# Why do Americans tip bar staff? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 3, 2002, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637 "2002-04-03T19:54:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637/21 "2002-04-03T22:08:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Niobium Knight \* > \*\*Your friend is a fool for accepting a job with $2.13 an hour wages. That is fucking unbelievable, the employer should be strung up for that. > > Dont blame the UK people - we’re not used to tipping for that kind of thing and believe me it’s hard to get into the habbit of it. \*\* Pretty broad statements there. If you’re going to be wait staff, that’s what you get, here in the States, most places. Of course, as wait staff, you also expect to be tipped between 10% - 20% of every table’s bill (provided you give decent service - most do). All of a sudden, it doesn’t sound so foolish, now does it? Congrats, **NK** , you’re the proverbial ugly tourist, slamming local custom simply because it doesn’t make sense to _you_. ---
**Author:** ![racinchikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@racinchikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racinchikki)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637/22 "2002-04-03T22:10:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Niobium Knight \* > \*\*Sorry, but a supermarket assistant who is able to tell me where the pepper corns are when I’m in a hurry deserves more of a tip than some dumbo behind a bar pouring pints for a living. \*\* Yes, because all bartenders are stupid. Must you act willfully ignorant? We’ve explained why Americans tip bar staff; now you’re just arguing something that believe me you’re not going to change no matter how annoying you find it. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637/23 "2002-04-03T22:18:28Z")
It’s just convention. Why do we tip bartenders, hairstylists and cab drivers, while neglecting mail deliverers, mechanics and plumbers? It’s simple: it’s convention. There’s no real rational answer to this. And **Niobium Knight** , if you come to the US (at least where I live) and don’t tip the bartender, you’ll be likely to get a little something “extra” (spelled s-a-l-i-v-a) in your 2nd drink. To those around the world, just a little advice: When in the US, tip the bartender. ---
**Author:** ![Niobium\_Knight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@Niobium\_Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niobium_Knight)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637/24 "2002-04-03T22:18:30Z")
Easy way to change it: make the minimum wage apply to wait staff too. ---
**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637/25 "2002-04-03T22:21:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Niobium Knight \* > \*\* > > How hard is it to pour a fucking pint??? \*\* What **etgaw1** said. And besides, I kind of like having the bartender recognize me on the way in, pour my pint and have it ready for me before I even sit down. That’s the kind of service you can get from tipping on a regular basis. That is all. ---
**Author:** ![Niobium\_Knight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@Niobium\_Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niobium_Knight)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637/26 "2002-04-03T22:23:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jackknifed Juggernaut \* > \*\* > And **Niobium Knight** , if you come to the US (at least where I live) and don’t tip the bartender, you’ll be likely to get a little something “extra” (spelled s-a-l-i-v-a) in your 2nd drink. > > \*\* That’s a bit arrogant is it not? What if you dont rate the service? Also, would they spit in my pint in full view, or duck under the counter and do it sly? ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637/27 "2002-04-03T22:24:28Z")
What’s the matter, Niobium Knight, did some sweet young U.K. bartender turn you down flat recently? You seem very interested in this issue. Why don’t you move to the U.S., renounce your citizenship, and become an American. You can then run for office and introduce a bill that will change the pay structure for all the poor dumbos working behind a bar. Our gratitude will, I’m sure, be eternal. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637/28 "2002-04-03T22:26:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Niobium Knight \* > \*\*Easy way to change it: make the minimum wage apply to wait staff too. \*\* So lobby Congress about it. Stiffing the staff is only going to hurt THEM. Trust me-they remember the bad tippers. They LOSE money when you don’t tip them, because of the way the tax system is set up! THEY have no control over it! UNDERSTAND??? ---
**Author:** ![Flypsyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@Flypsyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flypsyde)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637/29 "2002-04-03T22:30:37Z")
I think one thing you’re missing, **NK** , is that while tipping is figured into the employer’s equation for paying his employees, the employees can often make far MORE than minimum wage if they are courteous and prompt servers. If you figure they serve even 20 beers an hour, and only half of those patrons tip a dollar, they’ve just made $12.13. Now, if tipping was done away with, they’d have next to no chance of making any more than minimum wage, and we’d get the same sort of service you get with the majority of fast food employees. I’d guess that if you asked the majority of servers out there which they’d rather have, they come back resoundingly on the side of tipping. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637/30 "2002-04-03T22:30:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Niobium Knight \* > \*\* > > That’s a bit arrogant is it not? What if you dont rate the service? Also, would they spit in my pint in full view, or duck under the counter and do it sly? \*\* It depends on the personality of the bartender. I’ve actually seen a bartender spit into someone’s glass in full view. If you have a problem with the drink quality, most bartenders will be happy to accomodate you with a new drink. I admit that timeliness can sometimes be a problem in a crowded bar. In this case you have to understand that the bartender is doing his/her best. The only time that I would advocate not tipping the bartender is if s/he intentionally ignores you. In that case, I’d drink the first drink and then go somewhere else. But this is extremely rare. ---
