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In reply to the discussion: "I don't tip." [View all]

Douglas Carpenter

(20,226 posts)
172. in some countries such as Australia and some European countries servers make a more reasonable wage
Tue Feb 26, 2013, 09:07 PM
Feb 2013

and tipping is not expected or gratuity is calculated into the price. But given that this is not the case in America - going out to eat in a restaurant where everyone knows that the servers make sub-minimum wage from the restaurant itself and thus depend on tips - not tipping is really simply stealing.

"I don't tip." [View all] WilliamPitt Feb 2013 OP
Indeed. I do tip based on performance, but generally try to tip generously. el_bryanto Feb 2013 #1
out of curiosity, what *is* your "standard?" n/t orleans Feb 2013 #39
18% or thereabouts n/t el_bryanto Feb 2013 #46
20% is easier to calculate and many times the things that upaloopa Feb 2013 #54
The last time I was at Denny's, there was ONE wait staff and ONE cook working there that day. freshwest Feb 2013 #88
They're not? Floyd_Gondolli Feb 2013 #242
I've edited to be more specific. How is the Democratic party doing in your area? freshwest Feb 2013 #248
It's non existent Floyd_Gondolli Feb 2013 #249
Yes - I worked in a restaurant before - so I am well aware of that el_bryanto Feb 2013 #120
Could be she was told to wait so that you might upaloopa Feb 2013 #158
Exactly... GTurck Feb 2013 #229
Poor service is pretty much the rule these days Lordquinton Feb 2013 #138
Yeah, 2 times 10 percent Cosmocat Feb 2013 #234
18%..WOW pangaia Feb 2013 #188
If you have a cell phone, you have a calculator eridani Feb 2013 #225
Not MY cell phone. :>))) pangaia Feb 2013 #253
Love it! TDale313 Feb 2013 #2
I tend to be both generous and forgiving when it comes to tipping. backscatter712 Feb 2013 #3
one time a waiter forgave ME Skittles Feb 2013 #133
And if you DO make this announcement before getting served Cirque du So-What Feb 2013 #4
Oh you! Phentex Feb 2013 #27
The taste of waiter spit The Wizard Feb 2013 #144
Yikes! nt. OldDem2012 Feb 2013 #154
If you can't afford to tip, you can't afford to eat out. That says it all. (nt) enough Feb 2013 #5
and if you cannot pay minimum wage to your servers pennylane100 Feb 2013 #40
Servers are all paid at least minimum wage Jenoch Feb 2013 #79
In Tn. obama2terms Feb 2013 #132
Yep, $2.13 hr. PLUS your income tax came out of that. jazzimov Feb 2013 #197
163 weeks with a void check bottomofthehill Jul 2013 #314
Post removed Post removed Feb 2013 #232
IN MN, but not most other places. MessiahRp Feb 2013 #161
Of course I am aware that Minnesota Jenoch Feb 2013 #213
Win-win. n/t mattclearing Feb 2013 #230
We are paid $2.13/hr and we are to make that rest of the minimum wage from our tips. What we don't.. marble falls Feb 2013 #241
I knew that the wages are bad for Jenoch Feb 2013 #247
CA represent! Lordquinton Feb 2013 #142
I don't think there's any state where it's 10% union_maid Feb 2013 #192
Message auto-removed Aaron362 Feb 2013 #236
"You are costing the server money" Lordquinton Feb 2013 #252
Don't you get this? COcook Jul 2013 #264
So What You Are Saying, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2013 #265
Well and succinctly put TM. uppityperson Jul 2013 #267
You guys clearly don't get it COcook Jul 2013 #269
We Understand Perfectly, Sir: You Live Off Others' Work, And Want as Much As You Can Grab From Them The Magistrate Jul 2013 #271
You can't get it. COcook Jul 2013 #273
What would Jesus do? William769 Jul 2013 #274
So......... COcook Jul 2013 #280
No, just those employers who take advantage of their employees by paying crap and making lots uppityperson Jul 2013 #281
Wow COcook Jul 2013 #285
Yup, gets exercise by assuming and jumping to conclusions. Check! uppityperson Jul 2013 #286
