General chatter - Tipping etiquette

So, say you were paying $1300 to have 5 men move some furniture for you, (stairs at both residences involved) Would you feel obligated to tip additional money to the movers? Is it common practice to tip movers?

I'm probably not the greatest person to respond because I'm not an overwhelming fan of tipping... but I'm gonna put my two cents in anyway.

To me a tip is for going BEYOND your duties. I don't really tip unless I think someone has gone above what their job requires of them. So, I wouldn't tip.

I think you should do what makes you comfortable though.

I could talk for 59829047182746 pages of threads about all I think about tipping. :lol:

I am of two divergent opinions on it (not unusually so).

I agree that tipping should be a gesture given voluntarily for excellent service that goes above and beyond.

That being said, it is viewed as tacky to NOT tip in many industries.

I know I am not really helping. ;)

It's a loaded issue.

My take on it is ~ if the job has been contracted out for a set price...no tipping is necessary...but being in construction it is always nice to recieve something a little extra for a job well done...donuts ~ sandwiches ~ sodas....anything to show appreciation, if warranted, is nice to the guys.

One thing ...if you do something nice early in the "relationshiop" it can go a long way on how they treat your "stuff" in the move!..in other words...get them donuts early!!

Yes, you should tip the movers.

Whether someone "believes" in tipping or not, it is customary and expected in our society (i.e. American service industry jobs) that someone who works in a service job and is not an owner will get tipped. Many times these workers' pay rates are set because they are expected to be tipped and so owners can get away with paying them less.

15% to 20% is a customary tipping range for most industries. I would have tipped each man $20 - $30, which is right in that range. If any one of them went above and beyond, I'd have tipped more (e.g. moving a particularly large piece of furniture, taking particular care with something, bringing things to your attention, etc.)

As I said above, I know a lot of people don't "beleive" in tipping and I can respect that belief. But I also don't think that service workers should be penalized out of what is a reasonable and customary part of their income because someone wants to fight the status quo.

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Customary tipping rate is, approximately, $10 per 4 hours worked for each crew member. So if it takes 8 hours, customarily, you'd tip $20 per crew member.

If this is a long-haul move involving lots of driving, this goes to 5% of the cost of the move, divided equally among the movers, with extra given at your discretion if someone went above and beyond.

An alternate, if you're not comfortable tipping, is to offer to buy the movers lunch. But you'll probably spend the same either way.

http://www.moving.com/articles/tipping-movers.asp

Yes, it's expected that you tip movers.

When you pay a moving company, you're paying the company. Not the individual men (or women) who are carting your things around. Last time I moved, I wound up having more to move than I quoted the company, but the crew chief told me he wouldn't charge me extra if I "took care of the team", that is, if I tipped them well.

On a $600 move within New York City, I tipped the three men $100 on a hot August day. They took good care of my things, made an effort to do things in a timely manner and were very professional.

While I can see not tipping someone who makes you a cappuccino, someone whose moving all your possessions, in my opinion, has done you a service. And one that unfortunately, they're probably not making nearly what you've paid to have them do.

When I moved recently, we tipped our movers. We did have a lot of stairs at the old house but the new house was really easy. I think we gave them $100-$200. We bought pizza and soda for the guys also.

Oh I have a LOT to say about tipping. I've waited tables for years, and nothing makes me angrier than people who don't know how to tip. Those people don't realize tips are actually what pays the bills...common courtesy at restaurants is AT LEAST 10% of the total bill, and that's for average service...ANYWAY, I know this isn't about restaurant-tipping!

My opinion, tip the movers. I know they're getting paid hourly, but they're not getting as much as you'd think...here's what I found online:

Tipping Movers

There are many things to consider in a move. A professional mover is going to be careful to protect your floors, walls, doorways, and belongings. That said, it is unlikely that your move will go perfectly, whether you are moving yourself or paying someone else to do it. Something will get broken. The question that matters is were they being careless, or was it a genuine accident? Every time I have moved furniture myself, I have caused more damage to my home than movers ever had. I take this into consideration when I look at accidents.

Tipping occurs at the completion of the job. Consider providing lunch if the move extends over lunch, and always provide beverages for the movers.

* One mover - limited move - 1-10 items and nothing over 20 pounds - $10-20
* One mover - difficult move - The degree of difficulty changes based upon stairs, narrow passages, small elevators, large or heavy items, appliances, etc. - $20-50.
* Multiple movers - Basically tip each mover the same as above, but lower it by $5-10 for each mover. Feel free to pool the tip and give it to the supervisor for distribution, but don't lower the amount because you combined it. The problem with combining the tip is that you cannot reward people based upon their individual performances.

Not being American my opinion probably isn't popular - or even relevant given the differing employment structures of each country.

But I don't tip - pretty much period.

Very occasionally I will tip at a restaurant if the service and food has been exceptional but that is about it.

The difference being people don't need tips to make up for a small wage here...so it's a different cultural mentality. Having said that, some people still do, but not many and it's certainly not expected.

Ugh I have major issues with the inconvenience of tipping!

I have no problem doing so in a restaurant, because I can simply add it to my bill.

My problem comes when I have to have cash on hand (especially large amounts of cash).

When I get my hair done (approx. 2 times a year), the bill is about $150. Am I supposed to start handing out twenty dollar bills to everyone who touched my hair in the process? There's no place for it on the credit card receipt, so if I want to tip I have to have cash.

I don't mind tipping, but if they don't make it easy for me to do so, I don't tip.

