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’?

@SudocremOnEverything ha yes, it is rather against the grain!

Which doesn’t mean they should just decide to drive on the right instead. Which is pretty much what you’re doing if you decide not to tip ‘on principle’ in the US.

Yes @Butterflyfluff pretty much, however I had researched and had read that this was acceptable and it just seemed the US clientele we’re paying more but possibly I was just overly conscious about this.

I like to think we made a good enough effort and admittedly struggled with any more due to our own custom and practice.

Because good servers are motivated to be good. If they were all paid the same, being a surly, slow server would pay just as well.

But the point is, it doesn’t matter how good or bad they are anyway - the same tip is expected regardless

Americans like to remind us how great their freedom and capitalist ways are so much better than systems in UK are socialism. I don't see UK as a socialist country but they can keep their freedoms of working that don't include fair pay, paid sick leave, paid vacations, guaranteed health care at the point of need that doesn't bankrupt you.
So I don't believe customer tip should be expected or used to top up a poor wage. If I choose to tip it would be for exceptional service on top of the basic service I expect as an already paying customer. However US service is so OTT, to the point of being almost insulting that it often would stop me tipping.
How can anyone be taxed on a tip unless they receive it first. Income tax is taken on the income received. How can it be taken on what is expected, if that were so can I inform HMRC I only expect income of £1 this financial year and to tax me accordingly

tip; plural noun: tips
1.
a sum of money given to someone as a reward for a service.

I get what you’re saying, I just can’t be bothered with worrying about stuff like that on holiday so opt to avoid it altogether

Don't worry I won't be going again in a hurry but I have been in the past😀

I should have said unionised workers who strike for better pay. And the lack of the latter is the cause of the former.

Doing what is expected in your job role being fairly rewarded is the motivation. If I need to pay extra to get you to be civil, and present palatable food, safe taxi ride etc. then my business is taken to another provider. I am a customer, not the one responsible for motivating the staff

We are going to New York in December for a few days. I have been to the USA many times before, but not for a few years. I always tried to make sure I had smaller dollar bills ready to hand out. Sounds like it is still necessary to carry lots of notes around for tipping taxis, hotel staff etc. It feels like you are endlessly giving away cash in notes, which is quite weird and a bit stressful (is it enough? do I need to pay the barman/ doorman for every drink/ every time we come in?)

DH is no help because he "doesn't like" tipping. He seems wilfully to misunderstand that it's a cultural necessity, whether he likes it or not, so it all falls on me.

Can't wait though. Bring on the Big Apple and all its madness. Bloody love it. (Though any tips on how best to deal with the practicalities of tipping would be very well received.)

I will never forget going to IHOP in NYC and being seen once by the server the whole time we sat in there. Paid $30 for pancakes, he'd forgotten some of our stuff and was clearly having a bad day as he had a foul face on him. I left $5 as I didn't think I needed to tip at fast food places and wanted to cheer him up. He looked like he wanted to punch me.
Same happened in Miami. I went to a cafe and ordered some eggs and sausage at the till. Paid and waited at the table. Had to pick up my own cutlery etc and they added $8 to a $10 order! I was shocked.
I think it takes away all the meaning of a tip. It should be for service you're really really happy with.

I struggle hugely with dyscalculia and have no idea to work out percentages. I just wouldn't be able to cope with this at all.

If it helps it's on most receipts at the bottom in % values and it has the dollar values next to it e.g 15% $10 so you know how much to add on. If in doubt and you have an iPhone and pop the total bill in and times by 1.2 in your calculator?

So why don’t companies raise their rates, and then pay their staff that %

My US colleagues appear to be genuinely convinced that the only way to incentivise people in the service industries is to have their money directly linked to their service. They don't accept that well paid staff will provide good service.

There again, they are also convinced that the recent urban railway is the source of the homeless problem in LA so ....

If it's on the receipts it's not too bad then. I'd be flapping if I had to try and work it out.

I have tipped in the US/Caribbean but I hate it, so awkward.

plus you have to have cash on you all the time

I have no problem tipping if the service is good or even fair. But if the service is bad I as an introverted Brit have to choose between tipping anyway Or having a grumpy and uncomfortable conversation on my holiday. That annoys me. I want a feedback form or something.

If you go to the toilet do you have to tip the toilet attendant each time?

If so, is it worth practising bladder control exercises before we go to minimise the number of loo trips?

I don't remember seeing a single toilet attendant when I was in New York so I wouldnt go wild.

Well I’ve been to new York twice and the only time I tipped was In restaurants. They get paid a wage so why would I tip. I certainly wouldn’t be tipping the room service when they didn’t come until the last day. Or a toilet attendant no chance. It’s a load of crap and I refuse to tip.

The card payment options all include a tip section usually three different options 20/25/30% where I live.
I like this as I don't have to work out the tip or carry cash.
The tip is absolutely still expected though.

Well I’ve been to new York twice and the only time I tipped was In restaurants. They get paid a wage so why would I tip. I certainly wouldn’t be tipping the room service when they didn’t come until the last day. Or a toilet attendant no chance. It’s a load of crap and I refuse to tip.

Maybe consider staying home for your hollyers in the future then, instead of stiffing the poor people who depend on tips to give them a living wage, and who actually get taxed on assumed tips.

People who are so privileged that they can afford a holiday on another continent but refuse to get in step with expectations of those who make their time enjoyable should give their heads a wobble.

It's not principled. It's tightness on steroids.