Is tipping now expected in Ireland?

Blackwell · 17-12-2015 12:19PM

I tip in restaurants if the service is good and the experience has been enjoyable. It's usually a flat €5 or €10 though. I don't base it on a % of the cost of the meal.

I don't see why you would have to tip any more than that tbh. In most restaurants the aim is to get you in and out in about an hour. A waiter/waitress will serve approx 6 tables at a time. If each table left even a €5 tip that's an extra €30 an hour on top of his/her wages. Not too shabby imo.

Now I work in a bar. Tipping isn't the norm. It's not expected but it is very much appreciated. However, I do take note of those who do tip and they find they don't have to wait long for their next drink to be filled as they automatically get to the head of the queue. On the other hand you get the guy who leaves you a few c short with the obligatory "Keep the change, hahaha" ... he might have to wait a bit for his next drink.

Uno my Uno. · 17-12-2015 12:21PM

salamanca22 wrote: »

I went to college for four years which is only the start of the education that I have had to go through. Every 6 months or so I have to learn something new. I go to conferences and night classes and learn in my time at home. I am constantly upskilling. You are damn right I am paid well but I work damn hard for that. I don't get tipped for my service and don't expect to. If servers need more money they need to go up the chain like I mentioned or move to another sector.

I just don't see why I should pay someone's wage directly when I am also paying it indirectly when I pay my bill. Servers are not doing something special here, they are servicing a client in the same way many other professions do without the expectation of a gratuity.

All that education and you can't understand the difference between the professional services you provide and the way a waiter is in service to you when you go to a restaurant?

Considering you're so well paid you are very concerned about the few euro you might give a server.

scdublin · 17-12-2015 12:22PM

I think it's definitely becoming more of an expected thing than it has been before. I'd always tip in a restaurant, a taxi, hairdressers etc...if the service/food is crap, then I'd obviously be less likely to give anything extra.

SAMTALK · 17-12-2015 12:23PM

Uno my Uno. wrote: »

It's not the same type of service, I've explained that several times. I find it offensive when people don't tip in restaurants.

Yes you have and I'm not getting on your case but to be honest service is service , whether in a shop or restaurant and I would expect the same level of courtesy in both places seen as I'm parting with my money.
I think the expectation for tips is getting out of hand to be honest, especially when you go to coffee shop to order coffee and a tip jar sitting there.Tip for what....I paid for the coffee, the amount they asked (overpriced usually) so why tip.
Same applies to restaurant.

Uno my Uno. · 17-12-2015 12:24PM

SAMTALK wrote: »

Go to the butchers tell them what meat I want and how thick/thin I want it cut????? I am in charge and they are in my service,
Should I tip ??

No it's different, you are in a shop and you are buying a pice of meat, they are not serving it to you nor are they in your service.

John_Rambo · 17-12-2015 12:25PM

salamanca22 wrote: »

I went to college for four years which is only the start of the education that I have had to go through. Every 6 months or so I have to learn something new. I go to conferences and night classes and learn in my time at home. I am constantly upskilling. You are damn right I am paid well but I work damn hard for that. I don't get tipped for my service and don't expect to. If servers need more money they need to go up the chain like I mentioned or move to another sector.

I just don't see why I should pay someone's wage directly when I am also paying it indirectly when I pay my bill. Servers are not doing something special here, they are servicing a client in the same way many other professions do without the expectation of a gratuity.

Jesus. You're really giving your not tipping a lot of thought. If you feel you're "damn right" you wouldn't have to give us your education and work history and excuse your tightness.

SAMTALK · 17-12-2015 12:28PM

Uno my Uno. wrote: »

No it's different, you are in a shop and you are buying a pice of meat, they are not serving it to you nor are they in your service.

Sorry but they are serving me.. I dont go behing counter and help myself.

jimmy180sx · 17-12-2015 12:29PM

Disappointing thread title. Thought this was going to be about cow tipping

osarusan · 17-12-2015 12:30PM

Uno my Uno. wrote: »

No it's different, you are in a shop and you are buying a pice of meat, they are not serving it to you nor are they in your service.

What about somebody in a coffee shop? You didn't put that place down as a place you tip.

I tell them what I want, they go and get it for me (and make it for me too), and bring it to me.