My move was $400 and I tipped my movers $20 each (there were two of them) and I bought them Red Bulls and bottled water (it was a very hot August day). I tip everyone in the service industry. I think a lot of them do get paid low wages and depend on tips to make up for it.

JellyDisney - I pay my hairdresser by check for this reason. But then, she's the only one who touches my hair when i get it done.

Totally unrelated to moving, but in case any of you get tattoos:

If the person who does your tattoo is the shop owner, you do not tip at all. The shop owner gets a portion of each of the other worker's take for the day in the shop. This more than makes up for your not tipping them. Many owners have told me not to tip them.

If the person is not the shop owner, its the same as at a restaurant. Anywhere from 10-20%, wherever you feel comfortable.

When I get my hair done (approx. 2 times a year), the bill is about $150. Am I supposed to start handing out twenty dollar bills to everyone who touched my hair in the process? There's no place for it on the credit card receipt, so if I want to tip I have to have cash.The shop should have a systsem in place for this. If they don't, shame on them. The place I get my hair done will add a lump amount to my credit card slip and then give me cash and envelopes so I can divide it up. I always tip the person who washes my hair $2 and the rest to my hairdresser.

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I am a massage therapist. I have been a server and held many positions in food service in the past.

I've been tipped WELL as a massage therapist and also been told that people "don't tip doctors so don't see why they should tip" me. :?:

Also, some people resent being pressured (not by the individual providing the service, but by what is regarded as common courtesy) to tip on expensive services.

People in the service industries choose to work in that field. Other jobs are as or more difficult but aren't rewarded with an expected gift of a tip automatically...For example, social workers have horribly burdensome, stressful and often thankless jobs, getting paid less than housekeepers often do and don't get tips.

Lots of jobs are difficult.

We choose to do them or not. ;)

Take into consideration that this is coming from someone IN the service industry:

Just because someone spends a total of 5 minutes bringing me a plate of food and glass of water, then fills my water glass and brings me the bill at the end of my meal, why is it that I should give an additional 20% on top of the bill I already am paying to this person?

I think (and know that it is true, legally speaking in the US) that the employer should ensure that the person makes at least minimum wage and make the wage competitive enough to retain the good worker.

That being said, I DO tip, based on good service, attitude and attention to detail. That's how I am tipped by my clients as well. :)

A couple points on tipping waitstaff, since it's sort of a hotbutton topic with me.

First, legal minimum wage in most states is different for waitstaff than other individuals, because the government assumes that some percentage of wage will come from tips. Some states are different and have laws in place to ensure servers are paid minimum wage in addition to tips, but this is not the case. The minimum wage for servers, on a federal level, is $2.13 an hour, I think. There are only 6 or 7 states that don't recognize the "tip credit" and require wait staff to be paid minimum wage or above, otherwise, most servers get a ridiculously small hourly wage, with the understanding that tips will make up the difference to get to a living wage.

Second, for tax purposes, in absence of other tip documentation, the IRS assumes that waiters make 8% of their total receipts (food and drink bills, without tax) in tips. They are required to pay taxes on that amount. In addition, many wait staff have to "tip out" service people who aren't working front of the house...bar backs, hostesses, etc...again, usually based on a percentage of total sales made. So, if you are not tipping at least 10% on your bill, you are, basically, charging that person to wait on you, as they will not receive any tip money but will still pay taxes on 8% of your bill as if they did receive that money in income, as well as pay out other staffers.

I tip $5 to my hairdresser and $3 to my waitress. That's about all I tip to. I order my pizza carry out to avoid the $2 delivery charge and the tip.

The last time I moved within the same city, my cost was based on the total time it took (it wasn't a flat rate). My movers really hustled and so my overall cost was lower. If they had gone more slowly, I would have had to pay more to the moving company. I thought they did a really good job, so I bought lunch (Subway), had soda and lots of water available. I tipped each guy 25.00.

I guess at 1300 for the move, why not throw another 100$ at it, 20$ a person.
We all have a choice in what sort of job we want to apply to and work at, so it is always a risk when working in an industry that has tipping. I pay taxes on ALL of the money that my company gives to me, so I think other professions should as well, do you think the movers are going to claim that on their taxes?
That being said, I had a very good waitress this morning on a 36$ breakfast, so I tipped 6$ (there were 3 of us total that had breakfast) that is a pretty decent tip I think, If I had a bad waitstaff- I would have given $2. out of feeling obligated.
Back to the moving, I like the point above someone brought up about paying per hour, if the hustled, I would think they would deserve the 20 each. Good Luck, tell us how it goes.

Just because someone spends a total of 5 minutes bringing me a plate of food and glass of water, then fills my water glass and brings me the bill at the end of my meal, why is it that I should give an additional 20% on top of the bill I already am paying to this person?

I think (and know that it is true, legally speaking in the US) that the employer should ensure that the person makes at least minimum wage and make the wage competitive enough to retain the good worker.
In a perfect world, yes.

But we don't live in a perfect world, now do we?

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Second, for tax purposes, in absence of other tip documentation, the IRS assumes that waiters make 8% of their total receipts (food and drink bills, without tax) in tips. They are required to pay taxes on that amount. In addition, many wait staff have to "tip out" service people who aren't working front of the house...bar backs, hostesses, etc...again, usually based on a percentage of total sales made. So, if you are not tipping at least 10% on your bill, you are, basically, charging that person to wait on you, as they will not receive any tip money but will still pay taxes on 8% of your bill as if they did receive that money in income, as well as pay out other staffers.

