Tipping - necessary, or a constant drain on the wallet?

[Missy Vixen]

I got an e-mail today from a company I have done business with for about ten years now. Obviously, getting a pedicure is not a life and death situation, but it's something I enjoy treating myself to a few times a year. Considering our mid-recession budget, I'm not going as often as I was, but it doesn't seem to have affected their business: Appointments are as hard to get as ever.

The pedicure place I went to for almost ten years was a little more money, but they were all-inclusive: No tipping. It seems their policy has changed. The business is expanding, and they're offering the "opportunity" to tip as well.

Bear in mind we live just outside of Seattle, where a pedicure is over $30. They're much less expensive in other areas of the country.

I realize I should just be telling the kids to get off my lawn as well, but does EVERYONE need a tip now? We tip on take-out. We tip if we get a cup of coffee. The last time I had to go to the dry cleaner's, the employee had a tip jar on the counter. Since everyone expects at least 20%, the price of my three-times-a-year pedi just went up by that same amount.

SO: Do you tip every time you see a tip jar? Do you wonder if you should set out your own tip jar?

[Gormy Cuss]

1. We tip so that employers can save money.

Unfortunately, it sucks knowing why those tip jars are out appearing everywhere. I just assume it's an added markup on the product or service and tip.

I loathe tipping for ordinary service and I wish that it wasn't up to me to determine the employee's pay, but it's the way of our world.

[Missy Vixen]

2. So, how do we fight back?

I sent an e-mail to the owners of InSpa, the business in question. Somehow, I don't think they care what I think, so I'm on the hunt for a new place. Obviously, I can buy a bottle of nail polish and the appropriate tools to do it myself, but that once-in-awhile treat is special.

I'm into rewarding people for great service, too, but I'm with you: I LOATHE tipping for ordinary services. I'm especially frustrated that the business in question believes it's a privilege for me to foot their employees' salaries because they're too cheap to do so themselves.

Grrr.

[Gormy Cuss]

15. It would require legislation, I'm afraid.

That or a revival of unionism in this country.

[elleng]

3. No.

Where I receive especially good service, I tip. At restaurants, always, unless bad service-15%.

[hedgehog]

4. I find tipping to be an obnoxious custom, although I do tip at restaurants.

I would much prefer the employees to be paid a decent wage. Tipping has connotations of servility, not service, for me.

[Missy Vixen]

5. We always tip at restaurants.

We tip 20%. Always. Let's just say that we don't dine out often these days. We tip on take-out. There is no alternative for bad or lackluster service. After all, the server pays tax on the estimated tip involved, so one had better cough up.

I tip when I get my hair cut, or have any other service at a hair salon.

It would be nice if employers paid their employees a living wage instead of laying that burden on their customers. It would also be nice if there was an alternative in the case of bad or lackluster service...

[WolverineDG]

32. But in many salons, the stylists simply "rent" the chair

they aren't "employees" in the regular sense & have to split what they make on the services they provide, so tipping is $ that goes straight into their pockets.

dg

[CreekDog]

6. Jesus, if someone is touching your feet, TIP them

for Pete's sake!

:wtf: :banghead:

[Missy Vixen]

9. Do you tip the urologist or gynecologist?

How about the dentist?

The business in question has been steadily raising the cost of their services over the past two years because of the "no tipping" rule. They're now compelling their clients to tip on top of those inflated prices. Then again, the problem might solve itself; I'm trying out a place new to me that charges $20 less for the same service.

Seriously, where does it end?

[CreekDog]

13. Really? You think that's the same?

:eyes:

[Missy Vixen]

20. I'd think it worse in some cases

I take care of my feet. I guess you're referring to those who don't.

I've talked to some dental hygiene students (I go to the local tech school clinic for cleanings and fillings,) who assure me they'd rather deal with a little toenail clipping and foot filing than those who believe oral hygiene isn't important.

:eyes:

[CreekDog]

25. you're off your rocker if you think someone touching you for medical care is the topic here

:eyes:

but regarding your judgement, it was you, not me, that decided to complain about the (apparent) expansion of tipping and among your top non-tipping examples was the person that cleans and pretties your feet.

:eyes:

[Missy Vixen]

26. Wow, you really told me

If you read my original comments (and somehow, it seems reading comprehension isn't your forte,) you would note that I mentioned the business in question had several rate hikes over the past two years, while billing themselves as "no tipping".

They're not rolling back their inflated prices, AND asking customers to tip as well? Uh, no.

I also commented on the proliferation of tip jars, tipping solicitations, etcetera, at an increasing number of businesses, while asking why this was necessary.

:eyes:

[CreekDog]

30. I thought all posts related to tipping were supposed to be dialed to "11"

:shrug:

i was just reacting to the pedicure tipping comments.

i understand not knowing the fine line of when to tip and when not to. i just don't think pedicures are anywhere near that line. :D

[snooper2]

27. ROFL ROFL ROFL

You are funny, this is satire right?

