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Are folks like me, who live on Social Security or other fixed income, justified in reducing the level of tipping?
The prices of restaurant meals have gone through the roof, partly to cover higher minimum wage (currently $11.50 in my state, rising to $13.50 in 2020; higher in some cities etc)., but way beyond that, to really outrageous levels — at least where I live.
I used to automatically tip 20%, but now with restaurant prices where they are, I just can’t afford it. I’m lowering my standard tip to 10%.
I'd rather see a flat price without tipping, but mostly I stay out of restaurants. If you don't have a kitchen, that would be a complication, but most fast food places have some sort of salad or something healthy enough.
Are folks like me, who live on Social Security or other fixed income, justified in reducing the level of tipping?
The prices of restaurant meals have gone through the roof, partly to cover higher minimum wage (currently $11.50 in my state, rising to $13.50 in 2020; higher in some cities etc)., but way beyond that, to really outrageous levels — at least where I live.
I used to automatically tip 20%, but now with restaurant prices where they are, I just can’t afford it. I’m lowering my standard tip to 10%.
How about you?
You can afford it.
If your budget is X, you order food where price + gratuity = X. It's not complicated.
If you don't want to tip, don't tip. It's not required. But if you want validation and reassurance that it's fine to order dishes that are so expensive that you cannot afford to properly tip, well, you're not going to get it from me.
First, I think that tipping should be a reflection of the service. I tip anywhere from 0% to 25%.
However, I think good service deserves a good tip.
I have always tipped 20%, in cash when possible, unless the service is especially poor. I’ve always felt that the low wages and physical and emotional demands of waiting on tables justified the tips I left.
But now, as I mentioned, the skyrocketing restaurant prices and higher wages for workers have made it difficult for me to justify tipping at the standard 20% level.
Are folks like me, who live on Social Security or other fixed income, justified in reducing the level of tipping?
If you are on a fixed income, why are you eating out? Eating out costs more than staying home and preparing your own food. A meal at a restaurant can easily cost 5 to 10 times more than a meal you would make at home.
I don't think you should tip less than what's culturally normal just because you have a certain income level. If you can't afford to tip what is customary, don't stiff the staff because of it. Just don't go out to eat or order take out instead. A lot of them rely on tips to make a living. You may not agree with tipping and think employees should be paid a higher wage so you don't have to tip, but that's not the current culture. Just like you wouldn't tip in Japan, you should tip in countries that have a tipping culture. I know the "normal" level of tipping varies from person to person but IMO 15-20% would be normal for average service. You can adjust your tip for service below or above average.
Are folks like me, who live on Social Security or other fixed income, justified in reducing the level of tipping?
The prices of restaurant meals have gone through the roof, partly to cover higher minimum wage (currently $11.50 in my state, rising to $13.50 in 2020; higher in some cities etc)., but way beyond that, to really outrageous levels — at least where I live.
I used to automatically tip 20%, but now with restaurant prices where they are, I just can’t afford it. I’m lowering my standard tip to 10%.
How about you?
I'd stop eating out then. If you can't afford it, why should THEY suffer your cheapness? If they see you coming, I'd have the greeter send you to another workers area. I wouldn't care to have someone who is cheap and demanding good service and not reflecting it in my gratuity.
I work, make just $3.50 an hour over what they make, but am so entertained by their friendly actions, true good customer service and a real desire to have me happy I tip $7 on a 33. meal. That's 21% I truly suspect that the server who I deal with makes 3X what he's paid hourly in tips does that tell you something?
Last edited by toosie; 10-14-2018 at 05:35 AM..
Reason: Deleted orphaned response
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