Author Topic: I absolutely hate tipping in advance  (Read 5428 times)

clarkfan1979

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I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« on: February 21, 2025, 01:34:14 PM »
We are downtown Denver for the weekend and I ordered Chipotle for dinner. It was $45 and my wife suggested a 10% tip and I agreed. Tax came at the end, so it was $53.50. We got 2 burritos, 1 kids meal, an order of guacamole and chips and my wife got a drink. The kids meal comes with a milk. I paid the extra $2.75 to add guacamole to my burrito. I normally don't do this, but I was splurging because my student loans were forgiven last week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0NsYlofNSQ&t=361s

It was a 10 minute walk through a snow storm. They were not busy. There was 1 customer other than me in the store. My to-go back was big and full to the top and had the seal thing across the top. Instead of taking all the stuff out to double check, I had a conversation with the guy about the contents. I asked him twice if the kids milk was in the bag. "Yes, sir. I got you!"

We get home and the kids milk is not in the bag and they didn't add guacamole to my burrito. Why am I paying a $4.50 tip on a "to go" order to someone who shorts me on the food that I ordered? It doesn't make any sense.

What about an option to tip later on my phone after I get home? When I tip for Lyft rides, that is how it works. Why not the same for take-out food?

 

 

Bartlebooth

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2025, 01:39:48 PM »
Chipotle = bad

Tipping = bad

Next thread!

Edit: I feel a little bad for being dismissive.  It does suck to get shafted like this.  I ordered a pizza via a webpage with whole-pizza in pineapple and whole-pizza in ham.  Got it home and it was half pineapple half ham.  Have to check absolutely every little thing these days.  Or maybe it is easier to just not care.

How about my brand new countertop, which I specifically called out needs a notch because I don't want the oven door hitting the countertop?  I just noticed yesterday it is hitting the countertop!  JFC
« Last Edit: February 21, 2025, 01:47:15 PM by Bartlebooth »

GuitarStv

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2025, 02:20:41 PM »
That will teach you to tip for takeout.  Don't do it.

AuspiciousEight

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2025, 06:30:40 PM »
Sorry - this sounds really frustrating to me. Hopefully in the future they can at least get and process your order correctly.

Ron Scott

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2025, 08:05:39 PM »
I will occasionally give these people $1 just to be nice, but that’s not the point.  When I order take out I always check the bag before leaving to ensure I got what I ordered. I catch a mistake maybe a third of the time.

Check the bag.

twinstudy

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #5 on: February 21, 2025, 09:10:08 PM »
It astounds me how often take out orders are wrong, in general - I always check now. But how hard is it to follow simple instructions?

Everyone makes mistakes on the job, but I feel like take out/Uber delivery orders have errors 10x more frequently than other jobs. It's not brain surgery guys. Get your shit right.

SYNACK

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #6 on: February 21, 2025, 10:34:19 PM »
but what if the burrito gives you food poisoning that you won't detect for few hours.. how long would you want to delay the tip? Uber/Lyft is clear enough because your relationship to the ride ends when you exit the vehicle, but with food? I do like the idea though.

GilesMM

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #7 on: February 22, 2025, 05:10:06 AM »
Chipotle = bad

Tipping = bad

Next thread!

Edit: I feel a little bad for being dismissive.  It does suck to get shafted like this.  I ordered a pizza via a webpage with whole-pizza in pineapple and whole-pizza in ham.  Got it home and it was half pineapple half ham.  Have to check absolutely every little thing these days.  Or maybe it is easier to just not care.

How about my brand new countertop, which I specifically called out needs a notch because I don't want the oven door hitting the countertop?  I just noticed yesterday it is hitting the countertop!  JFC


Takeout = bad

seattlecyclone

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #8 on: February 22, 2025, 08:22:13 PM »
It's almost as though tipping has no strong relationship to quality of service at all, and is merely shifting the expectation of wage payment from the employer to the customer.

simonsez

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #9 on: February 23, 2025, 12:26:06 AM »
Be thankful those who make mistakes on your food orders are not your doctors or your lawyers, accountant, etc. some other profession where the services rendered are much more valuable and mistakes are much more costly.

