WHATEVER - by Whatever

Tipping, a touchy subject indeed.

Being Canadian -We ALWAYS tip waiters. Even if the service was not very good. But, actually, as the waiter or waitress know their tip rides on their performance, the service is most often very good.
You must leave at least 10% even if the service was bad. If it was satisfactory, leave 15%. If it was outstanding, 20% or more.

To leave nothing at all just isn't done in my country.

One point, when I'm traveling outside of North America to places where no one ordinarily tips, they STILL expect a tip from me (people can smell a north american a mile away!). This I don't like. The wait staff hover over me rudely, expectantly like they are god's gift. I have felt pressured into giving a tip even though I knew full well no tipping is the practice in that particular country. Actually, I might have left something discreetly on the table just before leaving anyway, but thats not the point.

Comment by Eric

November 27th 2006 16:48

Mal Gadget

Here's a question...

What do you do when you feel you're only tipping because the employee makes you feel obligated, regardless of the quality of service received?

Comment by pegasus

November 27th 2006 17:28

We would leave a crappy tip, 10% or less. I've heard stories of customers only leaving pennies to make a point. If the waiter notices the pennies before you've had a chance to leave, you're sure to get an earfull about how you're a cheap ass,etc.

Comment by Eric

November 27th 2006 17:55

Mal Gadget

Well, to be honest, 10% is not always a crappy tip. It bugs me to spend $100.00 on a nice dinner, and still have to cut an extra $10.00 even though the service sucked.

I just don't understand why I'm expected to pay for a meal PLUS pay for shitty service.

I'm perplexed.

Comment by Rami

November 27th 2006 17:57

here in Lebanon, Middle East, we tip big. We tip 10% of the bill, we tip over $20 each time...

ok, just kidding...trying to lure you into the Evil Axis and have you see for yourself it's not so bad

but to be fair, lebanese people love to tip...they tip to look good, to save face...to avoid angering the waiter...the social network in my country makes it impossible to upset anyone because the country is so damn small you never know how things may backfire

good luck

Comment by Whatever

November 28th 2006 05:31

Pegasus - yeah I don't like to do that, ie hover around people. I believe it is totally up to the customer of course.

Goggles - I get that in cabs all the time. They fumble with the change, but usually I dont really want the dollar anyway. I haven't come across it in restaurants. As Pegasus was saying, I tip more if it was outstanding and less if it was not so.

And of course if it is crap, then I probably wouldn't tip. But then that depends on one's defintion of crap...

For me it usually hovers around the lack of care for the customer or listening skills. But if other things go haywire, like food or delaying then I know chances are it is not their fault.
The exception being food poisoning! That is just not good enough.

Comment by Whatever

November 28th 2006 05:33

Rami - Yeah when I was in Egypt, it was similar. There was a little kid guarding the loos which looked like your worst nightmare. And of course you had to pay him. I would have gone in the bushes, but there were none!

Comment by Rami

November 28th 2006 06:31

Well, i can guarantee you that no one guards the loos here...

it seems to be a mediterranean practice...i remember in Italy a while back,...i urgently needed a bathroom and walked into a cafe...the owner said (in Italian) that the bathroom is for customers...

Using what little tourist-Italian i could muster, i asked for a capuccino...and ran into the loo, did my duty, paid for th capuccino and left without drinking it...

is that similar to paying an egyptain loo-keeper?

Comment by Whatever

November 29th 2006 05:46

It sounds like it, except I think in Egypt is more focussed on Tourism as the sole source of income for the country. As oppose to Art & Fashion in Italy.
So Camel Riders at the Pyramids will ride into your shot and demand Baksheesh - tips. They are very cunning!

Comment by pegasus

November 29th 2006 05:59

riding their camels into the photo & then wanting a tip, that is very clever (and kinda funny too).

Comment by Rami

November 29th 2006 06:36

you know, i lived in egypt for three years and contracted a weird skin disease from a camel ride...

but resentment aside, i can say that this kind of behavior is very common in the region. Beggars (anyone who asks for money without working for it) have no self-worth and will do anything for the baksheesh.

you think riding into a photo deserves baksheesh? Listen to this:

Over here (lebanon), people give your child candy or a balloon and then demand money. If you give back the candy or balloon, the child usually goes looney. So it's a lose-lose situation. Part with my money, or listen to my child shouting? Dilemma.

Others sell overpriced chewing gum, and if you say you don't need any, they ask you for money anyway.

Some walk around caryying doctor's prescriptions and demand money to buy the medicine.

anyway, i believe the origiinal topic was about Tipping.

The word TIPS is actually and acronym for To Insure Prompt Service. And TIPS were usually given to waiters before the order To Insure Prompt Service. Since TIPS is an acronym, I don't think we can use it as a verb..so, no "tipping" or "tipped" or "to tip".

Comment by Whatever

November 30th 2006 05:45

Yes Rami, of course the TIP situation is much different in other countries, but that wasn't my gripe. I just find it interesting.

I think you will find that like a lot of slang or acronyms that are used so frequently, they do indeed become a word. So the tenses are relevant in this case. My copy of the Oxford dictionary lists it as a verb and a noun.

Remember kids, words are not static!

Comment by Rami

November 30th 2006 06:12

you're right...i was being a bit ana about TIPS. I was just being philosophical. I guess i earned that last line: "Remember kids, ...etc."

My Oxford for Arab Emigrants doesn't have "Tips"

Comment by Johanna

December 1st 2006 05:13

PCOS Mum

I am Australian and I tip if the service is good, usually around 10 per cent.

Comment by Whatever

December 13th 2006 08:09

Thank you all for your comments.

I just wanted to add, recently I have been doing some bar work and have found that people are more ready to tip there than at the restaurant.

Perhaps it is alcohol, mood related issue?

Comment by pegasus

December 13th 2006 17:12