Manage Your Life

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Tipping Etiquette

Most of us know that Saturday was Sweetest Day. All the years we (hubby and I) have been together we have never celebrated the Hallmark induced holiday. I am not against anyone whom wants to use the day to show his/her significant other how much the world revolves around that person.

I believe that everyday is a celebration and gifts, chocolate and flowers are more meaningful when they are purchased 'just because' not because someone told you to.

I digress...back to the point.

Our son, who is 8 yo uses any moment to celebrate, go to the movies and out to dinner. For the sake of not breaking his heart we did. So hubby, son and I made a date out of the day.

We get to dinner and the service was mediocre. We are in love with Mexican food and would eat it daily if my husband didn't complain about variety. It's now time to pay the bill and tip.

Do I tip on service?

Do I tip my standard?

Do I tip the recommended 10-15 percent?

I know we are all working because we have to, not because we want to. So I take that into consideration and tip her the lowest possible...10 percent.

Do you feel obligated to tip? To tip someone is a social gratification of service, not a social obligation. Understand that tip demonstrates the appreciation of the service received. I'm a firm believer that a person receives what he/she deserves and nothing more.

Tips should be earned just as anything else in this world.

Standard tips:

  • 10-15 percent for restaurants
  • 5 percent for hair and spa salons
  • while vacationing (seek what the standard is for the area)
  • 10 percent for valet

Remember a tip is just like a bonus. If you don't do the work you won't receive the payment. Never expect for someone to reward you for lack of service.


Be inspired,

Bahiyah Shabazz
The Solutions Coach

"Providing Solutions to Fit Your Needs"

http://www.bahiyahshabazz.com

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From the Community…

Comments 1-9 of 9
  • 80'sgirl's Avatar
    Posted by 80'sgirl Fri Nov 6, 2009 7:45am PST

    yes i feel obligated to tip, regardless of the service i would not go out to dinner if i didn't have enough to cover the tip.

    Theres one restuarant i go to the service is always excellent and the food out of this world, I always leave at least a 25% tip, and i think that the waitress appreicates it because evertime i go in there I feel like i get treated like a VIP!

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  • katie's Avatar
    Posted by katie Fri Nov 6, 2009 7:47am PST

    I never feel obligated to tip, and I never tip unless I feel the person providing the service deserves it. I always tip my hairdresser above and beyond the "norm" because she does a wonderful job on my hair.

    I feel that if, say, a waiter/waitress's hourly wage is too low for him/her to service on without tips, then there needs to be a change in that part of the wage system.

    Report Abuse
  • spotty's Avatar
    Posted by spotty Fri Nov 6, 2009 7:54am PST

    Most of your information is not too bad. However, the hairdresser tip is WAY off. By your math, I would receive about $4 tip on a $75 service. On average, I receive $15 to $25 on a $75 service. Hairdressers sometimes, as in my case, give the client their all. I give advice, samples, special appointment hours, and even home visits for the elderly. So please do not "educate" people to be that cheap with a person who takes good care of them. It's not good for the client or the stylist.

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  • Bahiyah S.,The Solutions Coach's Avatar
    Posted by Bahiyah S.,The Solutions Coach Fri Nov 6, 2009 8:01am PST

    I embrace everyone's comment. By all means am I not encouraging anyone to be "cheap". This is to educate on the minimum guidelines. I'm sure many are curious what to give for appreciation. If you want to give your hairdresser more than expected then do so. I tip my stylist what I think he's worth, which is why we have a beautiful lasting "hair relationship".

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  • Renee's Avatar
    Posted by Renee Fri Nov 6, 2009 8:09am PST

    Katie,

    Until there is a change in the wage system, leading to a substantial increase in the prices of menu items - Your server is earning $2.75 an hour. So, in the meantime, your opinion doesn't pay much.

    Report Abuse
  • another hockey fan's Avatar
    Posted by another hockey fan Fri Nov 6, 2009 8:10am PST

    I agree with the post that if the service is lousy it's really up to you as to how much you want to leave, but she clearly has never worked in a service tipping industry before. Frankly, 5 percent for a salon service is an insult! While one is not required to tip, it's a way to show the employee of a business that you frequent you appreciate how well they are waiting on, or styling your hair or taking your stress away....

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  • STRAWBERRY's Avatar
    Posted by STRAWBERRY Fri Nov 6, 2009 8:25am PST

    I believe in tipping on the service I received. If the service is great, I tip great. If it sucks, you get nothing. That's like promoting bad behavior.

    Report Abuse
  • Tiffany Christine's Avatar
    Posted by Tiffany Christine Sun Nov 8, 2009 4:53pm PST

    Wow... So I'm in school right now and I HAVE to work to pay my bills until I finish my degree and am ABLE to NOT HAVE to be a server. It's not fair to think that I should just go "find another job". The REASON that the wages are so low is because AMERICAN GOVERNMENT EXPECTS YOU TO TIP YOUR SERVER. That's why we don't get minimum wage. And STANDARD tips should be AT LEAST 15%... Seriously. I go above and beyond for my tables as best as I can; sometimes I get busy and am not capable of doing my absolute best, but you could be a little understanding of that. I feel that if I don't make at least 20% tips, it's not a good night. Especially because my company expects us to claim at least 15%... Just so you know!!!!!!

    Report Abuse
  • Tiffany Christine's Avatar
    Posted by Tiffany Christine Sun Nov 8, 2009 4:53pm PST

    Wow... So I'm in school right now and I HAVE to work to pay my bills until I finish my degree and am ABLE to NOT HAVE to be a server. It's not fair to think that I should just go "find another job". The REASON that the wages are so low is because AMERICAN GOVERNMENT EXPECTS YOU TO TIP YOUR SERVER. That's why we don't get minimum wage. And STANDARD tips should be AT LEAST 15%... Seriously. I go above and beyond for my tables as best as I can; sometimes I get busy and am not capable of doing my absolute best, but you could be a little understanding of that. I feel that if I don't make at least 20% tips, it's not a good night. Especially because my company expects us to claim at least 15%... Just so you know!!!!!!

    Report Abuse
Comments 1-9 of 9

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