Comments on: The Tipping Point http://www.miss604.com/2008/01/the-tipping-point.html Vancouver Blog Miss604 Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:16:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Megan http://www.miss604.com/2008/01/the-tipping-point.html#comment-5099 Megan Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:01:33 +0000 http://www.miss604.com/2008/01/the-tipping-point.html#comment-5099 I REFUSE to tip just because it is expected. I'm an American, I've worked in industries where there is tipping, and I honestly HATED the tip jar. I was being paid over the minimum wage, and I was aware of the wages when I took the job. I didn't deserve to be subsidized just because I was working in an industry where I served someone. When I receive exemplary service, I will tip, because it is a BONUS, and not a guaranteed "on top of your salary/wages" amount. I also RARELY carry cash, so they get a heartfelt thank you, and that's generally it. As for the car service/Taxi, they don't get tipped. We have a verbal contract that for a pre-arranged amount, they will drive me to a location. I don't tip a plumber because he is doing his job for the specified amount. I don't tip delivery people. What tipping does is legitimize substandard wages. Oh, and when I do tip, I am generous. I just don't believe in doing so because it's a custom. I REFUSE to tip just because it is expected. I’m an American, I’ve worked in industries where there is tipping, and I honestly HATED the tip jar. I was being paid over the minimum wage, and I was aware of the wages when I took the job. I didn’t deserve to be subsidized just because I was working in an industry where I served someone.

When I receive exemplary service, I will tip, because it is a BONUS, and not a guaranteed “on top of your salary/wages” amount. I also RARELY carry cash, so they get a heartfelt thank you, and that’s generally it.

As for the car service/Taxi, they don’t get tipped. We have a verbal contract that for a pre-arranged amount, they will drive me to a location. I don’t tip a plumber because he is doing his job for the specified amount. I don’t tip delivery people.

What tipping does is legitimize substandard wages.

Oh, and when I do tip, I am generous. I just don’t believe in doing so because it’s a custom.

]]> By: The (Lost) Art of Customer Service » Vancouver Blog Miss 604 http://www.miss604.com/2008/01/the-tipping-point.html#comment-5098 The (Lost) Art of Customer Service » Vancouver Blog Miss 604 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:01:14 +0000 http://www.miss604.com/2008/01/the-tipping-point.html#comment-5098 [...] with their decision to deal with the establishment. Also, customer service is not all about tips, a steady and repeat customer-base is to be valued most and it can be gained no matter the nature [...] [...] with their decision to deal with the establishment. Also, customer service is not all about tips, a steady and repeat customer-base is to be valued most and it can be gained no matter the nature [...]

]]> By: Sean http://www.miss604.com/2008/01/the-tipping-point.html#comment-5097 Sean Thu, 24 Jan 2008 01:18:38 +0000 http://www.miss604.com/2008/01/the-tipping-point.html#comment-5097 I used to have a job where I made minimum wage + tips. I made a point of getting a better job, then a better job, and a better job after that. I could have stayed in my "just-over-minimum-wage" job if I'd wanted to. But that would have been my choice and the consequences would have been mine to deal with as well. Tips are for service above and beyond the requirements of the job. I used to have a job where I made minimum wage + tips. I made a point of getting a better job, then a better job, and a better job after that. I could have stayed in my “just-over-minimum-wage” job if I’d wanted to. But that would have been my choice and the consequences would have been mine to deal with as well.

Tips are for service above and beyond the requirements of the job.

]]> By: Bill http://www.miss604.com/2008/01/the-tipping-point.html#comment-5096 Bill Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:48:06 +0000 http://www.miss604.com/2008/01/the-tipping-point.html#comment-5096 In the US, service people (wait staff, bell staff, etc.) in most places get paid minimum wage or less ("tip credit"). Theoretically, tips + hourly pittance => minimum wage. Even if that's true, YOU try living on just-over-minimum wage, working on your feet for long shifts, and putting up with people who often have no concept of what "kindness" or "courtesy" mean and who treat you as a menial sub-sentient monkey. I tip. A lot (relatively speaking). It isn't going to kill anybody who can afford to stay in a decent hotel or to have a decent meal to spend a few more bucks. [/rant] Maybe they pay better in Canada. In the US, service people (wait staff, bell staff, etc.) in most places get paid minimum wage or less (“tip credit”). Theoretically, tips + hourly pittance => minimum wage. Even if that’s true, YOU try living on just-over-minimum wage, working on your feet for long shifts, and putting up with people who often have no concept of what “kindness” or “courtesy” mean and who treat you as a menial sub-sentient monkey.

I tip. A lot (relatively speaking). It isn’t going to kill anybody who can afford to stay in a decent hotel or to have a decent meal to spend a few more bucks. [/rant]

Maybe they pay better in Canada.

]]> By: Ian Bell http://www.miss604.com/2008/01/the-tipping-point.html#comment-5095 Ian Bell Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:53:28 +0000 http://www.miss604.com/2008/01/the-tipping-point.html#comment-5095 The flat rate to the airport is $46, not $50. So the driver tipped your bellman for you by paying him a commission. He got his piece of our action either way, Reb. The flat rate to the airport is $46, not $50. So the driver tipped your bellman for you by paying him a commission. He got his piece of our action either way, Reb.

