Here's another example of something that was tip-worthy. I recently stopped by the Four Seasons Hotel here in the city to use their bathroom. Yeah yeah, but it was an emergency. So I pull in, I tell the valet I'm just going to be five minutes and I run inside. My girlfriend decided to just stay in the car. Anyway, when I came out, the valet had parked my car right near the lobby entrance and had provided my girlfriend and I with a couple of complimentary bottles of water, which she told me later he had volunteered because it was so hot out that day.
 
He got a $20.

I usually tip 20% when the waiter is decent and 15% when they are bad. I don't like going lower the 15% because the waiter usually has to spit their tip with the busboy and the runner. I don't want screw them over too much just because the waiter is a retard.

" @eyehook said:

" @Benjaminvdv said:

"I truly hate tipping, I don't know all the prices of food etc in most of your countries, but here (Netherlands) we pay lots for our food, when I was in the UK I could get atleast twice as much for the same price, anyway they expect you to tip, but why? They ask shitloads for their food and drinks, they don't suck my dick, so why should I pay extra?

Really?  I get a BJ after every meal.... I guess I'm just a good tipper. >:) "
 

No, we're talking about waiters, not gay prostitutes. Fine line. "

There's weird labor laws for waiters where in some states they can earn like $2.50 an hour instead of minimum wage.  Even if they were earning minimum wage being a waiter/waitress is a shit job, so unless they give you shit service you tip that 15% and stop whining like a little bitch. 

" @teh_destroyer said:

" I only leave a tip if the food was that good, if I didn't like it for some reason I just pay for it and walk out. "

See, you're tipping the wrong people then.  The waiter didn't make the food for you. "

Don't be an asshole. Tip for good service.

Just adding to the fact that Australians do not tip.  It simply isn't part of our culture.  Sure, there may be some individual exceptions, but the general rule is solid.  This is what makes it so hard for Australians on holiday.  Our waiters would get at least $16-18 an hour, so it isn't necessary. 
 
All jobs should pay a decent living wage and tips should be the exception, not the rule.

" @Delta_Ass said:

"  I hear Europe doesn't do any tipping. "

false "

So no tips, but big knives. 
 
Australia is awesome.

Being a waiter maybe a shit job, but you can be pulling in good money daily compared to what you would be getting doing retail work or whatever as a teenager or in your early twenties. It all comes down to how you are as a server and where you work. Working at an iHop compared to even a TGI Fridays you are going to get a different class of people. I generally tip well and I really don't mind doing so.

" Y'all who don't tip, or dislike it are more than welcome to go fuck yourselves with a big pointy stick. 
 
And if you cant' do on the fly percentage calculations, go punch your math teacher in the face.

@Sick_Sick_Sick said:

" @jakob187 said:

" Well, given that waiters and waitresses in America basically make around $1.00 an hour  "

i'm sorry but i highly doubt that this is true you make them out to be some charity "

Current federal limits for tipped wage is $2.13 an hour, with few states mandating higher. "

When I worked at the Martello (condominium complex) as a concierge my tips were more then my paycheck. I'd get tipped a five note just to help carry bags from the lobby to the elevators. At Christmas I was given over $1000 and enough booze to last me a year. Boxes of wine, scotch whiskey, beer, Bailey's, etc... Needless to say, I believe in tipping.

Do any of you tip the people that carry out your stuff from the grocery store or where ever?

i have had people try to tip me for carrying out a TV or piece of furniture at walmart...  and some grocery stores around here still have a kid help you load your car with all your bags, and about half the time they get tips.

I am required to refuse tips... but have had a few customers "force" me to take them.  One woman stuck some cash in my pocket.  You never know if someone sees you take something, and its not worth a few dollars here and there when you risk getting fired for not refusing/turning over your tips to the store when you go back inside.

You should leave a tip if you were given good service. If the waiter/waitress is bitchy and takes way too long, then no tip would be in order.
 
Also, just saying that the best service I got was from someone at Steak and Shake. Not only that it was good service, but the man memorized our orders. Table of four. And he didn't write anything down. He memorized our orders, and only made 1 tiny mistake. We were impressed, to say the least.

" @iam3green said:

" @Hamst3r said:

" Wow, all this hate for people who aren't quick at math. Awesome.   The way I handle tipping is I simply put down two dollars more than whatever the first number of the bill is.   $10 bill = $3 tip. $20 bill = $4 tip. $30 bill = $5 tip. $40 bill = $6 tip. $50 bill = $7 tip.    Keeps it simple. Just look at the first number and add two. Add three if they were awesome. "

that is a very nice system u have there :) i have to say that i don't go out to eat a lot with friends that i have to tip. if i go out my parents pay. i have to say that i usually say give them $6 tip. it usually is something around there with the tip. "

@Hamst3r:   Actually that's a shitty system as the bill goes up . If you have a $50 bill you're giving them 14%. By the time you get to $100 it's only 12%. "

"

Do any of you tip the people that carry out your stuff from the grocery store or where ever?

i have had people try to tip me for carrying out a TV or piece of furniture at walmart...  and some grocery stores around here still have a kid help you load your car with all your bags, and about half the time they get tips.

