Forum Topic

Tipping - yes or no?

What are gratuities, tips, service charges and words like those?  I'm not sure I like the notions and meanings of tipping. What are the pros and cons of tipping?  Your opinions please.

Gerry Tan ● 3816d10 Comments

You are quite within your legal rights to refuse to pay for not only the meal never mind the service charge. The meal has of course to be either inedible, not what you ordered or served on dirty crockery etc. or you mightb have found an undesirable object in it.

Keith Iddon ● 3813d

It is not compulsory. Or are you thinking that the typical added on service charge 10% / 12.5% service charge in restaurants should be against the law? Indeed why not just roll it into the listed prices on the menus.But please not banned. I do not want to spend 10 years in clank for tipping my postie/hairdresser/waiter(ess) when I consider they have been particularly attentive and efficient - or more commonly just doing their jobs with a smile.

Philip Coe ● 3813d

Tipping is a very strange habit - it should be banned imo.

Gerry Tan ● 3814d

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3205904/Restaurant-chain-C-te-blasted-emerged-bosses-12-5-service-charge-added-bills-make-waiters-say-s-shared-asked.htmlI was very surprised to read in the weekend Press that the Cote restaurant staff don't get any of the tips we leave. It's dimmed my view of their establishments.Maybe such practices have a PRO side.I tip delivery drivers (but not the Postman)... and my Barber (but not the Dentist!)... etc.

Jim Lawes ● 3814d

often ask where the tips go if I've had particularly exceptional service and if it's directly to the waiter/waitress in question who has served me if I pay in cash I will leave something even on top of a service charge. If it's collective I don't think it's fair because not all staff are as dedicated or as competent as each other so I'll pay service charge if it's there and if not leave whatever change is clogging my wallet up.I have only not once paid it when the service was so outrageously bad and they were snatching unfinished plates and wine in glasses from our hands. I complained to the manager and she was very understanding.As for tipping elsewhere I tip my hairdresser because she does a really good job and weve been friends for years but I've never tipped a taxi driver and I've never got why people do that either? I mostly use Uber now which does have a tip function but you can't add it on it's just a set percentage of each journey.

Ata Rahman ● 3814d

Well it is not compulsory but not quite sure why one should feel uneasy by tipping - I'm the other way when considering  not tipping even when it is perhaps not deserved. I am sure the recipients don't feel it is patronising assuming that the tip is offered with grace.

Philip Coe ● 3814d

I've always felt uneasy about tipping. I don't see why one should tip a hairdresser, a taximan, a waiter or indeed anyone for doing what they should do, unless they offer more help than normally required. I too feel uneasy about offering a tip(it could be seen as patronising).

Gerry Tan ● 3815d

I don't really like the system, which seems a bit demeaning to the staff to me. I know my hairdresser pretty well and we always have a good chat while she cuts my hair and it feels awkward to pay and say, 'And here's 10% for yourself (my good woman)'.

Susan Kelly ● 3815d

I believe that many restaurants operate what is called a 'tronc' system.  This means that all tips are pooled and distributed equally to all staff, including kitchen staff who may otherwise not be given tips as only the waiting staff are usually visible to the customer. This seems to me a fair system.  However, some establishments impose a service charge and then cream off some of this to the management before the staff get their share.  This seems to me very wrong.Personally, I always tip taxi drivers, restaurant staff and my hairdresser (who always tries to refuse it - but I insist!) We also had a new carpet laid last week and I tipped the carpet layer who did an excellent job, despite my panic that the carpet was the wrong shade.  I thought he deserved it after the shock I gave him!

Thelma Leach ● 3815d

Certain trades and businesses expect tips.  These include taxi drivers, waiting staff in restaurants, hairdressers and some hotel employees.  I see no reason why these people should receive more than they have already asked for.  If it is that they rely on tips to make up their wages, they are underpaid in the first place and the living wage regulations are incorrect.  A price on a menu, pricelist or meter is what it is; why should the customer be expected to pay more?  Further, how does a customer know that even service charges are distributed to the most deserving employees.  Outstanding service, above and beyond the usual, can very well be rewarded but all too often, it does not reach all of the (possibly lower paid) staff concerned who may not be seen.

Brian Davis ● 3816d