Do you tip taxi drivers in Ireland?

Koptain Liverpool

Following on from a discussion on another thread - do you tip taxi drivers in Ireland?

I don't and neither do most people I know but apparently a lot of other folk do.

In Ireland the only place I generally tip is in a restaurant.
I'd hate it if Ireland became like the states where you're expected to tip everyone from barbers to delivery men and so on. Whatever about throwing someone a few quid for providing service above and beyond the usual but I hate the idea of an institutionalized system of tipping where it essentially becomes socially compulsory.

nxbyveromdwjpg

Yea, but only really up to the nearest euro or round figure. I'm not going to sit there with my hand out while he counts out 40 cent, etc.

allym

I'll throw them a couple of euro if they've been really nice. But even then only if my fare is say €28, I'll give them the €30. Mostly because I can't be arsed waiting for my change :pac:

Greenmachine

I will tip them if they are nice and don't take the piss.

Realt Dearg Sec

If they manage to get from town to my house without saying anything racist I'll give them a quid or two. Doesn't happen often to be fair.

Mister Vain

Well yeah if the fare is like 9.50 I'll just give him a tenner.

suicide_circus

When they start pulling the piss and taking ages to count my change in the hope that I'll get bored and just let them keep it, I wait and don't tip.

UCDVet

I look at the tipping situation differently for taxi drivers. It's not like most businesses where they can set their own prices and the free market will mostly work itself out. It's strictly regulated in all sorts of weird ways.

I've been in taxis that are incredibly nice. The inside looks brand new, it's spotlessly clean, the driver is knowledgeable and friendly. But the driver is forced to charge the decided upon rate. Other taxi's I've been in are absolute crap. Dirty, smelly, tape on the seats where they've been ripped. And that driver is going to charge me the same amount.

Anyway, I do tip taxi drivers whenever I think to myself, 'The next time I get a cab, I hope it's this one'.

So, when the driver is decent and the cab is in good condition I'm happy to throw a few extra euro in. It's not a big amount, but when you have a lot of customers throughout the day, it really does add up.

anncoates

Just round it up generally. A taxi from town to my place is usually between about 25 to 27 quid so I usually just give 30.

stimpson

UCDVet wrote: »

I look at the tipping situation differently for taxi drivers. It's not like most businesses where they can set their own prices and the free market will mostly work itself out. It's strictly regulated in all sorts of weird ways.

I've been in taxis that are incredibly nice. The inside looks brand new, it's spotlessly clean, the driver is knowledgeable and friendly. But the driver is forced to charge the decided upon rate. Other taxi's I've been in are absolute crap. Dirty, smelly, tape on the seats where they've been ripped. And that driver is going to charge me the same amount.

Anyway, I do tip taxi drivers whenever I think to myself, 'The next time I get a cab, I hope it's this one'.

So, when the driver is decent and the cab is in good condition I'm happy to throw a few extra euro in. It's not a big amount, but when you have a lot of customers throughout the day, it really does add up.

Taxis aren't forced to charge the going rate. The rate is capped. They are allowed to give a discount, but none ever do.

After the taxi protests a few years ago when they brought the city centre to a standstill I wouldn't give them a penny over the meter.

Mesrine65

Hailo 10% tip

whatdoicare

I always give a tip, its a hard job with really,really, ****e aspects.
I think they deserve it.
Most taxi drivers I know are just family men killing themselves trying to earn enough to keep a roof over their family's heads and food in their belly.

I don't get this mentality of hatred towards taxi drivers, theyre just trying to do their job like everyone else.

Darkglasses

Only if they're nice, with a clean car, and don't do anything ridiculous like pick up another fare at the same time. So most of the time, yes I tip!

looksee

Well cow tipping was popular for a while, but I haven't seen much interest in tipping taxi drivers. They tend to get irritated.

UCDVet

stimpson wrote: »

Taxis aren't forced to charge the going rate. The rate is capped. They are allied to give a discount, but none ever do.

After the taxi protests a few years ago when they brought the city centre to a standstill I wouldn't give them a penny over the meter.

That's just splitting hairs....the rates they're allowed to charge are dictated by law, to be equal to, or less than, some predefined value. Very few other businesses are held to that standard.

If I were a painter, I could offer my services for any amount I want.
If I were a footballer, I could offer my services for any amount I want.
If I were a chief, I could offer my services for any amount I want.
If I were a software developer, I could offer my services for any amount I want.

