Tipping (NOT Cows)
Recently heard a bit on the radio concerning tipping. It was saying that 25% is the new 20% in regards to tipping your wait staff and such other service occupation that should receive such. I, just as the commentator, feel that it is a bit excessive. Further I have some opinions that do not always sit well with people in regards to tips in general. Read on to get my thoughts on the matter…
First, let me state that I have no issue with the process of tipping in general. That being said however, I do have issue with the way the standard amount of complimentary tip has seemingly ever increased and the general attitude that a tip is standard regardless of the quality of the service that is involved. I know the folks that this generally does not sit well with are the ones in the service industry where tipping is expected. Hear me out though.
First, why is that as minimum wages across the country increased seeming a dozen times in this country in my twenty-five years of employment off the farm, having reached a federal amount of $7.25 and yet at the same time servers are legally allowed to be paid as little as $2.35 hourly? Keep in mind that small sum has increased, but not nearly on the same magnitude as the minimum wage itself. I look at tipping as an extra bonus for the extra mile given in service while I am engaged in whatever activity it is in question. Clearly the way employers look at it is it is expected to be given period in order to make up the difference in the hour rate being paid and what is the minimum wage to stay above poverty set my our own government. This sense of entitlement to a tip seems to trickle down a fair number of the service industry in general, leaving little in the way of actual service being provided and certainly a lot of service that is below par.
Further, I have a gut feeling that a lot of the cash left on the table, never sees the inclusion on a 1040 form for Uncle Sam’s share. I know that a good amount of it is reported up to that difference in minimum wage and what service industry people are allowed to be paid. However, I have heard several times from multiple people about the easy ability to keep cash tips under the table in regards to taxes. Do not get me wrong, as I hate paying taxes too, but I do think everyone should have to pay their fair share and maybe if they did my taxable amount would go down just a tiny amount.
Like I said above, I think the current expectation of a 20% or even 25% tip leads to a lot of poor quality service. The way I tend to operate tips is the amount starts at 10%. Typically today, ironically, if you tip 10% you are often noted as being a cheap skate. I really do not mind such thoughts though. From 10% the tip amount can go up or down depending on the quality of the service I receive. For instance if my food is forever in coming, order time is forever, drinks are left empty for countless minutes, or just a less the cordial attitude I have no problem tipping less that 10%. On the other hand, if the service is tip-top, friendly, even engaging I have been known on occasion to tip 30% of bill and on two instances in not so far off recent memory have gone as far as 50% (only after confirming that it indeed goes to the person serving me and not some pool or a bunch of tipping out). Generally I keep a running tally in my head as to the pluses and minuses of the service and tip appropriately.
I do feel that if a restaurant or bar expects a 20% or 25% tip consistently and is not going to back that up with service they should just include it in the price. I have on a couple of occasions had comments made when I did not leave tips of such magnitude. My take is tipping is my choice and not the establishment. If service is not up to par and you feel it should still be included and are going to be nasty about it, maybe they should just include it. Then I will weigh the option of do I really want to eat at such pricey place where the service is not up to snuff.
Lastly, why is there a creep on the tip amount? I have heard some folks even saying 30% is the new 20%. If it keeps up at this rate, the $30 meal and drinks me and the future wife have for dinner out now goes to $45 and that really special meal on our future anniversary becomes instead $80 instead of $50. Reality is at that point, she and I will eat at home much more often than not and that is going to hurt everyone from server up through the owner much more than my tipping 10% and more for good service and eating out a few more times over a month
[...] and your can sure bet that my tip for service (see my previous thoughts on that matter – Tipping, Not Cows) will also be diminished if not eliminated. By both of those accounts, the monetary gains in the [...]