The truth about tipping

December 6, 2005 | George

[Liberate California]

In California, The waiters and waitresses still get minimum wage. Don't overtip them.

[saveliberty]

It doesn't. But I used to go to a coffee shop and the lady knew my order. She had my coffee ready just how I liked it as I walked up to the counter.

She earned her tips from me.

[saveliberty]

Not anymore

[HEY4QDEMS]

True , but it appears that ole Pierce tips about .007 percent.

[Coffee_drinker]

"So are you saying that employers are allowed to takes tips from the server? I was a waiter through college (10 years ago) and my employer never even saw the tips I made. it was my choice how much I would tip the bus boy, hostess, etc. "

The article is a little confusing. I think what is being said is that because you get tips I don't have to pay you the minimum wage. So in affect because of the tips the business owner makes out because they can pay you less.

As far as the employer never saw the tips, things have changed since you were getting tips. Now what happens Is that the employer assumes you made at least 10% of your gross sales and the they tax you on that amount.

To be more clear if you get bad service and do not leave a tip, the waiter/waitress actually is paying more taxes and thus lost money on that table.

I would if I got really bad service, notify the manager, but would still leave a small tip to offset the automatic addition that they get. Then you most likely would get comp'ed and receive a free meal or desert.

[R. Scott]

It is the customer's sole right to determine whether a tip is given, the amount and who will be the recipient of his tip. Such rights are not only guaranteed by our constitution …

Did I miss something, or is this right one of the “certain rights” covered by the IX Amendment?

[antiRepublicrat]

Tipping seems so European.

You don't tip in most of Europe. Service is included in the price.

[mitchbert]

You think people working on a team, with cash bonuses on the line, are going to put up with one of the team members slacking off?

It can work if the owners are on top of their operation, and it helps if those were the rules when the employee starts day one. If there's poor management or absent ownership someone who works harder will often get hosed. All I know is that since this practice has started it's worked really well for both the staff and the customers.

[Vaquero]

I still don't understand why there is a tip cup at Dunkin' Donuts. They walk over to the rack, put the donut in the bag, and ring it up at the register. Why does that require a tip? they have one in the bagel place I frequent Sunday mornings. I use it to get rid of pocket change. I hate pocket change. If I am at the supermarket buying $2.01 worth of whatever, I will whip out my AMEX card rather than carry a bucks worth of change around with me.

[TontoKowalski]

Also, FYI, if you don't tip at least 12.5%, you are seriously screwing the waiter, because the IRS taxes him/her based on them receiving a 12.5% tip per meal.

I'm sorry, but if I tip the waiter less than 12/5%, then he's screwed himself. I've always considered myself a generous tipper... 15-20% for adequate service, more if it was better than adequate... but service seems to decrease in quality all the time.

I don't expect anyone to bow down and KMA, but courteous and prompt service provided by a person who seems to care about the job he's doing... it's becoming more rare.

When I do get a good waiter/waitress, they can count on being rewarded. It is grossly unfair that a good waiter should have to share his tip with someone who wouldn't rate a tip at all from me.

[tfecw]

"Don't you round up the next Euro?"

It was still DM last I was there ;). The service was included in the bill. The German family I would go out with didn't really tip unless the server was extra helpful with menu choices, finding a drink, or did something along those lines

[antiRepublicrat]

This reminds me of the latest Stephen King mystery novel, where the guy officially tipped stingy, but slid good money in the waitress' pocket, so she wouldn't get screwed.

[Vaquero]

not trying to be racial..Just an observation..I am sure this is NOT universal..BUT whenever I go to eat with coworkers of African descent, they don't tip. I don't push it. I tip or split it with whoever is going to split it with me.

[saveliberty]

LOL LOL LOL!

I should just simmer down. :-)

They do tip (10%) now even though there is a gratuity included.

[R. Scott]

I told the cabbie to step on it and there would be an extra tip in it for him. He made it to my car in unbelievable time and I gave the guy a $50 tip.

On my last return from Viet Nam I found myself coming out of a bar in Oakland to see the sun rising. My luggage was in a San Francisco hotel. I flagged down a Veterans Cab and told him if he could make it to my hotel, pick up the bags and still get to San Francisco International on time for my early morning flight it would be worth $50. This was in 1968.
He hauled butt – taking the wrong level on the bridge (against traffic) because it was quicker. My bags were at the curb. I made the flight.

[mosquitobite]

The truth is, business owners are using the customer's tips which undeniably and indisputably are not intended for the business owner for the business's own interests. Such business practices are being allowed by our government even though such business practices are an illegal dominion over the customer's property. To put it simply, businesses are being allowed to steal the money customers present as tips. Now, the public is being expected to tip more because the workers are not receiving the financial benefits of the tips they have been presented.

AWESOME analysis!! Hands down!

[SoothingDave]

Did I miss something, or is this right one of the “certain rights” covered by the IX Amendment?

It's a penumbra of an emanation.

SD

[nightdriver]

The largest thing I had against Bob Dole was that he went along with the tax act of 1986 (?) that forced restaurants and others that had tips proffered by customers to pay a tax on over 8% of their sales as though that was "tip income."

This is unconstitutional because it is a tax on income that may or may not even exist but for the discretion of the customer.

Dole was just a facilitator for the democRATs in a lot of issues.

[saveliberty]

Wow. I am glad that you made it.

[mitchbert]

They do include the gratuity. They now look for an additional tip

I haven't been there since 1996 but will probably go back for holidays next summer (I have a close friend in Germany).

Thanks for the heads up.