Aside from food poisoning, this world of carryout is not worth too much of your attention. Always check the bag, takes 20 seconds and a surprisingly high % of the time, it pays off. Set yourself up to succeed by minimizing drama related to your food and save your energy for a more critical time.

I'm guessing no one in your household has any dietary restrictions, otherwise I'd wager bag checking would be automatic.

twinstudy

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #10 on: February 23, 2025, 01:34:33 AM »
Be thankful those who make mistakes on your food orders are not your doctors or your lawyers, accountant, etc. some other profession where the services rendered are much more valuable and mistakes are much more costly.

Aside from food poisoning, this world of carryout is not worth too much of your attention. Always check the bag, takes 20 seconds and a surprisingly high % of the time, it pays off. Set yourself up to succeed by minimizing drama related to your food and save your energy for a more critical time.

I'm guessing no one in your household has any dietary restrictions, otherwise I'd wager bag checking would be automatic.

True that a mistake with your food order is less likely to have critical consequences than a mistake with your heart surgery, but I would have expected everyone to take pride in his or her job performance - otherwise why work at all. This is not to say that you should never make mistakes. We all do. But the volume of mistakes in fast food is a bit mind boggling.

vand

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #11 on: February 23, 2025, 07:01:21 AM »
It does sound like US tipping culture has been running completely out of control for some time now, and what was once a gratuity to reward good service and show appreciation has turned into a huge bone of contention and essential requirement just to ensure your lemonade doesn't get pissed in.

The move to cashless has only made it worse, as they seem to automatically assume you want to tip 40% on top of everything and to do otherwise becomes an act of deliberate omission.

Must be such a relief to many Americans when they travel abroad and don't have such ridiculous extra charges piled on as standard.

clarkfan1979

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #12 on: February 23, 2025, 07:06:33 AM »
Thanks for the comments. We rarely do take-out and this is probably why we don't.

I'm not against tipping. It's the timing of the tipping that kills me. I want to tip at the end, not at the beginning.

You are right, I didn't check the bag. However, I looked the guy in the eye and asked him if the milk was in the bag. He said "yes" and also went through the whole order with me. Even if I checked the bag, I'm still not opening the burrito to make sure they added the guacamole. If we were dining at the "restaurant", I think all of it could have been fixed. We originally planned to walk to Chipotle. However, there was a snowstorm and my wife and son didn't want to walk. I volunteered to pick it up and bring it back to the hotel.

We were planning on going to a pizza place last night but my wife wasn't feeling well, so we didn't go. We promised our 7-year old son pizza, so I ordered dominos. We got 2 medium 12" pizzas for $6.99 each. I paid the $6.49 delivery fee. With tax it was $22.50 and I tipped the pizza guy $3 in cash, at the end, which is what I want. It was a great experience.

Do you think the pizza buy gets a cut of the $6.49 delivery fee or does it all go to dominos? 

 

chasesfish

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #13 on: February 23, 2025, 07:37:39 AM »
Completely agree with this thread.

I would love to pickup pizza from the local place I can walk to from my house.   Unfortunately the pizza quality is only a little better than Dominos at 2x the price.

On top of that, I deal with the following experience:

- Clunky online or call in order process
- Using the online is $1 more
- I show up and get a bill that includes a 3% credit card surcharge.   I have to specifically say I'm paying with cash to get that removed.
- If I continue with the credit card order, they will still hand me a receipt to sign with *another* spot that I'm supposed to add a tip.

I'd love to support this small business more, but tipping on takeout / counter service and surcharges for me using a form of payment that's better for the business (easier to track, no sticky fingers from employees on cash) is absurd.


Unfortunately in your Starbucks / Chipotle example, it's been employee pressure forcing the tip line, as these employees have other options that do allow for tips on top of base pay.

simonsez

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #14 on: February 23, 2025, 09:30:27 AM »
It has been awhile since I worked at Domino's. We did not charge for delivery at the time, this was ~2006 (only a few years removed from the "delivered in 30 min or it's free" era). I did receive 55 cents per delivery for mileage at the time though this was just added to my wages and would show up on a paycheck. Hourly wages were either $1.50 or $2 below federal minimum wage. IIRC the minimum wage was around $5.50, maybe IL added a little extra on top since $5.15 rings a bell, too, whatever.  I loved it, though, at the time.

