Should the US get rid of the tipping system?

[JumpyTheFrog]

Would you rather restaurants, salons, and other places where people tip pay their employees more (at least minimum wage) so we could get rid of tipping?

[QueenCat]

No. That would take away the incentive to give good service. However, I do think servers should receive a higher base pay.

[SailorMom]

I think we should just let each business decide how they'd like to handle it.

[Parrothead]

I think if we got rid of the tipping system people would still do a decent to good job because they don't want to be fired.

 

I think the system ought to be done away with. I've always found in confusing, and to an extent, embarrassing on my end

[Joker]

No. That would take away the incentive to give good service. However, I do think servers should receive a higher base pay.

 

 

:iagree: I think of all the bad customer service out there and how businesses don't really seem to care much these days if you complain about them. I imagine if there was no tipping that would cross over into these industries as well. It might be good for me because it would save me money when I quit going out at all. :tongue_smilie:

[Jennifer3141]

No. That would take away the incentive to give good service. However, I do think servers should receive a higher base pay.

 

 

Does it take away an incentive though? So my husband is toodling around the hospital today. It's not like he gets tipped by the family if he saves a guy in cardiac arrest. But he still feels an incentive to be a good physician.

 

Why do we think only minimum wage service jobs would perform well if we incentivized them through the tipping system? It seems to me the people who were running Enron were far more likely to be incentivized by instant cash. Why do we think only low income service jobs can/should be paid this way and that's what it takes to get them to do a good job?

[Forget-Me-Not]

I think we are tipping all the wrong people. In the immortal words of Dwight Schrute:

 

Why tip someone for a job I’m capable of doing myself? I can deliver food. I can drive a taxi. I can, and do, cut my own hair. I did however, tip my urologist, because I am unable to pulverize my own kidney stones.

 

But seriously, I'm torn on the issue. I do think it promotes good service, but I do not think workers in the service industries should be dependent on tips to make up the bulk of their pay. I'd rather see hourly wages and costs increase and tipping decrease (in amount, not necessarily in practice).

[jenangelcat]

Customer service has gone to the dogs over the past decade and I see no difference in those that are tipped. What happened to having good work ethic or doing your job well because you get paid for it? My first job was in a grocery store and everyone that worked there was polite and friendly to the customers. They got greeted and sent off with "have a nice day". These days you're lucky if the cashier even looks at you. It's not just service industries either. We run a construction business and it doesn't matter how good you are with your employees they automatically believe that they deserve better and do the minimum possible to avoid getting fired.

[Kathryn]

I think if we got rid of the tipping system people would still do a decent to good job because they don't want to be fired.

 

I think the system ought to be done away with. I've always found in confusing, and to an extent, embarrassing on my end

 

Agree. Tipping is stupid. I hate it.

[Onceuponatime]

I don't think service would change much without tipping, but restaurants might. Wouldn't employers have to hire less people or raise prices to cover the cost of paying employees more?

 

I'm not against getting rid of tipping as an income source. It would make things easier for the customer, plus they would still be free to tip for extraordinary service, wouldn't they?

[Parrothead]

:iagree: I think of all the bad customer service out there and how businesses don't really seem to care much these days if you complain about them. I imagine if there was no tipping that would cross over into these industries as well. It might be good for me because it would save me money when I quit going out at all. :tongue_smilie:

 

 

Bad customer service happens because the company doesn't care about customer service. They make their money in other ways so they don't have to care.

 

Service industries on the other hand do have to care about customer service. Lousy service means customers don't come back. When the money maker is service oriented you betcha they lousy customer service is not tolerated by those who hire and fire.

 

The restaurant that has had all its customers run off because of bad service is the restaurant that isn't making money.

 

Tipping as we know it did not start out as it is today. Service businesses used to pay a decent wage but figured why bother when their employees were getting large tips for decent service. So they started cutting down the hourly wage. More money in their pockets that way.

[Georgiana Daniels]

I don't think service would change much without tipping, but restaurants might. Wouldn't employers have to hire less people or raise prices to cover the cost of paying employees more?

 

I'm not against getting rid of tipping as an income source. It would make things easier for the customer, plus they would still be free to tip for extraordinary service, wouldn't they?

 

I agree with the bolded--that's exactly what I think would happen.

[JumpyTheFrog]

If they did away with tips, they could raise meal prices by 10-15% without the customer having to pay any more than they are now with tipping. The extra revenue could go to the staff's wages.

[PinkyandtheBrains.]

Yes, many other countries pay their servers a full wage. The customer service is fine. I do not think American's are less capable of quality service.

[Flowing Brook]

I think we should just let each business decide how they'd like to handle it.

 

:iagree:

[justasque]

...Wouldn't employers have to hire less people or raise prices to cover the cost of paying employees more?

 

Yes, of course. The difference to the buyer would be a set (higher) price vs. a "pay as you wish" one. The difference to the server would be a known reliable wage amount - whether it would be better for the server depends on how well their customers currently tip.

 

Restaurants who add a tip for large parties already basically do a form of this.

