the big bottom line for me is that I refuse to let anyone act as if any amount of tip is "entitled to". They are working in a service delivery profession - its the quality of the service that I am tipping for. If the service is non existent or bad, I have no problem to not tip at all.

Of course, extraordinary service will command even higher levels of tipping. But for 'normal, expected (read "GOOD") service, the guidelines I wrote above are what I follow.

-Samby

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

But the big bottom line for me is that I refuse to let anyone act as if any amount of tip is "entitled to". They are working in a service delivery profession - its the quality of the service that I am tipping for. If the service is non existent or bad, I have no problem to not tip at all.

Exactly. There's simply no entitlement on tips. I've read over and over in this thread that people "tip only 10%" in a restaurant if the service was bad. Not me. I sure as hell won't leave a tip that wasn't earned. It will create the impression with the server that this sort of non-service is something acceptable or that he/she did an alright job. It isn't and (s)he didn't...

[diadromous mermaid 36]

I always tip at Starbucks. Those baristas typically only earn base minimum wage and have to deal with a whole realm of folks and attitudes!

[JanaknJanet 0]

I always thought that the norm was 15%... then...

One day I was talking to a good friend of mine.. he has been a server at Olive Garden for many years... actually makes a good living doing so..

I asked him about tips.. if there . if they are given xx$ in tip is it put in a jar for all .. or is it split amongst all... cause if i wanted to give him more.. i wanted to know it went to him... not the snotty girl that I wont go to...

He told me that .. the norm that the his employer deducts from his pay... is 18%

I asked... what do you mean deduct from pay.. he said.. yep.. just like state taxes.. FICA etc

he gets 18% of each tab deducted from his pay... .. most time he makes more but sometimes he is stiffed.. He said that because the money goes in his pocket.. there is no norm .. therefore the servers are deducted to cover for the taxes incurred for the tips. ..

[diadromous mermaid 36]

But the big bottom line for me is that I refuse to let anyone act as if any amount of tip is "entitled to". They are working in a service delivery profession - its the quality of the service that I am tipping for. If the service is non existent or bad, I have no problem to not tip at all.

Exactly. There's simply no entitlement on tips. I've read over and over in this thread that people "tip only 10%" in a restaurant if the service was bad. Not me. I sure as hell won't leave a tip that wasn't earned. It will create the impression with the server that this sort of non-service is something acceptable or that he/she did an alright job. It isn't and (s)he didn't...

Actually, if you'd been an employer, and especially in the food service industry, you'd quite possibly change your approach to this matter. An employer has what is referred to as a 'tip credit" option and if he or she chooses can pay a server only a fraction per hour with the understanding that the employee will make it up with tips. Even a bad server MUST earn minimum wage, per the FLSA. So, it's better to make your discontent known to the manager/owner than to short change the server.