Thank you! It's really tough here becaue the IRS assumes that the servers and bartenders are getting that much of a tip on "comp" meals and drinks as well. One server can "hand out" thousands of dollars a day just in cocktails - a bottle of beer goes on the books as a $6 drink!

My husband and I argue about tipping waitstaff all the time. He thinks tips should be given, regardless of how poor the service actually was. I, on the other hand, will tip VERY well when service was good, and not so much, or not at all, if it's horrible.

We went to a restaurant one evening and the place wasn't packed at all (literally no more than four tables filled, including us). Our waitress obviously had just our section, because we started watching when we'd sat there 15 minutes and hadn't even had drinks brought out. I was ready to walk, but he's the type who goes into a place and stays, no matter what (and he had the keys). We watched her standing at the back of the restaurant, talking to other waitresses and ignoring us all. Then came time for the food order, which she heard and didn't write down. I know some places probably require this, so not her fault. But she forgot it three times and had to keep coming back to verify things. Then the order came out half an hour later and it was wrong. And cold. All the while the others in her section were getting mad and she was busy talking to other staff members.. One table got up and left, paying for drinks only, saying they were going to McDonald's for better service.

To make a long story short, the husband left a $5 tip. We argued all the way home.

I know some people need tips to make it through...but shouldn't they be expected to provide GOOD service, as well. Or at minimum, ACCEPTABLE service?

If the person who does your tattoo is the shop owner, you do not tip at all. The shop owner gets a portion of each of the other worker's take for the day in the shop.

This is an interesting comment, that I wonder does it apply to my hair example in my previous post? My hairdresser owns the salon and does the majority of the work on my hair. But he has assistants who help with washing, curlers, etc. Should I tip the owner of the salon? Should I tip the assistants?

It seems to make the most sense to me to tip the assistants, and not the owener. But I'm not sure what makes sense? I don't want to insult somebody by not tipping, but I also don't want to insult the owner if he doesn't accept tips..... Ugh! Too complicated for me!

Proper tip etiquette says you don't tip the owner.

You tip service people only! :)

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I would like to speak from the perspective of someone who has worked in industries where people depend on tips.

I am a dancer in a restaurant, and I get tips. Before I was trained as a dancer, I was a licensed hairdresser...and I also got tips.

There are different situations that you should be aware of. There are three kinds of hairdressers/nail techs/massage therapists. There are there are owners, booth renters, and hourly employees. You shouldn't have to tip the owners. They get a portion of all income-from each hairdresser, nail tech, sales of hair products, tanning beds, and everything.

When you talk about the person who is actually doing your nails/hair/massage, are they an hourly employee or a booth renter? If they are a booth renter, then you pay THEM when you get your service. They basically take in all of their own money, and then pay a set "rent" to the owner every week or month. This rent is the same, whether they do 5 haircuts or 50.

On the other hand, if you go and get your hair done at a Wal-Mart salon, Fiesta, Great Clips, or whatever the chain may be-these workers are hourly employees, and the wages suck, for lack of a better word. I made about $7-$9 and hour when I was ASSISTANT MANAGER. That tells you how bad it is. I absolutely, 100% believe that they should be tipped.

If you go to a more upscale salon, where the workers are booth renters, and you are paying $30+ for Jean Paul to cut your hair (who is wearing a purple designer suit and a gold pinky ring) or $80+ for a color-those people are making good money.

If you choose to go to Great Clips and get a cut for $8-$15, these workers are working their fingers to the bone doing walk-ins all day, and making little more than minimum wage. I simply could not make a living doing that-and I was a busy stylist, and worked 12 hour days. If I did not receive tips, I would not have had gas money or lunch many days. These workers do more work, and get less.

As far as movers go, it depends on the situation. If you hired Joe and Sons, a local father and son mover to take you across town, "they" get that money, so I don't think a tip is required. However, if you go with a national, large mover-the company gets that money, and the actual guys moving your stuff get a simple hourly wage.

Waitresses, in most instances, get very little hourly wage as well. I always tip, because I work in a restaurant, and know that they don't make much.

As far as my work, I get paid a set fee for coming in and dancing 3 sets (3 shows, approx. 15-20 minutes long, with costume changes) on weekend nights. Yes, I am actually only physically dancing for about an hour each night I work-but when you take pay into consideration, you must take into the fact MY overhead costs.

Costumes, nail care, hair care, stage makeup, props, music cds, and so on are all paid by me. My pay rate might seem like a lot for one evening of work, but over the course of a few months, I have costume purchases (hundreds of dollars) and other things that I MUST take care of to keep working. I also have to take hours at home through the week, to choreograph routines for the shows, attend dance seminars (travel, hotel, seminar fees) and so on and so forth to keep working. There are many, many costs that go into what I do...and the audience wouldn't like it, if I had an old costume with the beading coming off, my nail polish was all chipped, and I danced to the same cd every week. So...if I dance on a night where the restaurant is dead, I get my set pay, but when the restaurant is busy, and tips are good-that is when I actually make some money.

A couple points on tipping waitstaff, since it's sort of a hotbutton topic with me.

First, legal minimum wage in most states is different for waitstaff than other individuals, because the government assumes that some percentage of wage will come from tips. Some states are different and have laws in place to ensure servers are paid minimum wage in addition to tips, but this is not the case. The minimum wage for servers, on a federal level, is $2.13 an hour, I think. There are only 6 or 7 states that don't recognize the "tip credit" and require wait staff to be paid minimum wage or above, otherwise, most servers get a ridiculously small hourly wage, with the understanding that tips will make up the difference to get to a living wage.