But if I were a taxi driver, I couldn't. I could only charge certain amounts that the government says is fair.

This creates a system where there isn't much incentive to provide a higher quality of service, since you can't charge more for it.

McDonald's has good food, and it's relatively cheap. But if you're willing to pay more, you can get a better burger at a nicer restaurant. I'm happy to pay more for a better experience. But with Taxi's, you can't do that. Because the government has dictated a price cap, in advance. I can't pay extra to ensure a nicer cab, like I could in almost any other industry.

I encourage what I consider to be 'nice' taxis by tipping them. Without an incentive, there isn't much reason for any taxi driver to provide more than the minimum standard of service, given that their rates are capped.

Gannicus

I don't tip a taxi driver ever. I get quite annoyed when they pull the whole fidget to make your change scam too.

In saying that I will ask for a card if they are sound and the car is clean and use them repeatedly. There's a gent of a guy who picked me up one day and stopped the meter while I ran in to the shop to get smokes. I use him nearly every time I need a taxi on north side of Dublin. I like the quasi professional rapport I have with him now.Plus he's always reliable and him and the car are clean

I tip if they are Irish, because I know they probably pay for the NCT and service the car regularly, and therefore need the money.

I only started doing this after that Prime Time documentary.

smurfjed

I'm a driver of sorts, my passengers pay a huge amount for the use of our services and they usually tip us quite handsomely. So in return, i will tip a people who provide me with a service, regardless of the country that I'm in

Gannicus

smurfjed wrote: »

I'm a driver of sorts, my passengers pay a huge amount for the use of our services and they usually tip us quite handsomely. So in return, i will tip a people who provide me with a service, regardless of the country that I'm in

By this post I am assuming you work for a delivery firm or are a courier.

PizzamanIRL

Yeah. Just the tip.

Arbiter of Good Taste

Gannicus wrote: »

I don't tip a taxi driver ever. I get quite annoyed when they pull the whole fidget to make your change scam too.

In saying that I will ask for a card if they are sound and the car is clean and use them repeatedly. There's a gent of a guy who picked me up one day and stopped the meter while I ran in to the shop to get smokes. I use him nearly every time I need a taxi on north side of Dublin. I like the quasi professional rapport I have with him now.Plus he's always reliable and him and the car are clean

Surely you tipped him on that occasion?

smurfjed

By this post I am assuming you work for a delivery firm or are a courier.

Nope, I'm a corporate pilot

Gannicus

Arbiter of Good Taste wrote: »

Surely you tipped him on that occasion?

Ah yeah. Wouldn't be many taxi drivers like that. He'd have been well within his rights to leave the meter ticking over. I had one pull into the Topaz in Donneycarney one night. He went to get a bottle of coke (for himself). Sitting there while he stands in a queue and I realized he left the meter running. I said it to him thinking it was an honest mistake. He told me "ah its grand I was only there 2 minutes". So I got out and walked off. Was not paying a scam artist like him. Had he even apologised I wouldn't have minded.

hfallada

I tip depending on the driver. I have lived in Dublin my whole life and Ill often ask the driver the route he plans on going. If its the shortest I let them go that route, but I often have a taxi drivers deciding to take me on a non-official tour of Dublin.

Also it kills me when they cant tell im not interested in their rant, but still go on about the economy, as if they have a PhD in Economics from London School of Economics

stimpson

UCDVet wrote: »

That's just splitting hairs....the rates they're allowed to charge are dictated by law, to be equal to, or less than, some predefined value. Very few other businesses are held to that standard.

If I were a painter, I could offer my services for any amount I want.
If I were a footballer, I could offer my services for any amount I want.
If I were a chief, I could offer my services for any amount I want.
If I were a software developer, I could offer my services for any amount I want.

But if I were a taxi driver, I couldn't. I could only charge certain amounts that the government says is fair.

This creates a system where there isn't much incentive to provide a higher quality of service, since you can't charge more for it.

McDonald's has good food, and it's relatively cheap. But if you're willing to pay more, you can get a better burger at a nicer restaurant. I'm happy to pay more for a better experience. But with Taxi's, you can't do that. Because the government has dictated a price cap, in advance. I can't pay extra to ensure a nicer cab, like I could in almost any other industry.