[Paige]

I would prefer if it became standard practice but I think the transition could be messy and confusing to consumers. I don't think less people would be employed because prices would rise to reflect the actual cost that customers have always been expected to pay. The problem will be because people are not super observant and don't like tipping when the server is being paid the tip already and they may balk at paying the "higher" prices without doing the math to realize they aren't out anything more than normal. I don't think the government or anyone needs to step in and make it happen, though. A few big name restaurants could start the trend by raising prices and instituting a no tipping policy.

[bnbacademy]

I like the tipping system just for the ability to generously give direct feedback for a job well done.

[lailasmum]

Here waiting staff are on minimum wage but it's still normal to tip if they give good service. So it's still in their best interests to give good service but they are at least on a decent wage too. I think it makes the employer responsible for ensuring they employ good people and train them well since they are paying them more.

[Lisbeth]

I would prefer to pay more for my food and haircuts than keep tipping. Tipping is annoying and awkward.

[JumpyTheFrog]

I wasn't suggesting a law to end tipping. A cultural change would be sufficient.

[SKL]

I think it's appropriate because when I go out to eat, I want to be treated in a way that enhances my comfort. I have experienced good and bad service. Bad service can ruin an otherwise nice meal, while good service goes a long way toward making the mediocre palateable. I do believe tipping is a meaningful incentive - especially if people actually peg it to the quality of their service. Tipping also enables us to bless people who might need a few more bucks than they technically earned. Tipping is also a way for the cost of a dinner to be somewhat adjusted for the means of the patron. When you're living paycheck to paycheck, you can give 15%, but when you have more your standard tip can be higher.

 

If I don't want to tip, I always have the option to eat at home, get fast food, or go to a "no tipping" buffet.

[SarahW]

Yes, many other countries pay their servers a full wage. The customer service is fine. I do not think American's are less capable of quality service.

 

True. Also, when I lived in Europe tipping was not "necessary" but if you liked the service you received you would usually leave a few euros on the table. Husband explained that this money would usually be put into a pot and then the employees would use it to throw themselves a party. That last part may be too "socialists" for America, but it seemed like it really encouraged teamwork on all levels between the kitchen and bussers and janitors and servers.

 

Because, really, if something goes wrong at the restaurant it may not be the servers fault at all. And, if your food is really good, that's not because of the server either. So why does that one person have to depend on those things for their basic wage?

[Shamzanne]

Waiters and waitresses are paid minimum wage in Oregon. It can be a very lucrative job! They often work short shifts or split shifts, though, and are sent home between meals.

[Heather in Neverland]

Customer service has gone to the dogs over the past decade and I see no difference in those that are tipped. What happened to having good work ethic or doing your job well because you get paid for it? My first job was in a grocery store and everyone that worked there was polite and friendly to the customers. They got greeted and sent off with "have a nice day". These days you're lucky if the cashier even looks at you. It's not just service industries either. We run a construction business and it doesn't matter how good you are with your employees they automatically believe that they deserve better and do the minimum possible to avoid getting fired.

 

You haven't seen bad customer service until you come here. No one tips here and it SHOWS. The customer service is abysmal. We went back to the states to visit after 3 years and the very first thing we noticed was how good customer service is in the states compared to Malaysia.

 

The other thing many of you take for granted is that decent customer service is an expectation for you and that if you don't get what you want, you have other avenues.... You don't leave a tip, you complain to the manager, you go someplace else.

 

We don't have that here. No tipping means no tip to take away when service is bad. Complain to the manager and they will look at you like you are crazy. This is a small island, there is no place else to go!

 

Please keep tipping people. If that culture changes, you will regret it.

 

 

[Guest]

I do NOT like tipping. Some services where tipping is expected are not underpaid to begin with. Hair styling springs to mind. I do understand that the food business underpays in expectation of tip earnings, but not all tipped work does. I don't think it encourages better service. It behooves a hair stylist to do the best job possible on their customers, to build a clientele. If word gets around they are dreadful, they will lose popularity and risk losing their job.

[renmew]

I do not know how this is handled in every state, but in California no one is paid less than minimum wage. Our checks come out to less than that per hour because we had to pay taxes on our tips as well. Some restaurants kept track of actual tips earned and based the taxes on that real number. The place I worked at had decided on an average and taxed us on that rate, whether or not we made that much.

 

So, it actually wouldn't cost the restaurants any more money, because they are already paying minimum wage. If tips were made illegal, then our check would be taxed at only the hourly rate.

 

Honestly, most servers would probably want to keep things where they are now. While there are some sorry, hole-in-the-wall places where tips are sad, most servers average much more than minimum wage and would hate to make the change. With tips removed, I guess restaurants would have to pay more if they wanted to keep their employees, instead of being left with the absolute bottom of the barrel workers. So, we'd all be paying more in the process... what's the difference then? In this economy, chances are the quality of service at restaurants would nosedive if the pay rate was forced to stay at minimum wage only.

 

Education may be the answer: I would like to know if pizza drivers are taxed assuming tips. If they are, they must be tipped just as restaurant servers are. Otherwise, too many cheap tippers are actually forcing the driver to pay for the cost of delivering their pizza through taxes. That's not nice.