Well, I am in California, and that's where I've been a server, so I am really familiar with the standards and laws. Here's what I know to be true, from personal experience and from the words of the government itself:

The regular hourly wage for servers may be less than minimum wage (although it never was for me), but the amount of money servers earn from wages and tips must always be at least minimum wage, and, if not, the employer is responsible for paying them to make up the difference to reach federal minimum wage.

http://www.dol.gov/esa/regs/compliance/whd/whd_fs.pdf

http://www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/q-a.htm

What is the minimum wage for workers who receive tips?

An employer may pay a tipped employee not less than $2.13 an hour in direct wages if that amount plus the tips received equal at least the federal minimum wage, the employee retains all tips and the employee customarily and regularly receives more than $30 a month in tips. If an employee's tips combined with the employer's direct wages of at least $2.13 an hour do not equal the federal minimum hourly wage, the employer must make up the difference.

Some states have minimum wage laws specific to tipped employees. When an employee is subject to both the federal and state wage laws, the employee is entitled to the provisions of each law which provide the greater benefits.

JMHO: People that feel that tipping in a 'tipping environment' (restaurants, hotels, salons, pizza delivery, etc) isn't necessary have never worked in a 'tipping environment'.

That being said, (I feel like Paula Abdul when I say that) a lot of people don't realize that they are supposed to tip in a certain situation. I know, as a hairdresser, MANY haircuts go by on satisfied customers that don't tip me. Some hairstylists get very mad when they don't get tipped, but I understand that some people just don't know that it's a 'tipping environment'. Heck, sometimes when I'm getting MY hair cut, I get to talking so much that I forget to tip my hairdresser. So, then I have to go back.

Also, when I get my nails done, I always tip my technician $5. When she sees me coming, she always sneaks me in and I appreciate that...she probably appreciates my $5, but it goes hand-in-hand. Get a reputation of being a good tipper and you'll probably get better service, not so much because you're looking for the tip, but because you feel appreciated in a service industry that's loaded with rude, unappreciative customers. Does that make sense?

EXACTLY.

When I was a stylist, I had regular customers that I knew were good tippers, and you DO provide better service to them. I am not saying that I would give better cuts or colors to a non-tipper, because that isn't true, but I would be more apt to sneak someone in for a service last minute, stay late to do their hair if they came in 10 minutes before before closing, etc. if I knew the tip would be good.

In the restaurant, I will always stay at a tipping table and dance longer and interact with their table more if they are tippers, to show my appreciation.

In a perfect world, yes.

But we don't live in a perfect world, now do we?

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Could you explain what your view on this is? I am not sure what you mean.

Is it that in a perfect world the employer would ensure the employee is making at least minimum wage or that in a perfect world I should be expected to give 20% of my total bill as a tip to a person for the 5 minutes they attend to me? OR, is it both? :dizzy:

I mean, the law is the law and if the employee isn't standing up for their rights, that is an issue OR if the employer is not following the law, that too is illegal. People need to investigate these things that impact them and advocate for themselves. the links I provided explain the laws pretty well.

A specific tipping question to those in the know- my hairdresser was once an employee stylist until she purchaced the salon and is now the owner. I have always tipped her 15-20% (whatever I could afford), and feel strange about suddenly stopping my tips because she is now the owner. I don't want to look silly, tipping the obvious owner of the salon, but I don't want to insult her either! What do you think?

Shanna
It is common practice to tip anyone that does something for you in a service industry. Waitress or mover. I do not believe in a min tip. I have gone to restaurants where the waitress is to busy chatting to bring me hot food. I have gone to restaurants where the waitress is so busy she has wings on her feet and I still got hot food. Movers do more than just move your furniture. They also don't bang it up, drop it and in many cases put it where you want it. Yes, if they do a great job you not only tip them, you tip them big time. Would you like to carry that heavy stuff up and down stairs? The more physical labor the more I tip. This day and age many people have no idea how hard physical labor is. Many sit at a desk all day, they have never stood on their feet for 8 to 10 hours, never dug a ditch or picked up anything heavier than their coffee cup. Those that still do those kinds of jobs are NEVER paid enough. Tipping is just one little way we can show we appreciate the service they provide. Saying that, I expect good service. You give me lousy service I am not going to give you the min tip because someone says I should.

The regular hourly wage for servers may be less than minimum wage (although it never was for me), but the amount of money servers earn from wages and tips must always be at least minimum wage, and, if not, the employer is responsible for paying them to make up the difference to reach federal minimum wage.



VERY INTERESTING, I didn't know that!

A specific tipping question to those in the know- my hairdresser was once an employee stylist until she purchaced the salon and is now the owner. I have always tipped her 15-20% (whatever I could afford), and feel strange about suddenly stopping my tips because she is now the owner. I don't want to look silly, tipping the obvious owner of the salon, but I don't want to insult her either! What do you think?

Tip her the same.

Even so ... Federal minimum wage is $5.85 per hour.

I personally don't think that's anywhere near a reasonable living wage. But that's probably another discussion! :)

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Even so ... Federal minimum wage is $5.85 per hour.

I personally don't think that's anywhere near a reasonable living wage. But that's probably another discussion! :)

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I agree with this 100%!! Even if the law means that restaurant owners must compensate up to minimum wage if the tips don't get it...there is no way that I could house and feed my children and myself on that.

