Comments on: The Man’s Guide to Tipping http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/ Specialization is for Insects. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:29:02 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: vincent http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-38239 vincent Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:35:24 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-38239 Over all a well balance view on tipping but I do have to disagree with the furniture delivery guys tip.. $10!! It cant be simplified to that extent as service varies so much. Firstly, as a Furniture delivery guy, I see a tip as a thankyou but secondly as a reflection of the work I put into the delivery. Wages are not that high for driving a van. If its a quick drop off a $5 thankyou would be sufficient but if the piece is carried up your stairs and positioned in your house without a scratch.. well thats a $20 tip worthy service (remember $5 of that is a thankyou, $15 says welldone). People dont seem to realize that the furniture is picked up assembled and then delivered by at van driver (and team) more often than not, so a lot of work goes into getting things ready for those few moment you meet us. I am strongly considering delivering the boxes as is to my next non tipper and assembling the stuff in their front room so they realize how much time and skill this behind the scenes work takes and how messy it can be. Then they may think twice about not tipping for that "quick drop off". But how do you know the amount of background work put in? Have a chat.. its friendly to enquire about a persons day/work and will give you an idea of how much effort the deliverer put into the service you received. Tipped amount can be reduced if: a) You help with the delivery beyond holding open doors and leading the way. b) the furniture is mishandled. c) the delivery is late or unscheduled d) other service related bad habits. $5 thankyou min and up to $20+ good service, welldone Over all a well balance view on tipping but I do have to disagree with the furniture delivery guys tip.. $10!! It cant be simplified to that extent as service varies so much. Firstly, as a Furniture delivery guy, I see a tip as a thankyou but secondly as a reflection of the work I put into the delivery. Wages are not that high for driving a van. If its a quick drop off a $5 thankyou would be sufficient but if the piece is carried up your stairs and positioned in your house without a scratch.. well thats a $20 tip worthy service (remember $5 of that is a thankyou, $15 says welldone). People dont seem to realize that the furniture is picked up assembled and then delivered by at van driver (and team) more often than not, so a lot of work goes into getting things ready for those few moment you meet us. I am strongly considering delivering the boxes as is to my next non tipper and assembling the stuff in their front room so they realize how much time and skill this behind the scenes work takes and how messy it can be. Then they may think twice about not tipping for that “quick drop off”. But how do you know the amount of background work put in? Have a chat.. its friendly to enquire about a persons day/work and will give you an idea of how much effort the deliverer put into the service you received. Tipped amount can be reduced if: a) You help with the delivery beyond holding open doors and leading the way. b) the furniture is mishandled. c) the delivery is late or unscheduled d) other service related bad habits.

$5 thankyou min and up to $20+ good service, welldone

]]> By: John P. http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-31965 John P. Sat, 17 Nov 2007 16:16:28 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-31965 Andy, That is a great question and one I should probably add to the guide. But your instinct is correct, you are not expected to tip the gift delivery people. That should have been taken care of on the other end. Besides, if we go back to the two primary reasons at the top of the page neither of them apply to these folks. John Andy,

That is a great question and one I should probably add to the guide. But your instinct is correct, you are not expected to tip the gift delivery people. That should have been taken care of on the other end.

Besides, if we go back to the two primary reasons at the top of the page neither of them apply to these folks.

John

]]> By: Andy http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-31963 Andy Sat, 17 Nov 2007 15:42:42 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-31963 Should we be expected to tip a flower/gift deliveryman if we are the ones receiving the flowers/gift? The majority of times, we answer the door not expecting a delivery and therefore have no cash on hand. Additionally should the tip not be included by the person sending the flowers/gift at the time they ordered it? Thanks. Should we be expected to tip a flower/gift deliveryman if we are the ones receiving the flowers/gift? The majority of times, we answer the door not expecting a delivery and therefore have no cash on hand. Additionally should the tip not be included by the person sending the flowers/gift at the time they ordered it? Thanks.

]]> By: John P. http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-7079 John P. Thu, 05 Jul 2007 21:10:27 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-7079 Well, obviously for this guide to have any value you have to first believe that tipping is warranted. If you don't believe in tipping to start with then why even read this page? Well, obviously for this guide to have any value you have to first believe that tipping is warranted. If you don’t believe in tipping to start with then why even read this page?

