Tips

[The General]

This is not FJ related....but it might be when I get myself over there one day.

Clue me in on the U.S. custom for tipping. My daughter rang me from Hawaii today (Cause it`s Father`s Day here downunder) and she tells me they had a blue with a restaurant that had really bad and rude service, yet were aggressive and insisted on receiving a tip as though it was a debt owed. Is it? Is being a tight-arse hereditary? Generally tha only tips here are about horse racing....okay okay..I have on a rare occasion given a cash tip at a restaurant...but only through sincere gratitude...and if they asked for it they`d have no chance.

She also reckons there`s a lot of homeless and unemployed people there, yet signs seeking workers and hospitality staff are everywhere. Is it true the Homeless are shipped there in winter for their health`s sake?

Is Canada the same?  Should I expect a tip if I wipe ..errr ...(edit)... if I provide a Canuck with hygiene assistance while he`s in Australia?     Just curious. 

[FJmonkey]

I have not worked in food service but I understand that they get less than minimum wage, the tips make up the remainder of their income. In theory it encourages good service. Tip according to the quality of service. This might help: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g191-s606/United-States:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html

[The General]

I have not worked in food service but I understand that they get less than minimum wage, the tips make up the remainder of their income. In theory it encourages good service. Tip according to the quality of service. This might help: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g191-s606/United-States:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html

Thanks Mate. That explains a lot - incl the unemployment....

[yamaha fj rider]

FJMonkey is correct. The food service staff make a very small wage like $2.50 per hour. A tip for good service typically 15 - 20% of the bill. Poor service a lot less. Hope this helps.

Kurt   

[rktmanfj]

+1

My tips usually run about 20%, unless the service was poor, then it's whatever's appropriate.

Some places around here tend to include the gratuity in the bill already, especially if it's a larger table.

The exception would be my favorite bartender... minimum tip for him is $5, even if I only have one.

Should I expect a tip if I wipe ..errr ...(edit)... if I provide a Canuck with hygiene assistance while he`s in Australia?     Just curious.  

You're on your own there... I'd just make sure I was seated upwind.      

[Dan Filetti]

+1

My tips usually run about 20%, unless the service was poor, then it's whatever's appropriate.

Some places around here tend to include the gratuity in the bill already, especially if it's a larger table.

+2, -even with mediocre service I'll leave ~10%, it really is part of their expected pay.  But in the situation you described, where service actually sucked/ they were rude, I have ZERO problem leaving NO, or a very small tip, (like a penny or a dollar) to make the point.  Some folks are just not cut out for working in service industries.  Why encourage them to continue?  If they complain about it, my justification for doing so has been further confirmed, and I will tell them as much.  

You have to be a little careful/ observant though, a slow meal as an example, may not have anything to do with the server, the kitchen may be backed up...  A good server will stop by and apologize/ explain, a mediocre one may just bring it as soon as it's available.

For exceptional service I have and will go above 20%.  

Dan

[Travis398]

Is Canada the same?  Should I expect a tip if I wipe ..errr ...(edit)... if I provide a Canuck with hygiene assistance while he`s in Australia?     Just curious. 

Dude, if you are going to wipe all that cake off his ass then you should expect a "Happy Ending" tip.

Tell him you want real money too, none of that fake shit he was trying to get rid of at the N.E. rally. 

[rktmanfj]

Dude, if you are going to wipe all that cake off his ass then you should expect a "Happy Ending" tip.

Tell him you want real money too, none of that fake shit he was trying to get rid of at the N.E. rally. 

[Tapartacus]

Why Canucks??

[Travis398]

Why Canucks??

Because Kevin is a Canuck

[Tapartacus]

Ah sorry, there was a back story to all this. I guess I should get out to the Rallies and see for myself! not a lib filled me in though thanks

Andrew