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Paul m
·I will visiting the USA in a couple of weeks time.is leaving a 5% tip ok? no one ever gives me one! Or is it better not to tip at all to save arguments?
Tipping
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Dan S
·In what context? If you are in a full-service restaurant, 15% would be the bare minimum these days. In other scenarios, it might be ok to leave no tip.
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redzer007
·In a service scenario double the tax is a quick shortcut. And it'd be 100% expected. To those not from US it's very strange (me). Tipping obviously happens across rest of world. But not to the same extent and not with the same norms
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lindo
·A tipping custom which absolves employers in service industries from paying a proper wage is an abomination.
Having said that, on my trips to the USA I have complied with tipping practice.
In Australia, I tip when the service in a restaurant or cafe has been better than average - usually 15% or so. If not, no tip. But that is because Australians in service industries are paid better than a starvation wage.
Having said that, on my trips to the USA I have complied with tipping practice.
In Australia, I tip when the service in a restaurant or cafe has been better than average - usually 15% or so. If not, no tip. But that is because Australians in service industries are paid better than a starvation wage.
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gbesq
·For good service at a restaurant, a tipping should be at least 15% minimum and it’s typically usually more at 18-20%. Restaurants employees in the USA receive a very low hourly wage and they get most of their income from tipping.
Edited:
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BlackTalon
··This Space for RentFor good service at a restaurant, a tipping should be at least 15% minimum and it’s typically usually more at 18%. Restaurants employees in the USA receive a very low hourly wage and they get most of their income from tipping.
Anywho, to the OP, at sit-down restaurants a 20% tip is the norm these days unless service was bad. If only counter service, or you order yourself through an app, etc., then closer to 10%. So at Starbucks, maybe a buck on your $97 mocha cappa crema frozee chai latte berry blaster lemonade coffee -- with hot fudge sauce and whipped cream. And no tipping at fast food places like McDonalds.
Other than that, you may tip Uber drivers, taxi drivers, hotel porters, hotel maid service, etc. But just a couple bucks at most.
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Porteroso
·I remember eating at a Michelen star place in Norway (Im American), I got a big sermon when I asked about tipping. It is always interesting, the norms in different places.
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Speed2Sea
·I've been to a few restaurants where they include an optional fee for health insurance for the employees (above and beyond the tip).
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Pastorbottle
·As already mentioned, here in Oz tipping is optional because staff here are better paid (not great pay mind you but better) it usually is pooled between the front of house staff and the kitchen staff so everyone gets a taste. Having said that there is always some prick that tries to pocket the lot! Some times it's the management, in fact now with electronic payment some shitty places are sneaking the tip on the bill for your convenience........you can bet the staff never get to see any of this tip money! There is a movement here calling these arseholes out.
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ExpiredWatchdog
·If they bring you the food and later ask if everything's OK, then 15% minimum; 20% if the service is real good. Keep in mind that they make most of their money from tips, thanks to an ancient minimum wage exception called "Tipped Wages".
I think most places that have added a tip question to their CC readers did so because now the gal making your espresso is now at "Tipped Employee". I refuse to tip in those cases.
Oddly, at least in Cali, they literally can't get employees for service jobs like that so what's left usually sucks.
I think most places that have added a tip question to their CC readers did so because now the gal making your espresso is now at "Tipped Employee". I refuse to tip in those cases.
Oddly, at least in Cali, they literally can't get employees for service jobs like that so what's left usually sucks.
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pdxleaf
·Tipping is out of control in USA. Nevertheless, I nearly always tip. In many if not most situations now you will receive a suggested amount on either the paper receipt or the digital card reader. There are typically 3 suggested amounts, with 15% the lowest, then 18% and then 20%. However, I have seen some that start at 20%, then go to 25% and 30%. These are often coffee shops or small purchases. It's nuts and annoying to think they expect a 30% tip. Staff seldom say anything if you do not not tip or tip the lowest amount (or even the highest amount). It's really nuts, especially when you order a to go item. A sit down restaurant is the one place that involves food where you should always tip and like others have said, 20% is normal. There are a few places that started sharing tips with kitchen staff, and these may automatically add a 5% additional fee/tip. They will either tell you or have a sign that tells you of the included fee so that you can adjust any additional tip. Don't stress over it. It's your vacation money.
