question about proper tipping

[exotikittenx]

Originally Posted by chinahopes

Why shouldn't they expect tips? They're performing a service for you the same way your hairdresser or manicurist does.

Because they are not waiting on you- you have to walk up to the counter yourself to place your order, and stand there and wait for it and carry your food back to the table or as take-out. Plus they are making an hourly wage and do not make only $2.00 or whatever it is that waiters do. So the people at Dunkin Donuts grab you a muffin and coffee- I would hardly consider that a "service".

Should we start tipping the baggers at the grocery store or the cashiers at a retail store because they rang you out and bagged your items? Going to a hairdresser or manicurist is not the same as placing an order at the counter.

[LindaP]

Originally Posted by chinahopes

Why shouldn't they expect tips? They're performing a service for you the same way your hairdresser or manicurist does.

So would you tip at MacDonald's or Burger King as well? After all they're grabbing your food, putting it into a bag and filling a drink cup?

Linda

[asianbelle]

I don't know what the standard here is in Calgary, but I generally tip between 10-25%, depending on the place and service. Chinese restaurants here generally have really lousy service (rude waiters, food doesn't come all at once so by the time one person's finished their meal the other person hasn't gotten their food, and so on) so there I don't tip a lot. Waiters here do make minimum wage per hour or more ($8?) so I can't say that they are relying on tips to survive. Now, I'm trying not to use the recession as an excuse, but service EVERYWHERE has gone downhill lately - even at high end restaurants which really disappoint me, so I've been reluctant to eat out lately. To me, tipping is an option - I don't see why I should feel obligated to tip a specific amount just because. If the service is lousy and I feel like I wasted my time and money, I'm not going to leave much of a tip - that's the way it is. If I feel that the waiter didn't even want to do their job so much as to serve my meal, then why should I show them any appreciation by tipping?

I'm fine with restaurants adding an automatic gratuity on groups of 6 to 8 or more. It's usually 18-20% and I don't need to worry about tipping in addition since it's already there. However, one time my brother and I were at this Japanese all-you-can-eat place (actually, two times at two different places) and they said we must pay a 10% service fee just because. Fine with me - they didn't get any tips from us (they would've probably got 15%). Service fee for two people? Give me a freakin' break.

[natalie78]

I think the while tipping expectation has gotten out of hand. I hate tipping for things that I don't think deserve it, but I hate walking away feeling like a cheapskate.

[siworae]

ok... what's the proper tipping etiquette as far as buffets go? my friends only put in $2-3 per person because we have to get up and get our own food. all the waiters do is clear our table and bring/refill beverages.

i still think it's a lot of work to clean up a table... so i feel bad tipping below the standard 15%... i don't eat at buffets often, though... there aren't any good ones where i live, but i always eat at a buffet at least once whenever i'm in Vegas...

[Jahpson]

Originally Posted by Vegas Long Legs

I don't tip on counter orders either. Don't really find myself in that position much, don't drink coffee, don't go to Starbucks. Do go to Fatburgers about once a month, love the turkeyburger! I noticed the last time here the tip jar was gone. Should I add a tip on our monthly statements for our bookkeeper? Makes about as much sense as tipping the counter person. What about the guys at Auto Zone or any business that isn't food related. Should they be tipped? Why do counterpeople who work in food think they should put out a tip jar? Go get a waiter job if you want a tip. I think this all boils down to cheap employers wanting to pass their costs on to the customers.

yes its tipping gone crazy!!

I better tip the doorman at LV for opening the door for me as well.

[LindaP]

Originally Posted by siworae

ok... what's the proper tipping etiquette as far as buffets go? my friends only put in $2-3 per person because we have to get up and get our own food. all the waiters do is clear our table and bring/refill beverages. i still think it's a lot of work to clean up a table... so i feel bad tipping below the standard 15%... i don't eat at buffets often, though... there aren't any good ones where i live, but i always eat at a buffet at least once whenever I'm in Vegas...

I would tip 15% at a buffet, unless I feel the waiter is completely ignoring the table, as opposed to 20% for a regular restaurant.

You're right, it's alot of work to clean up the tables with a buffet since you get a new plate every time you get up to get your food. A server is constantly coming along to take away empty plates, or plates full of food someone decided they didn't like, as well as refilling drinks.

Linda

[blah956]

ugh. i've been both a waitress and a "server" at a buffet.

To be honest, at times it felt that being a server was more work. Constantly having to remove plates from the tables and refill drinks.

It was annoying when I'd serve iced tea. I'd fill the glass full of ice yet when i got to the table, it'd have melted almost entirely.

i remember i once had a table who refused to be served by buffet and wanted menus and full table service. i explained to her we were buffet but she refused saying "MY COWORKER HAS A MENU. WE WANT A MENU"...i had to explain to her that she most likely got it from the to-go area of the buffet. lol she was red in the face and apologized for the attitude.

