To Tip or not to Tip - what are the rules?

mrslancaster · 31-10-2019 6:56pm #1

would love to hear others thoughts on tipping since we are coming up to the season of goodwill.

when tipping started there was differences in the economic status of the individuals. now most people travel, stay in hotels, eat in fancy restaurants without needing to be wealthy like in the past.

Most people add a % to a restaurant bill for good / excellent service but does that happen if the restaurant adds a service charge. people don't tip in fast food outlets, sandwich bars, pizza shops, chippers, ethnic takeaways or retail outlet, but staff provide good/excellent service. Do they deserve a tip?

work in a house by plumbers, gardeners, electricians, or hairdressers, beauty treatments etc. What about physios/ personal trainers or taxis, barmen, bin-men, car valets, car breakdown, car/bike service.

The list is endless and it's hard to know when a tip is expected or if it would be an insult to the person who is trained/educated/experienced professional. I don't know anyone who ever tipped a doctor, dentist, vet, solicitor, pharmacist, nurse, but they all provide good/excellent service, so what are the rules??

Who should get a tip and how much, or is there any need for tips at all?

blinding · 31-10-2019 9:03pm

Always Tip Clothesline and tell them to put their Shirt on it .

murpho999 · 31-10-2019 9:16pm

This is not America, people here are well paid.

Tipping should be small and as a thank you, and not a fixed percentage or expected.

I don't get why people tip waiters, taxi drivers and hairdressers but not barmen, office workers , fast food staff, shop assistants, nurses etc.

Caryatnid · 31-10-2019 9:19pm

mrslancaster wrote: »

How about work done in the house - plumbers, gardeners, electricians, or for personal services like a hairdresser, beauty treatments etc. What about a physio or personal trainer or other services like taxis, barmen, bin-men, car valets, car breakdown, the guy who services your car or your bike?

(OK, don't attack me about gender neutrality in different jobs - I'm just discussing tips)

At the risk of derailing your thread, isn't exactly that a root of whole problem?

maudgonner · 31-10-2019 10:39pm

Never tip. It freaks the poor cows out.

blinding · 31-10-2019 10:45pm

Tip the Hairy .

dazftw · 31-10-2019 10:56pm

I've only ever tipped when someone brings something to me, i.e delivery drivers.. Thanks for saving me the hassle of going out and doing something for myself.

wally1990 · 31-10-2019 11:03pm

If I take a cab and it's 7 or 8 quid, I'll just throw a 10
13 or 14, take the 15 buddy

Restaurants 45 and above , keep the change from my 50 ,
Good meal, eg cost 45 , I'd throw 55

Take out , same thing as taxis , round up to nearest 5 and keep the change

I'm not spending my life worry about the 2 or 5 euros here and there to be honest , meh

If it's clearly a bad service or meal, then nothing at all

If I'm with a group I'll throw 10 to 15% onto my bill generally

If I'm in a deli, or garage I always take my change

These become habits at this stage

fryup · 31-10-2019 11:04pm

if the waitress is cute and gives me the glad eyes then i tip

31-10-2019 11:11pm

Waiter / waitress.
Hairdresser.
Taxi.
Food delivery man.

Nobody else ever.

ShamoBuc · 31-10-2019 11:34pm

In Florida atm and it's crazy, tip for fúkin everything!

31-10-2019 11:46pm

I don’t tip anywhere but the US as you simply have no choice there, it’s an idiotic practice and it really annoys me over there.

No one tips me for doing my job so why the hell would I tip someone else for doing there’s after already paying for the service out of my hard earned money, feck off.

blinding · 31-10-2019 11:49pm

Terry Eager Yam wrote: »

I don’t tip anywhere but the US as you simply have no choice there, it’s an idiotic practice and it really annoys me over there.

No one tips me for doing my job so why the hell would I tip someone else for doing there’s after already paying for the service out of my hard earned money, feck off.

But in America don’t people actually rely on this money ( tips ) for their wages .

01-11-2019 12:49am

blinding wrote: »

But in America don’t people actually rely on this money ( tips ) for their wages .

A small fee maybe but most are paid properly and many we’re always paid well but still got/get tipped such as bar tenders, taxis etc.

Anyway I do tip in the US as you would nearly get shot for not doing it (unless you eat in places that you pay at the start like fast food and I nearly eat in these just to avoid tipping).

