Tipping - your thoughts

[CoolGirl]

so, do you or don't you? and how?

I won't leave a tip if the service has been bad - eg slow, rude or sloppy service in a restaurant. I will tip in cash for good service, and ask for the service charge to be removed if it's not warranted.

I never tip my hairdresser. I've been with him for nearly 10 years and we've built up a relationship. I'd rather reward him with my ongoing custom, and now that he's operating from home, cash somehow seems a bit vulgar - but I often take him a gift.

I'm off to the USA shortly (BAA permitting) and I'm going to apply the same principle, even though they have a blanket expectation of tipping.

[Spiderman]

Haha you can even buy books in that mentalist country that tell you how much to tip each "catergory" of service! Nutters.

I'm, exactly the same as you tho CG, i only tip if i get good service. Poor service will result in the manager being called over. I used to be a restaurant manager many moons ago and any restaurant who does not love you for telling them where they failed deserves to close down.

[Razor]

in the US, if you think they were rude before you decided to not leave a tip, wait until after...

they expect it, even when you've had bad service, which does happen

[christopher]

20% in restaurants isn't an uncommon tip over there... but the simple option is don't eat in the same place twice :D

[CoolGirl]

in the US, if you think they were rude before you decided to not leave a tip, wait until after...

they expect it, even when you've had bad service, which does happen

I don't have a problem with that! Although, in my experience, they do customer service far better than here.

And as for eating in the same place twice, I don't think that's going to be an issue in NYC:cool:

[gettin2dizzy]

I've done enough waitering to know how much difference it makes. The amount of times people could run up a £500 bill, have a great time, wonderful food, demand extra service, and then **** off without a penny is just demeaning. I worked out I averaged 30p/hour in tips in a fully booked cordon-bleu restaurant.

If you can afford it, and the service is nice. Do it please. Remember it's not the staff pocketing the profits.

[MattCollins]

At home, never. Wages are generally much better here. In the US and the UK only when service is to a decent standard - they have to earn it.

I had a little incident a few years ago with a business partner in the US. I refused to pay the tip for rude and disinterested service. He was offended by my refusal, made a huge issue of it and paid it himself. That was the end of that business relationship, but no great loss as I had my doubts anyway.

Same as my dog, I make it a rule not to reward bad behaviour so that said behaviour is not reinforced.

[christopher]

I've done enough waitering to know how much difference it makes. The amount of times people could run up a £500 bill, have a great time, wonderful food, demand extra service, and then **** off without a penny is just demeaning. I worked out I averaged 30p/hour in tips in a fully booked cordon-bleu restaurant.

If you can afford it, and the service is nice. Do it please. Remember it's not the staff pocketing the profits.

That's £0.30 an hour more on top of your wage than I get for doing my job... I don't get an extra £600 per year for doing the job I'm already paid to do.

I don't have a problem with tipping where appropiate (not just in restaurants), but it's the mentality of 95% of waiters and waitresses who expect a tip which bugs me, you're paid a wage. So do the job.

Do you tip the person on the checkout when they serve you and/or pack your bags in a supermarket? :rolleyes:

[gettin2dizzy]

That's £0.30 an hour more on top of your wage than I get for doing my job... I don't get an extra £600 per year for doing the job I'm already paid to do.

I don't have a problem with tipping where appropiate (not just in restaurants), but it's the mentality of 95% of waiters and waitresses who expect a tip which bugs me, you're paid a wage. So do the job.

Do you tip the person on the checkout when they serve you and/or pack your bags in a supermarket? :rolleyes:

£5 an hour isn't a living wage. Not only that, but your enjoyment relies heavily on a courteous and efficient waiter. They're paid to serve, not smile.

[G]

I tip if I get really good service... Which is rarely. There's a fine line between being genuinely helpful whilst eating and being a pain in the ****.

I went to Egypt last year and they wanted £1 for quite literally lifting my bag out of the bus and putting it on the floor. I obviously told them to F off.

[MattCollins]

£5 an hour isn't a living wage. Not only that, but your enjoyment relies heavily on a courteous and efficient waiter. They're paid to serve, not smile.

