We haven't had a conversation about tipping in awhile

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous' started by Alidar Jarok, Nov 3, 2012.

  1. Alidar Jarok

    Alidar Jarok Everything in moderation but moderation Moderator

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    The title explicitly says that this thread happened awhile ago ;)
     
  2. iguana_tonante

    iguana_tonante Admiral Admiral

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    If I can quell your guilt, I can assure you that in Italy tipping is definitively *not* expected. It's nice if you do, but it's not common (except for exceptional service... or if the server is cute). The only places that expect tipping are tourist traps that cater to American visitors and travellers. ;)

    As far as Italy is concerned, "service" is always included in the bill (as coperto e servizio -- "table and service", or simply included in the price of food).
     
  3. Alidar Jarok

    Alidar Jarok Everything in moderation but moderation Moderator

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    I was at a trattoria in Siena. I left extra money as a tip and they came running back to me trying to give me my money. I had no idea how to explain that I was giving it to them as a tip. I kept saying "per Lei" and "per tu," but they seemed to just be confused. I finally gave up and took it back.

    Then I looked up the word for tip so, when I came back, I was able to say "è una mancia." I know tipping isn't required, but I was shocked at how difficult it was to give one. Now that coppia is ubiquitous (especially in tourist traps) and that can be annoying from my perspective (especially since you can't even get free water), but I'm fine going with what is normal once I know to expect it.
     
  4. SmoothieX

    SmoothieX Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Too bad it's not like that in the States.
     
  5. Jim Steele

    Jim Steele Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Oh, I stand corrected. Well I feel like less of a git now, thanks!

    That waiter was just an arsehole, I guess. This was nearly ten years ago, by the way. Should probably let it go.
     
    Last edited: Nov 7, 2012
  6. Alidar Jarok

    Alidar Jarok Everything in moderation but moderation Moderator

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    Keep in mind that there's a 10% service charge regardless of quality of service, if you think that's preferable.
     
  7. Yoda

    Yoda Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    I can't remember the last time I tipped 10 percent or less... so I say bring it.
     
  8. MacLeod

    MacLeod Admiral Admiral

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    Service charge in the UK is fairly often only applied to large groups. So if was only a few people eating it wouldn't be included.

    If the service is poor you could ask for it to be removed.
     
  9. SmoothieX

    SmoothieX Vice Admiral Admiral

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    I hate that. Nothing like the imposed gratuity of 18% for a party larger than 6.
     
  10. Scout101

    Scout101 Admiral Admiral

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    Usually doesn't work out in their favor when they do that for me. If they say tip is included, here's the amount; I pay that amount. If there's no tip included, they'd normally get the 20%, maybe slightly more if they went nuts or we're splitting it and paying cash, whatever. When the 18% is already on there, I either sign it, or just round up to nearest dollar or round number...
     
  11. JoeZhang

    JoeZhang Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Some places try it on by then adding a tip - which is calculated by including the service charge!
     
  12. MacLeod

    MacLeod Admiral Admiral

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    Never come across that myself, and for a couple of years I was eating out more or less 5 nights a week. (When I was working away from home)
     
  13. SonOfMogh

    SonOfMogh Commander Red Shirt

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    I'm in the UK, and I find this tipping thing very strange....... It seems to be creeping in there in certain restaurants, and some people I know tip, others do not.

    Why the HELL do the employers not increase all prices by 10% or whatever and give all staff a payrise? I can't get my head around being given a price on a menu and then discovering the person who brought the food from the kitchen is not getting paid enough to carry out even that basic function- surely the employer has it wrong.

    I'd prefer the option to go to the kitchen and collect my own food and then wash up, if the waiter/waitress service is mandatory then employers need to pay their staff more and include this cost in their pricing structure.
     
  14. RoJoHen

    RoJoHen Awesome Admiral

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    Honestly, if servers were paid a "real wage," they'd probably make less money than with the current system of tipping in the US.
     
  15. Maestro

    Maestro Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Gosh, it's nice to be back living in Northern Wisconsin... I walked into this thread and thought it was about tipping over cows.
     
  16. iguana_tonante

    iguana_tonante Admiral Admiral

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    I want a tip every time I solve an equation. Double if it's a partial differential equation.

    I would surely make more money than I currently do with my research fellowship.
     
  17. Robert Maxwell

    Robert Maxwell memelord Premium Member

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    Then maybe the people griping about poor tips should knock it off, lest they get their wish.
     
  18. Robert Maxwell

    Robert Maxwell memelord Premium Member

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    This story reminded me of this thread, so I hope no one minds a bit of necromancy. ;)

     
  19. doubleohfive

    doubleohfive Fleet Admiral

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    Yeah, that story was awful. Not only did this pastor get their congregation to stir up shit for that Applebee's, but the waitress in question was fired. Fucking ridiculous.
     
  20. Robert Maxwell

    Robert Maxwell memelord Premium Member

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    Yeah, my response to a message like that would be, "Because I have bills to pay and God doesn't, you sanctimonious shitbag." I mean, if I'm gonna get fired anyway... :lol: