Interesting Article on Tipping

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122592541430502789.html

That article immediately reminded me of Mr. Pink's rant in Reservoir Dogs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5ODhIFawfs

Go-go gadget rant!

These articles come out from time to time. Always some jerk that has never waited a table or washed a dish in their lives...

He admits to a 10% tip to a breakfast server. Enough said.

I can't tell you how many Europeans have told me, over the years, that service in America is far better than that in their respective countries. The reason: tips. If I know my paycheck is guaranteed, what motivation do I have to give great service? It's that simple.

T.o
I.nsure
P.roper
S.ervice

You may not tip your doctor, but your real-estate agent gets a commision, your car-salesman, indeed your cab driver.

You tip on a bottle of wine because you are dealing with a wine professional that can answer your questions about said wine, or recommend a similar one. The more expensive, the more astute the pro is supposed to be. That's why you don't find sommeliers at O'Charley's.

I could go on and on, but I'm gonna leave it at that. Excuse me while I go pray this man gets the service he deserves. Cork in his $100 bottle of wine, the greasy thumbprint on the side of his plate, the cold-indifference that should be offered to such a twit! And may he get OJ'ed the next time he has the audacity to seek hospitality from a $2.13/ hour making, no benefit having, respect-lacked restaurant professional!

rant down, apologies!

I can't tell you how many Europeans have told me, over the years, that service in America is far better than that in their respective countries. The reason: tips. If I know my paycheck is guaranteed, what motivation do I have to give great service? It's that simple.

This brings us back to the never ending discussion about mandatory tips that some restaurants impose and whether they contribute to poorer service. Your statement pretty much says they do.

You may not tip your doctor, but your real-estate agent gets a commision, your car-salesman, indeed your cab driver.

He definitely confusing commissions and tips. A commission is mandatory and not negotiable (unless you know some one). A tip on the other hand is a voluntary payment that it made based on service. The two are nothing alike.

[Robin Garr]

I can't tell you how many Europeans have told me, over the years, that service in America is far better than that in their respective countries.

I can't say I see it this way, on the basis of fairly frequent international travels, mostly to Italy and France: Although service at most of Louisville's better restaurants ranges from very good to excellent, it just can't compare with the professional service expected at Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe, anyway. Service, in excruciating detail, is a significant consideration in Michelin ratings, and restaurants work to earn it. Accordingly, there has arisen a restaurant service profession at a level that simply doesn't exist in the US.

Now, trattorias and bistros and small family-owned restaurants can vary, but again, my experience in Europe has been that service is less spotty than in the US, where it can range from wonderful to horrible.

Again, I'm talking about Latin countries here - Italy and France mostly, Spain and Portugal to a lesser extent. Northern Europe, I'm not so sure ...

These articles come out from time to time. Always some jerk that has never waited a table or washed a dish in their lives...

He admits to a 10% tip to a breakfast server. Enough said.

Unless I'm missing something, please read the article more closely. It says the gentlemen who go to breakfast reguarly tip $10 on a $20 to $30 tab, well in excess of 10% (depending on the bill, 30% to 50%).

It would seem that a combination of anger and Lortabs (tooth extraction today) have led me to put forth a flimsy argument. I apologize, wholeheartedly. I'll wait a bit until this thing wears off some and then re-post a more logical opinion!

It would seem that a combination of anger and Lortabs (tooth extraction today) have led me to put forth a flimsy argument. I apologize, wholeheartedly. I'll wait a bit until this thing wears off some and then re-post a more logical opinion!

Ha - no worries here. Hope the mouth feels better - I'm sure the Lortabs will go a long way on that (not good for the appetite though!)

[Robin Garr]

It would seem that a combination of anger and Lortabs (tooth extraction today) have led me to put forth a flimsy argument. I apologize, wholeheartedly. I'll wait a bit until this thing wears off some and then re-post a more logical opinion!

It's okay, Stephen ... it's an enjoyable discussion topld.

Hope the after-effects of the extraction are short-lived and routine!

Stephen through your pain and anger you did shed the light.

The important part of the equation that neither the rant nor the article spoke about is the $2.13 standard service wage, which is well below the minimum wage and thus NECESSITATES tips to earn a living wage.

Service industry employees that earn minimum wage and above (fast food employees, barristas, sales counter professionals, grocery baggers, etc) should not be tipped -
Generally speaking, if all the employee does is stand behind a counter, there is no tip required - bartenders are the primary exception to this rule

The best and most forthright policy is to ask a manager or owner what they pay their wait staff, they may not tell you, but in most cases they will let you know if it is below minimum wage and thus is dependent upon your tips and their service.

The weird area of tipping right now is the coffee house. I'm not sure what the independent coffee shops are paying their employees, but the people i know have always earned more than minimum wage serving coffee in Louisville, additionally the big Starbuck pays its employees well above minimum and provides pretty decent benefits. So should you tip your coffee guy/gal - i'd ask them what they make (i always tip at DCE, because its just Matt and he also serves as a bartender)



I've been lucky enough to work as a server for $2.13 and for well above that, and as a result i pay my servers a little above the $2.13, but well below minimum, because even if they make 15% on every sale, it is barely eeking out a living for most of us. I simply couldn't afford to pay my wait staff minimum wage and not dramatically increase my prices.


Just my 2 cents
I had great service in the Netherlands and generally tipped 15-20%

The weird area of tipping right now is the coffee house. I'm not sure what the independent coffee shops are paying their employees, but the people i know have always earned more than minimum wage serving coffee in Louisville, additionally the big Starbuck pays its employees well above minimum and provides pretty decent benefits. So should you tip your coffee guy/gal - i'd ask them what they make (i always tip at DCE, because its just Matt and he also serves as a bartender)

You've found my pet peeve. The idea that one sits out a tip jar "just because he/she can" really aggravates me to no end. Unfortunately, while such counter workers think they are just "collecting loose change," they are actually cheapening the overall act of tipping. As people see more and more tip jars, they become more jaded to the activity, and, from my perspective, less likely to tip. An end result that does not hurt these counter workers, but, instead, those people who are legally paid at a level that requires tips.

These Starbucks types should take up the issue of pay with management (or the corporate types). They should not try to bolster their bottom line at the expense of those whose pay depends on tips.

Now I'm off to the bar to leave a good tip. Cheers.

for once
a positive for the whole foods market

when i left the market the policy was that we could not accept tips or leave out tips jars, i think starbucks should have the same policy

shawn

Origin of the word "tip" and many more categories at the Urban Legend Reference Pages:
http://www.snopes.com/language/acronyms/tip.asp

Re: baristas - I understand the thought of a tip going to supplement income of those making below minimum wage, but the tip is also a reward for proper service. A barista, regardless of what he or she makes, should be tipped for making a complicated, tasty espresso drink. It's a different story if the barista only fills up the daily brew.

I tip the guys at golf courses that load my clubs into the cart. I tip baristas when making espresso drinks. I tip the lady that cleans my apartment. I don't know if these people are paid minimum wage or higher, but frankly don't think that is enough of a consideration. The tip is more than trying to get that person extra income - it's a way of saying thanks for the effort you put into whatever you're doing.

Brad i understand your point, but what happens when your barista is making $10 plus per hour (corp baristas in my experience)
isn't their ability to pour a "complicated drink" part of why they are being paid a higher wage with better benefits

shawn