Tipping in australia?

Question

Does anyone think tipping in australia would improve service (does it need improving) or will introducing it just kill the businesses because people cant afford it?

any general opinions would be helpful

p.s. dont attack me like the last question lol its just an assignment and im a waitress myself so yes, thanks

Answer 1

It shouldnt be introduced as a standard practice in restaurants.  I run a restaurant and all my staff always give their best service to the customers whether there's tip or not.  It will not improve the service in any areas.  

If you tip well, you'll put a big smile on the waitress/waiters faces.  Its such a good feeling.  I tip whenever I go to a restaurant.  It doesn't matter whether its an expensive restaurant or a cafe.  If you can make someone else happier for even a few minutes, why not?

Answer 2

My understanding was that in Australia, unlike in the US or Canada, it's acutally feasible for waiting staff to live on what they earn. Admittedly, this information is hearsay so I can't vouch 100% for the accuracy.

In most places I belive a 15% gratuity is also automatically added onto the bill - it's like this also in many restaurants in the UK.  So if tipping was expected, and the diners tipped the North American norm of 15%, they'd be forking out a 30% tip.

In Canada, one can dine out cheaply for $10, well for $25 and very well from $40+.  I've done comparable dinng in the US.  The UK in comparison is 3X as expensive - I coudn't get fish and chips for the same price  and I  think dining out in Australia is comparable - Please correct me if I'm off track

Answer 3

You can get good and bad service anywhere.

I live in Australia and feel that if someone has gone out of their way to give good service i will reward them for giving me a great dining experience.

Why should i tip someone just because their employer is too lazy to pay them properly.

It is all about standard of living and choice.

Answer 4

I manage a restaurant in OZ but have also managed in the states. Found service better in OZ because tips were received more based on great service where as in the states it was just accepted. I f a guest ask me if they should tip I tell them it's not compulsory in Australia but always deeply appreciated it the guest has had a great experience. The pay rate in Oz is much better than in the states also.

Answer 5

As Australian's earn a larger base salary the minimum wage of someone over 18 is $13... Even if there are alot of tips the boss may choose to keep them... Which sucks but it happens quiet often in Australia. Also tips are split between all staff including the chef and dish cleaner. Service will not be improved through tipping either as the tips are generally not anough to get staff more active. In my opinion happier and friendly staff should be employed and then they should recieve tips obviously but in general the business will be charging anough money for there meals to cover the wages of the staff so therefore the wage would have to be decreased aswell as the cost of food to introduce tipping. It would ultimately end up the same i believe.

Answer 6

I normally tip when I go to an expensive restaurant and if I am at a cafe that has a tip jar and I was happy with the food and service I normally put $1 in the jar.  I wouldn't like to see compulsory tipping in Australia but if I visited a country that tipping was the culture I would respect that and tip accordingly.