I asked you what you thought of slavery. You may have compared yourself, but I simply asked uppityperson Jul 2013 #290
I am retired. William769 Jul 2013 #282
Youn"provide jobs" yet refuse to pay even $7.25/hr. yup, the old "even crap job@shit wages is better uppityperson Jul 2013 #278
His employees make more than 7.25 per hour ceonupe Jul 2013 #291
Yet his starting post was if he had to pay fed min wage it'd be impossible to stay in business. uppityperson Jul 2013 #293
Yeah if he ceonupe Jul 2013 #294
Actually, Sir, You Have Simply Confessed You Have No Arguement The Magistrate Jul 2013 #287
No argument? COcook Jul 2013 #289
If bad wage + tip = good wage with no tip, the customer cost is the same. uppityperson Jul 2013 #292
I find in interesting BainsBane Jul 2013 #295
Defending myself COcook Jul 2013 #300
Why did you feel compelled to sign up just to defend yourself? BainsBane Jul 2013 #301
Profits COcook Jul 2013 #304
The principal is the same BainsBane Jul 2013 #305
Profits II COcook Jul 2013 #308
That's a fair point BainsBane Jul 2013 #309
Thank you COcook Jul 2013 #312
You Have No Argument, Sir, Indeed, You Concede Every Point The Magistrate Jul 2013 #296
Yes, I'm completely cool with that. BainsBane Jul 2013 #266
Making employees survive off the charity of YOUR business's customers so you can make more is uppityperson Jul 2013 #268
Shame on me???? COcook Jul 2013 #270
Clearly you have no Idea what your talking about. William769 Jul 2013 #272
Do you people just like to insult others w/o even trying to understand? COcook Jul 2013 #275
I can't judge you on your actions I can't see. William769 Jul 2013 #277
Clearly you don't bother to read my posts COcook Jul 2013 #283
So changing their salaries from$11/hr to $7.25 is a hardship for you, you'd have to raise prices? uppityperson Jul 2013 #284
math COcook Jul 2013 #297
Ah, you edited your first post 1/2 hr later. I told you my history and current current employment. uppityperson Jul 2013 #299
Edited? COcook Jul 2013 #302
Oh, I agree that some " in this forum is just as bad as the Tea Party people that refuse to even..." uppityperson Jul 2013 #315
You tip? COcook Jul 2013 #318
I actually agree that tipping is not charity BainsBane Jul 2013 #303
You pay $11/hr, fed min wage is $7.25/hr! You can't afford to pay fed minwage? uppityperson Jul 2013 #276
I'm putting on my asbestos undies and coming to your defense. femmedem Jul 2013 #298
Thank you COcook Jul 2013 #306
I'd encourage you to give DU another go... this was a somewhat contentious issue. Agschmid Jul 2013 #310
Thanks COcook Jul 2013 #311
Well to be fair it happens on both sides. Agschmid Jul 2013 #313
"he" is standard default position for much of English language. uppityperson Jul 2013 #316
He does pay the FED "tipped" min wage... Agschmid Jul 2013 #307
Thank you for sharing that piece of information. I appreciate your taking time to do so. uppityperson Jul 2013 #317
If the servers were paid a decent wage the cost of the meal would rise accordingly. alphafemale Feb 2013 #201
yes! Ed Suspicious Feb 2013 #218
Its federal law Sgent Feb 2013 #237
Mr Pink CalFresh Feb 2013 #6
Cue The Video thelordofhell Feb 2013 #15
Ha that's the first thing I thought of! Initech Feb 2013 #99
8 dudes had breakfast, $7 tip. MrSlayer Feb 2013 #223
I was hoping that would be here! Lucky Luciano Feb 2013 #83
I have a moral objection to tipping Gormy Cuss Feb 2013 #7
In most of the rest of the civilized world, servers get paid a decent wage, and people don't tip. backscatter712 Feb 2013 #53
I tip in every country I visit riqster Feb 2013 #103
YMMV depending on the country. backscatter712 Feb 2013 #107
I check cultural mores before I go riqster Feb 2013 #110
Good to be safe. Nobody here wants to be Mr. Pink. backscatter712 Feb 2013 #112