Precisely my thought about the wage. In these parts waiters better than double that.
You seem to place less value on a outwardly friendly smiling waiter/waitress. As a patron I do.

[gettin2dizzy]

Precisely my thought about the wage. In these parts waiters better than double that.
You seem to place less value on a outwardly friendly smiling waiter/waitress. As a patron I do.

I want that too. That's what the tip is for ;)


Waitering is a crap job. I've done it in about 10 different places, and never made any money out of it.

[missyburd]

I thought this was about some interesting pastime involving cows :rolleyes:

As for the real topic, well I don't tip unless I get exceptional service or the waiter/waitress has been particularly nice. If I tip I only ever give the money straight into the hands of those that I thought deserved it. I am led to believe that tips these days don't always find their way to those that have earned them so I prefer to make sure :-)

[CoolGirl]

I tip if I get really good service... Which is rarely. There's a fine line between being genuinely helpful whilst eating and being a pain in the ****.

I went to Egypt last year and they wanted £1 for quite literally lifting my bag out of the bus and putting it on the floor. I obviously told them to F off.

Now, you see I don't mind tipping people in poorer countries - no minimum wage, limited free education, probably work ridiculous hours miles away form home just to keep things together. And I certainly wouldn't be rude to them. If I've felt it was intimidating, I politely but firmly insist on carrying my own bags.

I think over-attentive service is usually a cultural thing, which is well-intended, if irritating (ever visited a Middle-Eastern, African, Latin American or Asian person's house - they'll force-feed you to death and then ask your corpse if you want more). However, if I've asked for some privacy and it isn't respected, that's another matter.

[christopher]

£5 an hour isn't a living wage. Not only that, but your enjoyment relies heavily on a courteous and efficient waiter. They're paid to serve, not smile.
Do you honestly think the checkout girl you don't tip is being paid much more than that!?

My tips should not and will not (by UK law) make up minimum wage. My tips will be a reward for your outstanding service and should be seen as a bonus not taken for granted. If you're unhappy with the wage you're paid then get a job which pays more.

And my enjoyment has nothing to do with your service or whether you smile. So long as you do the job you're paid for I'll be just fine as I'll be waited on and have my food and drinks provided in a timely mannor. The quality of food however, will affect it. But does the chef expect a tip from every customer? Nope.

Anyway, my opinion. Not intended to be personal against you :)

[G]

I want that too. That's what the tip is for ;)


Waitering is a crap job. I've done it in about 10 different places, and never made any money out of it.

It's becoming clear why you never made any money at it now lol

[Dave20046]

Only if it's genuinely good service or they're fit (nah not really, I'm too tight for that shiz!).

[Dave20046]

Waitering is a crap job. I've done it in about 10 different places, and never made any money out of it.

I've a few mates who work in a restaurant/pub parttime- average evening's takings in tips would be £20ish IIRC. Christmas and newyears was insane, think one of them got a £125 tip off one table. And they're ugly lads, dread to think what the ladies make!
Take it you objected to kissing ar$e?
My cousin went to live in the us briefly to do waitressing , she made a mint!

[yorkie_chris]

Place I worked collecting glasses the bar staff were getting a fortune in tips (especially the tasty lasses), that was a slightly pretentious "bar".

I'm the same, I'll tip if the service warrants it. I don't see the thing about a "living wage". That's b*llocks, there's lads working in warehouses slogging their guts out for minimum wage having to sweat for a living... what does wearing a poncey shirt and carrying the odd plate about make you entitled to more? It's not exactly hard work.

[gettin2dizzy]

Do you honestly think the checkout girl you don't tip is being paid much more than that!?

My tips should not and will not (by UK law) make up minimum wage. My tips will be a reward for your outstanding service and should be seen as a bonus not taken for granted. If you're unhappy with the wage you're paid then get a job which pays more.

And my enjoyment has nothing to do with your service or whether you smile. So long as you do the job you're paid for I'll be just fine as I'll be waited on and have my food and drinks provided in a timely mannor. The quality of food however, will affect it. But does the chef expect a tip from every customer? Nope.