Even if the law means that restaurant owners must compensate up to minimum wage if the tips don't get it...there is no way that I could house and feed my children and myself on that.

The law does mean that, and still, I agree that no one can reasonably live on minimum wage. I think the minimum wage should be raised to at LEAST $10 per hour.

There was a time when I held 3 jobs and STILL was "in the hole" every month, living off of a high-interest credit card to make up the difference, all while in school full time. It sucked but was the ONLY way to make a way to earn a better living.

VERY INTERESTING, I didn't know that!
I think most consumers don't know that. Here's a direct quote from the site I linked earlier (note that the minimum wage is going up as of this summer!):

Requirements
If an employer elects to use the tip credit provision the employer must:
1) Inform each tipped employee about the tip credit allowance (including amount to be credited) before the credit is utilized.
2) Be able to show that the employee receives at least the minimum wage when direct wages and the tip credit allowance are combined.
3) Allow the tipped employee to retain all tips, whether or not the employer elects to take a tip credit for tips received, except to the extent the employee participates in a valid tip pooling arrangement.
If an employee's tips combined with the employer's direct wages of at least $2.13 an hour do not equal the minimum hourly wage of $5.85 per hour effective July 24, 2007; $6.55 per hour effective July 24, 2008; and $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009; the employer must make up the difference.

The legislation posted here is very useful, and I agree that servers need to advocate for themselves. However, it isn't always realistic to assume that the servers are knowledgeable about the legislation, or that the employer cares. I worked in several restaurants in college, and I've seen employers fire servers who complained. It was easier for them to just hire new, younger servers who didn't know their rights... It's a very sad situation.

I worked in several restaurants in college, and I've seen employers fire servers who complained. It was easier for them to just hire new, younger servers who didn't know their rights... It's a very sad situation.

Hopefully, if the servers were unable to advocate for themselves, you were able to report them since you were aware of this illegal activity.

Also, employers are required by law to post something similar to this: http://www.laborlawcenter.com/California-labor-law-posters.asp

Every place I have ever worked (mom and pop to corporate business) has had a posting like this with minimum wage law, worker's comp info. and so on, so, the choice to not "know" one's rights seems like less of an issue than actually being willing to SPEAK UP for one's rights.

I'm feeling like a separate thread on minimum wage may be in order. ;)

Here's a great link about minimum wage in the US, state by state. It's currently $8.00 in California, still not high enough to reflect the cost of living, at all.

http://www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/america.htm#California

Sadly, most teenage servers who need the money in order to eat and pay for college are usually too scared to advocate. Would I complain now, if I was in that situation? Yes! But being that young, it's too scary.
Getting back to the tipping issue, I agree with Mandolinn. I was also taught to tip car mechanics. Does anyone else do that too?

How many people leave a tip for hotel maids?

It'd be interesting to have a poll with various service vocations and then see which ones are tipped and which are not, as well as percentages of tips given.

Good idea, Soulbliss.
I tip:
hairdressers
movers (when they do not break the furniture, and yes, that's happened)
mechanics
servers
the people who help me carry my groceries out to my car (I have a very bad back, and we have hot weather)

How many people leave a tip for hotel maids?

I am out of town a lot...I tip $1 to $1 and change each night I am there. If Angie and I are out of town I tip $2 a night and throw in all my chnge also the last night.

It'd be interesting to have a poll with various service vocations and then see which ones are tipped and which are not, as well as percentages of tips given.

Put me down for 20%...for all food servers...$1-2 bucks a night for a bed made...$1-$2 per bag for bell-hop and shuttle driver...and for a lap dance...oh! :o

How many people leave a tip for hotel maids?
Always. And I'm amazed at how many people don't know you should do this!!!

I travel a lot for my business and I always leave $2 per night for the total length of my stay - but never less than $5, even if I've only stayed one night.

Also:
Bell staff - $2 per bag (except for carryon type stuff which is $1)
Valets - $2 every time they get my car - or $2 if I ask them to hold it for me
Cab drivers - 10% and up from there if they've been friendly and helpful
Concierge - $2-$10 depending on the amount of help given

Also ... I put myself through college working as the night desk clerk at a business hotel. I always make it a point to ask the person behind the desk late at night if I can get them anything if I go out. I've brought a piece of cake back from a nice dinner out with a client as a "thank you" to the desk clerk, or brought Coke/Diet Coke when I pop down to the lobby to get one from the machine, or whatever. When I was in NYC, I gave the desk clerk my subway pass with 3 rides still left on it and she was shocked and surprised. I know how thankless a job it is and how much it sucks to be the one up at 4 a.m. when it's dark and quiet. Even if you have school work to do to keep you busy, it can be a lonely job.

Honestly I'm all about doing nice things for people in service jobs when I can. I worked my way through college and am lucky enough to have a nice, successful business that allows me some of the luxuries of life. My business pays for me to travel to nice places and eat out quite a bit. And for me tipping well and giving little gifts when I can is a little bit of how I feel I can give back to those who are working hard or who might not be as fortunate as I am.

FWIW.

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PhotoChick, you are awesome. I too like to practice "random acts of kindness", have been working and living on my own since I was in my mid teens and have put myself through college while working as a single mom (and am putting myself through it again for a career change).