It's a treat to visit other countries where tipping is not necessary beyond rounding up the bill.
It's a treat to visit other countries where tipping is not necessary beyond rounding up the bill.
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ErichPryde
··Seamasters ForeverAnd then there's Japan where tipping is an insult.
That's good to know.
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Davidt
·Tipping in the US is absurd. In the UK it’s optional - I generally leave a 10% tip at a restaurant if service was decent, 15% if really good and 0-5% if poor. M
Tipping for a coffee or a taxi is ridiculous.
Tipping for a coffee or a taxi is ridiculous.
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RI Omega Fan
·Around here (New England, USA) everyone leaves at least a 20% tip at restaurants.
The whole tipping thing in this country is out of control. I hate it when a server hands you a cup of coffee or a bag of takeout food and then swivels the little tip screen around to you: 0% / 15% / 18% / 20% / Other.
The whole tipping thing in this country is out of control. I hate it when a server hands you a cup of coffee or a bag of takeout food and then swivels the little tip screen around to you: 0% / 15% / 18% / 20% / Other.
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140dave
·At a full service restaurant, 20% unless they really did something wrong.
You are generally talking the difference of $5 or less between a 15% and 20%. Most of the time, you will be wearing a watch worth more than that person makes in a month. You want to look like a cheap piece of s*** over a dollar or two? Considering tipping less than 15% at a full service restaurant? They better have dropped a plate of food in your lap.
FYI- most restaurants have a tip split policy, some do it voluntarily. Bartender gets 20% kitchen 10%, server 70% is fairly standard.
Also, as mentioned, we have a “server minimum wage” here in the US which is far less than for other jobs. In some states it can be as low as $3.00/hour. You can debate the ethics of that but it’s reality and your “protest” only hurts the person doing the work.
Baristas, cab drivers, doormen, etc …. If they go out of their way, or do something extra, tip them. If they do the bare minimum and just get the job done, don’t.
There is a lot of overtipping requests, don’t get me wrong I hate seeing it on the swipe-screen everywhere too. Just don’t take it out on the good folks working in restaurants.
You are generally talking the difference of $5 or less between a 15% and 20%. Most of the time, you will be wearing a watch worth more than that person makes in a month. You want to look like a cheap piece of s*** over a dollar or two? Considering tipping less than 15% at a full service restaurant? They better have dropped a plate of food in your lap.
FYI- most restaurants have a tip split policy, some do it voluntarily. Bartender gets 20% kitchen 10%, server 70% is fairly standard.
Also, as mentioned, we have a “server minimum wage” here in the US which is far less than for other jobs. In some states it can be as low as $3.00/hour. You can debate the ethics of that but it’s reality and your “protest” only hurts the person doing the work.
Baristas, cab drivers, doormen, etc …. If they go out of their way, or do something extra, tip them. If they do the bare minimum and just get the job done, don’t.
There is a lot of overtipping requests, don’t get me wrong I hate seeing it on the swipe-screen everywhere too. Just don’t take it out on the good folks working in restaurants.
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Spacefruit
··Prolific Speedmaster HoarderAs a brit living in US:
Forget the idea that a 20% tip reflects anything other than another non negotiable tax - they just call it a tip, but its their payment. If you give more than 20%, now that's a tip.
The servers rely on it for their payment. Its just the cultural solution to making sure the waiters get paid. If you don't tip, they don't get paid.
Bar staff I still find it hard to tip more than a token, and the new fashion of takeaway / coffee shops spinning the IPAD around with the option to tip 20% for pushing something across a counter annoys even my American family.
Forget the idea that a 20% tip reflects anything other than another non negotiable tax - they just call it a tip, but its their payment. If you give more than 20%, now that's a tip.
The servers rely on it for their payment. Its just the cultural solution to making sure the waiters get paid. If you don't tip, they don't get paid.
Bar staff I still find it hard to tip more than a token, and the new fashion of takeaway / coffee shops spinning the IPAD around with the option to tip 20% for pushing something across a counter annoys even my American family.
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