[FaithManor]

 

True. Also, when I lived in Europe tipping was not "necessary" but if you liked the service you received you would usually leave a few euros on the table. Husband explained that this money would usually be put into a pot and then the employees would use it to throw themselves a party. That last part may be too "socialists" for America, but it seemed like it really encouraged teamwork on all levels between the kitchen and bussers and janitors and servers.

 

Because, really, if something goes wrong at the restaurant it may not be the servers fault at all. And, if your food is really good, that's not because of the server either. So why does that one person have to depend on those things for their basic wage?

 

I actually really like this idea. I'd have loved to "tip" the chef at Riva's! So, paying a reasonable price for good food, and then putting a little bit by my choice into a pot that benefits everyone who works at the restaurant, sounds good to me since it takes a collaborative effort for the experience to be excellent.

 

Faith

[Deee]

We don't automatically tip in Australia. We only tip for great service. Most of the time, service is good. You get the occasional arrogant early-20-something who obviously doesn't think you are good enough to sit at one of their tables, but they'd be like that if you tipped or didn't (and I never tip arrogance). Our waitstaff are paid a base wage which is much better than the US minimum wage (ie you can live on it). The restaurant industry is starting to expect tips, but I think a lot of Aussies resent this. Food prices are high here. Restaurant prices are very high.

 

I think Aussies find your tipping system difficult and embarrassing. We are used to paying the stated bill and chucking in a bit extra. We don't work on a percentage of the bill. In taxis (cabs), we pay the fare and the taxi driver hands over the change. Unless he's driven you many miles, or performed some feat of driving brilliance, we don't expect to tip cabbies. We don't have bellboys, we can carry our own bags and open doors, and we expect workers to be paid properly by their employers, not by the customer. Hence our international reputation for tightwaddery!

D

[Bootsie]

On average, I have experienced much better service when traveling in parts of Europe where tipping is not customary than it is in the US.

 

In some instances, I think it borders on harrassment--an ugly customer "threatens" not to leave a tip if the wait staff does not put up with nonsense from the unruly customer. Of course, there is no guarantee that if the wait staff bends over backwards that they will receive any tip at all.

 

I would rather things be up front--XX is how much it costs to provide a meal at this restaurant (food, service, etc.) I find tipping to be somewhat of a game where the restuarant states-"here's the price, but it isn't really the price," followed by the customer saying, "provide me with good service and I MAY give you a good tip"

 

If I were a restaurant owner, I don't think I would want my employees accepting tips. That seems to create a conflict of interest. Does the waitstaff work for the restaurant? Or, does the waitstaff work for the customer? I often wonder if when a waiter forgets to charge me for something and I bring to to their attention and they respond "Oh, don't worry, it is our mistake so it's on the house" if this was really a mistake or a way to "win me over"--Wow! I just got a deal on my dinner that extra money can go to a larger tip.

[Alice]

Absolutely! I hate tipping, especially in non-waitress situations. I’ve never figured out what I’m supposed to tip people like the valet parking person at a hotel or hospital (when I don't really want valet parking but it’s required due to their set-up). I’m also not in situations where I have to tip often so when I am I usually don’t have the right cash and it’s just awkward.

[TravelingChris]

I lived three years in Europe. There was no tipping. We usually had much better service than in the US, actually. The meals were a little more costly, however, the food quality for the price was much, much better. Even the food quality in the travel stops was so much better than in the US> I once heard Queen Latifah talk about how she likes to drive around Europe and stop at the rest area restaurants and no one recognized her and she gets great food.

[KrissiK]

No. That would take away the incentive to give good service. However, I do think servers should receive a higher base pay.

I agree. Plus, why do we need more regulations? More rules?

[mommymilkies]

I think if we got rid of the tipping system people would still do a decent to good job because they don't want to be fired.

 

I think the system ought to be done away with. I've always found in confusing, and to an extent, embarrassing on my end

 

Me, too! I never feel like I do it right. I do try to tip well if service is great. I had a hairdresser who did an awesome job in November. She was kind, and actually didn't ruin my hair (a first!), so I tipped her very well. But I always feel a little butter about having to tip more because we have more than 6 in our family (a rule at many restaurants) or tip horrible servers. My mom was a waitress for ages. I get it, I do. I could never do their job without punching some idiot. But by golly I fume when I have to tip a bad server.

[JumpyTheFrog]

I often wonder if when a waiter forgets to charge me for something and I bring to to their attention and they respond "Oh, don't worry, it is our mistake so it's on the house" if this was really a mistake or a way to "win me over"--Wow! I just got a deal on my dinner that extra money can go to a larger tip.

 

 

I don't think I've ever had this happen, but it's a good point. I imagine that at certain places, there are waiters and waitresses that steal from the restaurant like this to increase their tips.

[Mergath]

I hate tipping. I don't think it acts as an incentive for better service because you're expected to leave a tip no matter how abysmal the service was, and we're up to twenty percent as the standard now. I don't mind leaving a tip if the service is great, but I am sick to death of having to leave that much money for someone who was rude and did a really crappy job. The whole point of tipping disappeared when it became mandatory.