Let me know if you ever come to San Diego and want the BEST massage you've ever had. ;)

Or, even if you are ever here and want to know where the best places to eat, see etc. are, send me a PM. I'll take you to a relaxing yoga or a challenging Pilates class, my treat. :D

Soul - we'll actually be doing a workshop in San Diego next spring ... so I'm going to take you up on at least a phone call and a list of suggestions! :)

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I tip 2$ for poor service for a meal for my bf and I
I tip 3$ for average service
I tip 4-5$ for awesome service
I tip 5+ for holidays (regular waitresses) or high priced meals

Coffee- I tip nothing (or a small amount of change if I have it) UNLESS, there is ONLY one person working, like a stand or a coffee place at a book store etc... they get at least 1$ because they are going to take the whole pot of tips home. (that is how I put myself through college, running a coffee bar, and I was awesome, and deserved every tip I received, and no I didn't claim it on my taxes either)

Maid @ Hotel- No I would not tip for one night, a few nights I would tip 2$ total

I don't use cabs or valets or bell hops, but I would think if I had money to spend on those things, I would also have a few bucks for those people as well.

Also, when I was in college I worked as a fitness instructor and consultant. I never received one tip, I made 8.50 an hour as a nationally certified fitness instructor. It paid half of the rent and utilities, and paid for gas, and left a little room to live a little as well. That was an awesome job, but I don't think the members had a clue how little I was making.

I tip 2$ for poor service for a meal for my bf and I
I tip 3$ for average service
I tip 4-5$ for awesome service
I tip 5+ for holidays (regular waitresses) or high priced meals
Are you saying you only tip $5 for awesome service, no matter how much the meal cost?

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Awesome service- believe me, I eat out a lot, it doesn't happen too often, if it does, than we usually become regulars there, or if we can't afford to do that, we make it known by tipping over 20% and telling the manager how awesome the service was.

Why, what do you give for awesome service?

Why, what do you give for awesome service?
I almost always tip between 18%-20% unless the service is really bad. Even then, I rarely tip less than 10%, but I am not shy about speaking to the manager.

OTOH, if hte service is *awesome* ... really awesome ... then I'll tip 20%+. I'm also a big believer in sending emails or letters to corporate mentioning people by name when they provide over the top customer service. As a business owner, I know exactly how much kind words are appreciated.

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I have just had 2 bad experiences in the last week with eating out, but forced myself to tip the minimum. Hey, if they get more than two tables an hour that tip well, then they are making more $ than me per hour! Maybe I am in the wrong business, or maybe I need cook for myself more... LOL (yes I do need to do that!!)

Let me know if you ever come to San Diego and want the BEST massage you've ever had. ;)



*dances in place, raising her hand* pick me, pick me!

:goodvibes Are you really in San Diego? :chin: Did I miss something? :dizzy: You are one of my favorite people here!!! ;) :carrot: I most certainly want to see YOU, girlie!!! :hug:

What really has always amazed me about working in an industry where you get tips (both in a salon and as a dancer) is that it is so unpredictable.

I have worked a 12 hour shift in the salon before, and have worked my fingers to the bone (3-4 haircuts an hour, all day, when it is 2 days before school starts...) and have come out of it all with just a few dollars in tips...and then you get the day where you might not be as busy, but the patrons are much better tippers, and you have enough to fill up your gas tank.

I have patrons in the restaurant who act as if I am completely invisible (why would you want to go to a restaurant where you know they have belly dancers, and not watch??? :?: ) and then I will have patrons who will tip me $5 or $10 bills some nights, rather than singles...

You just never know when you go in each night, how it is going to work out.

I only tip at restauraunts, the salon, and when I get pizza delivered.

Everyone looks for an excuse now a days to get tips, even people that make my coffee in the morning... pullleaseeeee.

This is such an interesting thread.

At a sit-down restaurant, I always tip at least 20%. Always. If the service is excellent, I'll do 30-40%. Part of it is that I remember the days when dh and I lived off his tip money. Part of it is that many of my patients work in the service industry and I know how hard it is to make ends meet.

Places where I get my food or coffee from the counter, I'll tip 10% or $2, whichever is higher.

I tip my hairstylist 20 to 30% (based on my total bill---including hair products).

I am embarassed that it did not occur to me to tip the guy who changed my oil a few weeks ago. I'll make sure that doesn't happen again. Eeeks.

I NEVER feel obligated to tip ANYONE...it's my money and I get to choose who I give it to.

I personally have a problem with people wanting to be tiped everywhere you turn around...you can pay $4 for a cup of coffee at starbucks and then they want a tip on top of that...ridiculous. A few dollars and cents here and there really add up over the course of a year. I tip my hairdresser and waitresses but that is about it.

I NEVER feel obligated to tip ANYONE...it's my money and I get to choose who I give it to.
I apologize in advance if this comes out snarky because it's not meant to be ... but I really have a problem with this attitude. Sure, it's your money. but if you choose not to spend it, then you shouldn't go to places where tips are expected.

If you want to express your displeasure with the idea of tipping by boycotting a business or an industry, more power to you. But you shouldn't punish service people by using their services and refusing to tip.

IMO, of course.

And the thing about paying $4 for a cup of coffee and then "they" want a tip ... "they" (being the barristas) don't get that $4. Starbucks does. "They" merely work for a wage. And if they provide your coffee quickly, pleasantly, and get your order right, then why not toss your change or $1 into the cup? I don't get the attitude here. If you can afford to waste $4 on a cup of coffee (and hey - I drink Starbucks too, but I realize it's a total indulgent luxury), then what's the big deal about $0.50 in the tip cup?

