Is tipping for everything out of control?

Not in my world!

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So if 20% is the new previous 15%, then count me in as most definitely feeling old now.

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Just to be clear, my teenager is not the one believing 20% is baseline, but what she and her friends see as the expectation when they go anywhere that uses POS systems. She said it is rare to see 15% anymore as the minimum tip.

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I had a tipping dilemma last week as I was signing the contract for my daughterā€™s bridal brunch at a NYC restaurant. I was sent an online form to complete along with a deposit for the room charge and food/beverage minimum. On that form I had to check a box for what percentage tip to include - 18%, 20%, 25%, custom. I found it strange that Iā€™m determining the level of tip 3 months before the event. So how is it based on quality of service? I was actually planning to commit to 20% but messed up and hit 18% instead. Thereā€™s was no way to go back and change it. So now Iā€™m a little worried that we wonā€™t be treated as well because they already know the tip. DD says itā€™s fine to start at 18% and give them more if they do a great job. It all seems a little backwards to me.

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In your shoes, I would 100% complain about that, stating what youā€™ve said here. Absolutely unacceptable!!!

And no, you shouldnā€™t expect to be ā€œpunishedā€ for being logical and honest.

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Iā€™ve read articles about how uncomfortable cashiers are about tipping screens, especially since folks are claiming theyā€™re being stared down to tip. I feel sorry for them, they didnā€™t purchase these screens, and it appears customers put the blame on them. Itā€™s just a mess.

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The same here. Last month was the first time we ate out in 10 months. Prices up, and now Tip-Gate (love that term). And service charges and cc transaction fees? And wondering about how much the waitstaff gets, and whether the kitchen staff is included? And oh how hard they work because the establishment either canā€™t or wonā€™t hire more workers? Why is the customer expected to solve the thorny issues of workers not being paid enough and having to act as members of a fair labor board? Itā€™s just not worth it. Iā€™d rather splurge on some fancy food and drink that we buy, fix, and consume at home!

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I have to askā€¦does the family owned coffee and specialty bake shop have the tipping option on the cc screen? Or is there a tip jar?

Sounds like the place needs to hire some more workers. How many hours does your D work a shift with no break whatsoever? Why does she love working there? (Sounds to me like the owners are taking advantage of the workers.)

I wouldnā€™t go to this place, no matter how good the coffee and baked goods are. I refuse to stand in a long line to get an overpriced coffee drink and bakery item. Then again, I would buy either of those items once in a blue moon only.

I used to eat out fairly often but seldom do now. Prices (with tip included) have gotten out of hand - for me. It hurts to pay triple for something I could easily make at home. I donā€™t skimp at the grocery store but then I get more than one serving any time I cook.

I recently went to a small grill and got a chili dog with fries and a soft drink. I ordered at the counter, picked up my order and threw away my trash before leaving. With tip (options popped up on the screen when I paid), my lunch was about $17 dollars. To add insult to financial injury, my hot dog wasnā€™t particularly good as the bun was decidedly cold.

Needless to say, I wonā€™t go back. Overall, sad because it was a place I frequented about once a month. I could grab lunch and drop money in the tip jar for around $10.

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I agree. I recently went to lunch at a Greek restaurant in a shopping mall. The cheapest glass of wine was $21. I looked around, and saw everyone drinking water. The server was pushing the drinks, probably to get a better tip, but, nope, not doing that, especially for lunch.

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Woah, glasses of wine for $21+~~no thanks! You could buy several bottles at that price!

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Ill pay $20 for a cocktail in NYC at a rooftop bar. Not a single glass of wine unless itā€™s special.

Nope, I will drink water instead of paying those prices. Yikes!

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At local restaurants wine is usually $12 - $15 a glass, $15 cocktails, I usually order a cocktail if drinking, but most of the time I regret not getting wine (which I can of course drink for much less at home), I usually donā€™t like sweet drinks, with or without alcohol. Most of the time Iā€™ll just drink water unless out with my girlfriends.

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Last time I was in Vegas I had drinks that were $220 per ounceā€¦so $20 wine isnā€™t something I bat an eyelash at. I also generally expense my drinks, which helps.

Iā€™m in an airport restaurant. I ordered food and wine on my phone. Since I paid ahead of time, I included a 20% tip. The woman brought me my order and has not checked on me once in over 30 minutes. Itā€™s not busy. Grr.

What is your childā€™s hourly wage?

When I waitressed many moons ago, we made much, much less than minimum wage. Our earnings were tips and, theoretically, the better we performed our jobs, the more we were paid (in tips).

If someone is working the counter at a coffee shop and making the minimum wage ($15/hour in my MD county) that is very different than a restaurant server make $3.63 an hour.

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And lots of people work really hard and provide good serviceā€¦and we donā€™t tip them. Like the cashier at the grocery store, the drive thru workers at a fast food restaurant, or the pages at the library.

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Someone recommended a restaurant to us, so we looked up the menu online. At the bottom, it says,

A 4% service charge will be added to each guest check to ensure competitive industry compensation as well supplementing health and wellness benefits for our staff. This should not be considered gratuity.

Ugh. Seriously, restaurant owners?! Just raise your prices! Seriously! I donā€™t mind paying an extra quarter for my fries, but this type of nickeling and diming is tiresome.

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Itā€™s starting to because like airlines and hotels with junk fees.

Totally agree - give me the price. The real price. And Iā€™ll deal.

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