Why is tipping not part of irish culture ?

Hollister11 · 15-01-2015 3:39pm #1

Why do we not have a culture of tipping in Ireland ?
In places like the states your expected to tip for everything like services in restaurants, cafes, hotels ect.

My uncle was in New York recently and didn't leave a tip. So the manager followed him out and aggressively demanded to know why he didn't tip.

I have a cousin who is a waiter in the states and earns $1000+ per week because of all the extra money he makes in tips.

So why don't we tip like the states.

Birneybau · 15-01-2015 3:40pm

Because people, in the main, are paid correct wages.

American service employers are scum of the earth.

Edited to say that I always tip in Ireland anyway.

MadsL · 15-01-2015 3:40pm

Must. Not. Reply. aggggghhhh.

abbir · 15-01-2015 3:41pm

Because people are paid a higher basic salary here, since there is at least a minimum wage. In the U.S. waitresses etc. get paid less than the minimum salary due to the fact that tips will supplement their income.

Ben D Bus · 15-01-2015 3:41pm

We do have a tipping culture. Just not the same one as the States. We leave a tip when the service is a bit above average. Or sometimes just round up a bill.

Shenshen · 15-01-2015 3:41pm

Not sure about you, mate, but I leave a tip in cafes and restaurants, taxis and hairdressers. And take away deliveries.

Menas · 15-01-2015 3:41pm

There are two minimum wages in the states. One for regular workers. Another one, much lower, for waiting staff.

Waiting staff in the US depend on tips to get them to a decent wage.

uck51js9zml2yt · 15-01-2015 3:42pm

They have low wages in the states that make tips vital.

In my book, you're doing a job, getting paid got it, so what's the problem.
If the money isn't enough, change jobs.

darced · 15-01-2015 3:42pm

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Banjo String · 15-01-2015 3:43pm

Tipping can be an innuendo for riding.

As in "he's tipping your one these days".

The Backwards Man · 15-01-2015 3:43pm

There is a tipping culture here. Some people reward good service, others are . . well. . I won't say what I think of them. :P

SEPT 23 1989 · 15-01-2015 3:43pm

I tip my hat

MadsL · 15-01-2015 3:43pm

darced wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

It actually started as a custom in England.

(oh crap, here I am again...)

mloc123 · 15-01-2015 3:43pm

Minimum wage is the main answer.

Traditionally in the US there was no or a very low minimum wage, people that worked in service industry depended on tips to live. In Ireland this is not the case.

I like the tip culture of the US mainly because it results in you getting very good service. Tipping has crept in to Ireland in the last 10-15 years.. the only difference I see is that here staff feel entitled to the tips without offering good service.

darced · 15-01-2015 3:44pm

This post has been deleted.

MadsL · 15-01-2015 3:44pm

Banjo String wrote: »

Tipping can be an innuendo for riding.

As in "he's tipping your one these days".

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Tipping+the+Velvet

Menas · 15-01-2015 3:45pm

OP, watch this, it explains.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-qV9wVGb38

DoYouEvenLift · 15-01-2015 3:46pm

Op is unaware of the minimum wage lol, how is such a thing even possible

RobYourBuilder · 15-01-2015 3:46pm

Hollister11 wrote: »

I have a cousin who is a waiter in the states and earns $1000+ per week because of all the extra money he makes in tips.

He does, yeah. He'd have to make $5,000 sales each week to earn that in tips. Then tip out the foodrunner and bartender. Unless it's an extremely expensive restaurant, he's telling you porkie pies.

ardmacha · 15-01-2015 3:46pm

Only in America and Egypt do you have to pay Baksheesh to get service.

MadsL · 15-01-2015 3:47pm

darced wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

It's a worldwide thing actually, there are many cultures where tipping is part of the culture. In the Czech Republic for instance you are expected to round up the tab in a bar to approx the nearest note. "Keep the change" basically. It's also a nice gesture to buy the barman "a drink" when getting a round in the UK.

c_man · 15-01-2015 3:49pm

I'd hate for this country to go down that route. Employers, pay your staff and don't expect your customers to do so.

MadsL · 15-01-2015 3:49pm

ardmacha wrote: »

Only in America and Egypt do you have to pay Baksheesh to get service.

You've never been to hairdresser in Ireland then?