In Ireland though I never tip nor anywhere else in Europe but it’s not expected anywhere else in Europe outside of Ireland and UK anyway, you never see tipping on the continent.

sweetie · 01-11-2019 12:53am

Terry Eager Yam wrote: »

A small fee maybe but most are paid properly and many we’re always paid well but still got/get tipped such as bar tenders, taxis etc.

Anyway I do tip in the US as you would nearly get shot for not doing it (unless you eat in places that you pay at the start like fast food and I nearly eat in these just to avoid tipping).

In Ireland though I never tip nor anywhere else in Europe but it’s not expected anywhere else in Europe outside of Ireland and UK anyway, you never see tipping on the continent.

Service industry people in the US are not well paid and you're tips make them their living. I don't like the system either but that's the way it is.

John_Rambo · 01-11-2019 12:57am

Dublin family, so we tip.

Restaurant serving staff - 10 to 15% if the service and food is good.
Bar staff - the odd 20 or 50c for a round. (always appreciated and works well towards the end of the night)
Barber - €1 or €2. It's a convivial pleasant place with an excellent service.
Taxi driver - maybe €1 but sometimes nothing.
Deliver food guy - maybe €1 but rarely order food.
Have a regular DPD delivery guy that gets a bottle of wine once a year. We like him and he'd text us if we're not there to hide the delivery.
Postman - gets a bottle every year, he's a good guy and looks after us.
Ethnic noodle/shushi bar/crepe/Tex-Mex joint - maybe change (€1) in the tip jar.
Creche workers - good quality hand creme at xmas
We have a cracking mechanic that really looks after us with cars and camper, always there for an emergency with low prices - good bottle of wine the odd time.
Cycle mechanics - €2 tip for servicing the bikes once a year.

It doesn't add up to a huge amount of money. I see it as a low cost gratuity for good service that ensures future better service that stands to us. If our mechanic has two calls in one night. I know which one he'll head to first.

If there's a service charge there'd be little or no tip.

We certainly don't tip professionals like solicitors, doctors etc... they, like myself don't need to be tipped.

Plumbthedepths · 01-11-2019 12:59am

I don't tip, it is up to the employer to pay a liveable wage I have already paid for the product or service. If the wage is poor get a different better paying job, simple.

LirW · 01-11-2019 1:04am

Terry Eager Yam wrote: »

In Ireland though I never tip nor anywhere else in Europe but it’s not expected anywhere else in Europe outside of Ireland and UK anyway, you never see tipping on the continent.

Not entirely true. Grew up in a country where it's the norm to round to the next euro, I had a job in a cafe while studying and it's done everywhere besides fast food. Realistically you're talking cents at a time and everything under 10 euros is rounded to the next 50c. It would be considered impolite not doing it, but tourists get a pass since it can be a bit confusing (husband found the custom on how it's done confusing and it took him a while to understand). Other countries around (I'm from a border region) have very similar customs.
Tips are small and casual but you grow up with the custom that you tip for everything involving food and taxis, while beauty services are at discretion and not expected and often handled with a piggy bank, so if you enjoy your haircut, you throw a euro or two in the piggy of your stylist.

Potential-Monke · 01-11-2019 4:06am

It depends. Like others have stated, in America most run of the mill waiting staff are on far less than what we call minimum wage, and they need the tips to survive. I still don't think it's right to automatically take it, had my parents not informed me that handing in a note and expecting change just doesn't happen, I could have had a few fights with less than acceptable service over there.

But, in Ireland, everyone should be on minimum wage, that's the law. And while minimum wage is not exactly livable, imo, the service would want to be properly good, with added value, before I tip. I served in many different places as a certified waiter (feck all else to do after the leaving), and I never expected tips. But I always tried to go above and beyond and add value, and got tips most of the time. What annoyed me was having to share it with the kitchen staff, who are already being paid more than me.

Anyway, I don't tip anyone in this country unless they deserve it. Especially delivery drivers. They nearly expect you to tip them and will wait for it. Sorry, no, I've already paid the €2 delivery charge, which I expect goes to the driver (if not, that's an issue between the place and the driver) on top of their wage. As has been said above, we're tipping people for simply doing their job, and not across all sectors...

01-11-2019 4:10am

It's worth checking your receipt. A lot of places include a service charge to cover the need to tip.

Personally, I rarely tip unless the service is particularly good.

