Tipping
So, can anyone tell me how much I'm supposed to tip for other things?
I know the 15% rule, and you waitresses, if you're only getting 10%, it's not the customer, it's YOU. Also, if you work at a place where the 15% is already built-in, you're shafting yourself (at least when I come to visit). AND if you're working at a place where tips are pooled, and you like it, odds are you're a slacker. But I'm wondering about other things. When I get a haircut and it costs $9, is a $1 tip still appropriate? It sure doesn't seem like much. Same with pizza -- is $1 a pizza correct? It seems that I remember when I delivered Pizza that $1 a pie was good, but that was quite awhile ago. Today I'm giving about $1.50 a pie. Do the delivery people think I'm a cheapskate? How much do you tip for these and any other misc. services?
Comments
1
Thank you for straightening that out there at the beginning about waitress tips (Yup, I'm a waitress, and damn tired of hearing the slack asses gripe about bad tips). Generally, you're right on, on all counts, except for the geriatric crowd, who will generally tip based on a fixed income rather than on quality of service, but who can blame them?
Anyway, I tip 15% everywhere. Hair salon, Pizza delivery guy, all get 15%, more if the 15% ends up being something pitiful, like on a cup of coffee, or a slice of pie. I don't know if that's customary, or if it's because I'm a waitress, but that's my advice.
Anyway, I tip 15% everywhere. Hair salon, Pizza delivery guy, all get 15%, more if the 15% ends up being something pitiful, like on a cup of coffee, or a slice of pie. I don't know if that's customary, or if it's because I'm a waitress, but that's my advice.
Posted by: Erin Monahan at July 02, 2005 12:14 PM (0Ea9a)
2
On pizza...I usually do $5. Take into account more than just the cost of the pizza. Take that the person got it to you in a timely manner, and the outrageous prices of gas these days.
On haircuts...I usually tip $3. I usually get a haircut with my son, so it turns out to be $6 total I am tipping, but usually two different people.
On haircuts...I usually tip $3. I usually get a haircut with my son, so it turns out to be $6 total I am tipping, but usually two different people.
Posted by: Jay at July 02, 2005 12:25 PM (BKqRl)
3
Two pet peeves re: tipping --
1. Tip jars at counter service: what "extra service" am I allegedly to be tipping for?
2. Waitpersons who, upon receiving payment for the meal, ask, "Do you need change back?" Whatever I had planned to tip goes down at that point. It strikes me as a lazy way to demand a tip of a certain amount.
1. Tip jars at counter service: what "extra service" am I allegedly to be tipping for?
2. Waitpersons who, upon receiving payment for the meal, ask, "Do you need change back?" Whatever I had planned to tip goes down at that point. It strikes me as a lazy way to demand a tip of a certain amount.
Posted by: Mellie Helen at July 02, 2005 03:32 PM (vGpbw)
4
I have the same pet peeves Mellie...the tip jar does bother me and the waiters shouldn't ask or assume. I can't stand either when the waiter brings back change and hands a five instead of all ones...to me that makes me think he is asking for the five dollar bill. I am more inclined to dig in my wallet for four dollars before giving him the extra dollar...
But having said that, I am a fairly generous tipper. I tip 20% for most services and all restarants except if service is bad...then I will only tip 10 - 15%.
But having said that, I am a fairly generous tipper. I tip 20% for most services and all restarants except if service is bad...then I will only tip 10 - 15%.
Posted by: jody at July 03, 2005 01:05 AM (FawQf)
5
Mellie~
Most waitresses who do that are under boss's orders to do so - it saves time in the long run if you don't need change because they can do the final closeout of that ticket imediately, rather than having to go back into the computer at the end of the night and do it. It's another case of the restaurant owner trying to shave time off his payroll (as if paying the waitresses another 30 minutes hurts much when we actually only make something like $2.50 an hour)
Tip jars piss me off too - why do I need to tip the guy at Starbucks? It's like asking me to tip the cashier at McDonalds.
Most waitresses who do that are under boss's orders to do so - it saves time in the long run if you don't need change because they can do the final closeout of that ticket imediately, rather than having to go back into the computer at the end of the night and do it. It's another case of the restaurant owner trying to shave time off his payroll (as if paying the waitresses another 30 minutes hurts much when we actually only make something like $2.50 an hour)
Tip jars piss me off too - why do I need to tip the guy at Starbucks? It's like asking me to tip the cashier at McDonalds.
Posted by: Erin Monahan at July 03, 2005 01:07 AM (0Ea9a)
6
My husband always adheres to the 15% rule when out eating, unless the waitress sucked the big one, then s/he gets ZIP! Also, we don't tip at buffet restaurants. All the guy/gal did was take my drink out and haul it back out. They didn't have to write anything hard down or make sure the cook made the correct thing. Call me cheap, but I see no reason to tip someone for that.