How is that different to a restaurant, by your own argument of what being 'in service' is.

salamanca22 · 17-12-2015 12:30PM

Uno my Uno. wrote: »

All that education and you can't understand the difference between the professional services you provide and the way a waiter is in service to you when you go to a restaurant?

Considering you're so well paid you are very concerned about the few euro you might give a server.

I spend hours, many times traveling to clients homes to give service to my clients. I take their instructions and serve them their order, in the same way that a server would serve a dinner except I do the cooking as well. I expect no gratuity for this because they pay the invoice.

It's not about how much money I have or don't have. It is about the paradigm of tipping. I feel it is nonsense in a society where the server is getting a proper wage that is comparable to other jobs that require the same level of education and effort.

Uno my Uno. · 17-12-2015 12:31PM

Blackwell wrote: »

I tip in restaurants if the service is good and the experience has been enjoyable. It's usually a flat €5 or €10 though. I don't base it on a % of the cost of the meal.

I don't see why you would have to tip any more than that tbh. In most restaurants the aim is to get you in and out in about an hour. A waiter/waitress will serve approx 6 tables at a time. If each table left even a €5 tip that's an extra €30 an hour on top of his/her wages. Not too shabby imo.

Now I work in a bar. Tipping isn't the norm. It's not expected but it is very much appreciated. However, I do take note of those who do tip and they find they don't have to wait long for their next drink to be filled as they automatically get to the head of the queue. On the other hand you get the guy who leaves you a few c short with the obligatory "Keep the change, hahaha" ... he might have to wait a bit for his next drink.

Usually a server has to tip out the host, the kitchen and the bar staff (which is only fair enough) the waiter usually ends up with about half the tips they receive, again fair enough.

SAMTALK wrote: »

Yes you have and I'm not getting on your case but to be honest service is service , whether in a shop or restaurant and I would expect the same level of courtesy in both places seen as I'm parting with my money.
I think the expectation for tips is getting out of hand to be honest, especially when you go to coffee shop to order coffee and a tip jar sitting there.Tip for what....I paid for the coffee, the amount they asked (overpriced usually) so why tip.
Same applies to restaurant.

To be honest service is not service and courtesy is not service either.

InTheTrees · 17-12-2015 12:31PM

salamanca22 wrote: »

I don't get tipped for my service and don't expect to. If servers need more money they need to go up the chain like I mentioned or move to another sector.

So you've never had a bonus huh?

timthumbni · 17-12-2015 12:33PM

Uno my Uno. wrote: »

It's not the same type of service, I've explained that several times. I find it offensive when people don't tip in restaurants.

Why would you find it offensive? Sure as long as you tip so generously then why would you be concerned about others and what they tip or don't tip.

SAMTALK · 17-12-2015 12:33PM

To be honest service is not service and courtesy is not service either.[/QUOTE]

Sorry explain please

salamanca22 · 17-12-2015 12:43PM

InTheTrees wrote: »

So you've never had a bonus huh?

As a self employed person, nope.

Uno my Uno. · 17-12-2015 12:43PM

osarusan wrote: »

What about somebody in a coffee shop? You didn't put that place down as a place you tip.

I tell them what I want, they go and get it for me (and make it for me too), and bring it to me.

How is that different to a restaurant, by your own argument of what being 'in service' is.

When I said cafe I meant coffee shop but I accept I wasn't clear on that. It depends on the shop, some places I know they take great care and effort in making my drink I'll tip, somewhere like Starbucks where they essentially just push a button I'll throw a few cents in the jar.

SAMTALK wrote: »

Sorry but they are serving me.. I dont go behing counter and help myself.

You really don't want to understand the difference between a shop assistant and someone who is in your service do you?

salamanca22 wrote: »

I spend hours, many times traveling to clients homes to give service to my clients. I take their instructions and serve them their order, in the same way that a server would serve a dinner except I do the cooking as well. I expect no gratuity for this because they pay the invoice.

It's not about how much money I have or don't have. It is about the paradigm of tipping. I feel it is nonsense in a society where the server is getting a proper wage that is comparable to other jobs that require the same level of education and effort.

Seriously, you are providing professional services, you are not in their service. There is a difference, it's why you and accountants and lawyers and architects do not receive gratuities/tips!

Paramite Pie · 17-12-2015 12:45PM

John_Rambo wrote: »

Depends on the person. Are you a farmer or from a rural area? If so, you're less likely to tip, even if the service is perfect. City people are far more likely to to tip in my experience.

