To not want to leave a tip ?

[cookieswirls]

Went for a meal tonight nothing fancy just pizza and my friend seemed mortified that I didn't leave a tip. I was paying for our meal and I generally don't leave tips. Ive never left a tip for anyone actually not taxi drivers, hairdressers, waiters is that mean of me ?

That would require me to be organised Rousette

*Yesterday 22:46 rumpelstiltskin43

Hope you never come to the US on vacation! You'll be classed as a stingy tightass Brit.*

One could look on Yanks as stingy tightasses because they won't pay more tax for a decent minimum wage, welfare state and state health system.

I always tip in restaurants however. Unless it's dreadful.

Also, when I worked as a waitress, we weren't allowed to keep tips.

Sometimes the person would sneak you a fiver, or they'd tell you that they left something on the table so that you'd get to it before someone else cleared the table, but, most of the time, the tips were collected by the bosses who were supposed to divvy them up among the employees. In the two years I worked in cafes/restaurants, I only ever once got my share of the tips. Presumably, it was kept by the boss the rest of the time.

Can't see why anyone can justify saying that a person on NMW should only eat out if they can afford to tip the poor person who serves them that is on NMW. Bizarre!

I tip for excellent service. I don't tip for basic/good service because, you know, that is their job!

Am sure employers are very pleased that customers top up their employees wages. Do you think the restaurant owners are badly off?

So blind to just tip because that is 'the done thing' without actually thinking through the outdated reasons behind tipping.

never have tipped, won't start either, what's the point ?

Do you think the restaurant owners are badly off?

Yes, some, quite probably. I know publicans, restaurant owners, cafe owners etc... it's not all a walk in the park and a complete money spinner like some on here seem to think

pipsqueak I doubt you've worked in a service industry as a chambermaid/waitress

Not RTFT but laughing at "I don't go to posh restaurants where tipping is required"...

I think most are doing well and if not then put their prices up?
It is not the customers job to pay over and above the advertised price because the staff are not paid enough. Or because the restaurant owner may not have a high enough income.

You do not go in to your local supermarket and offer to pay more for your bread and milk because the checkout lady wishes you a nice day!

Yanbu op. I used to tip every time I ate out but not any more.

I got fed up throwing my money away on some ungrateful people who barely acknowledge the extra money.

Better off in my pocket than theirs - unless of course they have gone over and above their duty in serving us well, sorting out problems etc.

They are doing an unskilled job, they get paid an hourly rate for taking orders and bringing food to the table. Carers are often paid the same rate and don't get tips. I'd actually rather tip the chef when the food is excellent

I got fed up throwing my money away on some ungrateful people who barely acknowledge the extra money.

If you give to receive you will always be disappointed. Do you really know if they were grateful or not? Is it not more that they didn't express it in a way that satisfied your interpretation of what a grateful person looks like to you?

Unskilled lucielucie really? Have you ever done it?

Yes waiting tables is an unskilled job. It requires no extra training beyond what is given on the job.

Skilled work generally refers to work that requires extra education or qualifications.

Chickenowner: Waiting staff earn minimum wage, which is impossible to live off.
This is a genuine question; have trade unions in the UK become so useless that they cannot even ensure a living wage for members, or do people no longer actually join them?

To the non tippers.

The reality is that people do tip .

The general assumption in the service industry is that if you don't tip for good service you are a bit stingy.

That's how it is. It might not be how you would like it, but it is how it is.

It is not obligatory or a legal requirement, but know that you are often being judged as you are being served - certainly by your second visit.

Own it, move on - but know it is the reality. It doesn't matter how you dress it up to convince yourself you are doing the right thing by promoting faux fairness in society.

Not tipping will not change anything. You know it, I know it, but it's a nice principled story to hide behind instead of owning your meanness or doing something that will actually promote change in a cause you claim to care about.

"I do not want to accept your kind and appreciative tip because of someone-else-who-has-never-waited-table's principles..." said no one ever.

(There also seems to be an interesting correlation between non tippers and customers with unreasonable expectations.)

Well put fame totally agree.

Much of what we do in society doesn't stand up to examination ( footballers paid more than prime ministers for example). In our society wait staff are tipped - that's how it is. Fairly or unfairly if you do not tip the staff, and possibly your dining companions, may judge you negatively and think you mean or ill mannered. They won't say anything but may be thinking it. If that doesn't bother you fine but you need to know.

I've only read 4 pages but am astounded that so many people don't tip. I wonder how many of the non tippers have worked as waiters/waitresses? I always do because I remember what hard work it was. Much harder than shop work or bar work.

I always tip in Europe too. The only place I didn't was Japan as they see it an an insult (there's a great Japanese noodle bar in London I go to that mention this on their menu).

I'm actually going to STOP tipping as the 'norm' and keep it to just tipping for EXCELLENT service. This thread has convinced me. The sanctimonious and sheeplike - and the outright entitlement on this thread has shed light on some dark corners and they are now illuminated.

So the tip-chuggers can just chug along, flinging their small money and feeling so great about it.

I love these threads for the people who say they tip only for exceptional service. I always wonder what the waiter has to do - a tap dance, help your child with his homework...

a tap dance

I got fed up throwing my money away on some ungrateful people who barely acknowledge the extra money

Really? I have never had that, I really haven't. It might only be a 'thanks' but that's enough for me. What would you be expecting.... someone doffing their cap and grovelling their gratitude?

Great post Fame and exactly how I feel.

What sort of places do you go to, limited?

Let me give you an example of what I think is excellence... take a chain restaurant, take a couple that meets there every week to do some work on laptops and they drink lots of tea - rarely food - just tea. It comes to £4. No waitress service but lady who does the tea offers to bring it to the table. She gets a tip of £1 (25%) and a big smile and many thanks. Every week she ups the ante, spots the couple when they get out of their cars and gets the pots ready... big smiles all round - receives a thoughtful small gift the next time and many thanks. Continued brilliant and friendly service extends to colleagues who also take a shine to this couple - tip is now routine but appreciation is demonstrated by couple to the staff - nice chocolates, sweets from trips and, most appreciated by staff of all, a heartfelt recommendation on a site that matters to them - and manager made aware and comes over to couple to thank them - staff receive a bonus in their pay from the company because of the review...

Ongoing and utterly harmonious arrangement for all.

No tap-dancing required and no children in attendance..

I don't feel great about tipping am as tight as the next person. Just feel shabby if I don't.

That. Is. ridiculous.

Tell me that post is to provoke a reaction.

You think this is how the service industry works and survives?!

Cross post - that was to lying