Anyway, my opinion. Not intended to be personal against you :)
I doubt they'll be paid much different, but I promise you the workload is different, the hours $hittier, and you'll go through a pair of shoes a month. Waiters take all of the flack for the chefs failings, the managements failings, and have to serve it all with a smile whilst being paid the least :rolleyes: (many restaurants divide tips amongst chefs and managers too anyway)

I've a few mates who work in a restaurant/pub parttime- average evening's takings in tips would be £20ish IIRC. Christmas and newyears was insane, think one of them got a £125 tip off one table. And they're ugly lads, dread to think what the ladies make!
Take it you objected to kissing ar$e?
My cousin went to live in the us briefly to do waitressing , she made a mint!
You can try being nice, but it doesn't make any difference. Working on Christmas eve for a bit of extra dosh doesn't really matter when you get back at 1am on christmas morning, having paid half your tips out to a cab driver.


It can be a rewarding job when customers show their apprecation. I think when people haven't worked in this industry and think waiters are being greedy, they really don't appreciate how little they expect. They dream of 10% ... really. **** it, even just £1 per table would make a huge bloody difference to both their pocket and mind.

Loads of us have had to spend time waitering. They're not idiots, they're normally working and studying and don't have many options. Your waitress has already been at college all morning, will be working until midnight for £5 an hour and now you want her to clean up your babies sick :rolleyes: She's probably more qualified too ;)

[timwilky]

The wife and I were chased out of a restaurant in New York when we didn't tip, by a Hispanic waitress shouting we had forgot to tip. I told her we hadn't forgotten, it was probably the worse food of our holiday, home made from a can and cold.

Her response was "Well f*** you, if you don't like New York food don't come to New York. How wrong she was, we had some great food in new York, Just not in her restaurant.

When it comes to tipping in the UK, I usually talk to the waiter first. If they do not get tips from card payments I leave cash. Normally I tip about 10%, but generally round up on the payment to a nice round number

[Sid Squid]

I know it's expected in many places but I hate the whole business, just tell me the price, if I want it I'll pay, if I don't I'll go elsewhere.

Couldn't be simpler.

[Lozzo]

I doubt they'll be paid much different, but I promise you the workload is different, the hours $hittier, and you'll go through a pair of shoes a month. Waiters take all of the flack for the chefs failings, the managements failings, and have to serve it all with a smile whilst being paid the least :rolleyes: (many restaurants divide tips amongst chefs and managers too anyway)


You can try being nice, but it doesn't make any difference. Working on Christmas eve for a bit of extra dosh doesn't really matter when you get back at 1am on christmas morning, having paid half your tips out to a cab driver.


It can be a rewarding job when customers show their apprecation. I think when people haven't worked in this industry and think waiters are being greedy, they really don't appreciate how little they expect. They dream of 10% ... really. **** it, even just £1 per table would make a huge bloody difference to both their pocket and mind.

Loads of us have had to spend time waitering. They're not idiots, they're normally working and studying and don't have many options. Your waitress has already been at college all morning, will be working until midnight for £5 an hour and now you want her to clean up your babies sick :rolleyes: She's probably more qualified too ;)

So you've done this job you hate ten times in lots of different places and still haven't learned that:

A) wages are crap
B) customers blame you for everything
C) no-one leaves a decent tip
D) you should have learned to do a much more profitable part-time job and not wasted your time and effort doing something that made you so bitter.

To paraphrase some great man

"To err once is human, to err ten times is blatant stupidity"

[Ed]

I've done enough waitering to know how much difference it makes. The amount of times people could run up a £500 bill, have a great time, wonderful food, demand extra service, and then **** off without a penny is just demeaning. I worked out I averaged 30p/hour in tips in a fully booked cordon-bleu restaurant.

If you can afford it, and the service is nice. Do it please. Remember it's not the staff pocketing the profits.

£500 - average conveyancing bill. Nobody ever gives me any tips. So I don't give any either.

