Sounds like you and the Americans will both be much happier if you just stay in the UK in future.
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Tipping! Am I old fashioned?
- Thread starter getz
- Start date
Sounds like you and the Americans will both be much happier if you just stay in the UK in future.
I agree with those sentiments, but regarding the latter bit, the restauranteurs doing that must be acting illegally on minimum wages legislation (go by your overview of modest to wages to start off, divisible by working double the contracted hours). The biggest problem those catering staff have isn't the odd mean customer, but a greedy and unlawful employer.
Jim Van Winkle
Well-known member
Generally wait staff in America if working for tips will get a very low wage, here in Ohio that's $3.98 ATM. I always start out at 15% and it's up to the waiting staff to deliver incredible (or not) service as to whether this goes up or down. I have to say only one waitress has made it to 25% (no I wasn't in Hooters or the Tilted Kilt) she really knew the menu inside out, her wine recommendation was good and she was a pleasant person.
What I do hate is when you're at a bar, haven't had table service, go to pay and the bar tender shoves the IPad under your nose with gratuity all worked out for you. When he hasn't even raised a smile or some friendly chatter when you've been up and down to the bar all night. The dirty smelly Hipster can feck right off!
What I do hate is when you're at a bar, haven't had table service, go to pay and the bar tender shoves the IPad under your nose with gratuity all worked out for you. When he hasn't even raised a smile or some friendly chatter when you've been up and down to the bar all night. The dirty smelly Hipster can feck right off!
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Quite. My first thoughts on Rogero's post were maybe he/she should be a little more respectful and clued up on their culture.
And we Brits wonder why we get the worst service when we are abroad, and usually get served after the Germans, Ruski's, Chinese and Yanks have already finished their meals!
Lord Bracknell
On fire
The minimum wage for US employees whose jobs bring in tips is $2.13 an hour. That's £1.32 an hour.
You just DON'T tip in Japan. I lived there for a short while and despite the fact it was very much a cash society rather than cards we never tipped. One day in a local shopping centre my wife bought something. We left and walked back to the tube station and could hear some quite shouty but unintelligable Japanese behind us. We went back to the same shop a couple of weeks later we were in the same shop when a young girl that worked there approached us and started bowing in apology before leading us to the till. The item the OH had bought had been discounted but this hadn't carried through to the till scanner. We had overpaid by 1000 yen, about a fiver in those days. The noise had been her calling us back to get our money. She opened the till there and then and gave us 1000 yen. We nearly fell backwards.
We also wouldn't be served abroad ahead of the Chinese. No one tips anyone in China, Hong Kong or Taiwan.
Here? I will tip well using cash for good service, moderately using cash for ok service and not at all for bad service.
omgitsjames
New member
tipping 20% is not expected, more like 15%. I only tip that much if the service is really good or if I want to quickly establish a rapport with the staff as a regular... If service sucks, tip a really low percent or none at all! (and make sure you complain to their manager)
The minimum wage thing varies in different states. in CA if your base wage plus tips does not equal minimum wage, then the establishment makes up the difference. In other states they do not, thus not tipping can REALLY screw them over.
The minimum wage thing varies in different states. in CA if your base wage plus tips does not equal minimum wage, then the establishment makes up the difference. In other states they do not, thus not tipping can REALLY screw them over.
The Hon Sec
New member
Well no-one has frowned upon the tips I leave in France but have generally been very happy.
Have always tipped in cash in this country. In my limited experience the usual rule is that cash tips are put in a pot and divided up.
Always leave a cash tip for good service/food.
Went for a curry last month where 'a discretionary 15% service charge' was added. The service was absolutely shocking/complete shite, so I used my discretion not to pay it. I've never done that before but felt it was warranted.
Went for a curry last month where 'a discretionary 15% service charge' was added. The service was absolutely shocking/complete shite, so I used my discretion not to pay it. I've never done that before but felt it was warranted.
- Aug 7, 2003
- 7,797
It's very common, in Japan, to reserve an outside table by leaving your wallet or purse on it, and then going inside to order. Can you imagine that here!!!
Yes and the "magic net" that allows the electronics shops in Akihabara to leave their stock out front overnight!!
Now having read the replies to your post (above) has your opinion on US tipping changed?
Agreed,I am always wary that the management may take it.
atfc village
Well-known member
It sounds like you were in a nice restaurant? And just like in any job, you work your way up the food chain and the rewards are greater.