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Consumerist entered the tipping wars yesterday, asking readers if it was ever acceptable to not leave a tip. Considering that Consumerist readers are righteous warriors for customer service, it is no surprise that over half of the 10,000-plus votes cast since yesterday afternoon advocate omitting a tip, and nearly a quarter of those polled opted to “leave change. That way they know you didn’t forget.” A mere 5 percent advocated always tipping 15 to 20 percent because servers make so little money. But passions flowed into the comments section. Below, some of our favorites.
So here in Israel, 10% is standard (as opposed to 15-20% in the US). 15% is “GREAT service”, 20% is “I have a mental defect”. Maybe this is how y’all got into so much debt?
$2 an hour?? That obligates me to leave a tip or else imagine the guy’s kids going hungry, which I resent. But even worse, it’s grossly unfair to wait staff in lower-end restaurants.
…I can tell you with 100% certainty that people DO NOT like to tip, unless you’re one of those people who likes to show off in front of your friends/family.
I’ve been making my living off tips for at least 2 years now, and lived off my mother’s tip money for 18 years prior. Of course you should not tip sometimes! There are enough bad servers in the world that only stay in the business because people throw money at them. I say stiff the bad server and make sure you speak to management. It’s like a peer-review process.
The price on the menu should be the full cost of the item, including the cost to provide the service staff and the profit margin the owner has established. A “tip” is intended to reward good service, not subsidize the cost of the service. If that were the case, then I should have the option of going back into the kitchen and picking up my own order, clearing my table, etc.
…[T]hose of you who regularly tip shitty, watch the fuck out. I have never contaminated food before, but I know people who have.
Earlier:Bruni Readers to New York: Take It From Tourists, End Tipping
