Tipping - what does it apply to and how much?

[Grumble]

Generally in Australia a persons wages are meant to cover their services. Tipping is given for good service as an extra but it is not seen as expected. So with that cultural heritage it seems that I might be wandering into hostile territory, LOL

From what I hear, it seems it is a hidden surcharge on services in the USA.

I would appreciate some advice on what is the norm on what you are expected to tip both in size and for what services.

One bit of culture shock I am to experience LOL

[Lilith]

15% is standard tip for a waitperson serving you at a restaurant.

[Tess]

The usual tip is 20% of the total bill. Tipping can be based on the level of service, the quality of the food, and overall dining experience. In general, the wait staff gets paid at or close to the minimum wage, so tipping supplements the waiter or waitress' income.

Hope this helps!

[Tess]

Wow, I must be a big tipper :) Someone wait on me... NOW!

[Lilith]

You are right Tess, it's 20% on the total...or 15% pre-tax.

I tip 20 + for good service. Here in Florida the wait people make considerably less than minimum so tips are crucial.

[Sharni]

Alway wondered how the tipping worked*L*

I'd be hopeless, knowing me they'd put their hand out and i'd shake and wish them a good day LMAO

[Lilith]

You leave it on the table or add it to your credit card bill.

[Tess]

Just slip a tip on the table as you leave. If the service is bad, leave little or nothing. You can also add it to your credit card bill as you sign out. It's very simple. Noone will be standing there with their hand out.

[Tess]

Is there an echo in here?

[Scarecrow]

In the good old USofA a waitperson is only paid half of their wages by the employer. The government thinks that they make the other half in tips and charges them income tax on the tips. Go figure :(

[Tess]

At some places, the wait staff makes A LOT of money through tips. Hooters is one I can think of right off hand. And the fancier restaurants where the final bill is in the $100's. Again, there is no obligation to tip, but it is an accepted custom here.

[Tess]

Also, when you are in the major cities, tip the taxi cab driver a few dollars, depending on the length of the trip. In downtown Boston, Chicago, and New York, a short trip through town would warrant $2 of $3. Sometimes, you can just tell the driver to keep the change if the difference is in that range.

[Summer]

Tipping Tipping Tipping!

If the service SUCKS, I don't leave a tip.
If the service is ok, I will leave a 10% tip.
If the service ROCKED, I will leave 20+% tip.

[Booger]

standard is 15 to 20% the minimum wage for servers here is $2.56 an hour (I'm not sure if the is all of the US or just here in Michigan) so tipping is a lagre part of a servers pay.

As far as tipping other places unless you are in a nice hotel where someone brings your bags to you room don't worry if so just slip then a couple of bucks.

p.s. if you stop for fast food don't worry about tipping anyone

[osuche]

Sit down restaurants - 20%
Cab drivers - 10% of fare
Hair dressers, baggage handlers, and maitre d's about $2-3
Hookers...well...depends on how they perform :D

[Teddy Bear]

Good point Booger.... You only tip in 'sit-down' resturants, where you are waited on.

But check your bill when it comes. Some places add the tip on. So if you then leave cash on the table, you've tipped twice for the same service.

Other then cab drivers I can't think of anyone else you'll need to tip. (Other places/people where a tip is generally given: Fancy upper-price hotel staff, hair dressers, nail-techs, valets, bartenders, .... There are probably more but thats all I can think of right now.) Don't worry about it. Most likely you won't be on your own but will be with one of us. We could probably help ya out.... for a tip of course..... roflmao.

[Catch22]

In a cafe it depends on the service. The UK worries less about tips then the US. In Canada, some expect it and some don't. At least that was my experience. Cabs are the worst! Unlike Australia you can not see the meter, so they try to charge you what they think they can get away with. Plus expect a tip.

[Booger]

Originally posted by osuche
Sit down restaurants - 20%
Cab drivers - 10% of fare
Hair dressers, baggage handlers, and maitre d's about $2-3
Hookers...well...depends on how they perform :D


with hookers don't just give them the tip give them the whole thing

[Catch22]

Originally posted by Booger
with hookers don't just give them the tip give them the whole thing

Just make sure they don't give you anything in return.

[nikki1979]

LMAO @ booger and catch22

[musketeer]

Originally posted by Catch22
In a cafe it depends on the service. The UK worries less about tips then the US. In Canada, some expect it and some don't. At least that was my experience. Cabs are the worst! Unlike Australia you can not see the meter, so they try to charge you what they think they can get away with. Plus expect a tip.