I encourage what I consider to be 'nice' taxis by tipping them. Without an incentive, there isn't much reason for any taxi driver to provide more than the minimum standard of service, given that their rates are capped.

There are many business where costs are regulated. Energy for example. Taxi rates are generous, which you have shown as you can get quite nice taxis regardless of the capped rates. Ideally, the standard of taxis should be regulated, but what are you gonna do.

If you want a classier taxi you can use Uber or Hailo+ or HailoExec.

At the end of the day I couldn't give a toss about how hard taxi drivers have it. Lots of people have it hard and don't get tips. Do you tip a bus driver?

Arbiter of Good Taste

I generally tip, but that's probably down to white middle class guilt

Fighting Irish

after a night out, it costs me 6e for a lift home, i usually tip 1-3e

Realt Dearg Sec

Fighting Irish wrote: »

after a night out, it costs me 6e for a lift home, i usually tip 1-3e

You'd give a fifty per cent tip? That's just throwing money away.

branie2

I just say "Keep the change"

mountsky

Defo,€2 tops,about all I'd have left at the end of the night mind you

looking_around

No never.
every cent counts for me

and charging a tenner to travel 2km is taking the p!ss

uck51js9zml2yt

The best driver I've ever had was a Romanian guy a few weeks ago from James hospital.
The car was spotless and he was pleasant to talk with.
I was almost disappointed getting out of the car.

I rounded up to the fare.

lertsnim

I wouldn't give them a cent more than I have to. That whole rooting for change thing in the hope that I get bored and say "keep it" is humourous. Nearly always they find it in the first pocket they checked. If they want to waste their own time then who am I to argue.

salamanca22

I tend to tip because I know these taxi drivers can go an hour or more without a fare some days. Only though if the driver is not a racist and the cab is clean.

My father was a taxi driver for years and you could see how over the years he earned less and less money due to people not taking taxi's as much and the growing number of taxis on the road. He really appreciated the odd tip he got from a customer.

looking_around

salamanca22 wrote: »

I tend to tip because I know these taxi drivers can go an hour or more without a fare some days. Only though if the driver is not a racist and the cab is clean.

My father was a taxi driver for years and you could see how over the years he earned less and less money due to people not taking taxi's as much and the growing number of taxis on the road. He really appreciated the odd tip he got from a customer.

people might take more taxis if they weren't so expensive. I would.
I was quoted 10€ for 2km. That's fecking insane! I'd have been willing to pay fiver.
Instead, I'll just cycle.

(and if they are forced to charge a certain amount, perhaps they should complain/stand up against that)

Drummer1967

I never expect tips from anyone and I don't root for change.people that sit in the back counting out 10cent pieces 10 minutes after the meter has stopped really piss me off.One clown knocked out a seat belt when he was getting in..then he wanted a discount because I stopped for 10 seconds when I heard my seat belt dragging on the ground...

Hooked

The odd time I take a cab, it's usually 7 or 8 quid to town. Most often, the drivers are chatty, local lads and I throw them a tenner and let them have the 2/3 euro. Same if I'm out till the wee hours.

Once had this lad drive me home, fare was 7/8 quid and I handed him 20.

He started with this whole 'I have no change' - foreign lad. I proper lost it. He suggested driving me back down the road to a 24 hour petrol station to get change. I told him not a hope.

Sat there while he (big African lad) intimidated me by turning up and down the radio while arguing.

I snapped his pic and id on the dash with my phone and told him this **** might scare some girls being dropped off in the county... But not me.

He told me I could have the fare for free. To which I replied, well you don't have a choice. You've no change. You're a ****ing taxi driver FFS!!!

What a tosser

salamanca22

looking_around wrote: »

people might take more taxis if they weren't so expensive. I would.
I was quoted 10€ for 2km. That's fecking insane! I'd have been willing to pay fiver.
Instead, I'll just cycle.

(and if they are forced to charge a certain amount, perhaps they should complain/stand up against that)

It wasn't so much the price but the fact there is multiple the amount of taxi's on the road now as there was before. Deregulation was one of the worst things to happen to the taxi trade.

looking_around

salamanca22 wrote: »

It wasn't so much the price but the fact there is multiple the amount of taxi's on the road now as there was before. Deregulation was one of the worst things to happen to the taxi trade.

that's only a problem, because there isn't enough people using taxis.

and taxi's don't seem to be interested in competing with eachother. (in many areas doesn't matter which cab company you choose, they all charge the same.)

salamanca22

looking_around wrote: »

that's only a problem, because there isn't enough people using taxis.

and taxi's don't seem to be interested in competing with eachother. (in many areas doesn't matter which cab company you choose, they all charge the same.)