My hairdresser and nail tech get $3 extra no matter they do for me. I asked my nail tech one day if I was being cheap on the tip and she told me straight out "At least YOU tip" and didn't say anymore and I haven't given anymore. I don't know why I went with $3 .. just that's what I do.
My hairdresser and nail tech get $3 extra no matter they do for me. I asked my nail tech one day if I was being cheap on the tip and she told me straight out "At least YOU tip" and didn't say anymore and I haven't given anymore. I don't know why I went with $3 .. just that's what I do.
Posted by: Jo at July 03, 2005 07:15 AM (+zmkP)
7
In the UK here, there isn't really any hard and fast rules about how much we should tip (generally we don't). As far as waitresses go, there aren't as many about as there are in the USA. (Maybe I don't go to the right places). With regards to delivered take-outs, I generally do not tip unless it is an exceptional service. Take-outs in this country aren't exactly cheap- a 12" pizza will cost about 9-10 GBP on average (roughly $18 depending on the exchange rate) and getting a few of those rarely leaves extra money for a tip.
My hairdresser does a wonderful job on my hair, provides a great cup of coffee (or three) and I can be at the salon for up to 2 hours at a time (yes I'm a guy, but I like to look good). With highlights, my cut comes to £27 (call that $50) and I always hand over £30 and tell her to keep the change (so that's £3 or roughly $5.50) which I think is fair, especially as a lot of people don't even bother to tip.
My personal rule is only ever tip, and tip accordingly, if the person deserves it, not because it is expected.
My hairdresser does a wonderful job on my hair, provides a great cup of coffee (or three) and I can be at the salon for up to 2 hours at a time (yes I'm a guy, but I like to look good). With highlights, my cut comes to £27 (call that $50) and I always hand over £30 and tell her to keep the change (so that's £3 or roughly $5.50) which I think is fair, especially as a lot of people don't even bother to tip.
My personal rule is only ever tip, and tip accordingly, if the person deserves it, not because it is expected.
Posted by: Damien at July 03, 2005 09:09 AM (dWnRl)
8
Damien, you make me glad to be an American.
Posted by: Erin Monahan at July 03, 2005 10:40 AM (0Ea9a)
9
Waitresses & Waiters: I usually give minimum $5 max $10 (unless the meal or number of people is high).
Pizza: $1 or $2
If the waitsperson is bad - I give nothing.
If the pizza deliverer is driving a car nicer than mine - I give nothing.
Pizza: $1 or $2
If the waitsperson is bad - I give nothing.
If the pizza deliverer is driving a car nicer than mine - I give nothing.
Posted by: Tuck at July 03, 2005 05:34 PM (6Aq8W)
10
Excellent, thanks for all the comments, folks. Guess I'm a little cheap!
Posted by: Ogre at July 04, 2005 04:26 PM (lZf6y)
11
Ogre, I tend to stay near the 15% mark for dining out. I was recently clued in to the fact that the servers at Sonic are paid on the same scale as servers in "sit down" restaurants, and I would like to apologize now for my not tipping to this point. I don't eat there often, but I will tip from now on.
On the hair cut note, I tend to tip $1 if it's just a cut (although it's a "non issue" now that I'm BALD!), but that should go up if you get, say, a shampoo or something as well.
As for the pizza, I try to guage it based on price, if you have a LARGE order (4 or more pies), try to go for 10%, but typically $1 to $3 is the average, and a lot of people pay by check or credit/debit card now, so either the tip is less than $1 or is an "odd" amount (to bring the total to an even dollar figure).
Anyway, just my 2 cents. BTW - HAPPY 4TH MARINE, God Bless and THANK YOU!
On the hair cut note, I tend to tip $1 if it's just a cut (although it's a "non issue" now that I'm BALD!), but that should go up if you get, say, a shampoo or something as well.
As for the pizza, I try to guage it based on price, if you have a LARGE order (4 or more pies), try to go for 10%, but typically $1 to $3 is the average, and a lot of people pay by check or credit/debit card now, so either the tip is less than $1 or is an "odd" amount (to bring the total to an even dollar figure).
Anyway, just my 2 cents. BTW - HAPPY 4TH MARINE, God Bless and THANK YOU!
Posted by: Smoke Eater at July 05, 2005 01:29 AM (PWgRI)
12
I always overtip. I usually give 15% for bad service, and upwards of 30% for really good service.
As it turns out, I spend that 30% more often than not. If there is any chance that you will be coming back, they will remember that you tipped big last time. I get waitstaff gossip all the time, because that even happens if I don't get the same server.
As it turns out, I spend that 30% more often than not. If there is any chance that you will be coming back, they will remember that you tipped big last time. I get waitstaff gossip all the time, because that even happens if I don't get the same server.
Posted by: Phelps at July 05, 2005 12:23 PM (KAQTS)
13
15% for BAD service? I can't do that.
If I'm getting thirsty because my beer has been empty for too long, your tip is gone. If you offer me a new beer before the first one is quite gone, you just added an extra 5% -- every time you do that.