Oh, and by the way, which one's Pink? riqster Feb 2013 #115
The guy that said he doesn't tip. backscatter712 Feb 2013 #116
the one riding the gravy train d_r Feb 2013 #128
The name of the game nt riqster Feb 2013 #130
Syd DisgustipatedinCA Feb 2013 #169
Ah... wonderful reference. Thank you. n/t reflection Feb 2013 #235
Smart decision. WinstonSmith4740 Feb 2013 #204
They do accept tips, they just don't expect them... Violet_Crumble Mar 2013 #260
In Japan, they wouldn't take your money. nt Bonobo Feb 2013 #212
Good to know! nt riqster Feb 2013 #231
You are correct. Cheviteau Feb 2013 #239
One reason why Brits may be disliked by wait-staff in restaurants. mwooldri Feb 2013 #109
Having served a lot of Brits back in the day in a fish and chips pub style shop I worked in, I Cleita Feb 2013 #126
I tip...because I like to... nenagh Feb 2013 #76
I would like to see both minimum wage pay (at the very least).... ProudToBeBlueInRhody Feb 2013 #85
That's the thing though -- you're tipping as a reward, not as a pseudo-employer. Gormy Cuss Feb 2013 #105
Exactly. laundry_queen Feb 2013 #123
I look forward to that day, too. Iggo Feb 2013 #184
I tip, because this is part of the waitstaff's earnings Mass Feb 2013 #8
I always tip, but if I received poor service, then I wouldn't. ZombieHorde Feb 2013 #9
One of my daughters started waitressing again recently LiberalEsto Feb 2013 #10
i always tip 20%+.. frylock Feb 2013 #11
I hate it when the service is really awful, pennylane100 Feb 2013 #44
What you do is complain to the management. Usually, it will get you a free comp meal, Cleita Feb 2013 #58
i'm usually willing to cut the server some slack, knowing how overworked they can be.. frylock Feb 2013 #71
Yeah, it sucks ProudToBeBlueInRhody Feb 2013 #114
I also leave about 20%+ Auggie Feb 2013 #146
And her income tax is based on the assumption she upaloopa Feb 2013 #57
Yep, and that's the law. She must pay taxes on 8% of the gross sales on Cleita Feb 2013 #81
I didnt know that! indie9197 Feb 2013 #118
Not exactly Gormy Cuss Feb 2013 #119
That's only if the employer allows it. I have done payroll for several employers and Cleita Feb 2013 #122
The 8% is not a safe harbor Sgent Feb 2013 #238
Oh sure the employees need to turn in their tips and I believe there is a law passed about ten years Cleita Feb 2013 #246
Yeah, right. I had a co-worker that tried that. jazzimov Feb 2013 #199
Sounds like FAKING a tip journal doesn't work JimDandy Feb 2013 #203
Really? kyeshinka Feb 2013 #64
No, being stiffed as in no tip, there is no legal requirement to tip Fumesucker Feb 2013 #102
I like Ruby Tuesday OriginalGeek Feb 2013 #136
Gaithersburg MD LiberalEsto Feb 2013 #143
Nope OriginalGeek Feb 2013 #151
Having worked in the restaurant business in various capacities, on and off, during Cleita Feb 2013 #12
agreed ! nt steve2470 Feb 2013 #14
I'm not going to flame you, but I will say that if you're going to automatically add Sheldon Cooper Feb 2013 #17
Because of the way the restaurant business works and how the income tax is structured. Cleita Feb 2013 #25
"the restaurant still has to pay, in theory, minimum wage to the server" WilliamPitt Feb 2013 #26
And they should be getting minimum wage IMHO. Somewhere, the laws got changed to Cleita Feb 2013 #30
what even made you start this topic? I don't get where your going! 4 t 4 Feb 2013 #177
"you're" WilliamPitt Feb 2013 #190
Minimum wage works in many countries. SwissTony Feb 2013 #31
Your point? Cleita Feb 2013 #33
Sometimes the restaurant owner loses, sometime (s)he wins. (n/t) SwissTony Feb 2013 #35
The restaurant owner only loses when he doesn't know how to run the Cleita Feb 2013 #42
Fair enough. I confess to never having worked in the catering business... SwissTony Feb 2013 #73