As a rural person, that's more of a cultural thing and not miserly as some in this thread have suggested -- I know many people who would (and do!) outright refuse a tip!! In my first job all tips went into the charity box - whether €2 or €20!

Uno my Uno. wrote: »

If t makes your feel better to see yourself as some sort of social warrior who questions "social norms" that's fine but let's be real here, you're too cheap to tip.

But not tipping is just as much of a 'social norm' as not tipping -- in fact there isn't a clear social norm regarding tipping culture here. This thread is a prime example.

Uno my Uno. wrote: »

It's not the same type of service, I've explained that several times. I find it offensive when people don't tip in restaurants.

I know people who'd be offended if they were offered a tip - it can be very patronising. I don't need sympathy for being on minimum wage, thanks.:rolleyes: You really shouldn't be so quick to insult people who don't share your values of obligatory tipping -- we're not all misers.

When I was in Boston, I didn't know the correct tipping amount so I 'over-tipped' to be on the safe side. Even in busy bars, it repeatedly got me served immediately above other people who were waiting at the bar longer -- that just isn't fair. It means wealthy people get more priority because they can bribe (ie tip) for it without any stigma of bribery attached.

murpho999 · 17-12-2015 12:46PM

Uno my Uno. wrote: »

If you're too cheap to tip at a restaurant you're better off staying at home because tipping to a reasonable level is part of the cost of eating out. All this bollix about it not being the norm in Ireland or not wanting to encourage employers is just excuses from misers. The kind of person who says they only tip for exceptional service is some who clearly has a superiority complex and goes to restaurants so he can have his ego massaged while someone literally waits on him hand and foot and then feel great about himself because he left a tip.

You tip for service, not just good service or exceptional service, servers depend on those tips. Tipping incentivises better service.

This whole post just stinks of being judgemental and having a superior attitude.

Who are you to call someone a miser because they have a different opinion to you on something?

You are not obliged to tip in restaurants. Many places charge service charge anyhow
What about the idea of people being paid properly to do their jobs.

I see no difference in how you tip wait staff and the work they do compared to someone who makes your sandwich in Centra or a barman who serves you a drink.
Your definitions of service are sketchy at best but restaurants here are already expensive enough and i don't see why 20% should be expected.

Uno my Uno. · 17-12-2015 12:46PM

timthumbni wrote: »

Why would you find it offensive? Sure as long as you tip so generously then why would you be concerned about others and what they tip or don't tip.

I don't tip generously, I tip appropriately.

It offends me when someone doesn't tip (except in the rare circumstances where service has been so bad a tip is not warranted) because it is them displaying their self superiority. I hate that, it's wrong.

SAMTALK · 17-12-2015 12:47PM

Uno my Uno. wrote: »

When I said cafe I meant coffee shop but I accept I wasn't clear on that. It depends on the shop, some places I know they take great care and effort in making my drink I'll tip, somewhere like Starbucks where they essentially just push a button I'll throw a few cents in the jar.

You really don't want to understand the difference between a shop assistant and someone who is in your service do you?

Seriously, you are providing professional services, you are not in their service. There is a difference, it's why you and accountants and lawyers and architects do not receive gratuities/tips!

Its not that I dont WANT to understand, I just dont see your argument to be honest.

Uno my Uno. · 17-12-2015 12:50PM

Paramite Pie wrote: »

As a rural person, that's more of a cultural thing and not miserly as some in this thread have suggested -- I know many people who would (and do!) outright refuse a tip!! In my first job all tips went into the charity box - whether €2 or €20!

But not tipping is just as much of a 'social norm' as not tipping -- in fact there isn't a clear social norm regarding tipping culture here. This thread is a prime example.

I know people who'd be offended if they were offered a tip - it can be very patronising. I don't need sympathy for being on minimum wage, thanks.:rolleyes: You really shouldn't be so quick to insult people who don't share your values of obligatory tipping -- we're not all misers.

murpho999 wrote: »

This whole post just stinks of being judgemental and having a superior attitude.

Who are you to call someone a miser because they have a different opinion to you on something?

You are not obliged to tip in restaruants. Many places charge service charge anyhow
What about the idea of people being paid properly to do their jobs.

I see no difference in how you tip wait staff and the work they do compared to someone who makes your sandwich in Centra or a barman who serves you a drink.
Your definitions of service are sketchy at best but restaurants here are already expensive enough and i don't see why 20% should be expected.