Was going to community college, go work a dinner rush shift for 3 hours from ~4:30-7:30 and have $40 cash in my pocket.  Or work as a "late driver" (2nd longest shift, you work until things slow way down and it's just you, the manager making pizzas, and the closing driver) until about 11pm on a Friday or Saturday (never both, would be too socially damaging plus these shifts were earned, not given out) and have $80-$100 in your pocket. That was bigtime dough! I lived with my parents and expenses were very low and I was able to squirrel away my whole paycheck and essentially live a very social life just on my tips.

I'd estimate in all, would average about $15/hr not accounting for petrol though you always came out ahead on the mileage rates. Much higher than the burger flippers, the lifeguards, and many other entry level jobs for young punk kids.

GilesMM

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #15 on: February 23, 2025, 11:27:32 AM »
I hate *paying* in advance and try to avoid it.

FIREin2018

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #16 on: February 24, 2025, 09:00:30 AM »
Chipotle = bad

Tipping = bad

Next thread!

Edit: I feel a little bad for being dismissive.  It does suck to get shafted like this.  I ordered a pizza via a webpage with whole-pizza in pineapple and whole-pizza in ham.  Got it home and it was half pineapple half ham.  Have to check absolutely every little thing these days.  Or maybe it is easier to just not care.

How about my brand new countertop, which I specifically called out needs a notch because I don't want the oven door hitting the countertop?  I just noticed yesterday it is hitting the countertop!  JFC
Takeout = bad
Tipping on take out bad.
Don't do it

Also, always check your order.
Open the bag.

aloevera1

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #17 on: February 24, 2025, 09:10:48 AM »
I don't tip on takeout. Why should I? How is it different than buying pre-made food in the supermarket?

That also seems to be the convention where I am currently living.
« Last Edit: February 24, 2025, 09:30:14 AM by aloevera1 »

Scandium

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #18 on: February 24, 2025, 10:28:31 AM »
zero tipping on takeout. 
Those people are paid a salary, legally different from "tipped employees". (yes, just  minimum wage. But at where i live that is at least quite a bit higher than the minimum). I don't pay someone "extra" to hand me a bag. 
Their incessant efforts to make tips normalized everywhere has now backfired, and made me totally immune to any shame about typing in zero everywhere (except ofc for an actual server in a sit-down restaurant).

GilesMM

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #19 on: February 24, 2025, 10:44:06 AM »
zero tipping on takeout. 
Those people are paid a salary, legally different from "tipped employees". (yes, just  minimum wage. But at where i live that is at least quite a bit higher than the minimum). I don't pay someone "extra" to hand me a bag. 
Their incessant efforts to make tips normalized everywhere has now backfired, and made me totally immune to any shame about typing in zero everywhere (except ofc for an actual server in a sit-down restaurant).


I would worry [size=78%]about mystery ingredients added to my food in this scenario.[/size]
« Last Edit: February 24, 2025, 11:18:39 AM by GilesMM »

roomtempmayo

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #20 on: February 24, 2025, 11:02:55 AM »
It's almost as though tipping has no strong relationship to quality of service at all, and is merely shifting the expectation of wage payment from the employer to the customer.

It's dumb.

I still tip 20%.

Because it has nothing to do with service anymore. 

It's just a wage, and the money means nothing to me.

It would be much better if we paid everyone a living wage, but we don't.

merula

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #21 on: February 24, 2025, 11:55:07 AM »
I'd love to support this small business more, but tipping on takeout / counter service and surcharges for me using a form of payment that's better for the business (easier to track, no sticky fingers from employees on cash) is absurd.

I also have a walking-distance pizza place that I love but is annoying to patronize, partially because of the credit card surcharge.

For any business that's big enough to have a physical location, CC fees are cheaper than cash management expenses. Brick-and-mortar businesses that charge differently for cash vs CC fall under three categories in my head:
  • Owner is skimming cash off the top, i.e. tax fraud
  • Owner doesn't realize what their cash management expenses actually are, but gets sticker shock from the credit card payment statements detailing the fees, i.e. poor business management
  • Owner thinks their clientele will accept a price surcharge and foisting the blame on the CC company is an easy target
I make a point of not doing business with companies who do CC surcharges where compliance and contracts are involved, because everyone who takes CCs is doing so under a contract that requires no CC surcharges. You can differentiate between cash/CC prices only with cash discounts from the posted prices.