I've waited tables union_maid Feb 2013 #196
Well, if I'm catering a luncheon for, say, 100 people, Sheldon Cooper Feb 2013 #37
That would work. You would have to make sure that whoever is doing your payroll Cleita Feb 2013 #48
You bring up good points. Sheldon Cooper Feb 2013 #104
Naah. A properly managed restaurant . . . MrModerate Feb 2013 #175
I agree about the healthcare. Here most restaurants will deduct health care from the servers' wages. Cleita Feb 2013 #182
This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Feb 2013 #45
It's actually harder than you might think. Cleita Feb 2013 #50
This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Feb 2013 #82
I've worked as a concrete laborer, built houses, remodeled houses and painted houses. Hassin Bin Sober Feb 2013 #129
I've waited tables union_maid Feb 2013 #195
I'll bet the cruise ships did that after hosting the Southern Baptist Judgmentalism Convention. backscatter712 Feb 2013 #56
Also, Republican politicians and their followers. Cleita Feb 2013 #62
Not a flame, but I disagree MurrayDelph Feb 2013 #67
What kind of service do you want? Cleita Feb 2013 #77
I'm OK with that, but don't call it a "gratuity". Call it "subsidizing the server's pay" maggiesfarmer Feb 2013 #156
Actually, more accurately it's a service charge. Just like on your plumbing bill or Cleita Feb 2013 #157
yes, 'service charge' is accurate and conventional maggiesfarmer Feb 2013 #164
k&r nt steve2470 Feb 2013 #13
Message auto-removed von Kook Feb 2013 #16
Hell, Go Vols Feb 2013 #18
This brings up something I've always wondered: kentauros Feb 2013 #65
A dollar per bag (or ice bucket or whatever) DollarBillHines Feb 2013 #86
Thank you! kentauros Feb 2013 #87
As I posted below. DollarBillHines Feb 2013 #93
Yes, that's a nice bar trick! kentauros Feb 2013 #96
I always tip. In_The_Wind Feb 2013 #19
Even when I've been unemployed and eating out kentauros Feb 2013 #69
G.M.T.A. In_The_Wind Feb 2013 #74
I worked my way through college on tips: I tip 20% REGARDLESS of performance alcibiades_mystery Feb 2013 #20
You should always take the change back... Phentex Feb 2013 #24
I know, I know alcibiades_mystery Feb 2013 #32
Sounds like an ass anyway... Phentex Feb 2013 #36
you kept money that was not yours and you blame the customer for being bad? wow nt msongs Feb 2013 #68
If I can't afford a tip... bobclark86 Feb 2013 #140
The entire system is backasswards... Sekhmets Daughter Feb 2013 #21
T-I-P stands for nothing. Bicoastal Feb 2013 #59
Thanks for the correction. Sekhmets Daughter Feb 2013 #63
That's NOT what Fiat stands for? Jeff In Milwaukee Feb 2013 #84
You mean like Found On the Road Dead? Fix Or Repair Daily? Manifestor_of_Light Feb 2013 #134
Can Hear Every Valve Rattle On Long Extended Trips eridani Feb 2013 #226
Somebody needs to make one up for Hyundai, IMO. AverageJoe90 Feb 2013 #227
Hope You Understand Nothing's Driveable And Inexpensive n/t eridani Mar 2013 #259
Those are funny!!! You must be a gearhead. Manifestor_of_Light Mar 2013 #256
Plan On Numerous Trips In Another Car eridani Mar 2013 #258
Agreed, on the hotel thing. DollarBillHines Feb 2013 #89
Yep... Sekhmets Daughter Feb 2013 #91
Amen... DollarBillHines Feb 2013 #94
LOL Sekhmets Daughter Feb 2013 #97
This whole sub-thread is making me want a drink. n.t white_wolf Feb 2013 #139
Excuse me? Sekhmets Daughter Feb 2013 #167
I was just making a joke based on all the bar comments. It wasn't very good. Sorry. nt white_wolf Feb 2013 #168
There was a time I would have recognized it as a joke, immediately... Sekhmets Daughter Feb 2013 #170
I need to print this for a friend of mine... Phentex Feb 2013 #22
I always tip. My objection is that when I give a tip to my waitress for the excellent mfcorey1 Feb 2013 #23
