Art of Manliness - Latest Comments in The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

Caden Robbs — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 17:36:13 -0000

Should I still tip if they specifically ask for a tip? It seems rude for them to ask, but the guy did do a good job. In this case though, I didn't have my wallet on me, so the point was moot. However, I am curious as to what I should do in future situations like this.

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

Sebastian Skarbek — Sat, 30 Aug 2014 03:23:08 -0000

15% is easy. Take 10% and remember that number. Split it in two (hint: that makes 5%), and add it to the original 10%. Voila.

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

Terry Markel — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 13:06:24 -0000

Tipping at casinos: A lot of Casinos, your drinks are free as long as you are gambling. I don't know what would be considered a "good tip" in this case, but generally give the girl a dollar coin everytime she stops by, even if I don't need a drink. But, I always take the drink to keep from paying her for nothing.

Also, at bars/clubs, I tend to like to tip 50% and pay cash only. This is for when they are rather busy (usually when I'm going they are). Doing this, everytime I step up to the bar, the bartender comes right over to me. Even when there are people that have been standing there for 10 minutes.

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

Jordan Michael Rapp — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 03:18:02 -0000

To a certain extent I prescribe to the Mr. Pink philosophy. I will not tip unless some one went well above and beyond. Otherwise I am feeding a broken system and I find it harder to sleep at night knowing I helped perpetuate a broken system than knowing some one might not get payed as much. If they don't like the job they can quit, or they can create a union. They have the power to better their own situation and I won't be an enabler. However as I have stated before if I receive are memorable service I will tip and it will usually be an calculated amount. Money is only worth what it can buy so a waitress at Shari's might get a $15 tip from me for a manicure, (as there is a salon near it that supplies manicures for $15). As stated in the article service jobs are more personal so it stands to reason one should give a tip that is more personal. I will tip people who provide quick or superior service because I want to ensure that such traits stay in the work place. For the most part I agree with this article, for instance I gave a man a very large tip for delivering Chinese take out in a snow storm on his bike, He risked his life and he deserved compensation. I think it really comes down to being an upright individual and rewarding behavior that one finds likeable so that those behaviors persist.

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

kelso — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 08:23:03 -0000

dont forget your cable guy, if you have em do some off the wall job that takes extra time and they bust their ass, slide them a 5. i hate when some guy wants me to do some rediculous thing and its going to take hours extra to get it done, and then theyre a prick about it.

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

CassieAlex — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:27:12 -0000

If you're serving UK customers, you might want to casually hint at a tip beforehand (something along the lines of: "would you like me to add a tip to your bill?", or leaving the total line blank on the machine will be taken by many as a polite hint), because in England, tipping is not only less usual, but in some cases it is actually considered inappropriate or weird at best to tip, often it's actually kind of offensive.....so most of the time a UK 'stingy' tourist, will have simply not thought of it, or be worried of causing offence.

It's not as customary to tip in the UK as the minimum wage is £6.31 ($9.66 so more than 3 times as much as in the USA) per hour and most earn more.

Taxis: don't need to be tipped, but a lot of people will pay in notes only and tell them to keep the change. If they have loaded and unloaded your luggage for you or done something else helpful, then you should tip.

Waitresses and other food service: if there is a tip jar, you should put something in to match or raise, not everyone does, but unless the service was noticeably below average, you probably should. (Don't put a couple of copper coins into a jar with 1 and 2 pound coins(1.5-2 dollars apiece) but feel free to put silvers in a jar filled mainly with coppers.

With takeaway in the UK, if you collect it DON'T TIP unless there is a jar, it's kind of inappropriate, some people might be okay with it, but most would be either bewildered or offended..... If they bring it to you, tipping is optional, telling them to keep the change from a £10 note for an £8.50 order is fine, alternatively just tip a small amount. If you make a really big order, or you need them to help you carry it because you can't balance everything(kind of a faux-pas, but easily rectified with a nice tip) you should tip, even if only a little.

Restaurants fall into different categories:
Fast-food: Tip jar if they have one, otherwise no tip, it is weird/inappropriate to tip in this situation.
Casual (no dedicated waiter or waitress): Tip jar, or not usually more than a pound or two per person if in a group, if alone 2-3 pounds unless you ordered a lot, if you intend it for a specific person, hand it to them, otherwise anyone who waited your table.

