# Am I the only one who likes the tipping culture in the U.S.? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 23, 2002, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-likes-the-tipping-culture-in-the-u-s/144555 "2002-12-23T17:03:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-likes-the-tipping-culture-in-the-u-s/144555/41 "2002-12-26T20:35:18Z")
šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Binarydrone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Binarydrone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Binarydrone)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-likes-the-tipping-culture-in-the-u-s/144555/42 "2002-12-26T21:06:48Z")
**erislover** , while this may seem like a good idea, there are some cases where it will actually be a pretty horrible situation for the waitperson. Allow me to elaborate. Assume the following example: A middle to large party (say a 6 to 8 top) takes 2 hours to eat a 3-course meal at a middle of the road restaurant. (say salads, deserts and main course). The result, a bill for around $200 or so (assume a bottle of wine or 2, perhaps some cocktails) and a $14 tip. The problem here is that many restaurants have the wait staff ā€œtip outā€ the host/kitchen/busboy/dish-washers (at the restaurant where I work, host gets 2%, Kitchen 2% and the busboy& dishwashers 1% of the **tab** ) in this example the wait person would ā€œoweā€ $12 and would effectively have received $2 for waiting on what (in my experience) was probably a pretty high maintenance table. Granted, this is a somewhat esoteric scenario, but it happens. All of this is to say nothing of the poor waiter that gets stiffed on a tip, meaning that they have effectively paid for the privilege of waiting on you. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2002, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-likes-the-tipping-culture-in-the-u-s/144555/43 "2002-12-26T21:23:28Z")
> [@](#): > > I tip at $7 an hour, period[.] I know you threw in a provision to adjust for quality of service, but still. This is all well & good assuming weā€™re comfortable with the following equation: Time = Money But in reality this is rarely the case. A better equation would be: (Time + EffortĀ²) _n_+1 = Money. Where _n_ is the number of guests at the table. The preceeding post is a good example. 6-8 people involves a great deal of effort that a $14 tip is just not going to properly reward. ---
**Author:** ![Dragon\_Ash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b3f665/32.png) [@Dragon\_Ash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragon_Ash)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-likes-the-tipping-culture-in-the-u-s/144555/44 "2002-12-27T01:49:05Z")
Some great points - from now on, I start out at $7/hr, adjust for the number of people, and go from there. Well, $7 seems kinda arbitrary - how did you come up with that figure? Either way - I like this method of tipping compared to a percentage of the billā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-likes-the-tipping-culture-in-the-u-s/144555/45 "2002-12-27T07:04:07Z")
I am not the only one tipping. Why would I be? ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-likes-the-tipping-culture-in-the-u-s/144555/46 "2002-12-27T07:07:05Z")
I didnā€™t actually think much on why I chose $7 an hour. It had never occured to me to justify this figure in any way, now that I think about it. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-likes-the-tipping-culture-in-the-u-s/144555/47 "2002-12-27T09:09:12Z")
whoa, I kinda like the $7/hour idea or something along those lines. Of course, iā€™ve lived in countries for the past 15 years that either donā€™t have a tipping culture or add a 15% service charge. I really dislike the required tipping culture. also when I was a dishwasher for 2 years I never got any tips ā˜¹ I do tip for good service and some mercenary tipping. ---
**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-likes-the-tipping-culture-in-the-u-s/144555/48 "2002-12-27T09:23:14Z")
**erislover** : What about tips for delivery drivers? Personally, I tip drivers $2-$5 depending mostly on how rich Iā€™m feeling, and whether I want to make a nice round number for my checkbook. The price of the order isnā€™t a factorā€“delivering a $12 pizza with 5 toppings is no harder than delivering a $7 pizza with one toppingā€“but the number of items is. ---
**Author:** ![Audrey\_Levins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Audrey\_Levins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Audrey_Levins)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-likes-the-tipping-culture-in-the-u-s/144555/49 "2002-12-27T11:18:23Z")
I tip mainly because I work for tipsā€¦so Iā€™m kind of a sucker for those coffee-shop/ice-cream parlor tip jars. Even though I do think theyā€™re kind of silly. _sigh_ I cannot physically leave a bad tip; it just makes me feel horrible. Like that line from _The Untouchables_ where Ness says, ā€œI have become what I beheld.ā€ Canā€™t do it. Bad karma. Itā€™s the same reason I always put money in the Salvation Army bucket, and actually ā€œbuyā€ those stories from the guy on the street who tells you he ran out of gas up the road and he doesnā€™t live here and he just needs a couple dollarsā€™ worth of gas to get him back to his mother-in-lawā€™s houseā€¦:rolleyes: I know heā€™s lying but if I donā€™t give him money, and Iā€™m ever in that hypothetical situation for real, Iā€™d like for someone to give me money, too, even if they think Iā€™m lying. That way, when Iā€™m having a horrible day at work and someone still tips me, I know that itā€™s that karma coming back to me. Laugh all you like. I have to sleep at night. šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-likes-the-tipping-culture-in-the-u-s/144555/50 "2002-12-27T12:02:38Z")
