OT: Who to tip?

Re: OT: Who to tip?

AZ in Colorado Springs

While I was on active duty in the Air Force I moved frequently. We'd provide pizza and sodas for lunch for the movers, both when we were moving out (leaving one location) and when our household goods were delivered at the new place.

Re: OT: Who to tip?

Steve Elliott

During my career as a cabinetmaker I've installed projects in the homes of customers many times. I've never been tipped or expected a tip. There may be differences in customs in different parts of the country but in the Pacific Northwest it's not the practice.

I consider it part of my job to be pleasant to customers and to do the best work I can. Having a satisfied customer who would recommend me is much more important than a tip, which I frankly would find a little awkward.

tipping philosophy

Bill Tindall, E.Tn.

Tipping is a practice I would like to see become extinct so I am not going to encourage others to tip anybody. I think workers should be paid adequately by their employer. I reluctantly tip wait staff because traditionally they are not paid by their employer, unlike many other countries.

If there are workers doing work at my house I feed and "water" them generously, help them to do their job when appropriate, thank them for good work, compliment their work to their employer and recommend their work to others, when merited. For example, when I had a heat pump installed I baked cinnamon rolls, provided coffee, and sharpened their tin snips. Thanked them for a good job when they left and called their employer to report what good workers they had been. (Oh, by the way they bent up some sheet metal for me for a shop job and left some sheet metal for a future job)

^^^What I'd do in this circumstance^^^

Kneale Brownson

A treat expresses your appreciation. These folks are being paid, most likely, a good hourly wage, as opposed to restaurant wait staff.

Re: tipping philosophy

ebd

+1. I hate tipping. I think it's unfair to the worker to have to depend on tips. That's crap. They should be paid a fair wage and then my tip would be a reward, not an obligation to help them make a decent wage.

I would far rather have their wage included in the price. Same as the BS handling charge that depends on the price of your order. How much more handling for a single item does it take at $5 or $50?

in Europe

John K Jordan

Tipping is never expected anywhere we have traveled in Europe, I've asked friends there. The last couple of trips I was told the Americans are slowly bringing tipping.

Re: OT: Who to tip?

Tom Norton

I am going to bring a bit of a contrary view. It seems like there are "tip jars" every where these days. I mean I go to the coffee shop and they pour a coffee and there is a expectation of a tip. As far as Europe. We just came back from some traveling a d in Denmark where we were told that tipping is no necessary when we paid with a credit card the % of tip came up on a regular basis.

Re: OT: Who to tip?

Dick Coers

In that case I like to tip with food. Pizza for lunches, donuts each day, a beer on Friday afternoon before they leave, or a gift card to a good restaurant.

Re: Not quite true....

Jesper, Denmark

You are correct in that in most well develped European countries, tipping is not required or expected, but.....

In many places, it is customary to show appreciation by rounding up the price a small amount to the nearest convenient sum. A taxi fare at €18.35 to €20.00 as an example. It is not so much a monetary reward as it is a show of appreciation for a wel done job.

In many of the low income locations, where the economies are driven by tourism, it is still common to add a reasonable tip as a thank you from wealthier tourists to the lesser paid wait staff.

There is an increase in the use of software for payment with credit/debit cards to have an intermediate step in the payment sequence that asks for or allows a tip. This is an abomination, and only serves to increase the income for the establishment, as the tip does not necessarily go to the serving personnel. If you want to add a tip, do it in cash directly to the server.

I'm with Bill

ian neuhaus

"Feed and water" the installers as appropriate.