Any restaurant where you/your group have your own waiter/waitress who is the one who brings you things and takes your order etc. 10+%, just the service charge, or service charge plus extra.

If 'Service not included' is anywhere, that's a polite request for a tip, ~10%
Don't tip bartenders you don't know, if you've had the same one on several visits and you want to tip (it's pretty unusual) when you order, say and 'one for yourself', this is a tip of about a pound (generally) if they're allowed to drink on the job, they could have a drink instead.

I don't tip by card, and will often ask to pay the automatic service charge, plus a little extra tip in cash (there isn't always a service charge and it might not be optional).

Basically, you intend to tip the person/people who served you, however, the restaurant can, and some do, keep up to 100% of the tip you put on your card for that nice waiter who was incredibly helpful.

If there is a service charge that IS the tip, if the service is mediocre, don't tip on top, if the service is not bad, don't feel obligated, if the waiter was incredibly helpful or you have a wailing baby, or an unpleasant friend with you, you should tip.

Cash handed to a waiter, or clearly intended for them is their legal property, so they are guaranteed to get the tip they earned.

Also, tipping isn't always expected, I tend to just stick some in the jar in casual situations, or tell them to keep the change, at a high-class restaurant, you should probably tip at least 10%.

If it's someone who performs a regular service and you're not sure if it's appropriate to tip, the occasional gift card to somewhere popular/you know they use fills in the gap between gift, bonus. and tip very conveniently. It's appropriate for pretty much anyone who works for you on a regular basis, especially if they put a lot of effort in. (housekeeper, babysitters, delivery people......)

Tour guides that say: "I hope you enjoyed your tour." and don't immediately hurry off, generally want a tip.

Hairdressers, 10%, other people like masseurs/masseuses generally aren't tipped.

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

jaime — Sat, 04 May 2013 12:31:16 -0000

any suggestions for adventure guides? fishing charters? instructors for surfing, kiteboarding, etc.

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

JR — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 05:02:38 -0000

I worked at a lumber yard (a local lumber yard, not home depot/lowes) during high school making minimum wage. I loaded hundreds of boards into people's trucks at a time, searched through entire units of lumber for the perfectly strait and knotless board for housewives, made every cut in a guy's baseboard because he didn't own a miter saw, swapped 200 pieces of trex for a different color for some dude, etc.

Nobody tipped. Contractors, homeowners, boy scouts (who we gave free wood to and loaded it for them), nobody. We still did our job. It's not like we could load one less 2x4 or cut a board 1/2" too short, we still did a good job.

Over the two years I worked there, I only got tipped once. It was $2 and it made my week just to see that someone appreciated the help I gave them.

So I have kind of a unique relationship with tipping: I always tip because I know how important it is, but I am tired of hearing restaurant workers complain about tipping issues and how it affects your level of service. Everyone should do a good job all the time, regardless of the customer. And you should definitely tip the guy who helps you load up a few sheets of plywood or a couple 2x4s at home depot.

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

brainiac3397 — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 00:44:32 -0000

I never tip the regular amount required. I have a terrible habit of overtipping.(not that I mind). I once tipped $10 for the $5 dollar I spent. I didnt get to see the waitresses face when she went to pick up her tip though.

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

Sam — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 16:40:28 -0000

I was a bartender and agree with most of what is here. As a result of my earlier career, I consider myself a generous tipper.
Here is an interesting "other" view of tipping. I read an article about corruption and bribery and how common it is in various countries. "Tipping" is viewed as bribery in many places (Scandinavia, etc). The US is about 1/2 down the corruption scale worldwide. India is closer to the bottom and there one has to pay a tip (or bribe) to school teachers to get them to provide tests and grade students rather than simply outright failing kids. All government forms submitted require a "tip" to see that it doesn't get sent to the trash can. In many countries that don't operate on a tip system, leaving money on the bar or table will prompt a waiter running after you to return the change that you forgot!

Just an observation!
Cheers!