I like to think that tipping rewards merit. A good waiter can make more than a bad waiter. If I recieve good service, I tip very generously. If not, they will get very little. It doesnā€™t take much to keep me happy. Get my order right, keep my coffee and water filled, make eye contact every now and then in case I need something. Thatā€™s about it. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2002, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-likes-the-tipping-culture-in-the-u-s/144555/51 "2002-12-27T15:56:55Z")
I donā€™t like the $7 an hour (or any amount) rule. To me, the reason for tipping as a percentage of the bill is because you usually get better service at more expensive places. I recently had dinner at the ā€œtop of the hubā€ in the Prudential building in Boston. **erislover** , being from taxachussetts you are probably familiar with it. This is a very nice restaraunt with great service. The waiter knew about wines, was very attentive and proffessional, and managed to secretly bring out a desert with a candle in it for my SOā€™s birthday. I gave him a $30 tip on a $130 bill. I canā€™t imagine that anyone would argue that this person deserved the same $7 an hour as a waitress at a truck stop. He is more skilled. He deserves more compensation for the same amount of time and work. Overall I agree that tipping is a pain in the arse. But, it is worth it because it gives me (the consumer) power! I can reward and punish good and bad behavior. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-likes-the-tipping-culture-in-the-u-s/144555/52 "2003-02-08T13:34:34Z")
One reason why I like tipping over a wage that is paid by the restaurant is that if service sucks I can leave a tip that sucks. I donā€™t have to pay for something that I didnā€™t get. The IRS taxes waiters and waitresses at a rate equal to 8% of their sales. If you tip less than this you are actually costing that server money. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-likes-the-tipping-culture-in-the-u-s/144555/53 "2003-02-08T16:52:04Z")
I was recently on a short vacation in London. We ate out at about dozen places. Restaurants and pubs seemed to have come in two types: no tips and mandatory tips. At the no-tip places, you paid the listed price, tax and everything included. At mandatory tip places, you paid the listed price plus an additional 10-12.5% tip. There was no option to pay or not. My experience: the service varied between bad and terrible. Waitstaff was slow to bring food, slow to refill drinks, slow to bring the bill. A simple request like a few more napkins took 10 minutes at one restaurant. We waited 30 minutes at another restaurant from when we asked for the bill until we got it. We were considering getting up and leaving to force them to stop us at the door in order to get the bill. Having a mandatory tip makes it even, then you have no control over what you give. Not having tips does simplify estimating your costs, but Iā€™d much rather pay a tip and have a chance for better service. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-likes-the-tipping-culture-in-the-u-s/144555/54 "2003-02-08T17:57:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Pleonast \* > \*\*I was recently on a short vacation in London. We ate out at about dozen places. Restaurants and pubs seemed to have come in two types: no tips and mandatory tips. At the no-tip places, you paid the listed price, tax and everything included. At mandatory tip places, you paid the listed price plus an additional 10-12.5% tip. There was no option to pay or not. > \*\* Not quite true. See [this site.](http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/asktheexperts/food/week014_q08.shtml) which states > [@](#): > > If a price for the service is not stipulated in advance, a reasonable sum will be payable (section 15 Supply of Goods and Services Act). If a price is stipulated (eg 10% service charge) that is what must be paid, unless, for any reason, you can legitimately criticise the standard of service (eg if meals were served at significantly different times, or otherwise if hot dishes were cold or under cooked). So you donā€™t have to pay if the service is truly awful. As a slight hijack, note that serving meals at significantly different times is considered appalling service in England. How does TGI Fridays survive over there? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2003, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-likes-the-tipping-culture-in-the-u-s/144555/55 "2003-02-08T18:10:44Z")
I was never a big fan of tipping until I travelled to countries where tipping is not the norm. Many times, waitresses at restaurants and bars acted as if it was a HUGE inconvenience to have to do anything for you. On the other hand, if you spend time in Japan, you NEVER tip there and the service is almost too good. Gotta be a cutlural thing as well as a monitary one. ---
**Author:** ![Purplefloyd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7cd45c/32.png) [@Purplefloyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purplefloyd)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2003, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-likes-the-tipping-culture-in-the-u-s/144555/56 "2003-02-09T01:29:10Z")
I delivered pizza for a couple years and i support tipping- i think its great to have a job where you can make an extra incentive by going the extra mile. Now im a butcher and i work with a few sluff- offs who do half the work as me and get even more pay than i do because im low- seniority. I think any and all occupations could benefit from giving a bonus/ tip/ incentive for doing more and doing it well. Back to the tipping though, i dont think anyone should feel obligated to tip. I have delivered a few cold pizzas and had people still tip me, needless to say i felt guilty. I didnt really want the tip but i didnt want to refuse it and make a scene. Of coarse more often i was on the other end providing great service and having people sit there while i count out thier EXACT change (lol- that really burns me!!!). I just urge people to tip well for good service and if the service sucks- dont tipā€¦ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-one-who-likes-the-tipping-culture-in-the-u-s/144555.md?page=2)