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Is tipping the worst part of American culture?

posted 6 years ago by [deleted]
101 replies | jump to latest

One thing that tourists to America struggle with is the tipping culture. It’s not actually tipping, it’s more like expected payment for services in other countries that are paid for by their employer.

The first time I went I was shocked by how many people asked for tips!

Some examples:
I asked a guy in the subway which way the bus section was and he then asked for a tip. Just a random dude!
I left a hotel and went to the cab rank. An employee of the hotel blew a whistle and the cab proceeded forward. He then said to me five times “sir, I got you a cab”. I didn’t need him to get me a cab, but he got a buck to shut up.
I gave a waiter 15% tip on a small bill and he looked like he was going to cry as he counted the chump change.
I went out with a bunch of backpackers to a pub and we had table service. They were told by an American sitting next to us that they needed to tip 20%. They tipped zero. I knew the tax man would have assumed she had made $40 tip so it cost her money to serve us.

What a terrible system! If someone doesn’t want to tip you still get taxed.

And why are taxi drivers getting tips?

[–] Padeen (6459) 6 years ago

I hope you told that guy who gave you directions to the bus section to shove it. That was just a person trying to take advantage of you.
Waiters make less than minimum wage and make up for it in tips. Most waiters I know prefer this system, as they often make more money. I always leave 20%.

I agree with you about taxis, especially if they own their car. Take an Uber next time. Your not supposed to tip them

[–] Utpe (658) 6 years ago

[deleted]

[–] R_Kane (15828) 6 years ago

That’s false information. First, both Uber and Lyft systems permit tips. Second, the apps for those systems require drivers to rate passengers before informing the driver of any tip.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Not the worst thing.

[–] Utpe (658) 6 years ago

[deleted]

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

That is really disgusting. Money on top of money. I remember something similar and thinking “why’d I just give this guy more money and no thankyou”? It’s like being shaken down.

I once saw a story on today about how much to tip people at Christmas, and they were talking bout giving hundreds to people like your hairdresser and doorman. Wtf? Hard enough to pay for yourself.

[–] db20db (16166) 6 years ago

"...and no thank you "

I can relate there. I was once in an upbeat mood when leaving a company Christmas party and gave the taxi driver a generous tip when he transported me to a friend's place where I was staying overnight. It was met with stone cold, unappreciative silence. I've also had some experiences with really rude waitresses before. Some of these people just don't deserve it, no matter how much it's expected.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

It’s sad how it’s so expected that it’s not even appreciated. But once I got my hair cut in Los Ángeles and it was $25 so I gave her $35, she seemed over the moon. I guess it’s a 40% tip, which is pretty big.

[–] yawkee24 (629) 6 years ago

Is tipping the worst part of American culture?
only if you tip cows

[–] MissMargoChanning (6630) 6 years ago

[deleted]

[–] MissMargoChanning (6630) 6 years ago

I'm back to repeat my original reply. ....
You have confirmed my original opinion of you. You really are a JERK!
After seeing what you think of gay people on Pete's thread, I had to come back and repeat what I really think of you.
Your attitude toward women isn't much better. since you have a problem with women and men, where do you find pleasure?????

[–] yawkee24 (629) 6 years ago

what do you care what I think of gay people? it's my right to like or not like them, and if you don't like it go tip a cow, wait, I like cows, and thanks for reporting me,
If you're gay keep it to yourself, don't get on this board and announce

"HEY I'M GAY" big deal, cause people don't care,

[–] MissMargoChanning (6630) 6 years ago

I don't recall reporting you for anything. Perhaps there are others here who also don't care for your caveman attitude. When I report someone I let them know it.

[–] yawkee24 (629) 6 years ago

sorry, must have been some other bleeding heart

[–] ShadowTek (19) 6 years ago

The worst part of American culture.. is young Americans.. though most are OK.. if you are in California or New York you will meet people absolutely nothing like normal Americans.. those states are our whackadoodle fruitly loopy states :) There our version of modern Sweden and Germany

[–] [email protected] (690) 6 years ago

To me, tipping is showing people you aren't a cheapskate. Yes, it's expected, but you can choose not to. I never give people on street corners $$ or food, but if I choose to go to a drinking establishment, I'll tip as I go. The servers appreciate it, they smile and recognize me. It makes things "copacetic." If I can't afford it, I don't go.
Yes, it's a deep discussion on economics and fairness, but I just want folks who have jobs where tips are expected to get some sort of tip just because it makes them feel good and I'm viewed in a good light as well.

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

Well tipping started to get better service in bars, sort of like 'hey, take care of me, here's some money', so your style of tipping throughout probably helps.

I hate though that a barman is meant to get a tip. How does pouring a drink qualify him for $1 tip?

[–] kspkap (13018) 6 years ago

Because anything is worth a $1.00 for services rendered. These are low paying jobs and so many who take these jobs are depending on the tips for college, healthcare, etc.

[–] lordbishop34 (1442) 6 years ago

Its a system that kind of works better for some. A server at many restaurants make far more money with tips in place than a restaurant could ever hope to pay them. Its the same for cab driver, most would lose out on a higher wage and no tips policy.

As far as people on the street asking for money, you can feel free to give them nothing unless you really feel they are in need.

[–] ducksoup (3933) 6 years ago

I wouldn't tip the guy in the subway. Tipping is hardly the worst part of American culture, but it can be unpleasant, particularly if you're on a budget and you don't know how much to tip. Once you figure that out, having a generous attitude can make a difference -- you can enjoy tipping! (Not if you're concentrating on the social injustices that the tipping can highlight, of course. Those would depress anybody who spends time thinking about them.)

[–] [deleted] 6 years ago

I'm sure some do enjoy tipping but get pissed off when they are generous and get no thank you. Maybe it even ruins their experience. Money just complicates things. As one article I read said, tipping means you're paying twice. Once for the food, then again for the service. Add to that issues of charity and generosity. It's not a lot of fun.

[–] ducksoup (3933) 6 years ago

I gave a somewhat flippant answer about enjoying it. I don't really consider it a good aspect of the culture. It's just much less than the worst aspect of the culture. God forbid you end up in an American hospital, where you'll be mistreated and overcharged (in my experience).