ShooterSF · 15-01-2015 3:51pm

RobYourBuilder wrote: »

He does, yeah. He'd have to make $5,000 sales each week to earn that in tips. Then tip out the foodrunner and bartender. Unless it's an extremely expensive restaurant, he's telling you porkie pies.

Not impossible. I bartend in Canada and would make average of 800 a week in tips if there's not a big event in the arena beside us.

Pat Mustard · 15-01-2015 3:51pm

Shenshen wrote: »

Not sure about you, mate, but I leave a tip in cafes and restaurants, taxis and hairdressers. And take away deliveries.

Taxi drivers?

Madness, Ted.

RobYourBuilder · 15-01-2015 3:53pm

MadsL wrote: »

It's a worldwide thing actually, there are many cultures where tipping is part of the culture. In the Czech Republic for instance you are expected to round up the tab in a bar to approx the nearest note. "Keep the change" basically. It's also a nice gesture to buy the barman "a drink" when getting a round in the UK.

Yeah, a couple of Czech crowns. Not 20% of the bill.

And we tip in Ireland for a good job.

Breakfast, lunch of coffee: keep the change.

Taxi: rounded off.

Hairdressers/barbers: rounded off/fiver.

Barman: occasionally tell him to take one for himself. Definitely over Christmas.

Dinner: depends on the size of the group. Two people 5/10 EUR.

I'd say that's pretty standard for good service.

RobYourBuilder · 15-01-2015 3:55pm

ShooterSF wrote: »

Not impossible. I bartend in Canada and would make average of 800 a week in tips if there's not a big event in the arena beside us.

For a bartender it's no problem. You're lashing out food and drinks nonstop. Different ballgame for a server.

MadsL · 15-01-2015 3:55pm

RobYourBuilder wrote: »

He does, yeah. He'd have to make $5,000 sales each week to earn that in tips. Then tip out the foodrunner and bartender. Unless it's an extremely expensive restaurant, he's telling you porkie pies.

Do-able, if you are an good waiter in a fine dining place.

3*3 covers a night average $200 check = $40 per table = $360 a night.

But as you point out fine dining involves tipping out the other staff, there are bussers etc. And if they have a sommelier that is going to slash your average check.

Bootros Bootros · 15-01-2015 3:55pm

I round up taxi drivers. And tip table service. Sometimes barbers.

In general in ireland we tip good service. In the US the "double sales tax" is almost obligatory. Also bar people get tips but not workers in sandwich shops. Being behind a bar isn't enough you need to sell alcohol.

darced · 15-01-2015 3:57pm

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MadsL · 15-01-2015 3:57pm

RobYourBuilder wrote: »

Yeah, a couple of Czech crowns. Not 20% of the bill.

I wasn't aware we were discussing the amount.

And we tip in Ireland for a good job.

So there is tipping in Ireland. Thanks for clarifying.

the evasion_kid · 15-01-2015 3:58pm

Birneybau wrote: »

Because people, in the main, are paid correct wages.

American service employers are scum of the earth.

Edited to say that I always tip in Ireland anyway.

Its a win-win for service employers in america,say youre a bar owner,you pay your staff minimum wage and you have your customers in there spending,making you a profit and paying your staff too.

MadsL · 15-01-2015 3:59pm

Bootros Bootros wrote: »

I round up taxi drivers. And tip table service. Sometimes barbers.

In general in ireland we tip good service. In the US the "double sales tax" is almost obligatory. Also bar people get tips but not workers in sandwich shops. Being behind a bar isn't enough you need to sell alcohol.

Yet there is almost always a tip jar out in Starbucks and Subway.

MadsL · 15-01-2015 4:03pm

the evasion_kid wrote: »

Its a win-win for service employers in america,say youre a bar owner,you pay your staff minimum wage and you have your customers in there spending,making you a profit and paying your staff too.

It's kind of a win for customers too...

How much is a pint these days? 4-5 Euro? Cheaper in the US, even when tipping a dollar per pint $3+1 to $4+1 would be average.

irish_dave_83 · 15-01-2015 4:03pm

I would tip Waiting staff, barbers, taxis, fast food deliverers.

I generally wouldnt tip barmen unless it was a flash place like the Marker and he/she just made me a cocktail and cut up some fruit to do it.