]]> By: fotoeins http://www.miss604.com/2008/01/the-tipping-point.html#comment-5094 fotoeins Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:20:43 +0000 http://www.miss604.com/2008/01/the-tipping-point.html#comment-5094 As I understand things here in Chile, the young'uns who bag my groceries are unpaid. If so, I'll give `em between 100 to 500 pesos, depending on how much I'm buying and/or the final bill. However, the "tipping" for folks who washed my car (with dirty water) or "looked out" for my car (without my asking ... i.e., they didn't fuck up my car) really put my shorts up in a wad ... I don't mind things on the European continent where servers are paid and tipping is optional (below about 50 Euros IMHO). On the one hand, just rounding up to the next Euro takes some acclimatizing (re. feeling the compunction to tip); on the other hand, knowing a few Euros tip on top of a 50+ Euro bill felt completely right after a time. Then again, the expats among us used to feel at times that "customer service" was at times non-existent, or, at worst,"customer dis-service" ... because they knew they were being paid. "Es gibt kein Kundendienst, sondern nur Verkäuferscheisse." As I understand things here in Chile, the young’uns who bag my groceries are unpaid. If so, I’ll give `em between 100 to 500 pesos, depending on how much I’m buying and/or the final bill.

However, the “tipping” for folks who washed my car (with dirty water) or “looked out” for my car (without my asking … i.e., they didn’t fuck up my car) really put my shorts up in a wad …

I don’t mind things on the European continent where servers are paid and tipping is optional (below about 50 Euros IMHO). On the one hand, just rounding up to the next Euro takes some acclimatizing (re. feeling the compunction to tip); on the other hand, knowing a few Euros tip on top of a 50+ Euro bill felt completely right after a time.

Then again, the expats among us used to feel at times that “customer service” was at times non-existent, or, at worst,”customer dis-service” … because they knew they were being paid. “Es gibt kein Kundendienst, sondern nur Verkäuferscheisse.”

]]> By: Raul http://www.miss604.com/2008/01/the-tipping-point.html#comment-5093 Raul Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:05:47 +0000 http://www.miss604.com/2008/01/the-tipping-point.html#comment-5093 Excellent response Elizabeth. My mistake, I had totally misunderstood what you meant :) And it's true, it's so nice to give a tip AND have it accepted with a smile :) Excellent response Elizabeth. My mistake, I had totally misunderstood what you meant :)

And it’s true, it’s so nice to give a tip AND have it accepted with a smile :)

]]> By: Jenny http://www.miss604.com/2008/01/the-tipping-point.html#comment-5092 Jenny Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:48:15 +0000 http://www.miss604.com/2008/01/the-tipping-point.html#comment-5092 I imagine he helped you because while standing over you he could see down your top, that's all the tip he needed ;) I imagine he helped you because while standing over you he could see down your top, that’s all the tip he needed ;)

]]> By: Elizabeth http://www.miss604.com/2008/01/the-tipping-point.html#comment-5091 Elizabeth Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:39:10 +0000 http://www.miss604.com/2008/01/the-tipping-point.html#comment-5091 Raul, when I said that "you have to tip for everything in Mexico" I didn't necessarily mean that everyone HAD TO. What I did mean is that tipping is far more normal and accepted/expected in Mexico. Do I tip for everything? Absolutely not. But I do tip for a lot more things than I would in Vancouver. In addition to tipping for a lot more things, this tip is often as little as 1 cent depending on the "good deed" and is always accepted with a smile. When I was visiting friends and family back home in September, I remember wondering if I should tip the girl who put air in my tires at the gas station. In Mexico I would tip and wouldn't think twice about it. When I was in Vancouver, I was confused and thought maybe the girl would be insulted if I did that. I tipped her anyways and she was confused yet happy. Tipping should be optional and is obviously a personal decision. I don't think there are any steadfast rules. Some people over tip, some people under tip. And as for those tip jars in coffee joints or other stores, sometimes they are put there because people keep asking, "Where is your tip jar?". Not because they expect the tip necessarily. Raul, when I said that “you have to tip for everything in Mexico” I didn’t necessarily mean that everyone HAD TO. What I did mean is that tipping is far more normal and accepted/expected in Mexico. Do I tip for everything? Absolutely not. But I do tip for a lot more things than I would in Vancouver. In addition to tipping for a lot more things, this tip is often as little as 1 cent depending on the “good deed” and is always accepted with a smile.

When I was visiting friends and family back home in September, I remember wondering if I should tip the girl who put air in my tires at the gas station. In Mexico I would tip and wouldn’t think twice about it. When I was in Vancouver, I was confused and thought maybe the girl would be insulted if I did that. I tipped her anyways and she was confused yet happy.

Tipping should be optional and is obviously a personal decision. I don’t think there are any steadfast rules. Some people over tip, some people under tip.

And as for those tip jars in coffee joints or other stores, sometimes they are put there because people keep asking, “Where is your tip jar?”. Not because they expect the tip necessarily.

]]> By: Tawcan http://www.miss604.com/2008/01/the-tipping-point.html#comment-5090 Tawcan Tue, 22 Jan 2008 18:23:41 +0000 http://www.miss604.com/2008/01/the-tipping-point.html#comment-5090 I think tipping should be an optional thing not mandatory. You shouldn't need to tip for horrible services. It's simple as that. I agree with you, if they're volunteering their services, you shouldn't tip either. The whole tipping 10-18% thing is just ridiculous IMO. Couple of my friends are planning their weddings and told me that for the catering you're suppose to tip like a 15% gratitude on top of your catering bill. If the bill is in the high thousands range, you're almost tipping close to a thousand dollar in tips! That's just insane! I think tipping should be an optional thing not mandatory. You shouldn’t need to tip for horrible services. It’s simple as that. I agree with you, if they’re volunteering their services, you shouldn’t tip either.

The whole tipping 10-18% thing is just ridiculous IMO. Couple of my friends are planning their weddings and told me that for the catering you’re suppose to tip like a 15% gratitude on top of your catering bill. If the bill is in the high thousands range, you’re almost tipping close to a thousand dollar in tips! That’s just insane!

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