The Ubiquitous Tip Jar

Discussion in 'Politics and other "Messy" Stuff' started by Nathan, Sep 5, 2009.

  1. KittyMini

    KittyMini Club Coordinator

    Jun 24, 2009
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    I really didn't know the norm when I first went to my ink guy, so rather than make a bad impression, I tipped him..... I've been doing it ever since (it's been 13 months now :rolleyes5:) I know their hourly rates, and he charges me about 1/2 of that. I figure in the end I'm making out, but in all reality, I guess it's just my opinion to tip him. He has done an amazing job. I give him the same tip amount every time I go, so it's not a set percentage I give, but rather a set amount.

    I guess I was always in the habit of tipping the hairdresser. There I usually leave 20%.

    Servers I always leave a tip... even if I was not really happy with the service. Although, if I'm getting annoyed, I try and look around to see if they're running around and have been over seated. I have to admit, 99% of the time, when I go out and eat I get pretty good service... it's rare I don't.


     
  2. versus

    versus Active Member

    Sep 8, 2009
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    I look at Tip Jars more as a suggestion than a rule...kinda like the pirate code, aaaaarrrrrrrrrrrr. Nice way to handle it though and the mental image I got about a kid in a beater honda drifting around soccer moms to get your pizza to you on time made me laugh out loud, now people are staring:confused:
     
  3. Dr Obnxs

    Dr Obnxs New Member

    Jun 11, 2009
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    I'm cheap I guess...

    Tipping in restaurants is normal here, but not everywhere. I was in a bar in Tokyo and left some money on the bar after getting some drinks. The bartender came out from behind the bar to return my money!

    I got in a bit of an arguement with one of my wife's friends. She tips 20% no matter what, sometimes higher! I asked her why, she said waiting tables was hard work and didn't pay well. I basically said so the eff what? Just cause someone chose a shittty job I have to pay extra? Seems stupid to me. We really aren't giving the server extra money, every place I've ever known the details for does some sort of tip pooling, so the lazy get the benefit of the hard working, and the chefs get a slice too. OK and fine.... But I'm with the 15% for doing a good job, a bit more for excellent work. Less for crappy work.

    For the other tip jars around, It depends. Dry cleaner, never. For Starbucks or ColdStone, it depends on my mood and the service.

    Really, tips are more of a subsidy for the owner, they can pay thier staff less and have us make up the difference. System sucks.

    I've also noticed that those that have been wait staff tend to be higher tippers than folks like me who haven't been. But I've had crappy low paying jobs, and I've never gotten tips for doing what I was hired to do. The service industry employees have it good, as they see the customers and have access to tips and a culture that promotes it.

    Overall, I think the Japanese have it right...

    Matt
     
  4. nabeshin

    nabeshin New Member

    Jun 8, 2009
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    Yeah, I was going to mention the situation in Japan but then thought that people would say "But we live in America, not Japan."

    Japan: no tipping, and the price you see is the price you pay (tax is added into the displayed price, everywhere)

    It was glorious.
     
  5. KittyMini

    KittyMini Club Coordinator

    Jun 24, 2009
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    This I agree with..... it's a crappy system.

    but I guess I'm willing to tip well for not having to cook :D

     
  6. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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  7. TPLS BLR

    TPLS BLR Member

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    I also feel the tip jar is a suggestion at best, and depending on where I am and my mood at the present time, and if I feel like having coins jingle in my pocket or not, will determine if I leave anything. On a similar but separate note, what about those charity boxes they have set up? Do you leave money in there? Don't, at least some of them, seem sketchy? Like they were set up to keep the cashiers beer/weed fund stocked?
     
  8. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    I am annoyed by the Girls Scout / Boy Scout / Homeless / Veteran / Sheriff / WhoKnowsWhats staked out by the entry into my local grocery store every time I go shopping.
     
  9. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    Like Vinny in My Blue Heaven, I tend to overtip, but you know what, it seems almost like I get worse service for doing so.....maybe it's just me......

    But tip the dry cleaners? I don't think so, Tim.....
     