I don't really care if the pizza place owner is skimming off the top or violating their contracts with other parties, but I sure as hell wouldn't accept it from a landlord or a lawyer.

clarkfan1979

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #22 on: February 25, 2025, 01:17:52 PM »
I'd love to support this small business more, but tipping on takeout / counter service and surcharges for me using a form of payment that's better for the business (easier to track, no sticky fingers from employees on cash) is absurd.

I also have a walking-distance pizza place that I love but is annoying to patronize, partially because of the credit card surcharge.

For any business that's big enough to have a physical location, CC fees are cheaper than cash management expenses. Brick-and-mortar businesses that charge differently for cash vs CC fall under three categories in my head:
  • Owner is skimming cash off the top, i.e. tax fraud
  • Owner doesn't realize what their cash management expenses actually are, but gets sticker shock from the credit card payment statements detailing the fees, i.e. poor business management
  • Owner thinks their clientele will accept a price surcharge and foisting the blame on the CC company is an easy target
I make a point of not doing business with companies who do CC surcharges where compliance and contracts are involved, because everyone who takes CCs is doing so under a contract that requires no CC surcharges. You can differentiate between cash/CC prices only with cash discounts from the posted prices.

I don't really care if the pizza place owner is skimming off the top or violating their contracts with other parties, but I sure as hell wouldn't accept it from a landlord or a lawyer.

Business owners will lose in most credit card disputes if the customer complains. When you offer a discount with cash payment, you avoid that risk. I booked a 33-night stay at a vacation rentals on Airbnb.com and I got a 2% discount for paying with my checking account instead of a credit card. 

ON a menu, I prefer the credit card prices advertised with a note at the bottom stating that you get a 2% discount for paying with cash. I really don't like it when they add on an extra 3% at the end for using a credit card when it's not advertised anywhere.


Just Joe

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #23 on: February 25, 2025, 02:27:15 PM »
We have a McDonald's here that every single time I've ever bought food through the drive-thru for 20+ years the order has been wrong.

Understand, I rarely ever go there. Maybe once every few years. I'm ordering a basic burge, fries and a drink. Simple - right?

Apparently not.

merula

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #24 on: February 26, 2025, 08:11:06 AM »
Business owners will lose in most credit card disputes if the customer complains. When you offer a discount with cash payment, you avoid that risk. I booked a 33-night stay at a vacation rentals on Airbnb.com and I got a 2% discount for paying with my checking account instead of a credit card. 

I have no problems with cash discounts, that's playing by the rules of the contract these business owners signed.

I do have questions about businesses that are facing enough chargebacks that they're compelled to respond. When I've initiated chargebacks over fraudulent actions from vendors, it's still required a ton of documentation on my part to the CC company, which makes me think that there's a different problem here than "mean old CC companies are allowing BS chargebacks all the time".

Must_ache

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #25 on: February 26, 2025, 08:15:01 AM »
It's dumb.
I still tip 20%.
Because it has nothing to do with service anymore. 
It's just a wage, and the money means nothing to me.
It would be much better if we paid everyone a living wage, but we don't.

By that standard you should also probably tip everyone in your grocery store, Walmart ...

vand

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #26 on: February 26, 2025, 08:53:02 AM »
I'd be interested in what people think is the long term solution to this tipping culture craziness?

Do correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it the min wage for service workers in the US has been stagnant in most states @$2.14/hr since 1991, meaning that such workers have become almost exclusively dependant upon the tips they receive.  I can understand under stuch a system why workers can get so pushy for tips.


Here in the UK we had a min wage introduced in 1999, initially set at £3.60/hr, and it has been progressively raised each year so that this year it will be set at £12.21/ph.. which imo is pretty decent money if they job is fairly undemanding.  Most service workers will fall under that category.  Cuturally we tip 10% when eating out - by which I mean sit down table service.  Fast food no tip.  Used to tip food delivery on the doorstep as standard, but the apps all build it into their charges now, so it's rare that I feel the need to tip extra for any delivery now.

