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-Morrocco, where an elderly waiter whispered for a direct tip into his hand, because the Dragon Lady boss would surely have pocketed anything we´d placed on the payment plate.
-Arizona, where my mentally-disturbed sister-in-law convinced members of her family NOT to tip the elderly black porter who´d hefted their massive suitcases for quite some distance. I went absolutely apeshit postal on her and the others, demanding that they tip properly.
-Zimbabwe, the black Americans who´d quasi-hijacked our private vehicle to take them back to their own hotel, refused to tip the driver at all when they got out. Interesting racial implications.
-Peru, I tipped my private driver above and beyond, because he´d taken care of me during my hospitalization in a remote Andean area. He´d literally wiped my ass without prompting, when severe food poisoning did me in and I was semi-conscious.
I am done. Los Finales.
With me, it doesn't matter which country - or indeed continent I'm in, nor if it's a roadside diner, or up in The CN Tower Restaurant.... Culture, tradition etc. doesn't matter one iota. If I've enjoyed myself, I'll tip. If I haven't.... I won't.
If I'm just having drinks or if I'm in a fast food restaurant like mcdonalds I don't tip. Shuttles and maids I don't usually tip unless the service is some how amazing and impressive in someway shape or form... or sometimes if its the difference of a couple of bucks I just round up the bill, keep the change sort of thing. As well nothing bad has ever happened from not tipping, like I think sit down restaurants are the big thing, if the service is good leave a couple bucks and don't worry . There's still a huge majority of people who don't tip. And Hey.. times are hard everywhere right now I think MOST people kind of get that fact or so you would hope.
But if you think the level of service in a bar is essentially the same as KFC... well, you might enjoy seeing dirty glassware pile up around you as the night wears on, which is what is likely to happen if you don't tip. Assuming you manage to get a second drink, which is not a given.
Admittedly it's bizarre that we generally don't tip for fast food (and especially at chains), but not tipping at a bar is a huge faux pas, and it's the scenario where a server is most likely to say something to you about it.
I'm hoping that I haven't insulted anybody or even hurt the staffs attempt at drawing wages.
I can understand why people get angry with Australians for them not tipping, but people should also try and understand that it is a very foreign concept to most Australians who do not regularly travel to the US / Canada. Most Australians will try and do the right thing.
As an aside, I spend the winter in Mexico where the Mexicans quite often do NOT tip at all and if they do, it is around 5%. Now does that mean I should do likewise?
No, I tip 15% and get no complaints. In fact they are happy to see me again on my next visit to the establishment.
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16
My point exactly. As Mr Pink says in the movie Reservoir Dogs ..."Society says tip these people over here but don't tip those people over there"... Of course you should tip, I never said you shouldn't, but if minimum wage was $15-$16 dollars an hour for people over 18 years old then I personally feel it would make for a more equitable system for all service employees.17
Dirty Bird and Maccy Dees don't have table service though and that's why we do not tip them. I find it rather cheeky though to see a tip jar on the counter the few times I have gone into a Starbucks or any other of those ponce coffee places. Coffee places in the U.K. are doing the same these days.18
They still have to put up with rude, obnoxious people, cook for them, clean up after them, throw out stuff in dumpsters, stand on their feet for their entire shift, wash their own uniforms etc. I'm am not telling anyone where and when they should tip, I am merely taking issue with those that do. I am trying to promote an even playing field for all to make good money, not just the pretty ones.19
We have always tipped well for good service and which country it has been has never made any difference. Notable memories around tipping:-Morrocco, where an elderly waiter whispered for a direct tip into his hand, because the Dragon Lady boss would surely have pocketed anything we´d placed on the payment plate.
-Arizona, where my mentally-disturbed sister-in-law convinced members of her family NOT to tip the elderly black porter who´d hefted their massive suitcases for quite some distance. I went absolutely apeshit postal on her and the others, demanding that they tip properly.
-Zimbabwe, the black Americans who´d quasi-hijacked our private vehicle to take them back to their own hotel, refused to tip the driver at all when they got out. Interesting racial implications.
-Peru, I tipped my private driver above and beyond, because he´d taken care of me during my hospitalization in a remote Andean area. He´d literally wiped my ass without prompting, when severe food poisoning did me in and I was semi-conscious.
I am done. Los Finales.
21
I think what comes round - comes round, like I said before.With me, it doesn't matter which country - or indeed continent I'm in, nor if it's a roadside diner, or up in The CN Tower Restaurant.... Culture, tradition etc. doesn't matter one iota. If I've enjoyed myself, I'll tip. If I haven't.... I won't.
23
I'm a Canadian and I guess my rule of thumb is, a sit down restaurant I tip.If I'm just having drinks or if I'm in a fast food restaurant like mcdonalds I don't tip. Shuttles and maids I don't usually tip unless the service is some how amazing and impressive in someway shape or form... or sometimes if its the difference of a couple of bucks I just round up the bill, keep the change sort of thing. As well nothing bad has ever happened from not tipping, like I think sit down restaurants are the big thing, if the service is good leave a couple bucks and don't worry . There's still a huge majority of people who don't tip. And Hey.. times are hard everywhere right now I think MOST people kind of get that fact or so you would hope.
26
37 - no, I don't think B&B owners expect tips.But if you think the level of service in a bar is essentially the same as KFC... well, you might enjoy seeing dirty glassware pile up around you as the night wears on, which is what is likely to happen if you don't tip. Assuming you manage to get a second drink, which is not a given.
Admittedly it's bizarre that we generally don't tip for fast food (and especially at chains), but not tipping at a bar is a huge faux pas, and it's the scenario where a server is most likely to say something to you about it.
28
I'm an Australian and it's always been my customs to not insult anybody, wherever you're travelling - so if tipping is expected then I'll practice. However, I'm not always exactly sure of the physical nature of tipping. For example, I'm currently in Canada and this morning I had a buffet breakfast at the hotel I'm stayying at. When the bill was deliverd I added up 15% tip and charged it to my room - should I have done this or paid for the tip part in cash e.g. charge the cost of the breakfast and taxes to the room and left the tip in cash?I'm hoping that I haven't insulted anybody or even hurt the staffs attempt at drawing wages.
I can understand why people get angry with Australians for them not tipping, but people should also try and understand that it is a very foreign concept to most Australians who do not regularly travel to the US / Canada. Most Australians will try and do the right thing.
29
Nr. 41, in a restaurant or wherever I pay with my credit card and a tip is customary I take the actual amount before any taxes and tip on that and add it to my credit card bill.As an aside, I spend the winter in Mexico where the Mexicans quite often do NOT tip at all and if they do, it is around 5%. Now does that mean I should do likewise?
No, I tip 15% and get no complaints. In fact they are happy to see me again on my next visit to the establishment.