If I'm getting thirsty because my beer has been empty for too long, your tip is gone. If you offer me a new beer before the first one is quite gone, you just added an extra 5% -- every time you do that.
Posted by: Ogre at July 05, 2005 12:50 PM (/k+l4)
14
Wow, I feel like a big spender now. I tip $2 at a buffet, $1 for coffee, $5 to everyone besides waiters (hair, nails, pizza), and about 25% on meals. If the meal is less than $10 I tip $5 minimum.
Posted by: Ashley at July 05, 2005 09:04 PM (g7rdQ)
15
You get a $2.99 breakfast and tip $5? Really?
Posted by: Ogre at July 06, 2005 05:10 AM (qV2zb)
16
At a restaurant I'll tip between 15 and 20% depending on the service. Service has to be awful to get below that. At a buffet, between 10 and 15%.
Remember also, even in America what's reasonable service changes drastically in different geographic regions. I have to downgrade my expectations when I go to Boston.
For a 10-14 $ haircut I usually tip 2$, unless the person was annoying.
Remember also, even in America what's reasonable service changes drastically in different geographic regions. I have to downgrade my expectations when I go to Boston.
For a 10-14 $ haircut I usually tip 2$, unless the person was annoying.
Posted by: owlish at July 06, 2005 12:15 PM (fKZxn)
17
I was thinking about that very thing on the way to work today, Owlish. I wondered how much the tip for a haircut might vary by geographic location...
Posted by: Ogre at July 06, 2005 02:07 PM (/k+l4)
18
Then again, I guess that's why it's normally considered to be a percentage -- as the values and prices change, so does the tip.
Posted by: Ogre at July 06, 2005 02:08 PM (/k+l4)
19
I tend to think of it as part of their salary, or maybe a consulting fee? A new haircutting place opened up recently, and was charging 5$ a cut. I would still tip 2$, since the barber was putting in the same effort and time.
I'd be much more likely to tip 20% on a 10$ dinner than on a 100$ dinner.
I'd be much more likely to tip 20% on a 10$ dinner than on a 100$ dinner.
Posted by: owlish at July 06, 2005 10:15 PM (fKZxn)
20
$5 a cut? I need to visit there. I can't find anyone under $9 here. And yes, I am laughing at those who live in big cities and are now drooling at the $9 charge...
Posted by: Ogre at July 07, 2005 05:25 AM (qV2zb)
21
It was a "we're brand new, and looking for customers" price. It quickly went up to more normal prices.
Posted by: owlish at July 08, 2005 12:34 PM (fKZxn)
22
Hehe. I'm not picky. I've been known to volunteer at barber schools...
Posted by: Ogre at July 08, 2005 12:57 PM (/k+l4)
23
I tip 20% for bad service and 30% on up for excellent service. I always figure if I get bad service maybe the waitress/waiter is just having a bad day. I guess I don't encourage the wait staff to work very hard by tipping good on bad service though. Last week I tipped $30 on a $50 bill. Stupid, I know, but he truly was an excellent bartender. I'm by no means rich & sometimes I tell myself to quit tipping so much because it's really adding up. Until reading some of these comments, I thought the majority of people were like me.
Posted by: shelly at July 25, 2005 05:35 PM (T+xUX)
24
I can certainly understand overtipping for excellent service -- I am guilty of this myself. But for poor service? Indeed, you're messing things up! 
I'm trying to teach them that they're giving poor service by giving them less money -- if you give them more, they'll never learn!
I'm trying to teach them that they're giving poor service by giving them less money -- if you give them more, they'll never learn! Posted by: Ogre at July 25, 2005 06:02 PM (L0IGK)
25
I tip the food delivery people atleast 20% and more depending on how far away I live from the establisment. I don't understand why people would only tip a $1 a pie when they wouldn't tip there waitress based on the number of plates of food they ordered. And consider the fact that delivery drivers have to use there own car most of the time, pay for their on gas and maintanence they should receive more than other workers in the service industry.
Posted by: angel at August 26, 2005 12:33 AM (gqjMI)
26
Interesting comparison. $1 a pie does seem too little -- but nowadays there's a delivery fee from many places -- I wonder if the driver gets any of that....
Posted by: Ogre at August 26, 2005 06:05 AM (L0IGK)
27
I would -- unless you know the cost of a haircut is lower than what you've been charged.
For example, if the salon collects $5 a cut and your hairdresser asks you for a check to him for $10, then the profit is already built in. I'm not sure a tip is appropriate there.
However, it's more likely you don't know what the salon charges, so I'd just add a tip anyway.
For example, if the salon collects $5 a cut and your hairdresser asks you for a check to him for $10, then the profit is already built in. I'm not sure a tip is appropriate there.
However, it's more likely you don't know what the salon charges, so I'd just add a tip anyway.
Posted by: Ogre at September 21, 2005 02:54 PM (/k+l4)
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