GuitarStv

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #27 on: February 26, 2025, 09:01:01 AM »
I'd be interested in what people think is the long term solution to this tipping culture craziness?

Do correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it the min wage for service workers in the US has been stagnant in most states @$2.14/hr since 1991, meaning that such workers have become almost exclusively dependant upon the tips they receive.  I can understand under stuch a system why workers can get so pushy for tips.


Here in the UK we had a min wage introduced in 1999, initially set at £3.60/hr, and it has been progressively raised each year so that this year it will be set at £12.21/ph.. which imo is pretty decent money if they job is fairly undemanding.  Most service workers will fall under that category.  Cuturally we tip 10% when eating out - by which I mean sit down table service.  Fast food no tip.  Used to tip food delivery on the doorstep as standard, but the apps all build it into their charges now, so it's rare that I feel the need to tip extra for any delivery now.

The only way to end the expansion of tipping is to stop tipping for everything.  This would force industries to pay a fair wage because they would have to stop pretending that tips will make up for their poor business practices.  There is no other way.

Scandium

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #28 on: February 26, 2025, 10:25:18 AM »
I'd be interested in what people think is the long term solution to this tipping culture craziness?

Do correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it the min wage for service workers in the US has been stagnant in most states @$2.14/hr since 1991, meaning that such workers have become almost exclusively dependant upon the tips they receive.  I can understand under stuch a system why workers can get so pushy for tips.


Here in the UK we had a min wage introduced in 1999, initially set at £3.60/hr, and it has been progressively raised each year so that this year it will be set at £12.21/ph.. which imo is pretty decent money if they job is fairly undemanding.  Most service workers will fall under that category.  Cuturally we tip 10% when eating out - by which I mean sit down table service.  Fast food no tip.  Used to tip food delivery on the doorstep as standard, but the apps all build it into their charges now, so it's rare that I feel the need to tip extra for any delivery now.

But that's the difference. "tipped employees" are allowed (federally) to be paid $2.13/hr. But if that's is below the federal minimum wage ($7.25) that the employer has to make up the difference. But non-tipped employees have to be paid the minimum wage no matter what. So the starbucks barista already gets minimum wage, and tips on top. If anything it's then unfair to tip that person, since the server at the restaurant makes less, tip them more instead.
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/tipped-minimum-wage

And it ofc vary by state. Here min wage for tipped is $1.50/hr higher, and minimum wage is $15/hr. No, not a great salary, and call me cheap, but I still don't think I should give someone making $15/hr an extra $5 for handing me a bag. IMO there are many people more worthy of that. There are people with no job at all, or food. Seems like a better use of those $5.

merula

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #29 on: February 26, 2025, 10:41:43 AM »
It's supposed to be that anyone who doesn't have the difference to minimum wage made up with tips has the employer pay the difference. In practice, a lot of times that person has their hours cut. Restaurants are not known for being sticklers regarding labor laws.

Catbert

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #30 on: February 26, 2025, 11:12:01 AM »
In California the minimum wage is $16.50 (even higher in my HCOL city) and has never had a lower minimum wage for tipped employees.  They get $16.50 an hour plus tips.  Then there is the completely nonsensical special minimum wage for fast food workers of $20 an hour!

I hate tipping in general.  I mean it was okay when you only tipped at sit down restaurants,  although I always enjoyed eating out in Europe where tipping was mostly non-existent.

If you think the pressure to tip is bad now, what if the politicians follow through on not taxing tips?  There will be an even bigger push to shift employee compensation to tips.

Scandium

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #31 on: February 27, 2025, 09:08:03 AM »
It's supposed to be that anyone who doesn't have the difference to minimum wage made up with tips has the employer pay the difference. In practice, a lot of times that person has their hours cut. Restaurants are not known for being sticklers regarding labor laws.

Sounds like that should be solved by enforcing the law. Not by having everyone tipping more and to more people

DK82

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #32 on: February 27, 2025, 12:37:05 PM »
If I'm standing up when I order and/or if I have to drive to pick it up, I do not tip.  That general rule of thumb serves me well. 