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[targetpractice]

23. For real...

I can think of a million reasons why I shouldn't tip a podiatrist.

I cannot imagine a reason for NOT tipping a pedicurist... Unless you think working on your feet is a reward in itself.

[Old Troop]

7. If you don't tip. the employee is screwed.

[Missy Vixen]

8. At the dry cleaner's?

So, where is it necessary to tip, and where is it not? It seems the line's been blurred.

Also, what are the limits to tipping? Why should I feel pressure to tip someone that's given less than stellar service?

[fishwax]

10. I don't tip every time I see a tip jar

I always tip wait staff and delivery folks, of course. With takeout it depends on the place and my mood. Sometimes my reason for going to pick food up is that I don't have the budget to tip sufficiently at the time.

As for a pedicure, I've always thought it was customary to tip (as with hair stylists, etc.), but never having had a pedicure I've never had to confront the issue myself. :)

[hamsterjill]

24. Takeout - Tips Jars Just Started

I've only noticed tip jars for takeout showing up in our area over about the last year. But I've had one person hand me my credit card slip to sign and say "please sign and complete the tip portion". That hit me the wrong way.

I have a real problem tipping for takeout. Exactly what am I tipping for??? And no, I don't want employees to get screwed so I've usually left something small. But to me, I leave a full 15% to 20% tip for good service for a meal eaten at the restaurant. I don't think it's fair to give that same percentage to someone who is basically just sacking up my stuff.

[mopinko]

37. the rule of thumb used to be- if they also have tables to wait

then you give them a little something to make up for taking them away from their tables. but it was more like 1-2%.

the subway counter? not unless they remember what i asked for the first time and got it right.

[Maine-ah]

46. restaurant worker here chiming in...

take out or buffet is generally 10%. Dining in is 15% or more. As for places like subway or dunkin donuts if they have a tip jar, it is possible their manager is taking a cut of that, and I usually ask before leaving money in it.

[Little Star]

11. In a small business like you are talking about...

the owner most likely can't pay a very high wage. They screw themselves if they say no tipping because their turn-over of employee's would be rapid as people need to make money and would go somewhere else to make it.

Also, if the owner just paid better then your so called tip would just be added into the service price.

So, do you want to pay more for the pedicure or be able to pay less for the service and determine the gratuity/tip price for yourself?

Personally I would rather have a lower charge for the service and tip what I feel is reasonable based on how the service person performed.

I think everyone has to look at the big picture. jmho

[quakerboy]

41. That seems to be the point of the OP

The owner(s) had established a higher than market usual cost, In effect having added the cost of what would otherwise be a tip to the service price, along with an explicit no tipping policy. Just like you suggest. And she preferred that.

The OPs complaint seems to be that they then added tipping as well(while still keeping the higher than market prices).

There are lots of questions that could be asked. Were their employees paid more than market standard all along, or were the owners effectively pocketing the difference? Do they consider themselves to be the "upscale" establishment, worthy of the premium price?

Assuming that they did use the higher cost to pay better to hold employees, have they changed that now? Are they still paying more, since they still charge more than market? At which point you are effectively double tipping the employees. Or did they lower their wages to the employees with the justification they can get tips now to make up the difference, at which point you are effectively tipping the owners?

Either way, you are paying more (the previous tip built into the service price, and the explicit tip now introduced). And that, I would guess, is the heart of the OPs decision to look elsewhere.

[nolabear]

12. I got that email too. I liked going there because of the no tipping policy.

Mind you I'm a good tipper; I've waited tables and DAMN. But I liked not having to decide whether to tip on performance or sympathy.

I tend not to tip places that have a tip jar at the register where I have to order myself. It's not worth twenty percent to have someone just plop something onto the table. I tip body workers of all kinds, at the low end of the suggested scale if they don't much try and the upper if they have mad skills.

[Missy Vixen]

22. I'm with you

>But I liked not having to decide whether to tip on performance or sympathy.<

We tip 20%. If there's a problem, we call the restaurant later, or just don't go back. If we can't afford to eat out with a good-sized tip, we don't go.

Here's a question: Will you go back to the business, or are you thinking you'll be hunting around for an alternative?

[Ohio Joe]

14. Reservoir Dogs

Tipping - NSFW

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

[tblue]

16. I do if I have the money. They don't make much, so why not make somebody's day?

It's nice to be nice. Feels good to give.

[Aristus]

17. I always tip. Always. I support working people, and I'll take their side over

their cheap bosses. The post above is right: we need legislation and strong unions so that we can have reliable, living wages and a solid middle class in this country again.

Until that happens, I'll show my support for working people by tipping. As well and as often as I can.

