Tipping - your views

[Martin_M]

Hi folks, I'm interested in your views on this one. I'm the kind of person who is happy to tip when I receive good service whether it be in a restaurant or in a taxi. The only time I felt a tad uncomfortable with the whole tipping thing was during a recent holiday in Vegas where it was simply expected regardless of the quality of service.

I'm interested in your thoughts on tipping a porter who brings your luggage to your room in a 5 star hotel (in the UK if that makes any difference). Do you see this service as being something you would give a tip for as such? One part of me thinks that it's not really deserving of a tip as such but the other half of me thinks that it's simply the norm to do so in this context. I'm sure that those in the money probably hand these guys £20 and think nothing of it but I'm not in that league and so I put it out there...to tip or not to tip? And feel free to discuss other areas where tipping is an option!

[sc0tt]

Again?

[Martin_M]

This topic has come up recently I take it? Can you point me in the direction of it as I searched for threads focusing on tipping and couldn't find anything relating to porters. Thanks in advance.

[sc0tt]

I think like a famous comedian said, I've carried it 15,000km's. I'm not going to pay you to take it upstairs.

Although I was in the shangri la last week and gave him $10

[The Turbonator]

I just give them a signed blank cheque. No uncomfortable moments then, as they just put down what they think they deserve.

[Scousefella]

Depends on the size of the Brad Pitts and the amount of cleavage on display.

[Turbodiesel1976]

I always tip the Romanians who wash my car each week, they do a great job. As for hotel staff, yes when I'm in the US, rarely when in the UK or Europe especially if I'm away with work in these places (which is often)

[Impasse]

Scousefella said:

Depends on the size of the Brad Pitts and the amount of cleavage on display.

Jeeze man, don't tip the builders until they've finished the job.

[anonymous-user]

The waitress looked at me like st the other night when I firmly pressed 'NO' on the card machine in Pizza Express when it asked me if I would like to add a tip.

fk off. I'm paying for the meal at the agreed price, what's with asking for more at the card machine?

Some guy spent twice as long with me in the Apple Store a few weeks ago while I chose a laptop and He didn't expect a fking tip.

I fking hate tipping and it shouldn't be necessary in Britain.

Other countries have different cultures in place and I respect those when I'm there.
I go to America quite often and fully accept that the price on the menu outside is plus tax and plus 15-20% 'service charge'. I'm ok with that because if I wasnt I just wouldn't eat out in the US.

[Scousefella]

NinjaPower said:

The waitress looked at me like st the other night when I firmly pressed 'NO' on the card machine in Pizza Express when it asked me if I would like to add a tip.

fk off. I'm paying for the meal at the agreed price, what's with asking for more at the card machine?

Blimey, you sound like a right miserable POS.

If a guy comes to your home and fits flooring/carpet/furniture do you not give him "A Drink" if all is well?

A small gesture goes a long way.

[IanMorewood]

For great service yes in the UK. Most of the time nope. Abroad yes, more for good service a little for ok.

[Crush]

I do tip for good service, staff in bars and restaurants are paid a pittance for what they do.

[Troubleatmill]

When in Rome.....


In the US - Waiting staff get paid nothing. Or next to nothing. Their sole income comes from tips. 20% is about the norm.
In Iceland - Tipping is seen as an insult.

All that is required - is understand the cultural norms of the country/ area you are going to - and behave accordingly.

In the UK - If I see a service charge is automatically added - I leave no tip.

[GC8]

[fadeaway]

Martin_M said:

lin the UK if that makes any differencei

This makes the world of difference. In the US serving staff are paid below minimum wage and taxed on the assumption they get tipped. You tip 15-20% for good/expected service.

Different in the UK, and different again in other countries.

[Cpl nobby nobbs]

NinjaPower said:

fk off. I'm paying for the meal at the agreed price, what's with asking for more at the card machine?

I must be a miserable sod because I agree whole heartedly with this bloke. Really pisses me off when you actually have to say no on the card machine. You don't ask for a fking tip.

Went out for a meal with Mrs Nobbs and the kids yesterday and was served by a perfectly nice young lady but all she did was her job FFS, should I tip the cashier at Tesco because they scanned my shopping, no because they just did their job.

Now if someone goes over and above the norm and you appreciate it then I would have no problem showing gratitude with gesture like a tip.

Wow I really do sound like a miserable

[grumbledoak]

Cpl nobby nobbs said:

Wow I really do sound like a miserable

No, you sound like an Englishman, in England, doing the appropriate thing.

The OP sounds like a miserable .

[Kiltie]

[omgus]

Troubleatmill said:

In the UK - If I see a service charge is automatically added - I leave no tip.

Broken this rule occasionally for excellent service.

Occasionally the bill gets sent back to have the service charge removed. That always seems to shock them.

[King Herald]

In the Philippines where I live tipping is a big thing, a disease caught from the Americans when they owned this place. I used to calculate the old 15% thing, but soon realised that the tip could be the equivalent of a local persons daily salary. I now just leave a small token, maybe 5% usually. more if the service is really good.

I know in the USA it is often already added into the bill when it comes, cheeky bds, and often 18-22% !!!!!!