I am required to refuse tips... but have had a few customers "force" me to take them.  One woman stuck some cash in my pocket.  You never know if someone sees you take something, and its not worth a few dollars here and there when you risk getting fired for not refusing/turning over your tips to the store when you go back inside.

"

" Well, given that waiters and waitresses in America basically make around $1.00 an hour and tips is where they make their money, then that 15% makes up the rest.  It's what keeps the food industry booming so much.  Also, if you can't figure out 15% of your meal's total within about 10 seconds, then you need to go back to 7th grade...or maybe earlier.  That is simple and basic math.  Meal costs $30. 20% of $30 is $6. Therefore, the tip that should be left is around $5.  If you are such a cheapskate that you can't even figure up a tip, let alone leave a tip, then you need to stop eating at restaurants.  Hell, if you're eating at a restaurant, then it means you've got some money to blow anyways!!! "

Tipping is a sign of appreciation.  However, cow tipping is a sign of ignorance and stupidity! : - P

The higher the minimum wage, the less tipping. In Australia the minimum wage is roughly 18$ Canadian an hour so no one tips, since waiters/waitresses usually get minimum wage. Also, I'm pretty sure your not obligated to tip...

Your right its a hassle, I find it awkward giving people extra money because they make a shitty wage also. Like its charity or something.

I give decent tips, I figure, why the fuck not, Im already wasting hard earned money eating out, a few more bucks isn't gonna kill me 

"Hell, most restaurants in my hometown force a 30% tip for parties over 20!!!

I think waiters/waitresses get less than minimum wage sometimes.... I'm not 100% on that though..

As long as I get good service I'll tip 15-20%, if I get bad service I usually leave $1, nothing or a penny, haha.

" @Mrnitropb:

Geesus fucking Christ, Tipped wage is $2.13 Holy fuck! 
 
Taken from Department Of Labour NZ
 

Minimum wage rates from 1 April 2009

The adult minimum wage is $12.50 an hour.  That’s $100 for an eight hour day, and $500 for a 40 hour week.

The new entrants minimum wage and the training minimum wage are $10.00 an hour.  That’s $80 for an eight hour day, and $400 for a 40 hour week.

By law, employers must pay at least the minimum wage - even if an employee is paid by commission or by piece rate. The minimum wage applies to all workers aged 16 years or older, including home workers, casuals, temporary and part-time workers.

The only exception is when an employee holds an exemption permit.

Holiday pay must be paid in addition to the minimum wage. If an employee receives “pay-as-you-go” holiday pay, this payment must be a separate and identifiable part of their pay.

An increase in the minimum wage will not affect an employee’s other conditions of employment, unless they agree to the changes.

An employee being paid less than the minimum wage can complain to a Labour Inspector, who may investigate and act to recover any money owed. Employees can also get help from our mediators. 
  
END:
Wow, I can't belive how lucky I am, Huh oh well, move to New Zealand guy's is all I can say, The land of the long white chain of Orc's, Sheep and lesbians!

"

You don't even have to tip, at least not here. I don't bother tipping since someone else always does.

Do you value the human element as it relates to products and services? Or do you want to encourage routine, impersonal, blank-stare style service?
 
If you like the former, tip your servers. If you like the latter, don't.

I don't tip. Ever.

" @Red12b said:

" @Mrnitropb:

Geesus fucking Christ, Tipped wage is $2.13 Holy fuck! 
 
Taken from Department Of Labour NZ
 

Minimum wage rates from 1 April 2009

The adult minimum wage is $12.50 an hour.  That’s $100 for an eight hour day, and $500 for a 40 hour week.

The new entrants minimum wage and the training minimum wage are $10.00 an hour.  That’s $80 for an eight hour day, and $400 for a 40 hour week.

By law, employers must pay at least the minimum wage - even if an employee is paid by commission or by piece rate. The minimum wage applies to all workers aged 16 years or older, including home workers, casuals, temporary and part-time workers.

The only exception is when an employee holds an exemption permit.

Holiday pay must be paid in addition to the minimum wage. If an employee receives “pay-as-you-go” holiday pay, this payment must be a separate and identifiable part of their pay.

An increase in the minimum wage will not affect an employee’s other conditions of employment, unless they agree to the changes.

An employee being paid less than the minimum wage can complain to a Labour Inspector, who may investigate and act to recover any money owed. Employees can also get help from our mediators. 
  
END:
Wow, I can't belive how lucky I am, Huh oh well, move to New Zealand guy's is all I can say, The land of the long white chain of Orc's, Sheep and lesbians!