]]> By: gbowen99 http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-7076 gbowen99 Thu, 05 Jul 2007 20:07:34 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-7076 haha! Don't make me laugh. How about these hard working service persons ask their boss why they are not getting paid? Perhaps they should have read the fine print when they started. When I take a taxi I pay the fair and say "See ya". Did you know taxi cab drivers get 30% of the fair you just paid. Not too bad. So why tip them? I say down with tipping it is really out of control. haha! Don’t make me laugh. How about these hard working service persons ask their boss why they are not getting paid? Perhaps they should have read the fine print when they started. When I take a taxi I pay the fair and say “See ya”. Did you know taxi cab drivers get 30% of the fair you just paid. Not too bad. So why tip them? I say down with tipping it is really out of control.

]]> By: Roberto Torres http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-4925 Roberto Torres Sat, 19 May 2007 19:49:02 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-4925 I found your information very practical and very very helpful for those sticky (tipping) situations. I feel more knowledgeable and more confident that I will be tippping accordicngly. Thank you very much. I found your information very practical and very very helpful for those sticky (tipping) situations. I feel more knowledgeable and more confident that I will be tippping accordicngly.
Thank you very much.

]]> By: John P. http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-4915 John P. Sat, 19 May 2007 15:53:27 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-4915 PC, You have certainly thoroughly enumerated the other side of the tipping debate, so thank you very much for all the comments. You also did a good job of taking me to task for some of my language and statements that sound quite absolute like "if you can’t afford it, you shouldn’t be dining out". :-) Frankly, I don't think I could have played Devil's Advocate as well as you did here. I would like to make just a few points: <ul> <li>With regards to the comment that tips should just be included in the price, that is what most of the rest of the world other than the US does. The bad news is that prices are higher and service there generally sucks since its not really a pay-for-performance model. I mean, they would just build the price into the cost of your meal, so you're going to be paying it anyway.</li> <li>With regards to stiffing a waiter, by all means if you sit through an entire meal with that person go ahead and stiff them. But recognize that you could have called a manager over and relieved you own suffering. And believe me, I'm not shy about doing so! Also realize that the next time you go there you may be recognized as a non-tipper and perpetuate the bad service.</li> <li>With regards to the $30-40 per hour calculation, this is generally way off the mark. Waiters normally have only 2-3 tables. They often stand around with table empty during several hours of their shift, interrupted by short bursts for lunch or dinner. You are not taking into account the average wage, nor the fact that they have to "tip share" with the busboys and bartenders. Their average wage is normally going to be in the $10-20 per hour range after all is said and done. And I don't know about you but generally speaking I find that waiters give me more service than anyone else I come in contact with on a daily basis.</li> </ul> I certainly understand the sentiment about it seeming like the whole damn world wants a tip now. And you are right, tips are voluntary and at times inappropriate. Just remember that you can really make someone's day by doing a little something extra for them, and I think that is what the whole spirit of tipping is about. John PC,

You have certainly thoroughly enumerated the other side of the tipping debate, so thank you very much for all the comments. You also did a good job of taking me to task for some of my language and statements that sound quite absolute like “if you can’t afford it, you shouldn’t be dining out”. :-) Frankly, I don’t think I could have played Devil’s Advocate as well as you did here.

I would like to make just a few points:

  • With regards to the comment that tips should just be included in the price, that is what most of the rest of the world other than the US does. The bad news is that prices are higher and service there generally sucks since its not really a pay-for-performance model. I mean, they would just build the price into the cost of your meal, so you’re going to be paying it anyway.
  • With regards to stiffing a waiter, by all means if you sit through an entire meal with that person go ahead and stiff them. But recognize that you could have called a manager over and relieved you own suffering. And believe me, I’m not shy about doing so! Also realize that the next time you go there you may be recognized as a non-tipper and perpetuate the bad service.
  • With regards to the $30-40 per hour calculation, this is generally way off the mark. Waiters normally have only 2-3 tables. They often stand around with table empty during several hours of their shift, interrupted by short bursts for lunch or dinner. You are not taking into account the average wage, nor the fact that they have to “tip share” with the busboys and bartenders. Their average wage is normally going to be in the $10-20 per hour range after all is said and done. And I don’t know about you but generally speaking I find that waiters give me more service than anyone else I come in contact with on a daily basis.