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I actually don't drink starbucks regularly, was just using that as an example...I do tip at places where it is expected...ie restaurant, hairdressers. I really don't use service type services very often..never stay at hotels, don't get my nails done, rarely eat out/order food in...it just seems like everyplace I walk into has a tips jar. I remember watching a 60 min type show (not sure if it was 60 min) that did a segment on tipping and showed a bunch of ridiculous places that pandered for tips. It just gets to be too much.

what I meant by the above statement was that I don't feel obligated to tip somoene if they provide bad service...I don't tip someone that delivers my pizza an hour and a half after ordering and I don't tip someone who does a bad job waiting on me. I only tip people that deserve it.

for example I was semi-recently at a diner with my younger brothers and the waitress took our orders and we never saw her again until the food came...I had to get up and get someone to get my drink refilled and the place wasn't even busy...then as we are getting ready to leave she comes over and acts all nice...sucking up and crap. I knew it was a case of seeing a table of younger kids and not waiting on us because she didn't think we would tip (well of course we won't if you don't wait on us).

Ahhh ... ok. I see the difference now.

Hard to tell sometimes in writing. ;)

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And the thing about paying $4 for a cup of coffee and then "they" want a tip ... "they" (being the barristas) don't get that $4. Starbucks does.

If I order a regular coffee or a cup of tea, I don't tip. I don't see why, when all they do is just pour the water or coffee. But if they do more than that to make my drink (a specialty drink of some sort), I will tip.

I don't tip someone that delivers my pizza an hour and a half after ordering

That's not necessarily the fault of the pizza delivery person :(

I was a waitress in college, and I was really really good at it. But, I'm very very very glad my livelihood is no longer dependent on the vagaries of strangers.

:goodvibes Are you really in San Diego? :chin: Did I miss something? :dizzy: You are one of my favorite people here!!! ;) :carrot: I most certainly want to see YOU, girlie!!! :hug:

Yes, I'm here! Allinell is around here too somewhere, we should so meet up!!

Yes, I'm here! Allinell is around here too somewhere, we should so meet up!!

Yes!!! We should! I'll be the fat, redheaded one in black :lol: ;)

I'll be the fat, redheaded one in black :lol: ;)

I thought you were describing me there for a second... :lol:

Yes, you should tip the movers.

Whether someone "believes" in tipping or not, it is customary and expected in our society (i.e. American service industry jobs) that someone who works in a service job and is not an owner will get tipped. Many times these workers' pay rates are set because they are expected to be tipped and so owners can get away with paying them less.

15% to 20% is a customary tipping range for most industries. I would have tipped each man $20 - $30, which is right in that range. If any one of them went above and beyond, I'd have tipped more (e.g. moving a particularly large piece of furniture, taking particular care with something, bringing things to your attention, etc.)

As I said above, I know a lot of people don't "beleive" in tipping and I can respect that belief. But I also don't think that service workers should be penalized out of what is a reasonable and customary part of their income because someone wants to fight the status quo.



I agree with every word of your post! Nothing more to be said! ;)

I thought you were describing me there for a second... :lol:


:lol:

:love: Well, we are both beautiful redheaded belly dancers, after all! ;)

http://www.tip20.com/div/con/

^^Interesting link about tipping.

My husband just walked by and said, "You leave what feels right." Which is true. When I go to the diner next to my shop to get a cup of soup to-go, I always leave a dollar. Waitress didn't do much but ladle some soup into a styrofoam cup, but it was service with a smile and I appreciate that.

On the other hand, my daughter's father was with a guy friend at a fast-food place like Denny's and had a terrible waitress that was rude on top of being lousy. He and his friend left her a condom and a penny for a tip. In their way they were saying she stunk as a waitress and that she probably needed to get laid. I wasn't there or he wouldn't have been allowed to leave that, but that's guys for ya. :dunno: Actually, it's kind of funny, as long as it wasn't me that left it. I've had waitresses since then that I felt deserved a similar tip, but I just leave the bare minimum...double the tax. But the evil thought of a penny with a condom has crossed my mind a few times. Also, as a married woman I don't exactly carry around condoms in my purse. ;)

I always remember that a waitress is not even making minimum wage(sometimes less than half). I have rotten days when I have to go to work in a bad mood, sick, kids raising ****, etc. and my mind isn't on my job or being nice to anyone. But, I don't get a cut in wages because of it. The teller at the bank snipes at me, but I can't go to her boss and get her wages cut. Nor can I get that done to the guy who tried to rip me off at the tire shop.

Also, when the IRS does an audit at a restaurant they ASSUME 8% on each waitresses tickets(atleast when I was one). Therefore, I almost always leave 10% on a bad day, but usually 15-20%.

Don't forget nurses. We can't accept tips but we love goodies. I've had patients give us Starbucks coffee, fruit, pizza, Krispy Kremes, etc. I had a patient years ago try to give me $5 for lunch and I told him I couldn't accept it. He kept putting it back in my pocket so I ended up keeping it because I didn't want to hurt his feelings, but I felt really guilty about it. Nurses get paid fairly well, but the nurses' aides and other staff, housekeeping, etc. not so much.

I'm definitely going to think more about tipping since reading these posts. I always tip in a restaurant, but some of these other jobs are ones I guess I've never even thought about.

Don't forget nurses. We can't accept tips but we love goodies. I've had patients give us Starbucks coffee, fruit, pizza, Krispy Kremes, etc. I had a patient years ago try to give me $5 for lunch and I told him I couldn't accept it. He kept putting it back in my pocket so I ended up keeping it because I didn't want to hurt his feelings, but I felt really guilty about it. Nurses get paid fairly well, but the nurses' aides and other staff, housekeeping, etc. not so much.

