Carwash guy scoffs at tip....

[Vipergrün]

Was at one of those large carwash places where they vacuum, drive through the wash, and hand dry the cars. This place is very politically correct in its hiring of minorities (well, not really a minority in SoCal, but thats a PARF thread)

Paid by CC, only had $2 (4 quarters, 1 bill) cash and gave that to the guy when he was drying my car.

I get a total WTF look and a grunt from the guy when he sees the two bucks.

Lets figure he's making minimum wage at 8.00/hr. I basically gave him a 25% increase in pay. I would be more than stoked to get another 25% of my wage.

Part of me is totally fed up tipping every time a camel farts in the Middle East.

I do not mind tipping for service, but the entitlement is wearing me thin.

Flame on...

-Brad

[Vipergrün]

Originally Posted by Jrboulder

It took him an hour to do your car?

Dang. Good point. I was using government math.

That would make it at least 100%

[ronster]

If anyone scoffs at a tip I offer I stick it in my pocket and consider it more money for me and they can KMA.

[ZOA NOM]

I don't tip unless it's deserved, anywhere. I insist that the person working in a job that pays tips understands that it is a tip, not part of their salary, and it is dependent on their performance. Don't like it? Find another line of work.

Having said that, I have routinely given obscene tips for service that I thought deserved it. If I feel like the person providing me service actually gives a damn about my satisfaction, I believe that a good tip will promote more of the same attitude for their next customers. I also don't hold the waitress accountable for what comes out of the kitchen. I gave a $50 tip for a $28 dollar meal for two after returning a dish that the waitress recommended, and turned out to taste horrible. She was so accommodating and disappointed that her recommendation had fallen flat. It was good to see her smile when she saw the tip.

[motion]

I'm so over being stressed about who/when/how much to tip people.

Yeah or nay?

Coffee - not latte, etc. Just coffee.
AAA guy for giving you a jump start
Carpet cleaner
Motorcycle transport driver
The shuttle van driver at the airport who rips your carry-on out of your arms
Hotel maid
Flight instructor

I normally tip 20% for decent service at a restaurant, and feel bad when leaving 15% for not so good service. Recently in SoBe, I was shocked to see every restaurant automatically add 18% to the bill, no matter how large or small the party. Just crazy.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by ZOA NOM

I don't tip unless it's deserved...

+1. People tip even if they got poor service

On occasion, I left 1 penny on the table with a note why this was more then they deserve.

I also told the rest of the waiter staffs that "useless tits" (no matter what gender) cost them their share of the tips distribution.

Tipping expectation is getting out of hand in North America. 15% for doing a poor job... "go pull your self in the corner" Rant over

[Embraer]

Originally Posted by motion

I'm so over being stressed about who/when/how much to tip people.

Yeah or nay?

Coffee - not latte, etc. Just coffee.
AAA guy for giving you a jump start
Carpet cleaner
Motorcycle transport driver
The shuttle van driver at the airport who rips your carry-on out of your arms
Hotel maid
Flight instructor

I normally tip 20% for decent service at a restaurant, and feel bad when leaving 15% for not so good service. Recently in SoBe, I was shocked to see every restaurant automatically add 18% to the bill, no matter how large or small the party. Just crazy.

Do not tip a flight instructor. That would be like tipping a teacher, doctor, or lawyer. He should not accept a tip, as he should consider himself a professional.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by Jrboulder

If I tip, I always tip in cash even if I'm paying with a card. I'm rewarding their effort, not the government.

+1, But not as much as the government as the dishonest owners.

[azasadny]

I tip $2 at the car wash (it's $8, so I give them a $10) and they always thank me and seem appreciative... Find a different car wash...

[Baz]

Not surprising Brad. He wouldn't be washing cars if he understood the math.

Don't hold it against others who do understand math. Many do. Like my barber. He gets a $3.00 tip for a $9.00 haircut. If all clients gave him this tip amount - it would be an additional $12-$15/hour. For an 8 hour day that's an additional $96.00 - $140.00 per day. For a 5 day week that comes to an additional $480.00 - $700.00 per week. That's $1,920.00 - $2,800.00 per month.

This all based on 4-5 haircuts per hour. But whether or not that pace is maintained....the point is it all adds up. You have to do the math, as you said Brad.

[biosurfer1]

I've said it before on PPOT and it still rings true. There is absolutely, 100%, no reason what-so-ever for tipping, ever. I tip just like every one else only because its a social convention, but people in the service industry don't understand tipping and it slowly becomes what it currently is, expected every time and rarely appreciated.

How about we remove tipping all together? If someone wants more money at their job, how about go ask for a raise from the owner instead of having me supplement it?? It's what I do, and teachers, and firefighters, police, etc, etc, etc. I believe the "service" those examples provide are much more important that the guy who slaps some food on a plate and wants me to give him 20% of whatever price his boss decided to charge for it.

[timchar]

I'm in the car wash business. I terminated an employee for disrespecting a customer who said, "he had no change and would catch him next time". The customer brought it to my attention , I terminated employee. About 20-30% of customers tip and my employees better be grateful for anything they may get. I would let management know...Tim

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by Vipergrün

I do not mind tipping for service, but the entitlement is wearing me thin.

Flame on...

-Brad

Janss Mall?

[Vipergrün]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Janss Mall?

Bingo!

[aigel]

They are always happy to get my $2 on a basic wash. I often give it to both guys if there are two working my car. For waxing and other large jobs, I often make it $5 if it is a single guy. They always are very grateful.

Note that everyone will tell how great they tip at restaurants. However, averages are below 15% according to studies cited on wikipedia:

Tip (gratuity) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Based on an IRS audit of FIOR D'ITALIA in San Francisco, CA, it showed that for FY1991 and FY1992 actual tip amount was found to be 14.4 and 14.29% respectively.

In a 2003 audit conducted in a research report under advise of Ron Worsham at Brigham Young University, it was found that the data collected from sample restaurants had an average tip percentage which ranged from 13.57 to 14.69% between 1999-2002.

I always tip 15% for decent service and have many times gotten profuse thank yous on the way out of the joint for a standard 15% tip. This clearly tells me that the surveys above are probably pretty accurate. I wonder what the recent economic times - since 07 - have done to tipping. A new survey from this time frame would be interesting.

Note that the wikipedia page above also mentions that the 18% automatically added is not considered enforcable by law and that one can negotiate a different number with management if one is dissatisfied with the service. Personally I understand why they add this for large parties, but it rubs me the wrong way that it is 3% above what is commonly considered a normal tip and apparently more than 3% above the average tip given in the US.

G

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by Vipergrün

Bingo!

Another reason I'm so glad I dont live in Conejo Valley anymore. The sense of entitlement there ruined an once amazing community with a nice western feel and lots of nature. Thousand Oaks is (now) a snooty rich mans town. Miguel at the car wash is just used to the $10 tip.

[Nostril Cheese]

NP aint much better.

At least Akrey's is still there. The prototypical dive bar to end all dive bars.

[DanielDudley]

Like it or not, most people that we tip would have a much harder time getting through life if no one tipped them.

Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of them all ?

You, YOU, are fairest BY FAR...

Merry Christmas. Buy yourself a present yet ? Of course you did...

[petrolhead611]

It would be much better if service industry employees were paid a fair & decent wage and no tipping was allowed. Obviously the prices would go up, but one would know what to expect to have to pay.Cruise ship lines have to be the worst employers in the western world-the employment conditions and lack of wages for the servers are really a scandal.

[911_Dude]

I tip at restaurants. Normally 20%. I never tip when I have to stand in a line for counter service, like at Starbucks. Thats just plain stupid.