Tipping restaurants in America

Ad7 wrote:If you read the post I said I tipped every time and the amount you're supposed to. They still bitch about it AND often auto put it on the Bill as a service charge which when queried, they say is because British people don't tip. Well strawberry float you then, I'll auto give you a smaller portion of food when you're over here because 'all Americans are obese'.

I dont follow your accusation. I ASKED if the debate was over whether you tipped or not - your post does not imply that you definitively did - rather you were upset by the request. I followed it up by saying that my own experience is about as far as you could get from your experience of the US. To add to that, if you are tipping 25% (again, never heard of that expectation) you are being ripped off. Even Americans would find that offensive. Maybe that somewhat unique circumstance is the subject of your ire!

Have those of you who feel persecuted considered the fact that you might just be a nob and the service staff dont like you very much?

After discreetly letting my cousin know about the tipping culture in America. He lost it and started getting angry at me. I couldn't believe it as I was only stating the facts and never at any point targeted him.

I guess people don't like it when you pull them up on money matters...

Sounds like you're gonna have a swell time with your cousin!

No:1 Final Fantasy Fan wrote:After discreetly letting my cousin know about the tipping culture in America. He lost it and started getting angry at me. I couldn't believe it as I was only stating the facts and never at any point targeted him.

I guess people don't like it when you pull them up on money matters...

Separate tables. It's the only way to go.

[iup=3617729]Igor[/iup] wrote:Sounds like you're gonna have a swell time with your cousin!

There are enough restaurants in the USA that you could easily just get yourself kicked out when you get the cheque and just find another the next night.

[iup=3616983]Ad7[/iup] wrote:More annoying than the tip thing, which just makes every meal/drink in merca 25% more expensive is the whole LOL INGLISH DON GONE TIP YALL attitude they have. We tipped the amount you're supposed to all the time and still got that everywhere we went. In Canada we went to a Boston pizza place and got such gooseberry fool service from one girl (ignored us most of the night in favour of a party table, gotta chase dem tips AMIRITE) that we didn't give any tip. strawberry float her, we were there a good 4 hours and we saw her twice, once to take the order and once to give the food, and she wants 20-25% of the total bill to go in her pocket..potentially about £30? strawberry float off.

That's weird, I never got that kind of attitude anywhere I went, although I was in New England, Canada and the South for most of my time there and they're all very welcoming sorts - Boston and Toronto waiters, waitresses and barmen were especially nice. My accent being what it is I would have expected to be thought of as a miserable sod when it comes to money - that seems to be the international expectation of the Scots.

I don't personally agree with tipping but would do it in the USA/Canada to avoid hassle, when in Rome and all that.

Never 20% though, that's taking the piss.

Having just got back from Boston I think I found kyself over tipping. On our first night we tipped $1 a drink and aftef about 6 rounds the bar staff refused to take my money for the 7th round. Also at most mid chain restraunts it evens itself out because you get free refils on your drinks.

[iup=3616459]mrspax[/iup] wrote:Pro tip, if he won't budge, don't be sitting with him at the table.

You'll be an accessory to the crime!

Was this deliberate?

In that I spend weeks on end every year eating almost three meals a day in US restaurants, and that I do so on business travel, you could say it was professional tip yes.

Nit that I have ever been in a situation where I wanted to be miles away from my accompanying diner due to their social and cultural inflexibility.

Unless this is a gag I am failing to spot, in which case, I plead ignorance.

That's a no then.

[iup=3620079]Lagamorph[/iup] wrote:That's a no then.

If you like.

Quite a few people here don’t understand the idea that tipping in America is not the same as tipping in the UK. You’re not tipping for good service, you’re effectively paying their wages. Instead of your meal costing more and the restaurant owner paying that element on to the staff, you effectively give it straight to the waiter/waitress.
It’s certainly a backwards system but that’s the way it is, and when you’re a visitor in a country you should attempt to abide by their customs.

I would say only in instances of exceptionally bad/rude service should you not tip.

[iup=3623122]Tomous[/iup] wrote:Quite a few people here don’t understand the idea that tipping in America is not the same as tipping in the UK. You’re not tipping for good service, you’re effectively paying their wages. Instead of your meal costing more and the restaurant owner paying that element on to the staff, you effectively give it straight to the waiter/waitress.
It’s certainly a backwards system but that’s the way it is, and when you’re a visitor in a country you should attempt to abide by their customs.

I would say only in instances of exceptionally bad/rude service should you not tip.

That argument would only work if America did not have a minimum wage.

[iup=3623509]Faust[/iup] wrote:

[iup=3623122]Tomous[/iup] wrote:Quite a few people here don’t understand the idea that tipping in America is not the same as tipping in the UK. You’re not tipping for good service, you’re effectively paying their wages. Instead of your meal costing more and the restaurant owner paying that element on to the staff, you effectively give it straight to the waiter/waitress.
It’s certainly a backwards system but that’s the way it is, and when you’re a visitor in a country you should attempt to abide by their customs.

I would say only in instances of exceptionally bad/rude service should you not tip.

That argument would only work if America did not have a minimum wage.

The American federal government requires a wage of at least $2.13 per hour be paid to employees that receive at least $30 per month in tips. If wages and tips do not equal the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour during any pay period, the employer is required to increase cash wages to compensate.

So if they don't get any tips, they're on around £4.60 an hour. Considering our minimum wage is £6.50, you can see why they rely on tips.

So the server does not lose out anyway cos the employer pays the difference. Sorted, no tips from me still.

Clearly they do, because it would be very difficult to live on £4.60 in the USA.

People don't seem to realise that this isn't an issue about money - it is about cultural norms and respecting that the society you are in is different.

Some may be taking a moral stand against the tipping culture, but is it your place as a foreigner and outsider to do that? Do you completely understand American society? Of course not. For some of course, it is simply about saving a few quid.

Would you make a fuss about not taking your shoes off when entering a Japanese home? Of course not. Even if you wanted to keep your shoes on, you wouldn't cause an argument and you would just do that. Just because tipping in America costs you money doesn't make it any different. Over here you have to buy gifts for all your work colleagues whenever you go abroad. It is a pain to have to bring stuff back and it can cost. But you do it because it is what they do here.