"

That's pretty cool that minimum wage is that much in NZ, it's much lower then that in the U.S (a few years ago it was still under $6 an hour!). "

" @strangeling said:

" @teh_destroyer said:

" I only leave a tip if the food was that good, if I didn't like it for some reason I just pay for it and walk out. "

See, you're tipping the wrong people then.  The waiter didn't make the food for you. "

Tips are split among the staff. Are people really this clueless? "

minimum wage in seoul, south korea is 4,000 won (which equals $3.50). no one tips. people are actually insulted if you tip. i ordered mcdonald's (they deliver here), and the guy gave me exact change, said, "have a good meal," and left on his scooter. it's something my brain hasn't finished wrapping itself around. i worked in the pizza business and had my share of, "i drove across town for no tip," whinefests. living in a culture that, for the most part, refuses tips -- it's strange.

" minimum wage in seoul, south korea is 4,000 won (which equals $3.50). no one tips. people are actually insulted if you tip. i ordered mcdonald's (they deliver here), and the guy gave me exact change, said, "have a good meal," and left on his scooter. it's something my brain hasn't finished wrapping itself around. i worked in the pizza business and had my share of, "i drove across town for no tip," whinefests. living in a culture that, for the most part, refuses tips -- it's strange. "

" @clumsyg said:

" minimum wage in seoul, south korea is 4,000 won (which equals $3.50). no one tips. people are actually insulted if you tip. i ordered mcdonald's (they deliver here), and the guy gave me exact change, said, "have a good meal," and left on his scooter. it's something my brain hasn't finished wrapping itself around. i worked in the pizza business and had my share of, "i drove across town for no tip," whinefests. living in a culture that, for the most part, refuses tips -- it's strange. "

It makes conversations like this awkward / educational, but that's what I enjoy about Giant Bomb - all the different nationalities / cultures represented here.  This is the first community where I've REALLY noticed where everyone's from.  And since you mentioned delivery... Being a delivery driver has got to be the cushiest job ever  (where I work, anyway).  You don't have to be in the store working.  You get to listen to your own music.  You get paid normal wages.  People tip you.  And you get paid mileage. And they still complain about it. "

Funny how no one in this post has looked at why tipping exists. Tipping is basically just buffering the waiter/waitresses wage. My question is: Why should it be the responsibility of the customer to pay the wages of employees rather then the person/company who employs them?
 When I pay for services, I except everything to be included in the price. If I go and pay 3 bucks for a ice cream, the three bucks should cover the price of the ingredients, the usage of the machinery and the service you get of someone making it for you, not to mention the god damn tax! (A big pet peeve of mine is not including the tax in the retail price)
I've worked all kinds of jobs, ranging from pizza deliverer to waiter to grocery clerk to coffee-bartender.  I've refused tips at a number of occasions (most made by foreign people). If you tip me, you're telling me that you're richer than me. That I need the money more than you do. So you are insulting me by talking down to me. If you tip me, you're telling me that the company I work for doesn't give me fair pay for a fair day's work. So you're insulting my employer.
So wouldn't it make more sense to lay the responsibility on the employer than the customer?

" Funny how no one in this post has looked at why tipping exists. Tipping is basically just buffering the waiter/waitresses wage. My question is: Why should it be the responsibility of the customer to pay the wages of employees rather then the person/company who employs them?  When I pay for services, I except everything to be included in the price. If I go and pay 3 bucks for a ice cream, the three bucks should cover the price of the ingredients, the usage of the machinery and the service you get of someone making it for you, not to mention the god damn tax! (A big pet peeve of mine is not including the tax in the retail price) I've worked all kinds of jobs, ranging from pizza deliverer to waiter to grocery clerk to coffee-bartender.  I've refused tips at a number of occasions (most made by foreign people). If you tip me, you're telling me that you're richer than me. That I need the money more than you do. So you are insulting me by talking down to me. If you tip me, you're telling me that the company I work for doesn't give me fair pay for a fair day's work. So you're insulting my employer. So wouldn't it make more sense to lay the responsibility on the employer than the customer? "

Sorry if I think that a "thank you" or some nice words of encouragement are ways to rewarding a good effort rather than paying them. Anyone can throw money, that doesn't prove shit. Many people here say they tip regardless of service. So like I said, they aren't rewarding effort, they're just following procedure. Not to mention that you did not answer the point of my post which was begging the question why customers should pay a part of the staffs salary.
 
If I worked as a waiter and someone really appreciated the service I gave them, I'd much rather get a thank you than a dollar.
 
As for that they're just letting me know what I WOULD pay for it if they had a say, I'd much rather just let them tell me what I DO have to pay. I do not think that it's  too much to ask of a company that they give me the SERVICE of telling me what items cost, but then again, I might have to tip for that...

I agree with the original post... If we all stop tipping... prices may be higher.. yes... but also the watress will have a better income just from their salary.    

The reason i dont tip its because.... I kwen some girl... she used to work at this coffee place, and she earned the minimum $$ per hour.... plus the tips.. but her boss always took 50% or 70% of the tips (form the tips on the table and the tar) ... so she eventually left the place because of that.... with that said... How the hell do I know if my tip actually goes to the waitress or to the fucking Boss (or owner)??? 
 
However Its not about the math that you need to do, or if you are cheap or not, its about fuckers like these who take advantage of people...

"

"