I never tip, either. And here in New Zealand tipping is not the normal practise. I like it like that.
I can’t believe how many FReepers are in favor of tipping: it’s ideologically wrong. The restaurant owner is getting a free ride on his business risk by requiring his customers to fairly compensate his staff, giving him no incentive to run a high-quality fiscally-responsible operation.
Never tip anyone, ever. It’s bad form.
And if they “ban” your from their premises for not tipping — better still. They obviously don’t appreciate your custom, and deserve to have their ingratitude rewarded by losing it.
Shed no tears for being “banned” from Murphy’s Taproom. It’s appears to be a fly-by-night operation else they’d pay their staff properly.
DH—One of the few times I’ve disagreed with your opinion, but I guess all cultures are different. Here on the coast of NC, waitressing, esp if you are polite, efficient, friendly, and quick, has gotten many a young girl or guy spending money or money for college. In a terminally depressed area—our main sources of income are tourism and commercial fishing—you simply can’t make any money at a convenience store or clerking at a grocery store.
I don’t ever mind tipping well for good service, and I’ll leave a little something even if the service was lousy. But I see your point as well. I just don’t agree with it. :)
Most Restaurants only pay their wait staff $2.13 to start. It's completely normal and expected that the bulk of their wages come from tips. It makes them highly motivated. Suggesting that this guy is underpaying his staff suggests you are unaware of how the service industry works in the US.
Should I ever visit New Zealand (I understand it's a beautiful country), I'll remember that. I wouldn't want to embarrass myself or offend my waiter/barmaid/whatever.
In these United States, the policy you advocate is boorish. I consider that the waiter/barmaid/whatever is working for me, as well as for the restauranteur. I can, after all, cook a meal, fix a drink, and place these things on a table. I am paying the waiter/barmaid/whatever to do it for me ... and I pay them according to how well (in my thoroughly subjective judgment) they do it. It's called a "tip" ... but it's really payment for services rendered.
In these United States.
Should you ever visit here, I hope that you will have the good sense to remember this.
Tips are a method of provoking better service. If you are going to receive more $$ by being a better server, you’ll work harder to make that extra money.
Besides, The federal minimum wage is currently $7.25. $2.13 for tipped positions, however, If the worker doesnt make $7.25 and hour after tips, I believe the employer is required to make up the difference. This might be just Texas, but I thought it was federal.
Well, yeah...but you also are upside down and can't spell. :)
>I can’t believe how many FReepers are in favor of tipping:<
It’s culturally correct to do so in this country. You know the saying, “When in Rome”?
>Never tip anyone, ever. It’s bad form.<
Do that in a US restaurant once and you’ll get away with it. Do it repeatedly at the same place and don’t be surprised if you ingest a steak someone dropped on the floor then put it back on the plate, or worse.