I certainly understand the sentiment about it seeming like the whole damn world wants a tip now. And you are right, tips are voluntary and at times inappropriate. Just remember that you can really make someone’s day by doing a little something extra for them, and I think that is what the whole spirit of tipping is about.

John

]]> By: proud cheapskate http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-4909 proud cheapskate Sat, 19 May 2007 10:50:55 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-4909 I guess I'm a cheapskate but the whole idea of tipping has become ludicrous to me. I keep reading about what the word actually means - VOLUNTARY gratuity for EXCELLENT service, or as someone suggested to me "To Insure Prompt Service -TIPS". So then how is "You should never, ever stiff a waiter" even if the service is bad Voluntary? If 10-20% is expected, no, required, then just put it on the menu and let me decide if I want to eat there. Everyone says that "EVERYONE KNOWS" that waitstaff only receive $2/hour base. I don't KNOW any such thing. I imagine that there are places where that's true but I also know where it's not true. But let's not argue that point, let's just take it as a given that waitstaff make $2/hr base. Where does it say I'm their employer and required to ensure that they're making a living wage? In fact, why is the pay of the person tipping not taken into account when deciding how much to leave or even whether or not to tip? Surely Bill Gates should be required to "voluntarily" leave a far higher tip than the everyday joe. I've been to airports where you can't call your own taxis. You have to queue up and have the skycap do it. Then you're not allowed to put your bags into the taxi, again the skycap has to do it. Same for hotels that require that your car is parked and retrieved by a valet. I'm suppose to tip for services I didn't want in the first place? I don't like having anyone drive and park my car, so why am I paying for it? The retort of "if you can't afford it, you shouldn't be dining out" misses the mark for me. I can afford to have someone cook for me, and I pay for it, but I don't WANT to afford to give handouts to people for doing their jobs. If tipping were a phenomenon associated with waitservice only I could understand, given we "know" they all don't make minimum wage (althoug if you're at a restaurant where a ticket for two people could cost about $50, and the waiter has four tables, at 15%-20% that's $7.5-$10 per table, with people generally eating about an hour that's $30-$40/hr our below minimum wage waiter is now making). But now you're serious about tipping for carryout?? So now not only have I the responsibility for ensuring living wages but I'm required to dole out "bonuses" too? You say that we should tip for various reasons, such as the furniture movers are breaking their backs so we don't have to, or the coat check person is looking after our things, but isn't that the JOB DESCRIPTION?? I pay for the moving service don't I? Or was that free and the $600 was just me being overly generous with the pre-tip tip? I could go on ad nauseum about every service job now expecting a tip or the proliferation of tip jars on every counter, but I think you get my point. Between tipping every person I see who's doing the job they applied for and the incessant gift giving (high school graduates are not registering at stores like brides), I have to go look for a second job. Maybe I'll bring a tip jar with me everywhere so people can tip me for the pleasure of my patronage. I guess I’m a cheapskate but the whole idea of tipping has become ludicrous to me. I keep reading about what the word actually means – VOLUNTARY gratuity for EXCELLENT service, or as someone suggested to me “To Insure Prompt Service -TIPS”. So then how is “You should never, ever stiff a waiter” even if the service is bad Voluntary? If 10-20% is expected, no, required, then just put it on the menu and let me decide if I want to eat there. Everyone says that “EVERYONE KNOWS” that waitstaff only receive $2/hour base. I don’t KNOW any such thing. I imagine that there are places where that’s true but I also know where it’s not true. But let’s not argue that point, let’s just take it as a given that waitstaff make $2/hr base. Where does it say I’m their employer and required to ensure that they’re making a living wage? In fact, why is the pay of the person tipping not taken into account when deciding how much to leave or even whether or not to tip? Surely Bill Gates should be required to “voluntarily” leave a far higher tip than the everyday joe. I’ve been to airports where you can’t call your own taxis. You have to queue up and have the skycap do it. Then you’re not allowed to put your bags into the taxi, again the skycap has to do it. Same for hotels that require that your car is parked and retrieved by a valet. I’m suppose to tip for services I didn’t want in the first place? I don’t like having anyone drive and park my car, so why am I paying for it? The retort of “if you can’t afford it, you shouldn’t be dining out” misses the mark for me. I can afford to have someone cook for me, and I pay for it, but I don’t WANT to afford to give handouts to people for doing their jobs. If tipping were a phenomenon associated with waitservice only I could understand, given we “know” they all don’t make minimum wage (althoug if you’re at a restaurant where a ticket for two people could cost about $50, and the waiter has four tables, at 15%-20% that’s $7.5-$10 per table, with people generally eating about an hour that’s $30-$40/hr our below minimum wage waiter is now making). But now you’re serious about tipping for carryout?? So now not only have I the responsibility for ensuring living wages but I’m required to dole out “bonuses” too? You say that we should tip for various reasons, such as the furniture movers are breaking their backs so we don’t have to, or the coat check person is looking after our things, but isn’t that the JOB DESCRIPTION?? I pay for the moving service don’t I? Or was that free and the $600 was just me being overly generous with the pre-tip tip? I could go on ad nauseum about every service job now expecting a tip or the proliferation of tip jars on every counter, but I think you get my point. Between tipping every person I see who’s doing the job they applied for and the incessant gift giving (high school graduates are not registering at stores like brides), I have to go look for a second job. Maybe I’ll bring a tip jar with me everywhere so people can tip me for the pleasure of my patronage.

