Do you tip?

[PaulB]

We were both shocked, saddened and simultaneously amused when we saw an incident surrounding tips one afternoon. We were in that pub/restaurant on the Caledonian Canal at Banavie and a family were just finishing their meals and about to leave. The father of the family left a few pound coins as a tip and after they were out the door, the eldest son, about 13 or so, came back through the doors, over to the table and scooped up all the money which went directly into his pocket!

 

[Sittingduck]

We eat out a lot. Service charge being included on the bill @ 12.5% is an annoyance. Always scrutinise the bill to see if it's included or not and at what %. If it's not included we will generally give 10% tip but if the service is poor have been know not to leave anything. Seems to be the expectation to receive 12.5% these days, regardless of quality. Wrong but that's how it is. More than happy to give a tip if they deserve it though as salary is poor and they have to put up with a lot of rude people.

 

[Fnaar]

My window cleaner gets a Christmas tip (tenner). So does the milkman.
I also tip whjen I get a haircut... not sure why, but it seems 'the done thing'.
First time I went to the States, and not familiar with the tipping culture, I failed to tip a barmaid who brought beers to our table. If looks could kill....

My favourite tip, however, is "Always wear kneepads when you are skateboarding".

 

[PhilDawson8270]

My favourite tip, however, is "Always wear kneepads when you are skateboarding".

I did that. I still ended up with 2 titanium plates in my forearm

 

[mustang1]

I haven't flown on Ryanair recently, but is this a new thing? Do they stand at the exit rattling an empty Starbucks cup at you as they bid you farewell after the flight? Or maybe sit cross legged on the airbridge with a blanket and a scruffy looking dog?

I'm sure you got the humour but just in case, of course i dont tip the pilots. Pilots do an incredible job (as do many other professions) and they don't get paid nearly as much as they should. I always think of this when I fly or go past a hospital or fire engine.

I suppose those bankers get a tip at the end of the year (as do many professions) in the form of a bonus. A ceo gets a golden handshake tip even if he completely screws up.

Vague lines but interesting topic.

Another thing is when did the price of an engagement ring go from one months salary to three months (or whatever it is right now)?

I'm pretty sure tips were 5-10% years ago and now they're about 30-40% at some places. Da heck?

 

[andyfraser]

I've been reminded of a time when I gave less than the bill came to. Anti-tipping I suppose.

It was one of those pub/restaurant places, probably 10 years ago. It had a good reputation so we thought we'd try it. Long story short, after ordering we waited ages for the food to come. They got my order wrong. They bought something that I'd never order in a million years so I couldn't even say I'd have that instead (some vegetarian mushroom thing and I can't stand mushrooms). We waited some more. OH started eating because her meal was nearly cold. My meal came when she was just finishing. When it came time to pay the bill came to something like £27. I offered £20 to which they said fair enough given what had happened.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

While on holiday there was twice that I didn't tip, and it's rare that I won't leave anything.

First was a restaurant where we stopped for a couple of drinks. It turned out that the prices were higher if you weren't eating, but they only advertised the "with food" prices. No Tip there.

Second, was when we had a meal in a fairly fancy restaurant. Only to find that they had charged a "cover fee" on top, just for sitting in the restaurant they charged. I asked them to remove the service charge from that also.

 

[jonny jeez]

We were both shocked, saddened and simultaneously amused when we saw an incident surrounding tips one afternoon. We were in that pub/restaurant on the Caledonian Canal at Banavie and a family were just finishing their meals and about to leave. The father of the family left a few pound coins as a tip and after they were out the door, the eldest son, about 13 or so, came back through the doors, over to the table and scooped up all the money which went directly into his pocket!

I'm shocked too...at how slow you were.

Snooze you loose.

 

[MontyVeda]

The only time I've ever tipped was when in New York... overpriced beer plus a $1 tip for every drink purchased, seemed like an exotic bit of nonsense to me.
Then there's the group meal thing where I'd probably come across all Steve Buscemi if i didn't follow suit and tip, but I'd rather not pay more than the price in the menu for my food. Call me a tight fisted misery guts but... i doubt anyone walks into HMV to buy a DVD and says "And one for yourself" at the counter. Tipping is a strange tradition, like fox hunting and morris dancing... i don't know why it happens and i'd rather not get involved.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

Tipping is a strange tradition............................. i don't know why it happens

The word "tip" in the sense of giving somebody advice is actually a word formed from an acronym that is To Insure Promptness. You give somebody a tip (advice), to help them do something quicker, or "to insure promptness".

When tipping staff, it is usually in the service industry, and usually the people that serve you. You give them the monetary "tip" to serve you faster, or "to insure promptness" in their service.

So, although we tip usually as a reward for good service, the etymology of the word would suggest we should tip prior to service.

Who would have thought an English Language A-Level would ever be useful on a cycle forum

 

[Tim Hall]

The word "tip" in the sense of giving somebody advice is actually a word formed from an acronym that is To Insure Promptness. You give somebody a tip (advice), to help them do something quicker, or "to insure promptness".

When tipping staff, it is usually in the service industry, and usually the people that serve you. You give them the monetary "tip" to serve you faster, or "to insure promptness" in their service.

So, although we tip usually as a reward for good service, the etymology of the word would suggest we should tip prior to service.

Who would have thought an English Language A-Level would ever be useful on a cycle forum

Cobblers. Did your English A level include the study of "bacronyms"?

 

[bancrobba]

I left a tip for the circumciser.

 

[PhilDawson8270]

Cobblers. Did your English A level include the study of "bacronyms"?

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index...e-origin-of-the-word-tip-as-in-leaving-a-tip/

Appears you are correct.

To be fair, my education then was mostly mixed in with the local pub

 

[TreeHuggery]

If the service has been good then a 'one for yerself' is usually in order and appreciated.

used to work in pubs and clubs and not uncommon for people to buy the person behind the bar a drink... we used to save all or drinks up til the end of the year and then have a really good party

 

[RichardB]

Cobblers. Did your English A level include the study of "bacronyms"?

Now that's POSH.

I left a tip for the circumciser.

I got a job as a mohel. The pay was lousy, but the tips were brilliant.