I learned about tipping from my parents. When ever we traveled my parents would give $1/ bag to the baggage handler and $5/day to the maids in the hotel. This was in the 70's and 80's and I'm sure my dad groaned and moaned about it every time because he was the cheapest man in the world. But they still did it.
Tipping at restaurants and bars was an automatic... so much I can't recall hearing my parents talk about it, it's just what you did. And like I said, Dad was a very frugal man.
When I started my bartending career I assumed everyone grew up the same way I did. I remember as a teenager going out with friends and when the check came there were a few that we had to shake upside down by their feet to get enough for tax and tip but for the most part (as a whole) we were good about tipping.
A lot of people are personally offended with the idea of having to tip.
I have traveled outside the United States and have witnessed first hand the difference between the Service Industry in the States and the Service Industry abroad. :Let's speak particularly about Europe and the United Kingdom (some Brits have said they are not a part of Europe so I want to make sure they know I am including them in this)
There is a difference in the way service is administered THERE as opposed to HERE.
HERE- sometimes it's about getting a good tip, or a high commission or just meeting your set goal, and THERE - more often than not, it is more of having a product available for you to purchase but with a "take it or leave it" attitude.
Maybe in America we value different things. We are very money, job, and career driven. But what ever the case we are HERE and HERE we are on the tipping system.
Let me try and break it down for you. Obviously I will be debating on the FOR tipping side not the NOT for tipping side. If you want to hear the other side you'll have to find another blog for that.
So basically, when you are a waiter or bartender or bar-back you do not get a normal salary. What you get is below minimum wage, minimum wage in NY is $7.25/hr What service employees receive is $5.00/hr. This wage is only to cover taxes and fees that are taken out of our check, so when we receive a check it is basically a tax receipt showing you how much THE GOVERNMENT has taken out for taxes and how much your EMPLOYER has taken out for meals( and sometimes uniforms or other expenses). Yes MEALS, you think we eat for free? (well we sneak food all the time) But we pay for our "staff meals" and at most restaurants they are nothing like what the customers are eating. They are made by a kitchen staff member with what ever is cheap and on it's last days of expiration.
We get a check with a big VOID printed on the front.
The reason being is that we work for tips, tips only. We pay taxes on tips whether we are receiving the tips or not. so when you Don't tip, that tip is already being declared to the Tax Man.
Keep this in mind, the next time you stiff you waiter or bartender. At least you can't say you didn't know better. The next time you see someone not tipping you tell them, HEY!!! Leave a tip! and if they say "why" you tell them because ....
..... NEENIESAYS!
FREE TIP: ... if it's your birthday, Don't ask the bartender for a free drink. If you are there with friends they are the ones that should buy you a drink. The bartender doesn't even know you. But if you are nice, fun, cool and having a good time the bartender will most likely buy you a drink without asking. (THAT IS...IF YOU ARE A TIPPER)