]]> By: Beavis http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-2387 Beavis Fri, 13 Apr 2007 13:17:05 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-2387 Thanks John! I agree with you, and I appreciate the quick response. Take care! Thanks John! I agree with you, and I appreciate the quick response. Take care!

]]> By: The Man http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-2348 The Man Thu, 12 Apr 2007 20:35:39 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-2348 Beavis, Thanks for the compliments. ;-) Certainly there are exceptions to every rule so the comments that follow should be evaluated with common sense in each instance. Having said that, here is my philosophy in this regard: Fast food joints that happen to do delivery often include the tip line on the receipt in the restaurant merely because it is their one and only credit card processing machine. When you call in the order with a credit card <i>that</i> is the machine they use to print the receipt that they send with the driver. There is no other reason for it, and the employees in the establishment should be treated no differently than the ones at McDonald's or anywhere else that receive a full hourly wage. If you are dealing with an establishment that does not offer delivery, or seating, and they have a machine that is printing out TIP lines... well, that is either wishful thinking or inappropriate pressure. Some people will succumb to that pressure, but I would not. Begging is unattractive, and rather than feeling pressure I would suggest being angry at them for putting you in that situation. So, when I encounter this I personally draw a line through the space where the tip would go, write the total in the box below and take my food. In your second example, if we're talking about a place like Chili's, Outback, etc. this changes the philosophy a bit. In one of these restaurants we all know the wait staff works for tips (they literally have a $2/hr. base). And it is this same staff that has to take your call in order, put it in the computer, print a receipt, run it out to your car, etc. In this case you need to reward them commensurate to their effort. Since they are only going to be doing a fraction of the work to bag up your meal for you, your tip should be a fraction of what it would be if you were eating in. For example, lets say you were sitting down to a $50 meal. You'd be there for an hour, and during that time you'd probably use 10-15 minutes of your servers time between the order process, refills, etc. Calling in the order will probably use 1/3 to 1/2 that time, so decrease your tip accordingly. Remember that they look at call in orders like "bonuses". You don't take up a table, you leave quickly, can't complain. It's already very good for them. Hope that helps, John Beavis,

Thanks for the compliments. ;-)

Certainly there are exceptions to every rule so the comments that follow should be evaluated with common sense in each instance. Having said that, here is my philosophy in this regard:

Fast food joints that happen to do delivery often include the tip line on the receipt in the restaurant merely because it is their one and only credit card processing machine. When you call in the order with a credit card that is the machine they use to print the receipt that they send with the driver. There is no other reason for it, and the employees in the establishment should be treated no differently than the ones at McDonald’s or anywhere else that receive a full hourly wage.