[Mr Speirs]

Unless I get particularly bad service do give a tip. If I get really good service I go with the US style and give 20% of the bill.

I did give a Hooters waitress a £10 tip once, the food was rubbish, the t*ts were nice but more importantly the stag party I was with were a bunch of ********s and really made life difficult for everyone and it was honestly an embarrassment to be part of that party.
Of 18 people in this stag party not one person decided to give even a penny more than the amount they had ordered, so after waiting hand and foot on us all night, putting up with some idiotic antics she picked up a tip of nothing until I gave her a £10 note.

Generally I look for reason not to tip rather than the other way round.

[gettin2dizzy]

To NOT tip for bad service, surely relies on the premise of tipping when the service is good. Otherwise it's just tight ;)

[Ed]

To NOT tip for bad service, surely relies on the premise of tipping when the service is good. Otherwise it's just tight ;)

No it isn't. I don't like the expectation. Do you tip the checkout person in Tescos? Or the bus driver? Or the binmen? The lollipop lady who sees your kids across the road? Their teacher? The doctor's receptionist? Need I go on?

Why are waiters in a class of their own and expect money?

[johnnyrod]

Me, I go with the climate I'm in. Some places it's worth bunging a few quid around to keep everyone happy because that's the norm, whether you like it or not, Turkey, Russia, etc. Other places don't expect it - UK (mainly), Germany. As for US, say what you like about the wages but when they start printing how much 15% equates to on a bill they're really saying "we're saving this on our wages now hand it over". Yes a big tip is expected over there but don't bother unless you get good service, and if they ask then tell them. The quality of service does vary a lot and it isn't worth paying for it if it's crap, as the comment above about training dogs says. It's ingrained in American culture though, try going to Germany with some Americans and you'll soon find out (don't bother, believe me it's total confusion).
Have a nice day!

[MisterTommyH]

(many restaurants divide tips amongst chefs and managers too anyway)




So why should I tip, when it doesn't go to the person I want it to? But rather is shared between all the staff regardless of whether they served me, or were any good, or not?

Also, it's a cultural thing. It is a tip for good service, therefore not to be expected. Expecting it, and being rude when it is not paid is exactly what gets peoples backs up.

[metalmonkey]

10-20% off the bill to tip is about right for anyone good at their job...just don't pay the servic charges it rips off of the waiting staff off having been there...

[BanannaMan]

In the US waiters and waitresses make much less than in the UK and depend on tips for their living. 15 % is what most places expect for tips.

Unfortunately the same poor paying jobs (before tips) also are the ones where the tips are usually split between everyone on the shift.
I really don't like that. I am tipping the person who gives good service, not the entire staff.
I have on occassion of exceptional service, tipped the waiter over the table a minimal tip and under the table, a extra tip for them because I knew they were splitting the tips.

Tips are not expected in my business (car repair) but all my help gets lots of tips. Even I get tips and I'm the owner (which I give to the person who did the work) so I tip what's expected always when I go out , and good service gets good tips.
And I always eat at the same places, same hair dressor, etc.
95 % of the time I'm quite easy to get along with but when needed I can always get a good table anytime where I like to eat. Can get my hair cut off hours at the girls house or her come to mine if I need a haircut nights, weekends, last minute.....err.. before the AR.
If I find exceptional service anywhere I tip well and (unless traveling) keep going there.
Being one of their favorite customers costs only a little more and always pays off in advantages.
On the rare occasion I get exceptionaly bad service, sorry, no tip and doubtful I'll return.

I have customers I hate to even hear their voice when they call and I have customers I love to see come in.
I try to be one of the latter everywhere I go.

[CoolGirl]

When I started the thread, I hadn't thought about it from the perspective of having been on the receiving end of tips. I've done both bar work and retail work to supplement my main income, and my experience has been somewhat different to those here. As bar staff/manager, I made plenty of money in tips and tipping in kind thorugh being bought a drink - but I never expected a penny of it. Similarly, as a make-up counter girl in Selfridges I had loads of big sales and repeat custom. In both situations, other colleagues weren't so succesful. I put all of this down to doing a good job and taking it seriously. Neither job was ever going to be a career choice, but I was being paid to do a job and I chose to do it professionally.

