To decide to stop tipping

[RevokeRemainohsodit]

I'm a middle aged nursery nurse earning minimum wage. It seems daft to leave a tip for a waiter who will be earning at least as much as me. Likewise my hairdresser.

DH thinks I'm being cheap. Anyone else dared to stop tipping?

I tip generously for good service, because I was a waiter and remember how hard I worked to give my guests a good experience. Once you've seen 'behind the curtain' you realise that waiting staff are dealing with grumpy bosses, frankly abusive chefs, on their feet all day, no job security, no idea how many hours they're going to get that week, or on their 65th hour and they're still putting a smile on and giving me a good time?

Yeah, I'm tipping.

Many retail staff get commission, which is the equivalent of a tip: they sold well, they get a financial reward. But that's not the point anyway, culturally we don't tip for other industries, but we do tip for hospitality, so I'll tip.

Is it fuck demeaning. Money in exchange for labour is not demeaning.

*If you use the same hair dresser/restaurant regularly you will notice a change in how you are treated(

Not true. I have used the same hairdresser for years on and off occasionally using others, and her service is professional and good, otherwise I wouldn't go back.

Waiting staff are also too professional to give you bad service because you didn't tip if they even remember, which I doubt. Those who aren't professional won't last long.

If I have exceptional service, though, I'll always let managers or head offices know so that person might have a chance of a pay-rise or a bonus.

Very valid point, and that puts the onus on the employer to pay them a wage that reflects their output, not us as the customer!

I'm very put off my visiting the US again because of this. Nowhere else apart from cruises I hear, do you have to include a large amount of spends just for tips.

I stopped tipping hairdressers a while ago because the cost is too high now. I paid £130 for just a colour recently and thought no way to the tip, it just bumps it up even further if I start tipping everyone. I sometimes tip if I am in a restaurant but have been caught out by over tipping because a service charge has also been added!

I don't understand the argument that it's unfair that only some NMW jobs get tips and others don't. Of course different jobs have different wages and perks. If you want tips go into the service industry.

I highly doubt any service staff who actually receive tips find it "demeaning", personally I'd be much more embarrassed not to tip. I think it's increasingly expected these days and therefore I factor it in to the cost of the meal. If I can't afford a tip (assuming service was adequate) then I can't afford to go out - it's not that staff's fault I don't have the money.

I lived in the states for a few years and not tipping there is ridiculous. The fact that you have to tip and the reasons why are incredibly widely available. Not tipping isn't some kind of protest about the system, it just makes you a twat.

If I have exceptional service, though, I'll always let managers or head offices know so that person might have a chance of a pay-rise or a bonus

They won’t get a pay rise or a bonus. Their branch might get an email through saying you had been in contact, in which case the staff will be left thinking ‘they thought I gave great service but didn’t bother to tip’
I don’t always tip btw, depends on the type of place and service but having spent a decade in hospitality I know customer comments don’t equal a bonus.

Being cheap is definitely not an Americanism. Just because you haven't heard it doesn't make it wrong @Hazeintheclouds 😂

I tip if I've had great service. Not as a matter of course.

I hate tipping. It is outdated, feudal and demeaning. It is also unfair and discriminatory because society deems some service sector workers worthy of tips, eg waitresses, hairdressers, but not others, eg retail workers.

The minimum wage has, quite rightly, now increased to a point at which tipping should no longer be necessary.

Tipping is an American thing anyway I wouldn’t worry about it

Many retail staff get commission, which is the equivalent of a tip: they sold well, they get a financial reward. But that's not the point anyway, culturally we don't tip for other industries, but we do tip for hospitality, so I'll tip.

I've worked in retail on and off for 12 years and I don't know anyone who receives commission! Maybe in very, very high end jobs that might be the case, but not for average person who just works in a high street chain. Most supermarkets and high street shops pay NMW and that's that. No double time, no bonus for working Sundays or BH's - just normal flat pay regardless.

Besides, just because something is cultural doesn't mean it's right, fair or acceptable.

Tipping is a cause of friction at my work... I am a bar maid, and predominantly on my own on a Friday and Saturday night.