How much would you pay for a taxi then? Considering the price of petrol, the car, the upkeep of the car, car tax and insurance for the car. Remember that the income is taxed too.

looking_around

salamanca22 wrote: »

How much would you pay for a taxi then? Considering the price of petrol, the car, the upkeep of the car, car tax and insurance for the car. Remember that the income is taxed too.

I already answered this.
__

I would also be willing to share taxis, if this was something they offered themselves. (ie half price if willing to share journey etc. not something I had to organise myself.)
In this case they could charge 5€ x 2, for the 2km to end up with their 10 over the same distance.

Most don't offer something like this. They're not interested in making the rates more affordable.

Son Of A Vidic

Koptain Liverpool wrote: »

Do you tip taxi drivers in Ireland?

I don't tip anybody when I'm being overcharged for a service.

stimpson

salamanca22 wrote: »

It wasn't so much the price but the fact there is multiple the amount of taxi's on the road now as there was before. Deregulation was one of the worst things to happen to the taxi trade.

Worse for the taxi driver but not for the customer. I remember having to queue for 3 hours in sub zero temperatures for a taxi. Or empty taxis passing you on the way back into town and refusing to stop. Not anymore.

Simonigs1.0

I tip if they don't bring up the water charges.

salamanca22

looking_around wrote: »

I already answered this.
__

I would also be willing to share taxis, if this was something they offered themselves. (ie half price if willing to share journey etc. not something I had to organise myself.)
In this case they could charge 5€ x 2, for the 2km to end up with their 10 over the same distance.

Most don't offer something like this. They're not interested in making the rates more affordable.

In fact if you were to suggest this yourself there would usually be no problem. I know my father done this a few times. Though the fares would have to be within a very short distance to each other.

Anyway that is a 1/20 situation. Realistically you are not going to find someone that near to each other.

So, how much would you be willing to pay for a taxi on your own?

markobucko

Tips...are you joking??
Rather walk if I can anyhow!!
No doubt there will be more whinging for upping the rates before Christmas

Billy86

lertsnim wrote: »

I wouldn't give them a cent more than I have to. That whole rooting for change thing in the hope that I get bored and say "keep it" is humourous. Nearly always they find it in the first pocket they checked. If they want to waste their own time then who am I to argue.

To be honest, I find 90% of taxi drivers will round down without thinking if it 20c or less over a round number. I'm far from one to hammer on about "everything is better in Ireland" but taxi drivers are typically a lot quicker with change (and more willing to round down) over here than most other countries I've been to. If you find rummaging for change funny here, you'd be in stitches in Sydney, where I once sat in the back of a taxi for over 4 minutes waiting for him to get the change out - and it was $18! This was pretty much standard over there.

Anyway, if I've got on well with the taxi driver I'll round up, but I live close to a rank and used to work in a local petrol station to I know some of them to see type thing - but to each their own, really.

Billy86

markobucko wrote: »

Tips...are you joking??
Rather walk if I can anyhow!!
No doubt there will be more whinging for upping the rates before Christmas

I worked in a petrol station about five years ago and believe me, a lot of taxi drivers hate when the rates go up because it scares people off getting one at all.

shanec1928

Mesrine65 wrote: »

Hailo 10% tip

Which works out at 2 or 3% after hails take their cut for the fare.

stimpson

shanec1928 wrote: »

Which works out at 2 or 3% after hails take their cut for the fare.

Don't be spoofing. Hailo cut is 10%

looking_around

salamanca22 wrote: »

In fact if you were to suggest this yourself there would usually be no problem. I know my father done this a few times. Though the fares would have to be within a very short distance to each other.

Anyway that is a 1/20 situation. Realistically you are not going to find someone that near to each other.

So, how much would you be willing to pay for a taxi on your own?

I answered that............. 5€. but IF that was an issue for them, I would be willing to share...........

and I imagine from town to mallow business park in morning, would have a few taxi runs.

There's no good suggesting, unless someone else is willing to share too. It's not the done thing, and unless taxi's themselves start offering it, it's not going to change.