Tipping is not obligatory and if there is a service charge there is no need to leave a tip. I also don't think anyone really expects 20%, I would consider that to much generally. If you think a restaurants prices are too expensive you shouldn't eat there.

murpho999 · 17-12-2015 12:51PM

Uno my Uno. wrote: »

I don't tip generously, I tip appropriately.

It offends me when someone doesn't tip (except in the rare circumstances where service has been so bad a tip is not warranted) because it is them displaying their self superiority. I hate that, it's wrong.

Why would you be offended? It's a personal choice that you don't seem to believe in.

I normally tip in restaurants but I would be offended if you were offended that I didn't tip.

osarusan · 17-12-2015 12:52PM

Uno my Uno. wrote: »

It offends me when someone doesn't tip... because it is them displaying their self superiority.

I think this interpretation of people's motivations is wildly inaccurate, and based on what seem to be your unique and arbitary criteria regarding tipping.

Uno my Uno. · 17-12-2015 12:56PM

Alright it's been fun but I think we've taken this as far as it'll go. Thanks to all the social warriors who are either too good to tip or strong willed enough not to cave into the server lobby and refuse to add a few euro to the bill for the people who cooked and served your meal.

The Randy Riverbeast · 17-12-2015 01:05PM

I tip sometimes but tend to feel awkward doing it as I feel like I'm showing pity to the poor people or something and don't want them thinking I think less of them, giving them a few euro to buy themselves something nice.

Dont really get this whole their service is special thing though, its a service like many other services offered by a lot of people.

rubadub wrote: »

I was saying the US also have such laws for a few years now, so they do get normal min wage, but I bet the traditionally tipped staff keep well quiet about that though.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tipped_wage_in_the_United_States

I am surprised its not made illegal in more places, like how its illegal to tip government officials in some places.

A person looking to get up to minimum wage will be looking for a new job fairly quickly.

The King of Moo · 17-12-2015 01:12PM

Uno my Uno. wrote: »

No it's different, you are in a shop and you are buying a pice of meat, they are not serving it to you nor are they in your service.

I think you're really splitting hairs here to be honest.
There's probably more justification for tipping a butcher who cuts your meat to your request, as he's doing the work, whereas when you tell a waiter you want your steak rare, they just pass that on to the chef.

John_Rambo · 17-12-2015 01:12PM

Paramite Pie wrote: »

As a rural person, that's more of a cultural thing and not miserly as some in this thread have suggested -- I know many people who would (and do!) outright refuse a tip!!

Agreed. Not sure why people are so shocked at the fact that me, as a Dubliner tips. It's no great surprise if you're well travelled within Ireland.

Father Hernandez · 17-12-2015 01:14PM

Blackwell wrote: »

I tip in restaurants if the service is good and the experience has been enjoyable. It's usually a flat €5 or €10 though. I don't base it on a % of the cost of the meal.

I don't see why you would have to tip any more than that tbh. In most restaurants the aim is to get you in and out in about an hour. A waiter/waitress will serve approx 6 tables at a time. If each table left even a €5 tip that's an extra €30 an hour on top of his/her wages. Not too shabby imo.

Now I work in a bar. Tipping isn't the norm. It's not expected but it is very much appreciated. However, I do take note of those who do tip and they find they don't have to wait long for their next drink to be filled as they automatically get to the head of the queue. On the other hand you get the guy who leaves you a few c short with the obligatory "Keep the change, hahaha" ... he might have to wait a bit for his next drink.

When I was in the bar industry, I used to do the exact same. They look after you, you look after them. It's the exact same with a customer who is polite and mannerly vs a rude customer.

snubbleste · 17-12-2015 01:15PM

No.
Just No.

Paramite Pie · 17-12-2015 01:16PM

Uno my Uno. wrote: »

It offends me when someone doesn't tip (except in the rare circumstances where service has been so bad a tip is not warranted) because it is them displaying their self superiority. I hate that, it's wrong.

You should ask why does it offend you -- I'll be sure to think of you next time I don't leave someone else a tip.

Uno my Uno. wrote: »

Tipping is not obligatory..

If people are being shamed for not leaving a tip then it becomes defacto obligatory as people will tip (often reluctantly) out of guilt to avoid stigma. That sounds forced to me.

Is tipping now expected in Ireland?

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