[Vegas Long Legs]

^^ do think whoever serves at buffets should get some kind of a tip. Can't believe there would be arguments against this? We eaten at a buffet in Vegas like twice in our lives. Just not our cup of tea.

What does everyone think of tipping for a facial at a plastic surgeons office? The facial is about double the cost of a regular salon facial for the same treament.

[blah956]

Originally Posted by Vegas Long Legs

^^ do think whoever serves at buffets should get some kind of a tip. Can't believe there would be arguments against this? We eaten at a buffet in Vegas like twice in our lives. Just not our cup of tea. What does everyone think of tipping for a facial at a plastic surgeons office? The facial is about double the cost of a regular salon facial for the same treament.

well when i was a server, we got paid the standard $2.13. My tips didn't total as much as when i was a waitress.

i think servers at buffets should get tipped something. just because there is some service but obviously not as much as a waitress.

[Vegas Long Legs]

Oh I agree. My post doesn't make this clear. Sometimes I feel like employers are well aware of how people think in this situation (many don't tip) & the employer takes advantage of the employee. There is some skill required to get to a table & take away plates etc b4 the customer returns. Plus most time they serve drinks.

[natalie78]

Originally Posted by Vegas Long Legs

What does everyone think of tipping for a facial at a plastic surgeons office? The facial is about double the cost of a regular salon facial for the same treament.

That's a tough one.

I have a situation to contemplate...

I made an appointment with my usual hair stylist. I showed up at the salon and the owner came to tell me that my stylist had a paperwork problem when she tried to renew her state license, so they sent her home. The owner told me that he didn't want to bother calling me to tell me since someone else at the salon had an opening at that time and they could fit me in. I hesitantly agreed since my roots were out of control and I didn't know when my stylist would be available. In the middle of my service, the owner came up and asked me how I am going to pay. I told her with a credit card, so she got my bag off the floor and handed it to me. I was kind of shocked that she would do this in the middle of my service, but I got the card for her. She ran it and brought me the receipt to sign while I am under the dryer. At the end of the color and cut session, I look in the mirror to see that the color is off and the cut just isn't quite what I described. At this point, they are about to close, so neither the owner or the stylist ask me if I like the color or cut.

Tip or no tip?

[blah956]

Originally Posted by natalie78

That's a tough one. I have a situation to contemplate... I made an appointment with my usual hair stylist. I showed up at the salon and the owner came to tell me that my stylist had a paperwork problem when she tried to renew her state license, so they sent her home. The owner told me that he didn't want to bother calling me to tell me since someone else at the salon had an opening at that time and they could fit me in. I hesitantly agreed since my roots were out of control and I didn't know when my stylist would be available. In the middle of my service, the owner came up and asked me how I am going to pay. I told her with a credit card, so she got my bag off the floor and handed it to me. I was kind of shocked that she would do this in the middle of my service, but I got the card for her. She ran it and brought me the receipt to sign while I am under the dryer. At the end of the color and cut session, I look in the mirror to see that the color is off and the cut just isn't quite what I described. At this point, they are about to close, so neither the owner or the stylist ask me if I like the color or cut. Tip or no tip?

ugh. very rude. i would've given a very minimal tip. just because of the rude service of being asked to pay in the middle... i probably would've tipped very minimally as well for not receiving what i asked for and for the color being off.

[sillykitty]

Originally Posted by natalie78

That's a tough one. I have a situation to contemplate... I made an appointment with my usual hair stylist. I showed up at the salon and the owner came to tell me that my stylist had a paperwork problem when she tried to renew her state license, so they sent her home. The owner told me that he didn't want to bother calling me to tell me since someone else at the salon had an opening at that time and they could fit me in. I hesitantly agreed since my roots were out of control and I didn't know when my stylist would be available. In the middle of my service, the owner came up and asked me how I am going to pay. I told her with a credit card, so she got my bag off the floor and handed it to me. I was kind of shocked that she would do this in the middle of my service, but I got the card for her. She ran it and brought me the receipt to sign while I am under the dryer. At the end of the color and cut session, I look in the mirror to see that the color is off and the cut just isn't quite what I described. At this point, they are about to close, so neither the owner or the stylist ask me if I like the color or cut. Tip or no tip?

I tip generously when I receive standard service or better. On the other hand I have no problem not tipping if I receive poor service, if it was within the person's control. If I leave no tip I always leave an explanation, so they know it's not because I'm cheap, but it's in response to thier service. So in your situation, I would leave no tip, but would let your stylist and the owner know why.

[nooch]

Natalie - I don't know whether I'd be a PITA customer for this but I wouldn't tip and I would expect them to fix it if it was that off. If the fix came out as expected I'd tip.