Tipping

[Music Lover]

Well, "suddenly " is a bit strong. Likely took over a year for most places to adopt the practice. Again, whether they add the fee or ask me to do it, the end price comes out just about the same. While I absolutely hate the idea, 3% isn't going stop me from going out to eat. And these places are packed! If I stopped going, they wouldn't miss me.

An extra $6 bucks on a $200 dinner? I'll survive. There's free parking so I don't have to pay a valet! Just wish that we did it like they do in Europe when we lived there.

For us it's not about the money. If a place has mandatory gratuity or extra service charges we just stop going there. The only time we attend a place like that is if it's a social gathering because we value time out with family or friends more than the extra charges. But as a couple they've lost our business. I know we're only 2 people and they won't miss us, but we don't care...there are still plenty of other places to try.

 

[GenXguy]

For us it's not about the money. If a place has mandatory gratuity or extra service charges we just stop going there. The only time we attend a place like that is if it's a social gathering because we value time out with family or friends more than the extra charges. But as a couple they've lost our business. I know we're only 2 people and they won't miss us, but we don't care...there are still plenty of other places to try.

+1

The suckers who want to keep going and paying those extra fees are the enablers. That won't be me.

 

[Koolau]

For us it's not about the money. If a place has mandatory gratuity or extra service charges we just stop going there. The only time we attend a place like that is if it's a social gathering because we value time out with family or friends more than the extra charges. But as a couple they've lost our business. I know we're only 2 people and they won't miss us, but we don't care...there are still plenty of other places to try.

+1

The suckers who want to keep going and paying those extra fees are the enablers. That won't be me.

What is the expression? Vote with your feet!

Agree that no two people (or one customer) will make a difference, but at some point, enough people can sway a business to act differently. One thing is nearly certain. There will come a time when the economy will turn sour for a while and such places will be begging people to come back. Sorry, Charlie. There are lots of other places that didn't gouge me before things turned sour. I'll be helping them out - not the place that tried to nickel and dime me or take advantage of their (then current) popularity.

Heh, heh, I even see this at the fast food places now that have outrageously raised their prices. I've even stopped going there. MY fast food place is the "window" at COSTCO where I can still get a large pizza (deluxe) for $10 or hotdog-and-a-refillable-drink for $1.50. YMMV


By the way, I'm not "that person" who doesn't think businesses have the right to charge whatever they want to. Free enterprise for ever, baby! But I AM that person who remembers when they charge (what I believe is) too much. I reserve the right NOT to do business with them. Also free enterprise (baby.)

 

[marko]

For us it's not about the money. If a place has mandatory gratuity or extra service charges we just stop going there. The only time we attend a place like that is if it's a social gathering because we value time out with family or friends more than the extra charges. But as a couple they've lost our business. I know we're only 2 people and they won't miss us, but we don't care...there are still plenty of other places to try.

But if the world (U.S.) suddenly went "no tipping", it would be the result of the restaurants paying servers a full wage, like they do in Europe. That would mean you paying higher prices. Restaurants have razor thin margins already; there's no room for adding extra cost; they'd have to raise their prices.

In that case, there is an indirect, but 'mandatory/service charge' built into the bill. You'd be paying the same total amount but it would be inclusive and not broken down into two steps. Right?

In essence it doesn't matter if you tip or if the server's cost is built in, you'd be paying the same. There's no free lunch here.

 

[BigNick]

I wrote this blog post on the topic of tipping six years ago and I still stand by it.

(I should add that I live in Europe and here we either tip nothing, or a few coins. But when I'm in the US I "tip", i.e., I "add a chunk of money" to the bill, because I know it's expected.)

 

[GenXguy]

But if the world (U.S.) suddenly went "no tipping", it would be the result of the restaurants paying servers a full wage, like they do in Europe. That would mean you paying higher prices. Restaurants have razor thin margins already; there's no room for adding extra cost; they'd have to raise their prices.