If I had any advice to give to people who are in the service industry, or indeed any type of work, it would be 'surprise people by exceeding their expectations'. It doesn't take much effort, it's good for business, and it'll get you noticed.

[Bedhead]

A common ruse with restaurants over here is to deduct the tips from the wages of the staff, so that if the staff gets £200 a week and is tipped £20, the restaurant only forks out £180, there was a full uproar on the radio about it.

As a rule I don't really tip, as it's not my job to pay the staff's wages twice. I don't mind the odd bribe to the binmen for taking a load of extra stuff away but that's for going beyond what they're paid for.

Nobody tips me in my line of work.

[Ch00]

I get plenty of tips from the public at work its just a shame I cant take any to the bank!

[CoolGirl]

I get plenty of tips from the public at work its just a shame I cant take any to the bank!

"never wear a green shirt with red trousers" :p

[timwilky]

What gets me, is the expectancy of a tip or being silly about things. A good example was I was in my local the other day and a guy was buying a round. April (Yes that's her name) added it up to I think £17.60. the guy hands over a £20 with have a drink. She then asks him for an extra 20p. To me that is taking the proverbial. Of course the nice chap gave her the 20p. But I bet he never buys her another drink. Why could she simply not have dropped the change into her tip glass.

[tactcom7]

What gets me, is the expectancy of a tip or being silly about things. A good example was I was in my local the other day and a guy was buying a round. April (Yes that's her name) added it up to I think £17.60. the guy hands over a £20 with have a drink. She then asks him for an extra 20p. To me that is taking the proverbial. Of course the nice chap gave her the 20p. But I bet he never buys her another drink. Why could she simply not have dropped the change into her tip glass.


That is just taking the p!ss, sounds like an April fool haha sorry

Surely it's all in the name 'tip', if you go above and beyond the call of duty you are rewarded, otherwise instead of being called a tip it would just be called an 'expected'...

[Dave20046]

What gets me, is the expectancy of a tip or being silly about things. A good example was I was in my local the other day and a guy was buying a round. April (Yes that's her name) added it up to I think £17.60. the guy hands over a £20 with have a drink. She then asks him for an extra 20p. To me that is taking the proverbial. Of course the nice chap gave her the 20p. But I bet he never buys her another drink. Why could she simply not have dropped the change into her tip glass.

cheeky bint!

[CoolGirl]

She then asks him for an extra 20p.

a gratuitous gratuity!

[Bibio]

you are paying for a service why pay twice. why do people find it necessary to 'tip' people for having a meal. its their job to serve you as you are in their place of business without your business they would go bust. if their service is good they will stay in business no matter if you tip or not, if its crap then it'll go down the pan. if the staff cant make ends meat without tips then they should ask for a wage rise or find another job.

[MattCollins]

On the flip side. We know that there is a service charge of 10-20% in the form of a tip on top of the meal price. Factor it in. If people are either too cheap or too skint to pay then perhaps they should not be eating out.

[Binky]

...there's lads working in warehouses slogging their guts out for minimum wage having to sweat for a living... what does wearing a poncey shirt and carrying the odd plate about make you entitled to more? It's not exactly hard work.

I, ironically, work in a warehouse 9-5 and in the evenings work as a waiter in the restaurant i've worked at part time for the ladt 4 and a half years. In the warehouse i don't have to deal with *******s making unreasonable requests, sweat my ******** off running about for condoments while also taking orders and running the bar. There are some incompetent people at my work so i normally have to cover for them.

At the warehouse i lift heavy things and organise stuff. Easy, but a worse wage as i get no tips.

If I tip I only ever give the money straight into the hands of those that I thought deserved it. I am led to believe that tips these days don't always find their way to those that have earned them so I prefer to make sure :-)

Most places tend to keep what isn't cash tips. If the restaurant isn't split into sections then everyone, even the chefs, will get a share of the total tips. There is many a debat as to what's fairest.