**Author:** ![Niobium\_Knight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@Niobium\_Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niobium_Knight)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637/31 "2002-04-03T22:33:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jackknifed Juggernaut \* > \*\* > > It depends on the personality of the bartender. I’ve actually seen a bartender spit into someone’s glass in full view. > > \*\* They’d end up with wet hair then. And I wouldnt pay for it. ---
**Author:** ![Niobium\_Knight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@Niobium\_Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niobium_Knight)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637/32 "2002-04-03T22:37:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Flypsyde \* > \*\*I think one thing you’re missing, **NK** , is that while tipping is figured into the employer’s equation for paying his employees, the employees can often make far MORE than minimum wage if they are courteous and prompt servers. If you figure they serve even 20 beers an hour, and only half of those patrons tip a dollar, they’ve just made $12.13. Now, if tipping was done away with, they’d have next to no chance of making any more than minimum wage, and we’d get the same sort of service you get with the majority of fast food employees. \*\* Not so here. Service varies, but bars dont keep on staff who act like arsewipes. At the end of the day, all you want is for them to pour you a beer. How hard can it be? ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637/33 "2002-04-03T22:38:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Niobium Knight \* > \*\* > They’d end up with wet hair then. And I wouldnt pay for it. \*\* And you’d end up in jail. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![peepthis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9d8465/32.png) [@peepthis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peepthis)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637/34 "2002-04-03T22:39:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Niobium Knight \* > \*\*Easy way to change it: make the minimum wage apply to wait staff too. \*\* Doesn’t work that easily, bub. Bartending at even a moderately busy place in the U.S., I’d pull in about $200-300 tips on a decent night, $500 on a really good night. That’s for 8 hours work, almost completely untaxed. People would still tip a minimum waged bartender, because it’s custom and in the States bartenders are not considered a minimum wage job. They can make good money. Whether you think they deserve to make so much money is your own opinion; surely there are lots of professions that make more money than you think they should. The difference is that in the UK (where I’m living now) bartending is not considered as desirable (i.e., profitable) a profession as it is in the States. I bartended for years in the States, but wouldn’t over here because it pays shit. It’s a cultural difference, not just a minimum wage issue. ---
**Author:** ![Niobium\_Knight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@Niobium\_Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niobium_Knight)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637/35 "2002-04-03T22:40:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Guinastasia \* > \*\* > > And you’d end up in jail. > > :rolleyes: \*\* End up in jail for pouring a pint over them when they’d just gobbed in it??? I think not. I think the food and drink hygene dept would have something to say… ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637/36 "2002-04-03T22:47:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Niobium Knight \* > \*\* > > Not so here. Service varies, but bars dont keep on staff who act like arsewipes. At the end of the day, all you want is for them to pour you a beer. How hard can it be? \*\* Bars don’t keep on staff here either who act like arsewipes. But what exactly is it that YOU do for a living, anyway? Or perhaps you are out of work at the moment? ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637/37 "2002-04-03T22:57:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Niobium Knight \* > I think it’s bad for you to tip. It lets the bar owner get away with paying lower wages. > \*\* No, it just means the revenue goes directly from the customer (you) to the laborer (the bartender). If you really want the bar owner to pay the higher wages, expect that the price of your drinks and food will go up a lot more. For every increase of $1 in the bartenders salary, the owner will probably have to charge $1.50 to cover the extra taxes and other costs. ---
**Author:** ![nineiron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e56c9b/32.png) [@nineiron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nineiron)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637/38 "2002-04-03T22:58:34Z")
Niobium Knight: OK, everyone gets it. You don’t like to tip. Your original posted question has been answered. We in the US tip bartenders because it’s custom. Everyone also gets your idea that pouring beers is not a particularly difficult job. Nor is waiting tables or driving taxis, for that matter. But people in those occupations receive tips as well. Or would you begrudge them too? A practical advantage: If you go up to the bar and order a round of drinks, you’ll probably end up with some quarters or single bills as change. Now that you’ve got your hands full of drinks, who wants to fiddle around with trying to put this in your pocket? Take your beers, leave the buck or two on the bar, and have a nice night out. Geez. I guess NK really wouldn’t be impressed with the bartenders who just open the bottles of beer for you, in that type of establishment. Doesn’t matter; we tip them too. ---
**Author:** ![Niobium\_Knight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@Niobium\_Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niobium_Knight)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637/39 "2002-04-03T23:05:27Z")
I dont tip taxi drivers cos I know how much they earn, and how they rip you off. Waiters.waitresses I do tend to tip (up to 10% depending on service). Icidentaly, when I was in america I tried to tip a bartender once. I gave him a quarter I think, and he gave me it back and said “Tip properly or not at all. You dont have to tip every time”. Now a quarter is more than 10%. ---
**Author:** ![Niobium\_Knight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@Niobium\_Knight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Niobium_Knight)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2002, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637/40 "2002-04-03T23:06:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by missbunny \* > \*\* > > Bars don’t keep on staff here either who act like arsewipes. > > But what exactly is it that YOU do for a living, anyway? Or perhaps you are out of work at the moment? \*\* No, I’m a printer. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-tip-bar-staff/101637.md?page=3)