The Backwards Man · 15-01-2015 4:07pm

the evasion_kid wrote: »

Its a win-win for service employers in america,say youre a bar owner,you pay your staff minimum wage and you have your customers in there spending,making you a profit and paying your staff too.

Yeah, that's why their margins are so poor in the US, less than 2% on average, and 60% of new start ups fail within three years.

the evasion_kid · 15-01-2015 4:07pm

MadsL wrote: »

It's kind of a win for customers too...

How much is a pint these days? 4-5 Euro? Cheaper in the US, even when tipping a dollar per pint $3+1 to $4+1 would be average.

Depends on the establishment,I know it was pricey in Canada much the same as here,but ordering a bottle and the bartender literally turning around to a fridge,grabbing it and opening it for you and its a dollar every time....fcuk that,it does add up at the end of the night

wnolan1992 · 15-01-2015 4:08pm

irish_dave_83 wrote: »

I would tip Waiting staff, barbers, taxis, fast food deliverers.

I only tip fast food deliverers if the delivery is earlier than anticipated or if I'm paying by cash and I'm rounding.

I'd hate us to go down the expecting a tip route. I think tipping is a nice way to reward good service or just to say thanks every now and then.

Menas · 15-01-2015 4:09pm

MadsL wrote: »

It's kind of a win for customers too...

How much is a pint these days? 4-5 Euro? Cheaper in the US, even when tipping a dollar per pint $3+1 to $4+1 would be average.

And the service in a US bar tends to be very good. They are motivated to serve you and ensure you have a good time.
Some irish barmen make it seem like they are doing you a favour by serving you.

MadsL · 15-01-2015 4:09pm

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Yeah, that's why their margins are so poor in the US, less than 2% on average, and 60% of new start ups fail within three years.

It's also a reason for the craft beer movement, no $100k liquor licence needed and taxes have been slashed on nano-brewery production levels.

NeVeR · 15-01-2015 4:10pm

Sorry if posted already
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimum_wage_in_the_United_States#List_of_minimum_wage_levels_by_jurisdiction

pauliebdub · 15-01-2015 4:10pm

Id only ever tip in a restaurant, generously if the service is exceptional.

Id never tip a barman or staff in Starbucks/sandwich shops etc. I just dont think there is enough of a service interaction to justify paying extra.

MadsL · 15-01-2015 4:11pm

Trigger Happy wrote: »

And the service in a US bar tends to be very good. They are motivated to serve you and ensure you have a good time.
Some irish barmen make it seem like they are doing you a favour by serving you.

Yeah, dumping your change into a puddle of spilt beer on the bar is not really a motivator for me to leave it there.

petrolcan · 15-01-2015 4:14pm

If I'm eating out and everything is okay, I tend not to tip. I expect everything to be okay and I've already paid for the food and service so why should I have to pay any more.

Now, if it's better than okay or if the waiting staff have been excellent, they'll get 20% at least.

Quite simply, you'll get a tip if you earn it, regardless of what country I'm in.

Yiikes · 15-01-2015 4:15pm

People tipping in cafes and restaurants isnt that uncommon here. Although I would laugh if a receipt came with preworked out tips @19%, 21% and 23% at the bottom.

c_man · 15-01-2015 4:16pm

MadsL wrote: »

Yet there is almost always a tip jar out in Starbucks and Subway.

Doesn't mean anyone is using it! I've yet to see anyone tipping in Subway.

pauliebdub · 15-01-2015 4:16pm

Trigger Happy wrote: »

Some irish barmen make it seem like they are doing you a favour by serving you.

Its because most that I know who work as barmen hate it and want to get out of it, Its not fun dealing with drunks all the time, rude customers, unsocial hours, ****e money and uncertain job security.

OldNotWIse · 15-01-2015 4:16pm

I always tip

padd b1975 · 15-01-2015 4:18pm

Shenshen wrote: »

And take away deliveries.

Not to the one's who take an age to find my change in the hope that I'll say keep it.

valoren · 15-01-2015 4:20pm

She's the Fastest 4/1 - 3:30 at Aintree

Shenshen · 15-01-2015 4:20pm

padd b1975 wrote: »

Not to the one's who take an age to find my change in the hope that I'll say keep it.

Can't say I get those much - most of them already have the change ready, anticipating getting paid with a 20 or a 50.

Why is tipping not part of irish culture ?

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