Dj Stiggie · 01-11-2019 4:44am

Terry Eager Yam wrote: »

A small fee maybe but most are paid properly and many we’re always paid well but still got/get tipped such as bar tenders, taxis etc.

Anyway I do tip in the US as you would nearly get shot for not doing it (unless you eat in places that you pay at the start like fast food and I nearly eat in these just to avoid tipping).

In Ireland though I never tip nor anywhere else in Europe but it’s not expected anywhere else in Europe outside of Ireland and UK anyway, you never see tipping on the continent.

Pretty much everywhere in Europe except for the Nordic countries has a tipping culture.

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts · 01-11-2019 6:33am

Terry Eager Yam wrote: »

A small fee maybe but most are paid properly and many we’re always paid well but still got/get tipped such as bar tenders, taxis etc.

Anyway I do tip in the US as you would nearly get shot for not doing it (unless you eat in places that you pay at the start like fast food and I nearly eat in these just to avoid tipping).

In Ireland though I never tip nor anywhere else in Europe but it’s not expected anywhere else in Europe outside of Ireland and UK anyway, you never see tipping on the continent.

In America? They most certainly are not. They should be, but they’re not. Begrudging the worker who didn’t implement the stupid system of not paying wait staff a living wage is bitter stuff. Eating mostly in fast food places to avoid tipping is kinda pathetic. Sacrificing good meals and nice restaurants for that? Christ.

Tell me how · 01-11-2019 6:58am

In America and still can't figure it out.
Am seeing a local here and have asked her to explain it to me and I'm still at a loss. You tip a waitress in a restaurant or barman but you don't tip someone who makes you a takeaway pizza but do tip if you get it delivered (I can understand this last bit, but why tip a barman but not someone working in Starbucks or Pizzahut or wherever??
And apparently if you do tip, then it's 20%, less implies you weren't happy with the service and as low as 10% is the equivalent of telling them everything was fine but then going home and cutting the back off them as we do back home.
Apparently you always tip the guy who fills your gas. That to me looks like a serious earner if he's getting 20% and filling a car every 5 minutes. I must ask my friend about that actually.

s7ryf3925pivug · 01-11-2019 7:03am

10% to waiters if they're not rude or sh!t. I'm engulfed in black rage when they don't seem to appreciate it.

blinding · 01-11-2019 8:08am

Blake Broad Meatloaf wrote: »

10% to waiters if they're not rude or sh!t. I'm engulfed in black rage when they don't seem to appreciate it.

Check your white privledge unless you are black

facehugger99 · 01-11-2019 8:16am

dazftw wrote: »

I've only ever tipped when someone brings something to me, i.e delivery drivers.. Thanks for saving me the hassle of going out and doing something for myself.

I bet you don't tip furniture delivery drivers.

munster87 · 01-11-2019 8:18am

John_Rambo wrote: »

Dublin family, so we tip.

What’s the relevance of a Dublin family?

Potential-Monke · 01-11-2019 8:19am

munster87 wrote: »

What’s the relevance of a Dublin family?

Need to prove they're better than the rest of the people not from Dublin?

s7ryf3925pivug · 01-11-2019 8:35am

blinding wrote: »

Check your white privledge unless you are black

It's synesthesia, not anything to do with race. (Also I was exaggerating in an attempt to amuse.)

Potential-Monke · 01-11-2019 8:44am

Blake Broad Meatloaf wrote: »

It's synesthesia, not anything to do with race. (Also I was exaggerating in an attempt to amuse.)

I know really sweet f all about synesthesia, but from my limited reading and YouTube articles, some of it sounds amazing. I'm sure that's not always the case, but I'd love to be able to see sound as colour without the assistance of hallucinogens!

01-11-2019 8:53am

sweetie wrote: »

Service industry people in the US are not well paid and you're tips make them their living. I don't like the system either but that's the way it is.

From my understanding this is no longer true in most cases but of course the idea that it is is still pushed to make people tip more.

Also as I said a lot of the service industry are well paid, bar tenders definitely do yet get tipped heavily for example.

I still tip over there as their ridiculous system would nearly mean you are treated as not paying if you don’t. But outside the US I won’t tip, I’m very strongly against it and have often ended up in arguments out with friends as I will simply not add extra money to the pot for a tip and that sort of thing. It’s an idiotic practice that if everyone stopped doing it the expectation would stop.

Dj Stiggie wrote: »

Pretty much everywhere in Europe except for the Nordic countries has a tipping culture.