Generally i will always tip cash, directly to the waiter though.


Do you honestly think the checkout girl you don't tip is being paid much more than that!?

...The quality of food however, will affect it. But does the chef expect a tip from every customer? Nope.


I think that a lot of restaurants take tips into consideration when deciding on a wage for staff. I get paid £4.77 at the restaurant and would not work there if it wasn't for the tips that we earn. I will always make an effort to offer great service when i can as to earn the maximum tip possible from a satisfied customer.

The chefs either get a share of the tips or are generally on a far better wage as they have been trained and have a much more niche talent compared to waiting staff, if that makes sense.

:)

[christopher]

I get paid £4.77 at the restaurant and would not work there if it wasn't for the tips that we earn.
Errm isn't that less than the minimum wage (http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/nmw/)?

[Binky]

Errm isn't that less than the minimum wage (http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/nmw/)?

Nope. Think it's pretty much dead on it.

It goes up to about £5.80 or something when you turn 22.

Although the age goes down to 21 in October i think...

[christopher]

Fair enough, I don't completely understand what 'development rate' means when it says:

a development rate of £4.83 per hour for workers aged 18-21 inclusive

So assumed £4.83 was the minimum for your age bracket. Anyway that aside, to your point about doing your best so as to get the maximum tip possible, would you expect tips if you were paid double (or more) that amount? Or because you'd then be on a fairer wage for the job would you not need nor expect them? And if you then didn't expect them would your standard of service drop?

[BernardBikerchick]

only if the waiter is really hot of course i do !! he he heh

[Binky]

So assumed £4.83 was the minimum for your age bracket. Anyway that aside, to your point about doing your best so as to get the maximum tip possible, would you expect tips if you were paid double (or more) that amount? Or because you'd then be on a fairer wage for the job would you not need nor expect them? And if you then didn't expect them would your standard of service drop?

I would be less concerned about tips, yes. But as is my personal nature, and probably everyone elses if they're honest, i would still try and work harder for extra tips if the possibility was there.

If i didn't earn them, hey ho, you still have a nicer wage to fall back on.

Think i'd still work pretty hard without any promise of tips though, as i wan't to be part of a nice, quality restaurant and possibly go up to a nicer job in a nicer place.

P.S. I never think that tips are a right and fully understand if people don't tip if shown questionable service and quality.

:)

[Specialone]

Since a waitress told me that any tips put on a card payment she didint see, i have stopped doing that now.
I only tip cash and only for good service, i even tip the pizza delivery guy ;), seem to get my pizza quicker and they really appreciate it as well so less likely to spit or worse on your pizza i think.

What does pee me off if your in a large party 10 plus i think (binky could probably clarify) the tips are automatically added, this does wind me up tbh.
So, no matter how bad your service is you are made to leave a tip, i went to jimmy spices the other week, bare in mind this is a buffett place so all they have to do is remove dirty plates, we were forced to pay 15 % of the total bill, which i wasnt happy with.

[MisterTommyH]

Since a waitress told me that any tips put on a card payment she didint see, i have stopped doing that now.
I only tip cash and only for good service, i even tip the pizza delivery guy ;), seem to get my pizza quicker and they really appreciate it as well so less likely to spit or worse on your pizza i think.

What does pee me off if your in a large party 10 plus i think (binky could probably clarify) the tips are automatically added, this does wind me up tbh.
So, no matter how bad your service is you are made to leave a tip, i went to jimmy spices the other week, bare in mind this is a buffett place so all they have to do is remove dirty plates, we were forced to pay 15 % of the total bill, which i wasnt happy with.

Christ did you pay over the odds. The only thing worth the money a Jimmy Spices are the drinks.

BTW, pizza delivery guys don't open the boxes, but if there are two deliveries in the same area, then double delivery payment for one trip......Thats more likely to decide how fast it's delivered than a tip. Although I did used to make a mint at christmas from tips.....

[Binky]

What does pee me off if your in a large party 10 plus i think (binky could probably clarify) the tips are automatically added, this does wind me up tbh.