Any tips received go in the pot and are shared between all staff (not just those working that shift).

Tbh I would far rather have a thank you than a tip. Locals who know the system also choose to buy a drink for staff members working rather than tip.

If service is totally shit I leave a penny

That's a dreadful thing to do.

No one tips me at work! I frequently go above and beyond, it’s hardly as if lm well paid either

I’m cheap? Is that an Americanism? Is that the same as I’m mean?

I knew what it meant, but it always sounds like the person is for sale or something iyswim. If the person is generous, are they called expensive?

I don't tip very often, a meal out with friends we will all put a few quid in for the tip, I don't tip the hairdressers as it's quite a pricey hair cut in the first place!

Hairdressers/beauticians/massage therapists charge a lot more per hour than I earn....

But why does waitressing deserve a tip? I'm afraid I don't get it. Waitressing is no harder than millions of other minimum wage jobs yet there's this long-standing belief that they deserve tips whereas other people don't.

Because it just does - it's a cultural thing which still holds for most people. It's been a while since I did waitressing, but when I did waitresses were paid cash in hand £5 an hour. Legal? No. But plenty of stuff has always gone on and will always go on in this industry. At least people working for minimum wage for above-board companies actually get minimum wage.

For the those that struggle with the USA tipping culture when you visit - you are paying the waiter or bar staff directly for their service. Whereas in the U.K. and Europe, the cost of the waiting or bar service is rolled into the menu price.

It’s a shit system, agree, but it’s their culture and we’re the visitors. Just remember to mentally add 20% to menu prices when choosing where to eat to avoid nasty holes in your budget. And $1 per drink at the bar.

If tips go into a pot there is hardly any point leaving a tip for a particular member of staff who may have gone above and beyond is there? I will get shared with all staff , many of whom may not be great workers and have had nothing to do with your particular experience. My daughter worked in a bar and the tips got put in a jar. She never seemed to get any of the share as she worked weekends, it wasn't fair. Also there has been a lot in the media about tips just going in the till so the manager gets it all. I am not convinced that tips go to the right people. If I do give a tip I give it directly to the person concerned, but more than likely they are required to put it in a pot and will never see it again.

The only person who needs to be happy with your choices are you.

Because it just does - it's a cultural thing which still holds for most people.

Right - so people just do it because society expects it of them?

Is waitressing in Frankie and Benny's any harder than working in a shop and running up and down stairs to the stockroom all day? Or stacking shelves and lugging big cages/boxes about for eight hours?

It might be cultural to tip your waitress but when you look at it logically it's not exactly the most just or fair practise - I'm not surprised more and more people are questioning it. Millions of job earn minimum wage and don't receive tips for doing so - going beyond that, huge amounts of those people aren't allowed to receive a tip!

This isn't America, where servers don't earn minimum wage. Waitresses in the UK are paid the same as any other MW employee.

I would probably be happier not tipping in a chain restaurant if the service was bad, as big companies can't so easily pay less than minimum wage.

I've worked in several restaurants and cafes in London (independent, small outfits) as have most of my friends. The practice of paying less than minimum wage and relying on tips is widespread in my experience so I am much more mindful to tip.

It's totally your choice at the end of the day.

I don't find being tipped demeaning at all, what I do find demeaning is the idea that some people have that I expect a tip and say something along the lines of "And you needn't expect a tip!" Erm, I wasn't.
The only way tipping is demeaning is if you make it that way. Or if you treat someone like crap because they're serving you, and have the attitude you're better than them, and then leave a tip. That's demeaning, and lady of the Manorish.
As I and a pp have already said, I'd rather be treated with a bit of respect, than have a tip.

In Australia last year my db told me never to tip he said that if I tipped in a taxi or a restaurant the receiver would be embarrassed. It would be nice if we could just pay people a decent wage and ditch tipping.

So in Pizzahut about to pay...it said tip....yes no...
Pressed no.
He took the bill and left the pot the bill came in .
I know he was after a tip, as he upended the pot to check as we walked by the window...
Blooming cheek.