I also hate the idea of tipping as a percentage of the bill -- somehow adding bacon to my cheeseburger that I order means my tip should be higher despite my server doing the exact same amount of work?  Ordering a Coke rather than the free water means my tip should be higher despite the server doing the exact same amount of work?  Madness.

clarkfan1979

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #33 on: February 27, 2025, 01:24:11 PM »
If I'm standing up when I order and/or if I have to drive to pick it up, I do not tip.  That general rule of thumb serves me well. 

I also hate the idea of tipping as a percentage of the bill -- somehow adding bacon to my cheeseburger that I order means my tip should be higher despite my server doing the exact same amount of work?  Ordering a Coke rather than the free water means my tip should be higher despite the server doing the exact same amount of work?  Madness.

Tipping based off of a percentage the check has been a long standing cultural norm because "on average" larger bills usually means more food, more drinks and more service. Yes, there are exceptions, but it tends to average out.

I waited tables in San Diego 2001-2002. I made $6.75/hour + tips, which averaged out to be $22/hour. It was a great job when in college. From my own personal perspective, I would much rather turn a table in 45 minutes and have them tip 15% than have a table camp out for 1.5 hours and get a 20% tip. We were supposed to push coffee and dessert, but it's going to add 20% to the bill and double the sitting time. The math didn't math out so I never pushed coffee and dessert.

In my personal opinion, if it's busy, if you are the type of person that eats and leaves rather quickly, a 15% tip would be appreciated by your server. Turning tables fast and getting 15% is really good money.

LiveLean

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #34 on: March 04, 2025, 06:05:21 PM »
We went to Thailand recently and among the 7,245 great things about The Land of Smiles is that tipping is optional. Hell, if you tip 10-15 percent, they're overjoyed. Thai service is so wonderful you want to tip them heavily.

Grab is the Uber of Thailand, and as with Uber the pre-calculated tip screen comes up at the end of your ride. It was 20-25-30-40. For the first week we were there, I was hitting 20. Then I realized that wasn't a percentage, but rather Thai Baht. Twenty Thai Baht is about 60 cents, so I was tipping 60 cents. (Grab is extremely affordable -- $6 to $10 a ride, generally, but 60 cents is still nothing. I started doing custom tips after that.)

The point is that Thais provide terrific service and expect nothing. Here in the US, we provide half-ass, shoddy service and expect a minimum of 25 percent.

I've eaten at Chipotle more than a thousand times. I would never order online.


Missy B

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #35 on: March 05, 2025, 11:01:43 AM »
Minimum wage in my province is $17.40 an hour. And still getting tip prompts for 30% of on every %#$&* thing, as if they were making $6 an hour.
And the prices are up shocking, and some of that is the fair wage they're getting paid for already, which I'm now supposed to tip on because they put a cookie in a bag. For less work than the checkout cashier dragging heavy groceries across a scanner.

Scandium

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #36 on: March 05, 2025, 12:45:29 PM »
The point is that Thais provide terrific service and expect nothing. Here in the US, we provide half-ass, shoddy service and expect a minimum of 25 percent.

If you think US has shitty service you should visit (north) western europe. In the Nederlands you'd better be prepared to ask the waiter to kindly do you the favor and let you order food, and don't you dare ask where it is until you've waited at least 45 min. Be sure to order everything at once, because you wont see them again until an hour after you wish you could pay and leave. 

NorthernFire

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #37 on: April 16, 2025, 05:07:34 PM »
Never tip for takeout. Problem solved.

NorthernIkigai

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #38 on: April 18, 2025, 01:40:00 AM »
The point is that Thais provide terrific service and expect nothing. Here in the US, we provide half-ass, shoddy service and expect a minimum of 25 percent.

If you think US has shitty service you should visit (north) western europe. In the Nederlands you'd better be prepared to ask the waiter to kindly do you the favor and let you order food, and don't you dare ask where it is until you've waited at least 45 min. Be sure to order everything at once, because you wont see them again until an hour after you wish you could pay and leave.

Having lived in several countries in the aforementioned area, and having visited the Netherlands often, that’s not the prominent service culture. That’s just Dutch people being Dutch.

johndoe

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #39 on: April 20, 2025, 06:56:57 AM »
I'd personally prefer for tipping to be eliminated altogether.  (I don't see it ever happening due to powerful companies' bottom lines)  Why are restaurant employees any different than mechanics, movers, plumbers, doctors, dentists, etc?