If you are dealing with an establishment that does not offer delivery, or seating, and they have a machine that is printing out TIP lines… well, that is either wishful thinking or inappropriate pressure. Some people will succumb to that pressure, but I would not. Begging is unattractive, and rather than feeling pressure I would suggest being angry at them for putting you in that situation. So, when I encounter this I personally draw a line through the space where the tip would go, write the total in the box below and take my food.

In your second example, if we’re talking about a place like Chili’s, Outback, etc. this changes the philosophy a bit. In one of these restaurants we all know the wait staff works for tips (they literally have a $2/hr. base). And it is this same staff that has to take your call in order, put it in the computer, print a receipt, run it out to your car, etc. In this case you need to reward them commensurate to their effort.

Since they are only going to be doing a fraction of the work to bag up your meal for you, your tip should be a fraction of what it would be if you were eating in. For example, lets say you were sitting down to a $50 meal. You’d be there for an hour, and during that time you’d probably use 10-15 minutes of your servers time between the order process, refills, etc. Calling in the order will probably use 1/3 to 1/2 that time, so decrease your tip accordingly. Remember that they look at call in orders like “bonuses”. You don’t take up a table, you leave quickly, can’t complain. It’s already very good for them.

Hope that helps,

John

]]> By: Beavis http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-2346 Beavis Thu, 12 Apr 2007 19:29:01 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-2346 First- love your Blog! Wanted to get your thoughts on this one, since we are on the subject of tipping... My wife and I disagree on this, and I wanted to ask your opinion. I notice at Carryouts (subs, pizza, Chinese food, etc... nothing fancy- typical Carryout with no seating), the receipt always has a place to leave a tip. The wife says that this is now the norm and that it is proper etiquette to tip the Carryout! I used to work in the service industry and believe me- I KNOW it's hard work and I tip quite generously all around. However, when I call in to a Carryout, get in my car and pick up my food, pay them to hand me my bag of food and ring me up, then drive it home, I do not feel compelled to tip. Am I wrong here? I have also noticed at a certain restaurant that I frequent (NON-carryout) that when I call in a to-go order and go pick it up, they seem to expect a tip. They smile at me when I do and are more polite, but basically blow me off if I don't. Their food is expensive and I go there frequently. Still- it's a to-go order and I drove there to get it myself. How do you feel about this? Should one tip when getting Carryout, period? How about carryout from a restaurant, vs at a designated Carryout? I'd love to hear your opinion. THANKS! First- love your Blog! Wanted to get your thoughts on this one, since we are on the subject of tipping… My wife and I disagree on this, and I wanted to ask your opinion. I notice at Carryouts (subs, pizza, Chinese food, etc… nothing fancy- typical Carryout with no seating), the receipt always has a place to leave a tip. The wife says that this is now the norm and that it is proper etiquette to tip the Carryout! I used to work in the service industry and believe me- I KNOW it’s hard work and I tip quite generously all around. However, when I call in to a Carryout, get in my car and pick up my food, pay them to hand me my bag of food and ring me up, then drive it home, I do not feel compelled to tip. Am I wrong here?

I have also noticed at a certain restaurant that I frequent (NON-carryout) that when I call in a to-go order and go pick it up, they seem to expect a tip. They smile at me when I do and are more polite, but basically blow me off if I don’t. Their food is expensive and I go there frequently. Still- it’s a to-go order and I drove there to get it myself. How do you feel about this? Should one tip when getting Carryout, period? How about carryout from a restaurant, vs at a designated Carryout?

I’d love to hear your opinion.

THANKS!

]]> By: The Boomer Chronicles » Blog Archive » Tipping is Not a City in China http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-185 The Boomer Chronicles » Blog Archive » Tipping is Not a City in China Wed, 20 Dec 2006 15:49:38 +0000 http://onemansblog.com/2006/12/20/the-mans-guide-to-tipping/#comment-185 [...] Either way, they say that if you tip regularly throughout the year, you don’t have to give a holiday tip. But if you insist on handing over a wad of dough this month, here are some tipping guidelines from Eons (click here for the full list): [...] [...] Either way, they say that if you tip regularly throughout the year, you don’t have to give a holiday tip. But if you insist on handing over a wad of dough this month, here are some tipping guidelines from Eons (click here for the full list): [...]

]]>