In that case, there is an indirect, but 'mandatory/service charge' built into the bill. You'd be paying the same total amount but it would be inclusive and not broken down into two steps. Right?

In essence it doesn't matter if you tip or if the server's cost is built in, you'd be paying the same. There's no free lunch here.

In our state, the minimum wage for tipped workers is already higher than the national minimum wage and not much lower than the state minimum wage. So, in states like mine, tipping should be less than in states where that minimum is a lot lower.

They're already raising prices. Minimum wage just went up in my state at the beginning of the year, and of course, everything is jumping up in price more because of that.

Tipping should be optional at the discretion of the customer. So it's not going to be the same as if restaurants inflate their prices even more.

 

[Music Lover]

But if the world (U.S.) suddenly went "no tipping", it would be the result of the restaurants paying servers a full wage, like they do in Europe. That would mean you paying higher prices. Restaurants have razor thin margins already; there's no room for adding extra cost; they'd have to raise their prices.

In that case, there is an indirect, but 'mandatory/service charge' built into the bill. You'd be paying the same total amount but it would be inclusive and not broken down into two steps. Right?

In essence it doesn't matter if you tip or if the server's cost is built in, you'd be paying the same. There's no free lunch here.

I'm fully aware that if they have to pay the servers more that meal prices will go up. That's okay because then my $30 entree is $30 when the bill comes, not $25 plus expected tip or auto gratuity. All other businesses without a tipping culture somehow manage to price accordingly, I'm sure the restaurants can adapt.

 

[Texas Proud]

Well, I just tipped about 7%....


Went to the movies and had the Tuesday $6 margarita for me and DW with some other items and was charged the FULL price for them... no server to come to fix the problem... had to go out front and show someone else... called a manage etc. etc... finally got billed fixed but DW was complaining how long it took...


Good service became bad service in the end... and also wasted my time...

 

[athena53]

I'm fully aware that if they have to pay the servers more that meal prices will go up. That's okay because then my $30 entree is $30 when the bill comes, not $25 plus expected tip or auto gratuity. All other businesses without a tipping culture somehow manage to price accordingly, I'm sure the restaurants can adapt.

Except that now were in an uncomfortable interim where some places are increasing the hourly wage AND giving you the usual default tip %s on a check that now reflects higher food costs due to the wage increase. So, the staff gets a higher $$ tip due to their increased hourly wages.

 

[Music Lover]

Except that now were in an uncomfortable interim where some places are increasing the hourly wage AND giving you the usual default tip %s on a check that now reflects higher food costs due to the wage increase. So, the staff gets a higher $$ tip due to their increased hourly wages.

I live in Canada, and there has always only been one minimum wage (although it varies by province) so servers have always received the same minimum as everyone else.

For many years I had no idea that the US had a different minimum wage for servers.

 

[GenXguy]

I live in Canada, and there has always only been one minimum wage (although it varies by province) so servers have always received the same minimum as everyone else.

For many years I had no idea that the US had a different minimum wage for servers.

With many differences between states as well.

 

[explanade]

Simpson this week was about tipping gone out of control.

Homer is a softie, a generous one.

 

[teej1985]

I had no ideas that people tipped housekeepers. I never saw my parents do it growing up.

 

[Texas Proud]

I had no ideas that people tipped housekeepers. I never saw my parents do it growing up.

We actually give them a lot of our 'old' clothes etc... DW and DD give very nice stuff so they really like it... we do give them a tip for Christmas...

 

[Chuckanut]

With many differences between states as well.

Even between cities and counties in a state. Many cities passed a $15 minimum wage a few years ago. Now some places are hitting the $20 mark.
I believe California's new fast food minimum wage is going to drive automation that will probably spread nationwide. Maybe even up to Canada.

Like my old grandpappy used to say, "You can never do just one thing."