So the bartender who made your drink and the busboy who cleaned up the table Cleita Feb 2013 #34
I understand your point, but that's not how it works hatrack Feb 2013 #135
That makes it clearer for me. Thanks! mfcorey1 Feb 2013 #137
I haven't tipped since my circumcision lame54 Feb 2013 #28
. . . . . . . WilliamPitt Feb 2013 #29
This message was self-deleted by its author devilgrrl Feb 2013 #38
They are probably smiling at you, though, kentauros Feb 2013 #78
I always tip at least 20%. Especially since I go to a number of restaruants regularly. smirkymonkey Feb 2013 #189
I tip A Little Weird Feb 2013 #41
Non tippers have obviously never waited tables to support themselves. Butterbean Feb 2013 #43
That's the way I feel. I never eat out any more unless someone treats me. Cleita Feb 2013 #55
I love to tip! tblue Feb 2013 #224
I overtip. Mostly because I frequent the same couple of places and will see them again. JaneyVee Feb 2013 #47
Another good lesson I got from my Dad... kimmylavin Feb 2013 #49
Your point about not dating anyone who is a bad tipper is actually Sheldon Cooper Feb 2013 #106
Throckmorton Tip Schedule (or why the wait staff at my regular places love me): Throckmorton Feb 2013 #51
I always overtip.. one_voice Feb 2013 #52
ANOTHER tpping thread? nt Dreamer Tatum Feb 2013 #60
Yup. And you just kicked it. WilliamPitt Feb 2013 #72
a danish epal spent 3 weeks in america last spring. once he got to Wi, i had to explain why we tip pansypoo53219 Feb 2013 #61
k&r Solly Mack Feb 2013 #66
"I don't just believe in tipping, I believe in over-tipping" - Steve Martin in "My Blue Heaven". Gorp Feb 2013 #70
lame excuses reorg Feb 2013 #75
America is one of the few countries that go ape shit with tipping Major Nikon Feb 2013 #90
Yes, I'm not aware of any other country reorg Feb 2013 #121
Good point ProudToBeBlueInRhody Feb 2013 #80
Another good site is Stained Apron. DinahMoeHum Feb 2013 #92
The "Sweet Revenge" Section Of Stained Apron Is Great Reading. (nt) Paladin Feb 2013 #95
Heh heh. "George Hayduke", eat your heart out! DinahMoeHum Feb 2013 #117
20% MINIMUM, then I round up which can easily get me to the 25-30% range eggplant Feb 2013 #98
+1000 smirkymonkey Feb 2013 #191
Oregon and Washington pay servers $9 min wage. 10% tip OK. ErikJ Feb 2013 #100
If you don't tip, don't go to the restaurant, period BainsBane Feb 2013 #101
Thats why Food Carts Lots are booming!. ErikJ Feb 2013 #111
I always tip. Beacool Feb 2013 #108
I tip 20%, minimum. n/t ColesCountyDem Feb 2013 #113
Most waiters are paid very little so I tip 20% nineteen50 Feb 2013 #124
I almost always tip, and in my view, you are a dirtbag if you don't quinnox Feb 2013 #125
If you don't tip you are a asshole period. Notafraidtoo Feb 2013 #127
And that goes double for the people who are proud and vocal about non-tipping Posteritatis Feb 2013 #149
Think about what you said Lordquinton Feb 2013 #155
I hardly believe Notafraidtoo Feb 2013 #173
So the owner isn't at fault at all? Lordquinton Feb 2013 #251
Ahh, upgrading "rip off the wait staff" to a social virtue. (nt) Posteritatis Feb 2013 #180
Excellent response to those nitwits. nt RedCappedBandit Feb 2013 #131
If the subminimum wage was any lower, they could be paid literal peanuts ck4829 Feb 2013 #141
The hell of it is michigandem58 Feb 2013 #145
I have no problem with tipping people who serve me in restaurants, Blue_In_AK Feb 2013 #147
I kind of agree with you. Cleita Feb 2013 #165
Tipping starts at 20%. Starry Messenger Feb 2013 #148
When I was a college student, I went to NYC with some friends mountain grammy Feb 2013 #150
I experienced what it was like in a country where people don't tip... Southerner Feb 2013 #152
I live in Australia and visit the US every few months . . . MrModerate Feb 2013 #163