But, in the real world, I don't tip for fast food.  I agree with comments above that 'percentage based tipping' is illogical too, but I typically do it at nicer restaurants - typically 15%-20%.

P.s. I expect OP's experience was karma for having the rest of us pay off his loan.  😂 For him, on the bright side, surely that 'forgiveness' means he can have a few more negative tipping experiences and still come out ahead!

Mellow Mallow

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #40 on: April 22, 2025, 05:00:44 PM »
Here in Australia we mostly don't tip (sometimes in restaurants, but totally optional). A lot of Australians hate tipping culture and hope fervently that it doesn't become a thing here. To a lot of us it's complicated and really undignified to the point of embarrassment... as if we're somehow "better" than the person we're tipping. On the other hand, we do pay people a living wage. We also don't have added taxes at the till. The tax is in the advertised price, so the price is the price, no surprises. My husband is increasingly annoyed at the random credit charge surcharges though, and can't wait for these to be made illegal.

Edited to say: I understand that it's not undignified in places like the US where people depend on tips to live.
« Last Edit: April 22, 2025, 05:03:59 PM by Mellow Mallow »

San Diego Girl

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #41 on: April 24, 2025, 11:37:59 PM »
I consider myself a generous tipper.

I find it extremely irritating though, to tip in advance. It makes no sense!

But... I have to admit something I've noticed in one particular case.  The car wash near my house has a new owner and now I can add the tip on my CC when I pay at the counter, before my car is washed. 

Whereas, previously you placed a cash tip (optional and this way they don't really know who is tipping what, if anything) in a clear box while or after they call your name that your car is ready. 

I tip the exact same amount in both scenarios, but now that they "see" my tip beforehand, I swear my car is cleaner than it ever was before.

GuitarStv

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #42 on: April 25, 2025, 07:50:52 AM »
I consider myself a generous tipper.

I find it extremely irritating though, to tip in advance. It makes no sense!

But... I have to admit something I've noticed in one particular case.  The car wash near my house has a new owner and now I can add the tip on my CC when I pay at the counter, before my car is washed. 

Whereas, previously you placed a cash tip (optional and this way they don't really know who is tipping what, if anything) in a clear box while or after they call your name that your car is ready. 

I tip the exact same amount in both scenarios, but now that they "see" my tip beforehand, I swear my car is cleaner than it ever was before.

This is why tipping is phenomenally stupid.  What you're saying is that they are unwilling to do their job properly unless you bribe them.

San Diego Girl

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #43 on: April 25, 2025, 09:11:55 PM »
True.

I don't love it but aside from that it is an interesting observation in human behavior.

If we are all being 100 percent honest with ourselves, we all like to be rewarded or incentivized on some level. 

twinstudy

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #44 on: April 26, 2025, 02:40:01 AM »
True.

I don't love it but aside from that it is an interesting observation in human behavior.

If we are all being 100 percent honest with ourselves, we all like to be rewarded or incentivized on some level.

Of course. I wouldn't get out of bed for under $X and the older i get the higher X gets.

Call me Linda Evangelista.

San Diego Girl

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #45 on: April 26, 2025, 04:16:24 PM »
True.

I don't love it but aside from that it is an interesting observation in human behavior.

If we are all being 100 percent honest with ourselves, we all like to be rewarded or incentivized on some level.

Of course. I wouldn't get out of bed for under $X and the older i get the higher X gets.



Call me Linda Evangelista.

lol

ATtiny85

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #46 on: April 26, 2025, 05:35:10 PM »
I consider myself a generous tipper.

I find it extremely irritating though, to tip in advance. It makes no sense!

But... I have to admit something I've noticed in one particular case.  The car wash near my house has a new owner and now I can add the tip on my CC when I pay at the counter, before my car is washed. 

Whereas, previously you placed a cash tip (optional and this way they don't really know who is tipping what, if anything) in a clear box while or after they call your name that your car is ready. 

I tip the exact same amount in both scenarios, but now that they "see" my tip beforehand, I swear my car is cleaner than it ever was before.

A car wash where others are involved? Consider yourself face punched. I can get on board with a couple minutes with a hose at home or with a few quarters, but more than that deserves a punch.