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

connie — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 22:56:47 -0000

OK so I have a very nice boyfriend who worked as a cook/chef in his family businesses and for whatever reason he is a minimally adequate (15% or close to) tipper, despite going to expensive places to eat. I as a former waittress would be so impressed and relieved if he would tip better, but hate to bring it up outright. Maybe I should just add a few bucks to the tip? It's awkward when he pays by credit card. Any tactful suggestions? I don't get a good look at the bill, usually, but last time I contributed toward the bill itself so I knew what it was. I am poor but maybe the answer is just to insist I pay for the tip. He says no but maybe he'd let me if I act like I really want to and can afford to. Then he'd see that I believe in being generous. Best thing is just to eat at home.

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

Robert — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 03:49:22 -0000

I have an Aunt that is fairly well off. She always tips a minimum of $50. It is amazing the service she gets! We stopped by a little cafe that she frequents. We got the best table and excellent service. It was quite a show. When I was younger I didn't realize I was supposed tip other than in restaurants. I wish I could go back and make it right.

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

OGRE — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 17:03:17 -0000

re restaurant server wages:

I've worked in restaurants for a long time, been in every position, and now currently am a part owner and manager in one.

1. Servers DO make minimum wage. It is illegal not to pay them minimum wage. They are not paid 2.13 an hour. What does happen is that the store can claim a tip credit up to 5.12 an hour against their wages. But the server must be working in a position in which they can receive tips (i.e. not a cleaning shift, staff meeting, etc) and they must actually receive enough tips to cover the tip credit. Otherwise the tip credit can not be taken, or it can only be taken partially. Also, the server can not be performing more than 20% of his/her time on sidework or other non-tipped work. IN NO CIRCUMSTANCES can the server be allowed to earn less than minimum wage.

2. Servers are taxed on their actual tips. There is no "taxed on 12%" or anything like that. That is for reporting purposes only, if the IRS sees that a restuarants servers are reporting under 8% tips in sales then it sends off a red flag to the IRS that all is not well at that business. But that is all that happens. The server is only taxed on the tips that are actually reported as being earned...never on some estimated amount based on sales.

Sorry for being a grumpy gus on this, but the disinformation I see about server wages and taxes gets to me. I know servers want their tips, I've waited tables plenty myself, but I don't need to spread falsehoods in order to make people feel sorry for me so that I can get better tips. Just want to clear the air on that is all...

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

Charlie — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 17:00:10 -0000

You really needn't tip on the tax part of the bill.

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

Bob — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 13:16:35 -0000

Tipping is an escalated scam. 10% of the bill used to be the accepted practice. Then it jumped to 12, then 15% ostensibly to compensate for inflation. But this reasoning ignores the fact that the bill itself has increased. Some restaurants now charge 20% and the tip has morphed into a service fee that completely ignores the quality of service. In addition, the fee is not mentioned on the menu or otherwise and a sales tax is calculated including the service fee.

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

bob — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 13:01:35 -0000

When I am at a hotel , I leave a tip on a piece of paper marked "tip for housekeeping" , so they know it is for them .,

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

Edmund — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 06:52:33 -0000

Does one tip after each drink, or after finishing however many drinks he has?

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

Rick — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 06:23:50 -0000

Wow. I must be grossly undertipping. Undertipping my tattoo artists I've used. I'll have to remember that, nothing's more important than permanent ink. Towing? Never occurred to me. Ditto mailman/ups/fedex/garbage. Garbage?? They're city employees with government benefits who pick up my can with a mechanical arm.... is that really considered customary? My own wages are just now maybe on a par with UPS. I suppose I need to think about the bottled water service, now. Always try to tip waitresses well as its common knowledge they make far less than min. wage, unless they are absolutely abysmal and have a bad attitude, kitchen messups/slow food/etc aren't considered their fault and they should not be punished for that.. Hairdresser? She never charges enough, anyway- tip extra well especially holidays.

I used to clean carpets for a living, sometimes I'd get tipped, but not usually, and it never really bothered me not to be tipped, I didn't consider it a required thing, though I'd be lying if I denied the occasional tip brightened my day, and there were one or two regulars who always tipped, always try to do extra for them, but that was just as much because they were good customers (nice, courteous, appreciative, and non-combative) as the fact they tipped, in fact tipping just made me slightly uncomfortable, especially if I'd done nothing special for it. Much more valuable to me were customers that were plain nice people that I didn't have to dread going to.