You must have struck a few dud places, because most places I go are good... Violet_Crumble Mar 2013 #261
I worked in the industry for 24 years... fantase56 Feb 2013 #153
Welcome to DU! UrbScotty Feb 2013 #166
I always tip well, but honestly the servers should not have to rely on tips Bjorn Against Feb 2013 #159
Note to ifyoucantaffordtotip.com: Bite me MrModerate Feb 2013 #160
Meh. If you can afford to eat out you are not the victim here. Get over yourself. (nt) Posteritatis Feb 2013 #179
Sorry. I'm a restaurant patron. That gives me right to an opinion. MrModerate Feb 2013 #205
You also have the right theKed Feb 2013 #214
What's most interesting about this issue of tipping . . . MrModerate Feb 2013 #216
I think it is the customers job Notafraidtoo Feb 2013 #181
I agree with most of what you've said . . . MrModerate Feb 2013 #207
"I don't tip". Well, how FUCKING convenient!! Cheap ingenuous dick head! AAO Feb 2013 #162
You might want to read the post... octothorpe Feb 2013 #178
Why do you say that? I read it just fine. Do you think it's OK not to tip? AAO Feb 2013 #194
Based on your comment, it appears you don't understand the original post. n/t MrModerate Feb 2013 #208
That's what you say. If it's so difficult for me to understand, please explain it to me. AAO Feb 2013 #233
The post criticizes those who don't tip . . . MrModerate Feb 2013 #254
I guess there was a BIG disconnect AAO Feb 2013 #255
Well. Now *that's* cleared up . . . MrModerate Mar 2013 #262
Being born and raised as a Packer fanatic I hope their chances suck AAO Mar 2013 #263
I call BS!!!! BigD_95 Feb 2013 #171
It becomes your job when you go to the restaurant union_maid Feb 2013 #198
in some countries such as Australia and some European countries servers make a more reasonable wage Douglas Carpenter Feb 2013 #172
I recently spent a week in England. There is no tipping. Chalco Feb 2013 #174
When I was in London, I still tipped 20%. They must have thought I was a total idiot. smirkymonkey Feb 2013 #193
Yes, one confided in me that Americans often did that. But Chalco Feb 2013 #240
And if you do that Warpy Feb 2013 #176
Why can't restaurants just be required to pay minimum wage anyway? OceanEcosystem Feb 2013 #183
I'll be torquing some f/b associates.... rppper Feb 2013 #185
I tip so I don't have to wait long... Historic NY Feb 2013 #186
are you kidding me , william 4 t 4 Feb 2013 #187
omg , what has happened ? tipping -really when people can't afford Walmart ? I know some who are bad 4 t 4 Feb 2013 #200
I live in Oregon and all waitstaff get minimum wage Leftcoastgary Feb 2013 #202
I do not disagree. blackspade Feb 2013 #206
Anybody unethical enough not to tip caseymoz Feb 2013 #209
I also tip based on performance, but NOT a fixed % of the bill. BobTheSubgenius Feb 2013 #210
There s no tipping in Japan Bonobo Feb 2013 #211
I Always Tip Big colsohlibgal Feb 2013 #215
Then if the staff spits in your food too fucking bad. donheld Feb 2013 #217
Fuck that! I don't know if it's criminal to do that but is sure as hell should be. You should get Ed Suspicious Feb 2013 #219
I didn't say it was right now did I? donheld Feb 2013 #221
I say that as the unlucky recipient of a large wad of hair underneath the cheese on my pizza at Ed Suspicious Feb 2013 #220
I'm very sorry that happened to you. donheld Feb 2013 #222
I have generally tipped regardless of performance. mattclearing Feb 2013 #228
Why are you attacking canadians? n/t L0oniX Feb 2013 #243
^^^ Ron Obvious Award Winner ^^^ WilliamPitt Feb 2013 #250
k+r! TeamPooka Feb 2013 #244
Nice. krispos42 Feb 2013 #245
Nice work, Will. flvegan Mar 2013 #257
This message was self-deleted by its author carolinayellowdog Jul 2013 #279
If you don't tip, you're not paying for your meal BainsBane Jul 2013 #288
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