I was new to Tucson and I was told.... (rent, credit card)

[oceanb70]

Hi,

I am new to tucson and new to USA. I was told that having meal in the restaurant and giving tips when paying bills is a must in Tucson. I wonder who truth it is? I always thought that 'tips' is based on voluntary. Pls enlighten me.

[oklahomaboy405]

I don't eat out much but I hear that it is customary to tip 15% of your total bill amount. If you don't tip its nothing is going to happen to you, but most waiting staffs depend on them to survive, I think they get paid something like 3 dollars an hour.

[Takes1 2 Know1]

It is customary to tip 15%, but sometimes I tip 20% if the server is really attentitive. I've heard of people tipping less than 15%, but that's because the service was just horrible.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by oceanb70

Hi,

I am new to tucson and new to USA. I was told that having meal in the restaurant and giving tips when paying bills is a must in Tucson. I wonder who truth it is? I always thought that 'tips' is based on voluntary. Pls enlighten me.

I believe your information is slightly misleading, Ocean.

The 15% to 20% voluntary tipping policy is fairly standardized in the United States and applies everywhere, fairly consistently, NOT just in Tucson and/or Arizona.

While traveling in other countries the "Tip Only When Service Warrants" policy over a tip being expected policy definitely makes more sense.

I eat out frequently and if the service is BAD, I have no problems leaving ZERO, however, if the service is exceptionally good, I will be more generous and tip over the 20%.

I hope all of this makes sense.

[crazyme4878]

I always thought tipping is between 10-20% of the bill.

You don't have to, but almost everyone does. You will also see tip jars at counters in coffee shops and such. I actually stopped tipping at coffee shops because they get paid more than waitresses and they don't have to run around (except if it is a coffee shop I go to all the time, then I will tip every time).

If you get crappy service, then tip less. If you get really, really good service, then tip extra. I have tipped right at the 10% line and I have tipped way above 20%. And if it is a place you are going to go to all the time, I would definitely tip nicely!

And it isn't just Tucson, but the entire U.S.

[Djbabybokchoy]

You should tip lots of people - it's courtesy here. Most waitresses (the ones that bring you food at restaurants) get paid special wages that are especially low. The rest of their income comes from tips. I've tipped car wash guys, valets, bar tenders, tattoo artists, pizza delivery guys, coffee baristas... It's not mandatory by any means, but it's an easy way to show appreciation for a job well done.

I have, however, not tipped when I eat out if the service is really bad. I've also not tipped the pizza guy 'cause he forgot my garlic knots and didn't bring a receipt.

Usually, if it's just you and a friend (not a family of eight, misbehaved, screaming children eating), you can each tip $2 and be alright.

[sierraAZ]

Yeah, ocean, in this country we customers subsidize the salaries of the waiting staff so that their employers don't have to pay them living wages. 15% is a customary tip. Some people leave more. Once I was pissed and tried to leave zero, writing a big fat zero on the receipt (on a credit card, though), and they still charged $5! I didn't bother fight it, but still thought it was disgusting.

It's just the way the sick system works. IRS assumes they get tips and taxes them on a certain minimum amount they HAVE to make. Otherwise they might end up paying taxes on tips they haven't received.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

Yeah, ocean, in this country we customers subsidize the salaries of the waiting staff so that their employers don't have to pay them living wages. 15% is a customary tip. Some people leave more. Once I was pissed and tried to leave zero, writing a big fat zero on the receipt (on a credit card, though), and they still charged $5! I didn't bother fight it, but still thought it was disgusting.

It's just the way the sick system works. IRS assumes they get tips and taxes them on a certain minimum amount they HAVE to make. Otherwise they might end up paying taxes on tips they haven't received.

I could not agree more, Sierra . . .

Definitely a policy that has gone GOOFY and has become distorted from its original intent as well as getting worse; NOT better.

[crazyme4878]

Originally Posted by Bummer

I could not agree more, Sierra . . .

Definitely a policy that has gone GOOFY and has become distorted from its original intent as well as getting worse; NOT better.

Yes, it is getting worse. That is one of the reasons I have stopped tipping at coffee shops. I didn't mind throwing a quarter in the jar at my favorite haunts, but then the tip jars started showing up everywhere. At places where they don't have to do anything special (besides their job) to serve you. A waitress can make or break your dining experience, but at Starbucks? Come on! I think I have even seen them at fast food restuarants...not sure, but I know I have seen the tip jars at some far fetched areas.

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by crazyme4878

Yes, it is getting worse. That is one of the reasons I have stopped tipping at coffee shops. I didn't mind throwing a quarter in the jar at my favorite haunts, but then the tip jars started showing up everywhere. At places where they don't have to do anything special (besides their job) to serve you. A waitress can make or break your dining experience, but at Starbucks? Come on! I think I have even seen them at fast food restuarants...not sure, but I know I have seen the tip jars at some far fetched areas.

Exactly. Nobody tips me for doing my job. They're on salaries just like anybody else. Same with hairdressers... They rent their chairs; it's their own business. Why should I tip somebody who makes more than I do?! But they have scissors in their hands and work on MY head, so.... not much of a choice!