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Original poster

I panic when I have to tip for a service!

62 replies

MsWalterMitty · 28/08/2021 21:09

Well maybe not panic panic but it bring out anxious feelings as I never really know what to do in these situations. To be honest I’d rather tipping didn’t exist just so I didn’t have to read the situation!

I never know whether I’n under or over tipping and find sticking to the 10% rule awkward if I only have cash or it’s an odd amount.

Example... today DS had his hair cut. It cost £35. I paid £40. Is a fiver too much? Too little? Did I offend?

I’m so crap at being an adult!! 🙈

OP posts:

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 29/08/2021 12:04

ufcoffee
The bus driver doesn't have to clean up after people are sick in his vehicle. The bus driver doesn't have to listen to drunks sitting right next to him and calling him names and swearing at him. The bus driver isn't self employed, he gets paid holidays and a pension. Tip your taxi drivers and stop being so tight.

I can't believe I read this. What sort of person thinks that paying a 'tip' makes somebody being sick in his/her cab, acceptable? Taxis charge now for people being sick in them - and good enough. They should charge far more.

Calling somebody tight though when you have no basis for it... yikes.

Emma2021 · 29/08/2021 12:14

Hi. This 10/20% is total BS IMO.
I feel awkward and only tip if I'm happy and even then rarely up to 10% often 5% of less or a quid usually and a couple if/when we used to eat out.
The staff need a proper wage and if they are depending on tips, hard cheese. My tips come out of a good service and and smiley one whether thats pretend or not it does me.

ufucoffee · 29/08/2021 12:15

'I can't believe I read this. What sort of person thinks that paying a 'tip' makes somebody being sick in his/her cab, acceptable? Taxis charge now for people being sick in them - and good enough. They should charge far more.
Calling somebody tight though when you have no basis for it... yikes.'

It doesn't make it acceptable. I was pointing out that bus drivers and taxi drivers aren't the same. Yes you get fined for being sick in a taxi but that's for the cleaning of it and it doesn't cover loss of earnings while the car is off the road.
And I do think it's tight not to tip if you can afford to.

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Emma2021 · 29/08/2021 12:16

Btw, free tip which is rare from me - get a job that pays you a living wage. If you can't manage on that then get a better paid job or cut down on your outgoings as clearly you can't afford to run before you can walk.

A tip imo is earned and not a right.

Voice0fReason · 29/08/2021 13:01

@VanishingAct

You are exactly the sort of person who would have a fit if prices went up. It's fine not to tip but don't pretend that you refuse to tip for the greater good.
You want to pay the minimum amount

You don't know me and I made it clear in my post that I would happily pay more.

I don't refuse to tip for the greater good, I don't tip because I hate the practice of tipping. One of the other reasons I didn't mention is because I am visually impaired so I find picking up on those social cues really hard. Catching the eye of someone to hand them a tip is impossible for me and paying using a card machine is a challenge enough in itself. There are all kinds of reasons why people hate tipping. Ultimately, I want to see people fairly paid for their work.

I do look out for more ethical places to shop where people are fairly paid for their work and their products. I employ a carer and pay well over the minimum wage (double) because that is important to me.

Don't be so judgy. Not wanting to tip does not always mean unwilling to pay a fair price.

ShuddaBeenMe · 29/08/2021 13:13

£35? How old is he?

Waxonwaxoff0 · 29/08/2021 13:19

@Emma2021

A tip imo is earned and not a right.

I don't agree with tipping but telling people to "get a better paid job" is just twatty. Someone has to do the minimum wage jobs.

Tataru · 29/08/2021 13:23

I feel like tipping is a lot more awkward now that no one is really using cash. I think I've used cash maybe once the whole of pandemic. Everywhere we go asks for contactless/card, and the opportunity to tip often doesn't present itself. And I don't carry coins around purely for tipping purposes!

Emma2021 · 29/08/2021 13:41

@Waxonwaxoff0

I refer to your following post and I quote. "I don't agree with tipping but telling people to "get a better paid job" is just twatty. Someone has to do the minimum wage jobs."

The term "twatty" is nasty, rude, unnecessary and shows your ignorance and your cowardeness. Before attacking me read again what I have said and I am not having a go at those on "minimum" wages. What I was clearly saying was that those that depend on tips needs to either get a better paid job, do more overtime or cut back on their outgoings.

I too could use the same disgusting language against you but as I'm not like that IRL, I see no reason to behave like an ignorant one on a forum.

Original poster

MsWalterMitty · 29/08/2021 15:48

See all these replies and differences of opinions is why I struggle to know what to do!!

I mainly tipped because I didn't want to offend seeing as I’ll be back there in a few days time.

My DS is 12, yes his hair cut cost £35. It was pretty long... not been cut for 2 years, he had it washed and the salon is very eco friendly, all products are good quality organic and hand made from small companies. It took 45 mins

OP posts:

eightlivesdown · 29/08/2021 16:28

See all these replies and differences of opinions is why I struggle to know what to do!!

I mainly tipped because I didn't want to offend ...

I'm with you. If the price is £50, charge me £50. Not £40, and leave me to guessing if I'm expected to tip, and how much. And wondering if I've upset someone by not tipping / under tipping, or have overpaid or caused offence by tipping when it's not required.

Just pay a proper salary and charge a proper price!

Lancashire58 · 01/09/2021 15:59

Nobody should be tipped for anything, as everybody should be on at least the minimum wage in their respective country. Would you consider giving a voluntary gift for cleaning you up in a hospital bed, for checking out your trolley in the supermarket, for serving you in a bank, for finding you a job in the Jobcentre, and many more services. So what's so special about carrying a plate across a room, delivering a pizza, driving you in a taxi or even cutting your hair that it deserves a gift?
It's a bad habit imported from the USA that has slowly become part of some people's culture. If somebody desperately wants to offer a gift, often to draw attention to themselves as being generous, then I suppose they must do it, but when it becomes compulsory, in that people are made to feel bad about not doing it, then it's a serious problem.
It's even worse in some poor countries, when a 'tip' can amount to a week's wages, and people want to work in jobs where tipping happens, instead of doing real jobs. They then become greedy and start making threatening demands.
The worst is probably cruising where high profit making cruise lines only recruit staff from developing countries, and pay them peanuts. This is unfortunate, but if the culture of tipping continues, we will never rid the industry of this terrible practice, and there will always be heated arguments among people, which can ruin a holiday.
People who do not tip are not tight, mean or trying to get something for nothing, but are protesting in the only way they can against a truly farcical practice.

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