Quote:
Originally posted by Stompy
Eh? How am I being cheap? Because I question the whole thing? Don't get me wrong, I never shaft anyone on a tip, and I know it's a custom here in the US. It certainly doesn't mean I'm cheap if I question it, because honestly, even after all these replies, I still see no point in tipping other than making the customer foot the bill because the restaurant wants to save a few $$.
A common reason for tipping I've seen so far is, "Tipping exists to show your appreciation for the person doing their job just for YOU. If waitresses make minimum wage, then what motivation would they get to do a good job?" Answer to that is simple: what reason or motivation does everyone else with a non-tipping job have for wanting to keep their job? Do a bad job, you get canned.
Another frequent response I've seen is, "If the waitress is getting you this, doing that, etc etc and making your visit enjoyable.." That's the thing... taking the order, bringing the food, giving a refill, and bringing the check doesn't exactly qualify (in my book) as tip-worthy service.
When I say "that's their job", I don't mean to sound arrogant about it, but really, let me fill my own drink. I'll do it. Because I'm cheap? Nah, because it's not that big of a deal.
My main beef is with waiters/waitresses. There are definitely other jobs where people get tips (like someone carrying your heavy ass bags up flights of stairs) where I can perfectly understand where a tip is reasonable... but not for taking my order, bringing the food, then 20 mins later bringing my check, and most certainly not for a bartender simply mixing an already overpriced drink. Charge me for the booze, set the bottles in front of me, and let ME mix them if it's that much trouble for 'em.
There was an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm that had me rollin.. where Larry David stayed in a hotel and EVERYONE stood around as if he was supposed to give them a tip. For example, his air conditioner in his room broke, so he had maintenance come up and fix it. The maintenance guy stood around after he fixed it as if a tip was to be given. Larry had the attitude of "...but that's your job." Same with the guy who just OPENED A DOOR for him. I mean.. c'mon.
I actually thought most of the tipping situations in that episode were exaggerated (especially maintenance fixing the A/C) until I made a comment to a friend of mine: "man, I'd be livid if they actually expected a tip for that.." to which they replied "believe it or not, they do!"
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choosing to not go out to eat or drink somewhere because you don't want to tip when you can afford it is being cheap. if you can easily afford a $10,000 suit but aren't willing to spend that much and opt for $100 suit, that's being cheap.
i gave another reason for tipping, although maybe i didn't state it very clearly.
tipping at a restaurant makes your cost cheaper and allows staff to make more money. if the restaurant were to take up the cost of paying higher wages, instead of a burger costing $8 plus tip, it would probably cost $14-16. and all that extra money you'd be paying? it wouldn't be going to the wait staff, they'd maybe make $8/hr rahter than the $2.12/hr they currently do, but the restaurant would be bringing in a lot of extra profit because the cost of everything except maybe soft drinks would raise.