  10. mimini1

    mimini1 New Member

    Dec 2, 2009
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    I think I tip quite well at restaurants, but what get me upset is when I pay a server with cash and they ask if I want change. I am more likely to leave a bigger tip if they just bring my change and say thank you.
     
  11. Wikedmini

    Wikedmini MINI of the Month - December 2009

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    i tip base on service, If i have to wait.. the tip goes down
     
  12. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    Of course I am a male chauvinist pig, so I just tip based on the bra size.
     
  13. Tom2112

    Tom2112 New Member

    Mar 16, 2010
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    Tipping is ridiculous. The system totally sucks. Why are customers forced to subsidize the wages of restaurant workers? And why are the workers taxed on wages they may or may not have received? There's got to be something unconstitutional about that.

    In a restaurant or bar, I tip well - usually 20%. Higher if I am a regular and they treat me well (remember my drink order, greet me by name, treat me like a friend). I also tip delivery drivers. If I get bad service, I always make a point to leave a very small tip - like a few coins - so they know I didn't forget and that I was displeased.

    But I'll never tip a dry cleaner, mini-mart worker, or other misc. worker. They have a job, they can either do it or not. If they don't like how little they make, then maybe they should do what I did: WORK HARDER AND GET A BETTER JOB! (It's called bettering yourself rather than relying on society to take care of you.) I don't get tipped for doing my job. Why should anyone else?

    Also, why are tips taxed? Are they not charity? Charitable donations aren't taxed are they?
     
  14. Tom2112

    Tom2112 New Member

    Mar 16, 2010
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    Wait, I take that back. I did tip my dry cleaner once.

    Why?

    Because I had stupidly left a bank deposit envelope with over $1,000 in cash in my suit jacket. Every penny was there when I picked it up. They deserved a tip for not ripping me off. I had no idea where I had left that deposit. I thought it was gone for good and I'd have never know if they had kept it.
     
  15. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    Sounds like they didn't really clean your jacket. :D
     
  16. Robin Casady

    Robin Casady New Member
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    Nov 30, 2009
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    Tips are so the employer can under-pay workers. It is just a sneaky way of making you think the product or service is less expensive. When you look at the prices on a menu do you ever add the tip when contemplating what to get? It is the same psychology as pricing $19.95 instead of $20.
     
  17. Boxcars

    Boxcars New Member

    May 27, 2009
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    Not trying to speak for Nathan but it seems he was p oed
    about the audacity of the person behind him telling hem what he should have done.
    That would have pis d me off too.
    I have waited tables and tended bar and do tend to be generous when served well and quickly, i take into consideration that most are making min wage(in CA that is $8 )
    but it should be based on service and quality, not expected,
    the penny idea is good, your drawing paul is great,
    boxcars
     
  18. Onramp

    Onramp Enjoy the Hiways of Life!
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    May 4, 2009
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    I kinda look for a tip jar to put the unwanted change - I guess I'm kind of a change snob, as I just don't like the jangly nature of this stuff in a pocket (I do keep quarters, mostly). That said, I agree with everybody in that how does ringing up my purchase justify a tip? I recall the snarly "thanks" for the $.06 change I tossed in a "tip" jar. I asked "What do you mean?" and got a snarly "That ain't gonna buy me lunch!". So I did a Nathan and asked "What did you do for a tip, REALLY??". I got no answer so I got my $.06 out of the tip jar and just dealt with the jangly nature of the weights in my pocket.

    Trying to avoid any mention of our current national leadership and socialism in the same sentence, just where do these clerks and cashiers get off? What - I owe them something for them doing their job? Not likely. When I find a cashier or clerk who exhibits some life, some effort at being a human being with a spark of customer service, I offer them my company website and on opportunity for employment with a firm who recognizes the extra steps to make a human interaction memorable. Unfortunately, that is becoming a fairly rare occurrence.

    I've worked for everything I have. I RESENT anyone who feels that things are owed to them because they breathe air. Happy to tell them that, too.

    Sheesh.

    Pat
     
  19. goaljnky

    goaljnky New Member

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    Hmm... I run an IT help desk... maybe I should try putting up a Tip Jar.
     
  20. Tom2112

    Tom2112 New Member

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    Yeah, they'll send virtual tips! :crazy:
     

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