My last vehicle went its last 14 of 22 years in the midwest being washed three times. Felt moderately obligated to squirt some water on the bed and tailgate to rinse off the blood after hauling harvested deer a few times. No idea if the first owner did much, but doubt it based on our discussions and the dozens of cigarette burns all over the cab.

Morning Glory

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #47 on: April 26, 2025, 06:14:19 PM »
Here in Australia we mostly don't tip (sometimes in restaurants, but totally optional). A lot of Australians hate tipping culture and hope fervently that it doesn't become a thing here. To a lot of us it's complicated and really undignified to the point of embarrassment... as if we're somehow "better" than the person we're tipping. On the other hand, we do pay people a living wage. We also don't have added taxes at the till. The tax is in the advertised price, so the price is the price, no surprises. My husband is increasingly annoyed at the random credit charge surcharges though, and can't wait for these to be made illegal.

Edited to say: I understand that it's not undignified in places like the US where people depend on tips to live.

It's still undignified here, although less obviously so now that we have gone away from cash.  I wish we would just go to paying everyone a living wage instead. It would be so much more fair and also less awkward.
« Last Edit: April 26, 2025, 07:03:41 PM by Morning Glory »

San Diego Girl

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #48 on: April 26, 2025, 09:51:33 PM »
I consider myself a generous tipper.

I find it extremely irritating though, to tip in advance. It makes no sense!

But... I have to admit something I've noticed in one particular case.  The car wash near my house has a new owner and now I can add the tip on my CC when I pay at the counter, before my car is washed. 

Whereas, previously you placed a cash tip (optional and this way they don't really know who is tipping what, if anything) in a clear box while or after they call your name that your car is ready. 

I tip the exact same amount in both scenarios, but now that they "see" my tip beforehand, I swear my car is cleaner than it ever was before.

A car wash where others are involved? Consider yourself face punched. I can get on board with a couple minutes with a hose at home or with a few quarters, but more than that deserves a punch.

My last vehicle went its last 14 of 22 years in the midwest being washed three times. Felt moderately obligated to squirt some water on the bed and tailgate to rinse off the blood after hauling harvested deer a few times. No idea if the first owner did much, but doubt it based on our discussions and the dozens of cigarette burns all over the cab.
I consider myself a generous tipper.

I find it extremely irritating though, to tip in advance. It makes no sense!

But... I have to admit something I've noticed in one particular case.  The car wash near my house has a new owner and now I can add the tip on my CC when I pay at the counter, before my car is washed. 

Whereas, previously you placed a cash tip (optional and this way they don't really know who is tipping what, if anything) in a clear box while or after they call your name that your car is ready. 

I tip the exact same amount in both scenarios, but now that they "see" my tip beforehand, I swear my car is cleaner than it ever was before.

A car wash where others are involved? Consider yourself face punched. I can get on board with a couple minutes with a hose at home or with a few quarters, but more than that deserves a punch.

My last vehicle went its last 14 of 22 years in the midwest being washed three times. Felt moderately obligated to squirt some water on the bed and tailgate to rinse off the blood after hauling harvested deer a few times. No idea if the first owner did much, but doubt it based on our discussions and the dozens of cigarette burns all over the cab.

Well, I honestly wasn't expecting such a rude and hostile response.

We were discussing tipping.

I wasn't asking for advice regarding how I spend my money.

Face punches respectfully declined.

Zamboni

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Re: I absolutely hate tipping in advance
« Reply #49 on: April 26, 2025, 10:29:18 PM »
^I'm with you: going to the car wash near me is cost effective and efficient. I also have maids because I like a really clean house but I don't have the vacuuming gene. I tip both the car wash guys and the maids, who all do a GREAT job. Much better than I would do.

But takeout or food delivery?  I probably pre-order takeout for pickup or food delivery maybe 3-4 times a year. Usually it's due to a special circumstance, like I'm really sick or I just got badly hurt or had surgery or something. And the food arrives cold and often it's not exactly what I ordered. And yes, I have always pre-tipped for these cold, slightly off meals . . . a regrettable situation. For me it is not worth the hassle and disappointment. Besides, I like to cook and I'm a good cook, so I'd rather eat at home. I get tired of dining out and often try to get a place with a kitchen when traveling to avoid relying on restaurant meals.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!