Has tipping gotten out of hand?

Question

It used to be that tipping was a way of expressing one’s appreciation for exemplary service- usually in the restaurant industry where there are table servers and bus boys etc.

Now it seems that most “services” are expecting to be tipped and that it is frowned upon if you don’t.

If I tip (and I often do very generously) it is because I am impressed with the quality of service I have received. But shouldn’t I be getting the very best service possible any way? Doesn’t that translate into repeat business and referrals?

While a case can be made for table servers who get minimum wage I am hard pressed to buy into the idea of tipping someone who is providing me a service where I’m already being charged $40 and higher. I won’t mention what services because I don’t want to offend anyone.

But where does it stop? Do we start tipping the garage mechanic, the muffler guy, the pharmacist, the check out girl at the super market, our dentist, the nurse who changed the bedpan, my family physician, the cop who ticketed me for an illegal left turn?

It’s getting to the point that criminals will be expected to tip the judge, jury, and prosecutor if he’s found guilty!

There are services that I believe warrant a tip. But do you believe there are services that we should not feel guilty and cheap when we don’t tip? I don’t tip my child’s teacher for example should get a tip for a job well done. Yet he’s providing an invaluable “service”. I don’t run out and tip the sanitation guys who collect my trash. Yet, they are providing an invaluable service. I don’t tip at Starbucks or at these fast food joints that you see in food courts at shopping malls. Yet, they always have their little jars that say “tips” on them. Tips for what? Please share your thoughts.

Answer 1

Here's a tip- only tip when you think they gave you a reason.

If someone looks at you funny, explain that you feel morally obligated to tell the truth. Bad service = no tip

simple as that

Answer 2

I pretty much agree with you. I refuse to tip anyone that asks for a tip, be it by tip jar or the little "Tips Appreciated, Thank You!" signs.

I've been called cheap, among other things in this forum, for my point of view on tipping, but it is so totally out of control that most of us couldn't afford to go anywhere if we tipped everyone that EXPECTED a tip.  

Answer 3

If you've ever worked as a server or bus-boy (sorry, PC: busPERSON) at a restaurant, you'd realize how little they really do get paid. In fact, most restaurants will account for tips by paying their servers $2.13/hr (at least in NC), then tips are added on. Quite frequently, this results in at or barely above minimum wage. If tips don't account for minimum wage, the restaurant is supposed to increase the server's pay per hour in order to bump up his/her wage to minimum, but it doesn't always happen.

However, if a server at a restaurant EVER asks me if I "want change back" when I pay in cash, he/she immediately forfeits any rights to a tip I may have considered leaving. That is inexcusably rude and extremely presumptuous, just like that waitress that had the gall to sit down at the table while taking mine and my mother's order at a restaurant yesterday.

As for these other "services" that you say are asking for tips, what services? I have never been anywhere that asked for a tip that I wouldn't have already thought of tipping. I tip my hairdresser because she always charges me quite a bit less than the posted price (we've been going to her for several years, and she's become a friend of the family). But still, the only places I see "tip lines" on receipts are restaurants.

Answer 4

Only from the cow's perspective!!! :-)  Sorry, couldn't help myself.

I'm a poor person who tips 20% always.  I was once in the food service industry and I appreciated a good tip.  Some people don't deserve it, then I feel dumb for tipping 20% anyway.  I need to subscribe to your thinking - tipping for good service, not just because...

Answer 5

Most businesses are now expecting tip and actually leave a tip amount section in the check. Definitely out of hand. I'm glad somebody finally brought it up...

Answer 6

It's all a matter of relativity to other consumers, as well as a matter of exploitation by restaurant owners.

First, the norms for tipping is set by your peers. If some decides to tip generously, let's say 30%, then it puts a pressure on others to do the same in order to appear "uncheap" and save certain embarrassments. On the other hand if everyone decides to not tip then it suddenly becomes perfectly okay to not leave any tips.

Now, the reason you should still tip graciously is for the sake of the waiters/waitresses who go to lengths to serve you. Restaurants give the waiters/waitresses very little hourly wage and expects them to make a living out of tips. It's very unfair but ...