What do you Tip?

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by Mike-NC

Do I understand you right -- you give 20% to "waitstaff" who just hand you an empty cup?

As to taxi drivers, I give them about 15%, more if it's a short hop or they are handling luggage (or a pet), or if they are particularly good. On short hops, I'd probably give a minimum of a $3 tip these days.

An empty cup? No I meant those who bring me food and take my plates away and all that. Full service. I can't think of a situation where someone would just bring me an empty cup.

Thanks for the tip on the taxi tip. It's something I just recently started doing on a more frequent basis. But still not very often. Usually just when it involves the kitty.

[Mike-NC]

Originally Posted by Bluesmama

But tipping has been getting out of control, I think. I'd been seeing a massage therapist for years before I learned that they welcome tips. At $30 to $40 for a half-hour session I don't see the point.

Because of my curmudgeonly side, when masseurs and masseuses started calling themselves "therapists," I though a tip wouldn't be needed, nor would one be welcome. I couldn't -- and still can't -- imagine tipping a speech therapist, physical therapist, respiratory therapist, or psychotherapist (what a can of worms that would open!).

However, I was wrong. It's still a personal service, and they still welcome tips, despite their fancy new designation. I am fond of my massage therapist, and I always give him a good tip. But it's a matter of personal preference. However, if you don't think your MT is worth a tip, perhaps you should try another one, and maybe consider a 60- or 90-minute treatment, so you can really relax.

For me, a great massage is like a meal in a superb restaurant . . . when it's over, I don't care what it cost. At age 30, I had more fancy meals and fewer massages. At 60, I prefer a great massage to a great meal. Both please the senses, but after the massage, I don't get indigestion.

[Steve Pickering]

When it comes to amount I never leave less than a dollar per person at my table. Even if it is just coffee. I don't tip fast food. I don't tip more that 10% most of the time.

[paddlingal]

This is an interesting thread. I've always been hesitant to voice my opinion on tipping but will throw caution to the wind here.

I tip waitstaff because that is the generally accepted thing to do as they are paid less and depend on tips--at least that is what I thought until someone pointed out that in Oregon they get min wage? OK, probably won't change my habit there, but...here's what I think: tipping is way out of hand these days. It seems everyone expects a tip for doing their job. Why do some jobs qualify for tipping and others do not? Just charge me what the job is worth so I can pay it--I really hate that I'm supposed to tip for a service that I've just paid for. No one tips me for my work--and I don't think I should tip my massage therapist or my nail technician or my hair stylist or my taxi driver or the shuttle driver taking me from the airport to the hotel/car rental office, etc., etc. I travel a lot for my work, and I don't get reimbursed for tipping. Plus I think that is the job, isn't it? The taxi driver drives me to where I need to go. The masseuse relaxes my muscles. The shuttle driver takes me from A to B. That is their JOB.

I'm not a cheapskate. I gladly and freely give money to those in need. I just feel rebellious about tipping people who are already being paid to do a good job.

Okay, that is off my chest and now I feel better, lol.

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by paddlingal

I'm not a cheapskate. I gladly and freely give money to those in need. I just feel rebellious about tipping people who are already being paid to do a good job.

Okay, that is off my chest and now I feel better, lol.

You have to remember that Tipping is more of an East Coast culture thing. They'll tip the postal worker and the garbage man, along with a significant cash "Christmas Gift." Part of that comes from the fact that certain industries were run by organized crime and service levels would drop. Part of it is because there was a larger gap between lower class and middle class.

A lot of that has been imported here to the US, I'm frequently explaining to East Coast co-workers that we simply don't tip for every single little thing here. Nor do most workers expect it.

[Minervah]

When I lived in large apartment buildings in Chicago I never tipped the mailman but but the super always got something if he was a good one. The landlord didn't get a tip. People in houses tended to tip the mailmen and sometimes garbage men. When I lived in a triplex I tipped the mailman. But that could be because you got to know them. They knew the neighborhood and kind of watched what was going on. Way back when cops walked the beat, you often gave them a "little something" at Christmas time. But that was almost the dinosaur age of the 40's and 50's.

Hairdressers got tipped but owners of the salon didn't. Waitresses and waiters got tipped and so did valets, hotel maids and just about anyone who preformed a good service.

Actually, anyone who did a bit extra for you throughout the year got a tip. It wasn't always money either. And it wasn't always service industries. My dad worked in a warehouse for decades. They jobbed plumbing supplies. Clients would send fruit baskets, candy, cheeses and all sorts of goodies for the workers to share at Christmas. Oh, and of course, booze. These were strictly for the worker bees. Sometimes the boss would give them stuff like that as well. And bonuses. The city of Chicago was one of their clients and was always generous but the private clients were as well.

Ah, the good old days! Now that was tipping!