bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

ever notice that tipping happens where wages are next to nothing? waiters, bell hops, hotel workers? at the time the new deal was introduced certain fields got a bye on their wage scale. resturants pay waiters maybe $1.75 to $3.00 per hour. well below the national average. in other words the customer is expected to pay their wages directly. now they are able to force us to pay a gratuity even if we don't want to. there are plenty of places where the costomer gets personal attention without a hand out. in our country where choice is a watchword tipping should be a choice.
there were times in my twentys when I had to save up for 3 weeks to go to a restaurant, and a 25 cent tip was my limit. the last thing I wanted was a dirty look from the staff.

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

I agree with you, "tipping should be a choice".

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

I don't understand what your are talking about: Being forced to tip?
I have had tips added to my bill, but when I ask they were removed. I have worked as a carhop in the mid 1950's, pay $1.75 per shift + tips that is the way it was!!! and getting tipped was not a given.
I now tip according to the service I receive.
Now the term "tip" means To Insure Prompt Service, originally given before you were seated. But we do have a choice!!!!!

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

I've really only have experience dealing with Restaurant waiters and waitresses. Back when I was a full time college student and not working I would tip 10%, sometimes with an explanation (1973-80). Once I was working I usually tipped the then common 15%. These days since I am a bit better off financially but still have to watch my cash flow, my wife and I typically tip 20%. The math is easier too than 15%. But we'll go with rounding off 18 to 22% depending on service.

One time when the waiter was acting too silly and annoying (it was sort of his job and the idea of the place but we and another couple we were with wanted to talk and not be entertained), and actually fell on another table, we gave him a tip all in coins and put it in the pitcher of water. As we were leaving he looked annoyed. Good!

Another time my wife and I were at a fairly pricey restaurant and we had to get a new waitress who had no idea what she was doing -- totally incompetent -- She got nearly the entire order wrong, over and over. We talked to management and they offered a free dessert to make up for the awful service. I refused and said just give me the damn bill so I can get out of here. The poor fool girl knew she F'd up. We left her perhaps a 50 Cent tip so she would know we were pissed-off. We of course never returned and cared not that it was a semi-famous place.

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

The lady who clears tables in the local Mall told me she loves Sunday work as they are paid $75 per hour!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I have no problem with tipping for good service. However, I see an increase in tip cups on the counters at many fast food restaurants. All the workers do is take your order, hand you your order, take your money, and immediately wait on the next customer. Usually done in a few seconds. And they want to be tipped.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

And who made the laws that benefit these businesses? It's hard to believe there's a logical rationale for paying people such low wages. "If I paid them a living wage, I'd go out of business." I worked a summer job for a couple of years, and for some reason, state law (NH) allowed them to work us overtime without paying us overtime.

repleo Loc: Boston

We in the US live are proud to live in a Capitalist society, which means it is run for the benefit of and to protect those of us with Capital. Trickle down economics is based on the idea that if we rich Capitalists can gorge ourselves enough, we will spill enough crumbs to feed the rest of the country including waiters and photographers. Wait for the upcoming tax reform and see who benefits the most in actual $$$ - the lowly waiter or the millionaire - and guess who is going to foot the bill for the deficit. MAGA HAHA.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

In 30 years as a chef I have only worked in one establishment where the tips were shared equally with the kitchen staff !! So enjoy your delusion that you are showing appreciation for your 'Meal'. Waiting is not the only service given. I have also worked in places where the tips were used to 'square the till' at the end of the night.....(Landlord owner...not a chain)
The UK Tax Office expects all catering staff to 'earn tips'. And yes catering is exempt from our minimum wage.£7.50 for those over 25!! Most Places do not even provide meals on duty or Staff uniform.
Listing Catering as your employment adds a premium to your motor insurance - add 'working in a licenced premises' adds even more. Drinking on duty will get you sacked as in any other industry!! Go figure...

There is a notion that Catering is a vocation or temporary....Yet it is a multi - Million pound Industry and the backbone of liesure services. The money is being generated - just not distributed.

George

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

I don't mind tipping for traditional service employees. I do mind that so many huge corporations like Walmart pay their employees so little that they qualify for food stamps and Medicaid. This is not just welfare for these poor working folks, but corporate welfare that enables these stores to be very profitable while they run traditional stores out of business.

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

I tip liberally, especially when a server or employee appears happy to serve me. It it fair to distribute some of my disposable income to hard-working young people.

DStone Loc: Outside Winston-Salem, NC

Most restaurants in Switzerland pay their wait staff a full wage. No obligatory tipping, but higher prices.

firtree Loc: Florida, USA

I understand your position, however, this may be part of your problem with tipping. These people are not working for a "hand out", they are working to provide you with customer service in exchange for supplemental income after accepting jobs that pay below minimum wage with the promise of tips for providing exceptional customer care. If they fulfill that goal, you should tip them.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

Here in the UK we very rarely tip unless service is particularly good.