I used to be a taxi driver in the UK and when the cars I dorve had a meter they had to be visable to the customer or you couldn't use them. As for tipping when I went to the States I tipped as I felt was appropriate.

[Catch22]

Originally posted by musketeer
I used to be a taxi driver in the UK and when the cars I dorve had a meter they had to be visable to the customer or you couldn't use them. As for tipping when I went to the States I tipped as I felt was appropriate.

The minicabs in the UK don't have meters yes?

[Grumble]

Thanks for the advice, I am getting a handle on it, now the only confusing thing is regarding the hookers.

Now I dont give them just a tip but the whole length, make sure I am not given anything in return. mmmmmmmmmm.

Well I have been told by several aussie men that you don't need to pay for it anyway as an australian accent is as potent as an aphrodesiac in the USA LOL. Well I hope so :)

[Catch22]

Originally posted by Grumble
Thanks for the advice, I am getting a handle on it, now the only confusing thing are the hookers.

Now I dont give them a tip bit the whole length, but make sure I am not given anything in return. mmmmmmmmmm

Well I have been told by several aussie men that you don't need to pay for it anyway as an australian accent is as potent as an aphrodesiac in the USA LOL. Well I hope so :)

Not half mate! :D

[musketeer]

Originally posted by Catch22
The minicabs in the UK don't have meters yes?

Some do some don't it depends on the local authority - some say there are compulsary some say they are optional. In the optional areas it is also upto the company you are working through/for if they want them or not. The area I worked (Wakefield) they were optional, but what I found was that customers didn't trust the meters and wanted to know what the fare was going to be before the journey commenced.

[Captain_abusive]

why dont people tip the chef damit???????? i would love it if people would tip me but they dont

[Teddy Bear]

Originally posted by Captain_abusive
why dont people tip the chef damit???????? i would love it if people would tip me but they dont

Where do ya work?

If I'm ever there I'll be sure to leave you a tip. ;)

And if ur close by I'll bring Grumble too.



teddy :) :)

[PantyFanatic]

I know that in my area, a lot of the serving staff do what is called "cut the kitty". They each give a small portion of their tips to a pot for the chef and bus people, feeling their performance effects the tips they get anyway.

[Catch22]

Yes, some bars out here have 'tip jars' That way all the staff get something.

[Booger]

Originally posted by Captain_abusive
why dont people tip the chef damit???????? i would love it if people would tip me but they dont

just have to be better I got tips when i cooked not a lot of times but did get $20 tip one night

[LixyChick]

Originally posted by Catch22
In a cafe it depends on the service. The UK worries less about tips then the US. In Canada, some expect it and some don't. At least that was my experience. Cabs are the worst! Unlike Australia you can not see the meter, so they try to charge you what they think they can get away with. Plus expect a tip.
I don't know where you were in the US.....but it doesn't sound like any place I've ever been to.

As explained before....we (Americans) are well aware of the dismal wages that waitpersons earn. We tip in accordance with the service.....in which, for the most part, the servers try to make a very pleasant experience....and to which we show our appreciation for that service! Otherwise.....we'd be cooking at home! A tip is a combination of appreciation and awareness of the fact that it is included in their reported income and is taxable......and the general public knows just how little these people would make if not supplemented with a tip! We don't tip because it's expected......we tip because we are nice! LOL!

If...in Canada.....some expect a tip and some don't....well...maybe a tip isn't for the same reason there....but I don't know about that!

As to cabs.......just lean forward and you can read the driver's name (if you can read Arabic or Hebrew or Indian...lol..jk!)....and you can see the meter! It's always on the front dash to the right of the driver! They don't sit on it or hide it under the seat....so just lean forward and have a peek! I even think it's a law that the meter be visable.....yep...that sounds logical!

Stop trying to scare Grumble! *spank* :D

Don't worry Ian......we'll take care of you hun! We won't let anyone rip you off.....and we'll get you up to speed in no time! It's not as scary or complicated as it seems.....and for the most part, I'm sure your hosts will be doing most of the tipping!

P.S. I've heard that accent and I know you'll NOT have a need for a lady of the evening! The chicks will swoon all over ya here!

[Catch22]

I am sure that Grumble will have a great time and you will all watch out for him. We would do the same for any of you if you were to come out here. We will throw a shrimp on the barbie even. :)

[LixyChick]

When will Barbie® ever get tired of being pummelled with shrimp?

:D

[Catch22]

Till Ken turns up!