Tipping is just not heard of in the UK,
therefore we're not used to it and don't agree with it - it's nothing against American culture, it's just "not the done thing" and you know how us Brits are - everything is proper and in its proper order and place.

Now, of course, I'm used to tipping and when I go to other countries I find it hard not to - and a lot of my American friends say the same thing.

I figure if you're on vacation here from a country that doesn't tip, you're not obligated to, and like I said above, if you do feel obligated to then just ask someone about protocol.
( Batshitmentalist is sane for once, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 22:37, 1 reply, 16 years ago)

When in Rome...
Personally I try to find out things about the culture of a place before I go there, and tipping is something that's a widely publicized difference between the US and elsewhere. The tipping guidelines you linked in that other site were pretty decent, I thought. It's really not difficult to grasp, yet many take it as a personal affront when they're expected to conform to this particular norm.

And yes, if you stiff a waiter because tipping just isn't done where you're from, and it ends up costing the waiter money, that is really a dick move. Sorry, but there it is.
( Wanderer, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 22:49, Reply)

I understand that,
but it's not a personal affront to the wait staff.
( Batshitmentalist is sane for once, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 22:51, Reply)

I agree, it's not the waiters fault the US has such an appaling system
It's just astounding that collectively people accept it. There was an outcry in the UK when it was brought to peoples attention that companies were using tips to make up minimum wage, and the law was (or possibly is on the way to) being changed to stop it.
(Bazongaloid, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 22:52, Reply)

I think it's a dick move to not pay them at least minimum wage in the first place
I tip when it's required, but I'm not going to pay over the odds just because someone landed a shit job and needs me to make up his salary.
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 22:52, Reply)

That may be
but that's the way it's currently set up, and there isn't enough pressure on Washington to get the labor laws about waiting tables changed. The system is there and will stay there until the pressure is great for it to change. I don't see that happening soon.
( Wanderer, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 23:07, Reply)

Well I'm still not going to participate in it unless I feel it's necessary. You don't tip people at garages or in shops, so why should waiting staff be treated differently?
If they don't like it, fuck off and get another job.
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 23:18, Reply)

For many, that's the best job they can get.
Personally I learned another trade so I could get out of that racket, but for a young person without an education frequently that's all they can manage to get. The labor laws are written in such a way as to rape those who don't get good tips.

If a teacher complains that she's not paid enough, should she also be told to fuck off and find a better paying job? Or should she be compensated more? How about the guy who hauls trash? Should he too be told to fuck off? How about the cleaning crew at your office?

If no one waited on tables, who would serve you? How would the restaurants operate? Would they all become self-serve places like McDonald's? Would that be good?
( Wanderer, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 23:26, Reply)

Also, I take great offence at the assertion that
if I can afford it I shouldn't bitch, what a pathetic attitude to have. You're saying if you can afford to get ripped off then you should get ripped off, if you can afford to replace your stuff, you should't care if it gets stolen etc. etc.
(Bazongaloid, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 22:55, Reply)

Different circumstances.
Tipping is open and obvious. Standard is 15%, bare minimum is 10%, and anything more is rewarding good service. One should figure in a tip as part of the cost of eating at a restaurant.

Being ripped off is being deceived. You don't know that it's coming. Wholly different ballgame.

I stand by my statement: if tipping a waiter costs too much for your comfort, you shouldn't be eating at the restaurant. Restaurants are a luxury, not a necessity. If I'm so broke that five dollars is going to make a real difference to me, I'll go to a grocery store and buy food there.
( Wanderer, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 23:05, Reply)