[LeftyMom]

18. You'll find it's a lot easier to get an appointment if you have a reputation as a good tipper.

It sounds like you already think you're being overcharged, in which case the problem is not the expectation to tip but the overall pricing. That said, I really don't mind tips since they're going to the people who actively help me and not the people higher up the food chain. I try to stick to places I can easily afford, so that I can tip very well, stay within my budget, and get consistently great service.

[Missy Vixen]

21. I'll be interested to see what happens with this new policy

I did some hunting around on Yelp earlier today; it seems there's a place I can try that's close by, their clients are very happy with their service, and it's significantly less money, which would leave plenty to give a nice tip to the nail person.

Most of the issue with getting an appointment is the fact they are laying off or irregularly scheduling employees to save money. Evidently, they're expanding, so they're cutting corners.

Maybe I'm all wet, and the new policy will be a huge hit.

[Deep13]

19. for personal service

Traditionally, a register clerk is not tipped. At an eatery, tip a waitress who comes to the table, but not the counter clerk at McDonalds.

[Lucian]

28. Tipping is a must.

When someone is cleaning your dirty clothes, touching your feet, cutting your hair, or carrying your groceries out to the car, tipping is mandatory. Basically, if they're doing something that you can do yourself, you should tip them.

[LuckyLib]

38. Carrying groceries to the car merits a tip? I've lived in 3 states -- no one tips the

bag boys or girls. I've heard this is an east-coast or Chicago practice.

[Lucian]

39. I'm from MN.

Some of us do that here.

[RebelOne]

29. No. I only tip at restaurants. Those servers deserve the tips

since they are working at below minimum wage. I worked as a server for a few months to help out an ex-boyfriend because his nighttime waitress quit. I don't know how any person could live on tips.

[WolverineDG]

31. Manicurists & Hair dressers always get tips

unless they are the owner of the place. Otherwise: tip 10%. Same for massage therapists--tip, unless they are the owner.

I don't tip at fast food joints or places like Starbucks. Why? They're getting minimum wage or above. But actual wait staff doesn't get minimum wage, so tip at least 15%.

dg

[MicaelS]

33. I tip 20% at dine -in restaurants, and at the hair salon...

I do not put money in a tip jar for carry out food.

[Bertha Venation]

34. Both.

[Iggo]

35. Both.

B-)

[FloridaJudy]

36. I'll put money in the tip jar

If it's a place I patronize regularly - the Chinese take-out, or the wing joint. They're family-run places that don't have a regular wait-staff, and they work damned hard. Otherwise I tip 20% to hairdressers, waiters, pedicurists, etc. Their salaries are set up that they depend on tips to make a decent living. I wish it were otherwise, but it's not.

Don't think I've been in a Starbucks in years.

[Ineeda]

40. Normally 20% for restaurant service and hairdresser, but not

takeout, and sometimes the tip jar. But an anecdote: My sister was visiting and we budgeted for a special treat at a moderately upscale restaurant -- about $50 total for lunch. That restaurant was unexpectedly closed for renovation or something, so we settled on another one. We had a delicious meal and the service was impeccable -- attentive but not intrusive. And the bill was $20. So when we handed the server the little padded folder with the payment, we told him, "We're having a great day and hope yours is great, too," and practically ran out of the place. We paid with the $50 we'd intended to spend. Even if it's only once in your life, try this. It'll make you feel fabulous.

[targetpractice]

42. It really does...

...Once in a while I'll have a real human-to-human conversation with an NYC cab driver, and I'll learn a thing or two about a place I've never been, or a perspective I've never considered, or get a piece of advice or some wisdom that's useful. I'll tip way above and beyond in those instances.

[astral]

44. I like this story.

Anyone who has stated they don't want to tip wait staff has never tried to be one. It is hard work whether or not you are any good at it. I will never forget that. I tip at restaurants and usually some amount that is obviously over the minimum mandatory, and I tip at coffeeshops if I am ordering a coffee drink, but not for a cup of plain coffee to go, though I used to. I tip the hairdresser, I can barely stand getting through the routine of brushing out my hair so the rare times I go to a hairdresser I really appreciate that there are those sorts of people who LIKE to mess with hair for a living. . . . or I hope they like it. ; )

I tipped nicely at a Subway recently just because they were very attentive to cheerfully giving me exactly what I wanted, and would hope I can come back and have that happen again!

But I do not feel obligated to tip just everywhere I see a tip jar just because it's there. But walk a mile in someone's shoes and you'll never forget how much more that tip means to them than it does to you.

And here is my question to the thread: Who remembers to leave a tip in a hotel room for the cleaning staff? Now THAT is some hard, low-paying, back-straining, arm-work-out work. The extremely rare $5 bill on the dresser is VERY appreciated. (WAS.)

[MrSlayer]

43. I believe in overtipping.

But only for service jobs. Waiter/waitress, cab drivers, hotel maids, bell hops and the like. I don't tip counter servers.

[Duppers]

45. A dem gets pedicures???

Yes, then tip.