 

[GenXguy]

Even between cities and counties in a state. Many cities passed a $15 minimum wage a few years ago. Now some places are hitting the $20 mark.
I believe California's new fast food minimum wage is going to drive automation that will probably spread nationwide. Maybe even up to Canada.

Like my old grandpappy used to say, "You can never do just one thing."

Indeed. Here in Illinois, I know Chicago has some higher minimum wages for businesses with 21 ore more employees and is bringing the minimum wage for tipped workers up to match in 2028. It's already pretty high in the rest of the state.

 

[explanade]

I generally don't eat fast food but I'm hearing now that a Happy Meal is like $20 now?

I think I heard that McDonalds didn't meet expectations in their last earnings report.

I've seen expensive fast food meals in places like Switzerland, where everything is expensive but it was more in the range of $12-15 for a large sandwich, fries and a drink, though that was years ago.

Maybe these high minimum wage states are where these $20 meals are happening?

 

[GenXguy]

Saw on news that McDonald's is going to have $5 meal with low end sandwich, fries, and a drink. And then it's only going to stay a month. Doesn't sound too good and won't last long. I don't see how that's going to move the needle much for them and doesn't sound like it should be big national news.

I generally don't eat fast food but I'm hearing now that a Happy Meal is like $20 now?

Just checked app. Shows $4.59 to $5.69 depending on which one, plus tax.

 

[Out-to-Lunch]

I generally don't eat fast food but I'm hearing now that a Happy Meal is like $20 now?

No, that is totally untrue. Your sources are incorrect.

 

[Gumby]

As of Feb. 17, 2024, this site says $6.29 to $9.39 for a Happy Meal, depending on location. Complaining is not nearly as much fun when you have to use facts.

McDonalds Happy Meal Menu with Prices in USA 2024

McDonald's US allocated a portion of Happy Meal to their menu in all fast food chain branches in the USA. This McDonalds Happy Meal Menu provides budget-free

mcd-menu.com

 

[MuirWannabe]

Just returned from 5 weeks in Spain, Portugal, and the Azores. Tipping is just not a thing there. I rather enjoyed not tipping, although I did tip in a couple of cases of excellent service. The service in general wasn’t very good. So, as always there are trade offs. But I certainly do think the US has gone crazy nuts on tipping expectations for services where no tip should be required (or requested).

 

[Koolau]

Even between cities and counties in a state. Many cities passed a $15 minimum wage a few years ago. Now some places are hitting the $20 mark.
I believe California's new fast food minimum wage is going to drive automation that will probably spread nationwide. Maybe even up to Canada.

Like my old grandpappy used to say, "You can never do just one thing."

Also known as "You can't fool mother nature." Some laws (like supply and demand) can not be overturned.

 

[Montecfo]

These rapidly rising mandatory wages drive restaurants to a terrible choice: cut staff and automate or go out of business.

 

[jollystomper]

Ate in a restaurant in Manhattan a few days ago. On the wall and printed menu, there was a large notice that "18% gratuity was included". one of our sons had eaten there before and said the food was great. It was, large portions and the service was excellent - none of us could finish our meals and they boxed the remainders for us. When they brought the CC machine to our table to pay, the server said right away "the tip is already included, so be sure to hit the 'no tip' button", which we did.

The process was fine with me - the told you the tip percent up front ahead of time (menu was also posted in the window by their entrance), and they did not try to get an additional tip out of you.

 

[aja8888]

Ate in a restaurant in Manhattan a few days ago. On the wall and printed menu, there was a large notice that "18% gratuity was included". one of our sons had eaten there before and said the food was great. It was, large portions and the service was excellent - none of us could finish our meals and they boxed the remainders for us. When they brought the CC machine to our table to pay, the server said right away "the tip is already included, so be sure to hit the 'no tip' button", which we did.

The process was fine with me - the told you the tip percent up front ahead of time (menu was also posted in the window by their entrance), and they did not try to get an additional tip out of you.

You sure you didn't dream of this experience? Pinch yourself!