No they don’t, I’m in many countries regularly for work which means lots of meals out, taxis etc and there is no tipping nor an expectation for it to happen.

Foweva Awone · 01-11-2019 8:54am

I tip my hairdresser, barber and nail girl a fiver each time. My hairdresser is just very good at what she does. My barber, well I have an undercut and like to get fancy designs shaved in it, and it's hard to get someone who does them well. So I go to the same guy every time and always tip him. Same with my nails, I almost always go for detailed nail art that takes a bit of time, and she never disappoints me!

Eating out, or in a taxi, I'll round up the bill to the nearest fiver or tenner. I don't tip all that extravagantly because it just doesn't make sense to me - think of all the people we encounter each day on similar wages as waiting staff, e.g. in supermarkets etc, who might also do a great job and with a good attitude, and we don't tip them. Why would waiting staff be any different?

facehugger99 · 01-11-2019 8:54am

Barbers.
Waiting Staff
The Lounge Staff who brings me over my drinks
Taxi Drivers
Food Delivery Dudes

I tip all of the above - makes me feel good. People who begrudge tipping are generally just mean and miserable in many facets of their life I have found.

Having said that, I never saw the point of tipping Mechanic, the Postman or Bin Collectors TBH.

naughtysmurf · 01-11-2019 9:13am

In the late 80's I was working in a pretty average non descript family restaurant in the US, 5X8 hour shifts a week got you less than $200 from the employer but $100 a night in tips wouldn't have been unusual in high season, at end of shift you'd have to tip out, 10% or 15% (can't remember) to the bus boy/girl that was clearing & resetting your tables, if you worked in a nice high end / expensive place I'd say a decent living would be made over there,

15% of the pre tax bill is the absolute minimum expected in the US, 18% to 22% is often printed on the bill as a guide, have seen that a lot in Orlando, if you managed to get a job in the more expensive Disney or Universal restaurants I'd say you be doing ok, tips are taxable afaik

Here, barber, food delivery guy gets €2, in a restaurant for dinner I'd leave approx 10%

Woke Hogan · 01-11-2019 9:27am

Tipping encourages employers not to pay their workers a living wage. If I was in the States or anywhere else where you would pretty much have to do it, I would tip. But it's definitely a culture I don't want to be introduced here.

Corvo · 01-11-2019 9:32am

Tip taxi men, my barber, waiting staff.

Taxi man can keep whatever change (so €8 taxi pay €10)

Usually tip the barber a €5

Waiting staff always €10-€15 if I enjoy the meal

Odyssey 2005 · 01-11-2019 9:34am

Corvo wrote: »

Tip taxi men, my barber, waiting staff.

Taxi man can keep whatever change (so €8 taxi pay €10)

Usually tip the barber a €5

Waiting staff always €10-€15 if I enjoy the meal

Ppl tip taximen ???

Professor Genius · 01-11-2019 9:37am

I always tip well for fear of someone spitting, pissing, defecating or jizzing in my food the next time I’m in the restaurant

Nevin Parsnipp · 01-11-2019 9:37am

John_Rambo wrote: »

Dublin family, so we tip.

Restaurant serving staff - 10 to 15% if the service and food is good.
Bar staff - the odd 20 or 50c for a round. (always appreciated and works well towards the end of the night)
Barber - €1 or €2. It's a convivial pleasant place with an excellent service.
Taxi driver - maybe €1 but sometimes nothing.
Deliver food guy - maybe €1 but rarely order food.
Have a regular DPD delivery guy that gets a bottle of wine once a year. We like him and he'd text us if we're not there to hide the delivery.
Postman - gets a bottle every year, he's a good guy and looks after us.
Ethnic noodle/shushi bar/crepe/Tex-Mex joint - maybe change (€1) in the tip jar.
Creche workers - good quality hand creme at xmas
We have a cracking mechanic that really looks after us with cars and camper, always there for an emergency with low prices - good bottle of wine the odd time.
Cycle mechanics - €2 tip for servicing the bikes once a year.

It doesn't add up to a huge amount of money. I see it as a low cost gratuity for good service that ensures future better service that stands to us. If our mechanic has two calls in one night. I know which one he'll head to first.

If there's a service charge there'd be little or no tip.

