To think the US tipping culture is completely alien to British people

[Butterflyfluff]

Inspired by a thread about spending money in NYC but it’s what puts me off going to US or Caribbean again.

It seems everything has to be tipped

• All food servers
• Toilet attendants
• Room cleaning each day
• Every drink service, even in an all inclusive hotel
• Meal, even in a buffet where you serve yourself
• Basically anything where someone else is doing something for you

Why is this so ‘expected’?

Their union fought for that pay rise, previously it was well under the $16 minimum which it's currently set at.

It’s easier to work out what’s expected against menu prices - even if it is annoying that it’s expected no matter how bad the service

What really baffles me is the expectation of tips in the toilet, or for housekeeping, or the hotel receptionist or in an AI hotel each time you get a drink

We got chatting to a bar tender in New York and he explained that his wages were practically nothing - literally like $10 a shift but he got health care paid by his employer. So he was literally working for health care and living off his tips.

We cruise a lot and the tips can be added as part of your package ie included in the price. I don’t like the model but as others have said, it’s a different “culture” so you’ve got to factor it in when considering the cost of the trip. A bit like booking a 5 quid Ryanair flight then moaning you had to pay “extra” for luggage, sitting together etc.

They don't have proper rights in their country for service workers. I can't remember the name of it but there's an exemption from minimum wage so people like waitresses are on about $2 an hour.

But this isn't true everywhere. It's not true in New York, but you still have to tip everyone. They get really angry if you don't, even if they earn way more than you. It's embedded in the culture.

As I never tip here unless the service/food is outstanding I would even think about automatically adding 20% to my bill
Seems very unfair but it up to employers to pay their staff properly , tips should be an extra not expected

What on earth do toilet attendants need tipping for? What do they do?

We go next month, the concept of toilet attendants baffles me

@Mumofsend have to admit I don't frequent establishments that have them!

Living in the US, we tip at sit down restaurants and hairdressers etc. Usually 15% (but dependent on service). We never tip for take away/self service etc.

I hate tipping. The best holiday we had was when the venue didn't allow tippinf and just took a total to share between staff at the end of your stay.

We do tip but we've had some awful service because of tipping. Two people eating a small meal and no alcohol tend to get completely ignored in favour of the table of 7 all drinking their life savings away.

because theyr epaid crap wages and expect servers to make it up with tips-ive always been genrous there and had great service so i dont mind

its shocking what their basic wage is

@candycaneframe i was just pointing out the hypocrisy of Mumsnet - UK nurses paid enough, service workers in USA not paid enough.
I’ve worked as a housekeeper when I was much younger. I know how hard they work. Good on them for having a decent union who fought for them!! They deserve every cent.

you shold tell them that next time youre there then

I hate it and it has put me off visiting. I’m happy to pay more so staff can have a fair wage but it is weird and stressful to be thinking about tipping all the time. I feel the same about sales taxes being added on afterwards (equivalent to VAT not being on the price of things). It’s all added stress I can’t be bothered with.

I’m American and tipping is second nature to me. When I was very young, I waited tables and found that I earned my tips. Some servers get a lot, for good service, some not so much. A few years ago, I was employed in the preparation of income taxes and servers around here work hard (tourist area-think hurricane preparations this week) and most decent servers made over $40,000 a year then. Now my son is a cook in a small, niche restaurant in SW Pennsylvania. It is only open for breakfast and lunch. Tips are collective, and are spread among the crew. Dishwasher, cooks, everyone gets a share relative to their hours. Last year, he averaged well over $20 an hour, but if you went to their restaurant, you’d understand. It is truly exceptional-food, service, everything. We show appreciation for good service. Eating out around here is often an experience, and the staff are encouraged to make every experience a pleasant one. I tip, because I always have, and include it in the cost of the meal when budgeting. As for taxes, they are a state function, so differ from one to another. You can ask.

But if it’s not optional it’s not a tip is it, it’s just part of the price of something so why don’t they just add that on to the actual price
I was in America earlier this year and a taxi driver actually shouted at us for not tipping - that’s not how tipping works pal 🤨

Keep the toilets, washbasins and floor clean, replenish the soap and toilet paper, make sure nobody has left taps running, toilets blocked or broken anything?

I'd rather tip a dollar and have a properly looked after toilet than be stuck with some of the unattended ones I've seen over here, to be honest.

But not everyone that goes on holiday has loads of cash to spare. Some ppl save years to afford a holiday and are on a strict budget. I avoid travelling to countries where tipping is the norm it’s awkward and can get really expensive. I had it when on holiday in turkey recently basically you don’t get your hotel room cleaned unless you leave a tip every day everyone is out to con as much money of tourists as possible I would never go back there or anywhere similar.

But if it’s not optional it’s not a tip is it, it’s just part of the price of something so why don’t they just add that on to the actual price

This

Colonialist? In what way is it colonialist, or are we just playing woke bingo?

I always tip housekeeping if I'm on holiday Europe it would be when we leave , bur last US holiday it was a few dollars daily ,I don't see why you wouldn't.

In the US I just grit my teeth and accept that 20% tip is expected on top of the advertised costs. It's not really different to the price displayed in a supermarket is before sales tax.

I much prefer the Northern European, certainly Scandinavian where wages are good and tips considered demeaning. A colleague visiting from the US didn't believe me until the waiter cam after her to return the cash left on the table.

The USA must be so expensive now

We were on a tight budget and did 10% in restaurants

I tried to tip the airport bus driver and he complained because I gave him silver (a dollar in change about 15 years ago - I think that is rude

Yes this. It’s not your country, so you can’t do a thing about it, so don’t make the low paid people serving you pay for your disapproval, just follow the local custom.

I just mentally add it on as part of the overall cost of the meal and don’t consider it optional. I include it in any budgeting for the holiday. I think it’s very rude to visit a country but ignore their customs.

Interestingly when I was in Paris when we went to tip the waiter said it was not necessary and explained he is trained and skilled in his role and thus paid well so doesn’t expect/ask for tips x