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

Ed White — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 16:12:48 -0000

Great tips. ;-)

I'll add two points...
1) While I've never tipped nurses cash, there are ways to 'tip' to show appreciation. It gets you better service and rewards those who did a job above and beyond. I have brought in a tray of breakfast pastries for nurses, for instance, or given flowers to a particular one, or left a restaurant and instructed a waitress to put a serviceman's meal on my charge. It doesn't always have to be 'cash in hand'.
2) Many times, such as at the tattoo that was mentioned above, the service provider is not on an hourly wage and the money charged is split between them and the shop owner (in varying degrees of percentages). The tip is usually there's and there's alone and how they make more than the next guy that was just 'mailing it in'. Additionally, if the person providing the service is the owner / operator (such as a stylist that owns a shop vs one who works at it), many times a tip is not necessary as they are getting the entire fee charged.

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

Bob Collins — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:47:18 -0000

Very good, very helpful article on a topic where there's lots of confusion. I do believe the wage laws should be changed (and I've nagged my state legislators voraciously and will continue to), but I'll still tip until the laws are changed. Also, I believe strongly in giving, in addition to the money-tip, a review tip in the case of very good service. Oftentimes, the comment card, survey, or simple note is placed in the employee's file and will be part of the manager's considerations about advancement. I've even gone on chain websites to brag on a couple of "stars" who've clearly been outstanding in their jobs.
Vinit: If the server is older than you (or even if not) simply say, "Thank you, Sir (or Ma'am)" as you hand the tip to them. Make eye contact, and smile.
Conor: I've asked some of the table servers at buffet establishments what is best, and I've always been told that a dollar or two is about right for keeping glasses filled and dirty plates taken away.
Dan Smith: The pizza delivery person is one who ALWAYS gets a better tip from me because they really go out of their way to serve me. As to how to give the tip, look 'em in the eye, put the tip with the payment, and say, "Thanks Dude! (or Dudette), be safe!"

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

Matt Rieke — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:31:59 -0000

I really like to leave a 15% tip on a tab when I go out to eat. I always pay with a card but I know it gets going to get taxed. I slip in extra cash to bring the tip up to somewhere around 25%. The waiter can pocket that extra 10% and have no problems with getting in trouble because they have documentation of only getting a 15% tip. It also really makes up for when they get a small or no tip from another customer.

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

John Morgan — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 06:22:40 -0000

I have two things to add, both from mens etiquette books I've read in the past.

1. I've read and have been told that you generally make a percentage tip based on the pre-tax amount of the bill; though, as the article has said, it does not hurt to tip more.

2. I'd have to find the book again, but I believe Essential Manners for Men by Peter Post (related to the famous etiquette expert of yore, Emily Post), mentioned tipping bartenders a dollar per drink, which is higher than the percentage tip for most drinks.

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

Johnathan — Sun, 24 Feb 2013 08:06:18 -0000

A note on tipping for pizza delivery: The delivery charge is not an automatic gratuity. The delivery drivers usually get little or none of that money.

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

Ben — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 22:59:39 -0000

One thing the article missed, it is not customary to tip the owner of the establishment. For example, if your barber owns the shop, he is assumed to be making any profits generated, and thus it is not necessary to tip.

The biggest unanswered question is, when eating at a buffet where you also get your own drink and throw away your own (paper) dishes, do you need to tip? I tend to throw a buck in the tip jar every few visits, since there is not really much service that occurs.

Re: The Gentleman’s Guide To Tipping

Richard — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:31:00 -0000

A few other notes...

Hotel housekeeping staff may change during the week. The people who tidied up your room on Friday may not be the same people who tidied up on Sunday. Leave your $5-$10 tip *each day*. I place mine on my pillow when I'm leaving the room in the morning.

In general, if the service was so bad as to compel you to stiff a person on the tip, instead you should quietly ask to see the manager as you are leaving. Explain to them exactly what dissatisfied you so much, and they should take steps to correct it. The waiter (or whoever) will often have no clue as to what went wrong (and will probably just dismiss you as a cheapskate), and the next customers will get the same lousy service.

Likewise, if you get truly exceptional service, you should also let management know (in addition to leaving a *huge* tip)!