We certainly don't tip professionals like solicitors, doctors etc... they, like myself don't need to be tipped.

https://youtu.be/V4sbYy0WdGQ

s7ryf3925pivug · 01-11-2019 9:50am

Potential-Monke wrote: »

I know really sweet f all about synesthesia, but from my limited reading and YouTube articles, some of it sounds amazing. I'm sure that's not always the case, but I'd love to be able to see sound as colour without the assistance of hallucinogens!

I don’t usually experience that. I see colour or light sometimes when experiencing strong emotion.

Andreas77 · 01-11-2019 9:50am

Food delivery (few euros), restaurants (10% - 15%), jazz driver/drinks (10%), attractive member(10%)

I can't believe Irish in this thread won't tip in restaurants,. And They said I was born with a baguette under my arm.

01-11-2019 11:11am

Andreas77 wrote: »

Food delivery (few euros), restaurants (10% - 15%), jazz driver/drinks (10%), attractive member(10%)

I can't believe Irish in this thread won't tip in restaurants,. And They said I was born with a baguette under my arm.

Why should I have to pay more than the allotted price for the product or service.

You see people spending half their weekend crawling through aldi and lidl to save a few cent on a loaf of bread and some of the same people will hand over 15% more on top of the cost of a service or meal. Nonsense of the highest order.

When someone starts tipping me for doing the job I’m paid to do then I will consider tipping other people for doing the job they are paid to do.

hynesie08 · 01-11-2019 11:16am

Terry Eager Yam wrote: »

Why should I have to pay more than the allotted price for the product or service.

You see people spending half their weekend crawling through aldi and lidl to save a few cent on a loaf of bread and some of the same people will hand over 15% more on top of the cost of a service or meal. Nonsense of the highest order.

When someone starts tipping me for doing the job I’m paid to do then I will consider tipping other people for doing the job they are paid to do.

Do you get a performance based bonus in work? or a voucher at christmas? a bottle of whiskey from a supplier perhaps?? What's the difference?

John_Rambo · 01-11-2019 11:20am

munster87 wrote: »

What’s the relevance of a Dublin family?

City and urban people tend to tip in Ireland. Rural people not so much.

Work in a restaurant you'll see.

topper75 · 01-11-2019 11:27am

munster87 wrote: »

What’s the relevance of a Dublin family?

Just means that they are accustomed to having to hand out a euro for the hostel or the bus home.

People outside of Dublin don't encounter this. Money is only ever handed over in exchange for work in the form of wages paid by the owner.

Shoelaces · 01-11-2019 11:29am

Always tip wait staff unless obvious poor service. Minimum 10%. Most service jobs are minimum wage and that extra bit helps out a lot with the insane rents and cost of living in the city. Everyone should spend a year or two in the hell that is the service industry.

DelBoy Trotter · 01-11-2019 11:48am

hynesie08 wrote: »

Do you get a performance based bonus in work? or a voucher at christmas? a bottle of whiskey from a supplier perhaps?? What's the difference?

Was about to ask the same question!

whisky_galore · 01-11-2019 11:56am

Waiting staff only if a full meal and service deserves it.
Otherwise fcuk off. I'm not tipping all and sundry.

whisky_galore · 01-11-2019 12:00pm

John_Rambo wrote: »

Rural people not so much.

They give money to the postman at Christmas and heaps to the church.

Usually they a give a meal or at least tea and cake/sarnies to workmen.

Tammy! · 01-11-2019 1:41pm

Usually tip in restaurants, hairdressers, taxi etc.

Someone told me before if you're planning on giving someone a big tip like I don't know a party organiser or delivery guys if youre moving house, if you can, tip them before because they'll do a better job for you.

razorblunt · 01-11-2019 2:06pm

Tammy! wrote: »

Usually tip in restaurants, hairdressers, taxi etc.

Someone told me before if you're planning on giving someone a big tip like I don't know a party organiser or delivery guys if youre moving house, if you can, tip them before because they'll do a better job for you.

Fock that.

Do the work they're paid for, if you feel they went above and beyond let them have a tip (for the specific examples you gave).

If service in a restaurant is good i.e. attentive to the table, not asking if everything is ok when your mouth is full etc, I'll give a tip.

I just wish Americans would do similar when they go on holidays, they seem to think their tipping takes a vacation too.

The States is a killer though, you get the over sincere falseness by them to get the good tips but for the most part they're jonny on the spot for next rounds and food and stuff.

I don't have a problem telling them they've lost a decent tip if it's really poor though.

To Tip or not to Tip - what are the rules?

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