On larger parties, normally over eight or more a 12% (or similar) gratuity is added onto the bill.

It's normally an optional tip though so you can choose to pay either or. Just kick off if i were you and they should remove it, especially if the service was poor.

[L3nny]

I don't understand it. I work in a customer service industry, one where if I do my job properly it saves other companies money rather than just makes someones night slightly more enjoyable and I don't get tipped.

If someone provides me with a service and charges me £20 why should I pay £25 just becuase they did it properly. If they wanted £25 then why didn't they just ask in the first place.

When I went to America it just did my head in, most of the time the prices for food and drink looked quite cheap on the menu but when when bill came they add tax and then a service charge it ends up 30% more. I know you don't have to pay it but you feel tight asking them to remove it, especially when you have no particular reason to complain. Then you get the people at the hotel who hang around doing jobs you can easily do yourself and then expect a tip, er no I am not giving you a pound to carry a bag which isn't very heavy 10 feet!!!

[metalangel]

In the US/Canada: Tip always unless the service provided has been terrible. Bar staff might get a few bucks as I buy my last drink before leaving, waiters always get their 15% (or more), I gave the bellhop in LA five bucks because he got our heavy bags out of our car, took them up to our room and gave us tons of useful info.

In the UK: Tip if the service has been above average. There's a lot more waiters here who don't give a toss and they don't get anything. Meanwhile, the guy who served us in Chiquito in Cardiff Bay was superb and got 20% because he'd flipping well earned it. I've never had someone take our bags to our room (or even offer) here so I can't comment on that.

The difference really comes down to opposing attitudes to customer service in the respective countries. People here expect and seemingly WANT rude, indifferent service. They don't expect much interaction if any from the staff. Witness Subway, which is run to American principles. Open questions about your meal, nothing is preset as it's all made from scratch and to order, and people in the UK are BAFFLED. Five types of bread?? All those different meats! Do I want it toasted or warmed up? And all those different garnishes and sauces too! Likewise, I know far too many people who are genuinely angered when they go into a store and a salesperson asks if they need any assistance.

Go to the US and the overwhelming majority of staff are friendly, polite, and eager to help you any way they can. I think the reason for this is while it might be a **** job, they take pride in doing their job well, and give you the standard of service they would expect to receive from you when they came to your place as a customer.

Or to put it another way: I went to Gamestation to get Red Dead Redemption. There were three staff members behind the counter, one was talking to a customer about Xbox warranty repairs. The other two were just idling sticking price tags onto boxes and listening to the conversation. After standing for several minutes at the 'please wait here to be served' sign with the game in my hand, and having had all three staff make eye contact and do NOTHING, I put the game back on the shelf and walked out. I've never had an experience like that in Canada or the US.

[SoulKiss]

sweat my ******** off running about for condoments

You want to negotiate separately for "Special Services", I'd advise small denomination notes in a plain envelope, handed to you discretely BEFORE erm, services are rendered :p

[Binky]

You want to negotiate separately for "Special Services", I'd advise small denomination notes in a plain envelope, handed to you discretely BEFORE erm, services are rendered :p

Yeah ok SK. I spelt it wrong. :smt021

[MisterTommyH]

Or to put it another way: I went to Gamestation to get Red Dead Redemption. There were three staff members behind the counter, one was talking to a customer about Xbox warranty repairs. The other two were just idling sticking price tags onto boxes and listening to the conversation. After standing for several minutes at the 'please wait here to be served' sign with the game in my hand, and having had all three staff make eye contact and do NOTHING, I put the game back on the shelf and walked out. I've never had an experience like that in Canada or the US.

To be fair I don't think you can compare Gamestation to a restaurant or 90% of other shops.

Unless it's a small venture the type of people employed in games shops tend to be those who'd rather be locked up in a dark room playing their XBOX 24/7, but have to work and so do the nearest thing they can. They try to limit human interaction therefore don't like speaking to customers.

No offence meant to anyone that works at gamestation....But you know it's true.