I'm definitely going to think more about tipping since reading these posts. I always tip in a restaurant, but some of these other jobs are ones I guess I've never even thought about.

There is a reason that half the nurses I know (probably over half) are obese. :(

in the uk it is TOTALLY different.

i tip waiters/waitresses even though in the uk they make minimum wage or above if i feel the service has been good,

i tip my tattoo artist anything from £5-10 dependant on how flush i am in all honesty and my best friend does my hair.. i cook her dinner and provide wine.. does that count? ;)

There is a reason that half the nurses I know (probably over half) are obese. :(

Yah, I love the fruit and the coffee. Usually try to avoid the rest. I don't think I would blame anyone's obesity on this though. It doesn't happen that often and the people who indulge the most are eating badly more often than just work.

Boy, nurses week was just full of bad stuff though. :(

Back to the tipping - I always try to tip 15% at restaurants unless the service is terrible. I had no idea that wait staff were paid such a poor hourly wage or that they were taxed by the IRS based on tips. Sorry to say, I never thought about the hotel maids. I'll have to remember that in the future though.

In California, I've never known a waitress/waiter who worked for less than minimum wage plus tips. Usually it's a higher wage than minimum, by a couple dollars at least, plus tips.

Yah, I love the fruit and the coffee. Usually try to avoid the rest. I don't think I would blame anyone's obesity on this though. It doesn't happen that often and the people who indulge the most are eating badly more often than just work.

Boy, nurses week was just full of bad stuff though. :(

Back to the tipping - I always try to tip 15% at restaurants unless the service is terrible. I had no idea that wait staff were paid such a poor hourly wage or that they were taxed by the IRS based on tips. Sorry to say, I never thought about the hotel maids. I'll have to remember that in the future though.


No, it is not the only reason (I said it was a reason, but I can see how it could have been interpreted that way---obesity is definately quite complex). But our unit is a walking heart attack zone. We always have a ton of junk food on the unit. Today there were 2 dozen donuts, bagels and cream cheese, chocolates, hard candies, sodas, chips & dip, chocolate cake....this is not unusual. Plus all the signs up: a free cinnabon for nurses during healthcare week, punch and cookies at a hospital wide meeting....It is a symptom of so many things that our society throws cheap sugar laden food at nurses....as though it makes up for poor staffing and being underpaid....but that is a whole other issue.

Back to tipping, I gave the barbers who cut my boys' hair $5 tips each yesterday....one for dealing nicely with a sleepy little guy and one for dealing nicely with a slightly surly mid-schooler.

Soulbliss-Be grateful you're in a union state. WY and UT are so called "Right to Work" states. That means you have the right to work for crap wages(especially "Women's Work") or not work at all. And the legislators who give us these laws are the worst at tipping. We are supposed to be grateful they deigned us with their presence.

One of the operators I worked with a few years ago came back from a vacation in Hawaii and was SHOCKED to find out that EVEN the waitresses were unionized. I had to tell him that in many places out east and on the west coast people don't like being treated like crap so they don't put up with it.

I don't think its always a union thing. My mom was a waitress for quite a few years in CA. She was not part of a union (I actually am not aware of a waiter/waitress union in CA and I've known a few waiters/waitresses in CA). She made above minimum wage AND made a lot of money from tips.

As for tipping, it really depends for me. I don't always know when a tip is expected on the unusual items. I don't really believe in tipping at places like coffee shops but I've also never been a regular and things I order are pretty simple (iced tea, hot water and a tea bag).

For movers, I think they should be tipped as well as some delivery people. I also try to offer drinks for them too. Last delivery I had, the delivery charge from the store was waived and the delivery guys took 4 hours putting together my exercise equipment (it was an involved set up). We ended up tipping the delivery guys because they did an awesome job.

Haircut/manicure they should also be tipped. Last time I got my hair cut, a separate girl shampooed my hair than the girl that cut it. The girl who did the shampoo gave me the best shampoo of my life so she got a tip but that was the first time that has ever happened.

For things I'm not sure about, sometimes I check tipping guidelines just to see. I do think if someone goes above and beyond, they should get a tip. For restaurants, it is part of the cost of the meal to tip at least a basic amount. If I get bad service, then tip would probably be slightly less than 15%. If I get really bad service, well I probably have to be really unhappy to give a really bad tip. I think its only happened once or twice.

techwife - your sales tax must be low. When I lived in CA, it easy to calculate the tip because double the tax was 15-16% of the bill.

I don't think its always a union thing. My mom was a waitress for quite a few years in CA. She was not part of a union (I actually am not aware of a waiter/waitress union in CA and I've known a few waiters/waitresses in CA). She made above minimum wage AND made a lot of money from tips.

Same here...Never known of or been in a Union for waitresses in California.

It's not necessarily your own union. Sorry that is hard to explain. But being in a Right to Work state as a whole puts labor at a disadvantage. That is why they get away with underpaying and not enforcing the labor laws. I've had my problems with the unions, but where I've lived that they are strong, Labor in general does better because they do fight to keep the employers in check. My ex worked at a non-union mine in a heavily unionized area and did better than the guys at a union mine in a different area that was the only union mine there. His old employer still had to compete and watch themselves so they wouldn't get in trouble. And, the politicians pay better attention when they have a bloc of voters to deal with. Our politicians really don't have anything to worry about.