Tipping has gone stupid
- Thread starter toximus
- Start date
That still leaves a lot of questions as to what’s right.
We just got back from dinner and we spent just under $50 for a few lbs of boiled crawfish and drinks.
I tipped $10. And we were there less than 45 minutes.
If down the street there’s a steakhouse and we each order a $75 steak, the waitress will do the same amount of work but the bill is 3x and so would be the tip.
OP
If that's true, I'd totally throw in an extra benji just so I wouldn't die if someone else tipped more than me.
Curious which country doesn't do tipping? I've never really been out of the US and assumed all countries tipped
OP
OP
Rick Steves to the rescue for European countries.
Restaurants
Restaurant tips are more modest in Europe than in America. Servers are paid a living wage, and tips are considered a small bonus — to reward great service or for simplicity in rounding the total bill to a convenient number. In many countries, 5 percent is adequate and 10 percent is considered a nice tip. Locals just leave coins on the table, round up, or often don't tip at all.Resist the urge to tip American-style. If your bucks talk at home, muzzle them on your travels. As a matter of principle — if not economy — the local price should prevail. Please believe me — tipping 15 or 20 percent in Europe is unnecessary, if not culturally ignorant. You're just raising the bar and messing up the local balance. And it's bad style.
Tipping is an issue only at restaurants with table service. If you order food at a counter (in a pub, for example), don't tip. At sit-down restaurants, the tipping etiquette and procedure vary slightly from country to country.
In Mediterranean countries, the "service charge" (servizio in Italian, service in French, servicio in Spanish) can be handled in different ways. Sometimes the menu will note that the service is included ("servizio incluso"), meaning that the prices listed on the menu already have this charge built into the price. When the service is not included ("servizio non incluso"), the service charge might show up as a separate line item at the end of your bill. Most fixed-price tourist deals include service.
In the northern and eastern parts of Europe, the menu or bill is less likely to address the "service charge," but you can usually assume that it's included in the prices. Lately, some restaurants — especially those in well-touristed areas in Germany and Austria — have added a "Tip is not included" line, in English, to the bottom of the bill. This is misleading, as the prices on any menu in these countries do include service. I wouldn't tip one cent more at a restaurant that includes this note on the bill.
Since most European credit-card slips don't have a line for adding a tip, plan on tipping in cash. Typically, it's better to hand the tip to the server when you're paying your bill than to leave it on the table, particularly in busy places where the wrong party might pocket the change.
In Germanic countries, rather than leaving coins behind on the table (considered slightly rude), locals usually pay directly: When the server comes by with the bill, simply hand over paper money, stating the total you'd like to pay. For example, if paying for a €10 meal with a €20 bill, say "Eleven, please" (or "Elf, bitte" if you've got your German numbers down) while handing your money to the server. The server will thank you, keep a €1 tip, and give you €9 in change.
Don't stress about tipping in Europe. If you're unsure what to give, ask a local (but not a server) about the tipping norms for that country. Virtually anywhere in Europe, you can do as the Europeans do and (if you're pleased with the service) add a euro or two for each person in your party. In very touristy areas, some servers have noticed the American obsession with overtipping — and might hope for a Yankee-sized tip. But the good news is that European servers and diners are far more laid-back about all this than we are. Any tip is appreciated, the stakes are low, and it's no big deal if you choose the "wrong" amount. Don't lose sleep over walking out of a restaurant in Europe without tipping.
No tipping in the 4 European countries I've been to (Germany, England, Ireland and Greece). My understanding is that's the norm for all of Europe.
It doesn't anymore though. It's just an expected thing and if you *only* tip 10% to the cashier for spinning the iPad around, you are a cheap dick.
Most of them don't, but the rare ones who do don't do it stupid crazy like the states. But Japan was specifically where I was talking about.
Last edited:
What been getting me irritated is the local sports arena. They don’t accept cash anymore, and the people who sell you a ridiculously priced beer hand you an iPad type card machine. That machine defaults to an 18% tip or some nonsense…for checking my ID and opening a can of beer!
It’s highway robbery on so many levels
It’s highway robbery on so many levels
CreepinDeth
TJ Addict
Most European nations dont
Its an American thing to shaft your employees on wages
My latest revelation was a night out at a good burger and rib place they just opened by my house. Our former Babysitters son worked there, so we asked for him.
He served us, and I went to tip him 30% on a $150 bill on my card. He explained to me that its now basically SOCIALISM being practiced in restaurants. So I gave him cash instead thinking he would be at least able to keep 10% off the books
So what they do NOW is estimate a tip wage based on receipts. $100 bill, they estimate a $20 tip earned and pull it into a pot. Everyone tips are forced in, and the tips are disbursed EVENLY to all servers (Best and Worst) and bus boys. Sound fair??? Wait….it gets worse
On top of that BS, a certain demographic has a well earned stereotype to NOT tip at all. So when they stiff the server, the restaurant STILL calculates a “reasonable tip” and disburses it evenly. So now, they are essentially taking MORE then you even earned
I told him to quit and find a trade. Now I wont even go there to eat because Im not supporting that Socialist business model
However I will always tip 20% min for good service if I sit DOWN and expect to be served. Some unfortunately will sit down knowing the business model and stiff the worker which is typical of dirtbags
Last edited:
It's the same here with the bigger event areas, like Charlotte Speedway or ZMAX Drag strip. It's BS, and I have refused to buy anything from them beyond entrance. Also, because they charge $14 for generic beer (bud light) and $6 bottle water/Coke. That's horseshit pricing.
Everyone wants a tip now. I happily decline. I'm not playing that b.s. game.
I'll tip if you're literally waiting on me, but beyond that I'm not going to tip you to do your job.
This is one of those situations where it's an easy solution. People just need to grow a pair and say no. It's annoying to be asked in the first place, but I have no issue saying no. The worst they can do is be mad at me which only shows their entitlement.
I'll tip if you're literally waiting on me, but beyond that I'm not going to tip you to do your job.
This is one of those situations where it's an easy solution. People just need to grow a pair and say no. It's annoying to be asked in the first place, but I have no issue saying no. The worst they can do is be mad at me which only shows their entitlement.
I just got back from a trip to Costa Rica. Restaurants add a 10% service charge to your pre-tax bill. It’s plainly posted several times on the menus. I can live with that. Here in Ca restaurant workers get $20/hr starting in Apr. since restaurant prices have gone up because of this my tipping will go down. After all the reason tipping started was because the wait staff had low pay. Now that they have a living wage they do not need the extra money.
I love traveling in Europe because there is no tipping required.
I love traveling in Europe because there is no tipping required.
I'm in the wrong state. It's way too easy to spend 300$ on two people in CA.you have what,5-6 people?
6 but one isn’t big enough to eat and the other 3 are still on the kids menu.