[Luckypants]

I tend to tip in restaurants because I know the wages are crap (see Binky's post) and the hours anti-social and long. Now I know there are plenty of other minimum wage jobs that fit this description, but how often are those people expected to be happy and smiley for an extended period to their customers? I only ever tip in cash after my daughter suffered from the 'no tips from card tips' scam that owners seem to think are a nice little bonus. A visit from the Revenue put paid to that particular git taking the mickey.

I will also tip anyone that gives a good service where they had no real need to. Perhaps press some cash into their hand with the words 'have a drink for your trouble', it seems to help if I go back again...

On the flip side, I get really annoyed if it is expected. I will NEVER pay a service charge on a bill, I'll decide who gets a tip and how much thank you. Anyone that hangs about with their hand out gets ignored as well.

[metalangel]

To be fair I don't think you can compare Gamestation to a restaurant or 90% of other shops.

I'll try and think of another past experience so my opinion will be valid again ;)

[Bri w]

I tend to tip in restaurants because I know the wages are crap (see Binky's post) and the hours anti-social and long. Now I know there are plenty of other minimum wage jobs that fit this description, but how often are those people expected to be happy and smiley for an extended period to their customers? I only ever tip in cash after my daughter suffered from the 'no tips from card tips' scam that owners seem to think are a nice little bonus. A visit from the Revenue put paid to that particular git taking the mickey.

I will also tip anyone that gives a good service where they had no real need to. Perhaps press some cash into their hand with the words 'have a drink for your trouble', it seems to help if I go back again...

On the flip side, I get really annoyed if it is expected. I will NEVER pay a service charge on a bill, I'll decide who gets a tip and how much thank you. Anyone that hangs about with their hand out gets ignored as well.

Pretty much how I do it.

I'll try and think of another past experience so my opinion will be valid again ;)

Must do better;) But I don't put the item back on the shelf. I interrupt their conversation with a "if you can't be bothered serving me perhaps you wouldn't mind putting this back on the shelf?"

[MisterTommyH]

I'll try and think of another past experience so my opinion will be valid again ;)

Ha ha, sorry, didn't mean it like that. Just that gamer shops have their own special category of ignorance. Wouldn't want to insult a waiter by comparing the.

[metalangel]

@TommyH: In my experience that description only applies to half the staff in Gamestation, the other half just see it as another retail job and don't have a frigging clue about what they sell. Just asking for a game that isn't Call of sodding Duty usually takes half a dozen attempts before they get the title right.

And I have been to several other stores (Currys, PC World, etc) where I've wandered around for ages unable to find what I want and unable to find anyone to ask, and so have just left.

BACK ON TOPIC...

When I worked in an Old Orleans *shivers at the memory* as the front of house we didn't get tips, we had a slightly higher wage than the rest of the serving staff instead.

Except for one of the other front of house staff who'd go to the tables after customers had left but before the waitress could bus them... and help herself to a bit of the tip. She got caught and fired, thankfully. I wasn't even aware of it until she was gone.

[Dave20046]

Well I got tipped a TV today so screw you binky :razz:

[Specialone]

Even in my job, self employed builder, im always getting tips of booze :)
More customers this year than normal have given me boxes of bulmers, wine, whiskey, etc.
I had a mate working with me on an extension over xmas and we both got stuff inc a huge tin of chocs.
I do occasionally get an extra £20 for a 'drink' off customers as well, especially when gone beyond the call of duty so to speak.

[Binky]

Well I got tipped a TV today so screw you binky :razz:

Nice one. I'll buy you surround sound and a DVD player with tonights tips if you like? :smt056

Why'd you get tipped a TV anyhow?

[Specialone]

Its probably broke, have you tried it yet dave?

[Dave20046]

Its probably broke, have you tried it yet dave?

No lol! (I'm actually going to run and check as soon as I've posted this).

Aww cheers binks that'd do nicely :smt056

Just did a house call for a proper decent bloke today, was there about 4 hours and had been talking to him a bit; mentioned I was moving house and he offered me a little telly!
If it doesn't have freeview built in I'm marching it back round there :smt013 :razz:

That's the best thing I've ever been given though in fairness.