Tipping is out of control!

[georgina]

The only "suggested tip" that annoys me is Panera. I mean, come on, not only do we pick up our orders and then bus our own tables, but we have to divide it all up between trash, silverware, bowls, plates, etc. No, I'm sorry, but I'm not tipping.

Just ran into this for the first time today at Panera. I was somewhat annoyed, and declined to tip.

I see some responses below say it doesn't annoy them, however, I feel I am being told I'm cheap for not tipping, and not only does it annoy me, but I am less likely to go to Panera next time I'm out.

Never would have crossed my mind to tip AAA either.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Last month we left a laptop/computer bag in the back of a taxi taking us from hotel to airport in NYC. (The bag and taxi seat were both black, so we didn't notice.) The taxi was an independent -- we couldn't just call dispatch, and it was a miracle we were able to track down the driver by calling the hotel and giving the bell captain a description. The driver said he'd bring us the computer but since he was halfway back to Manhattan, it would cost us. We gladly tipped him more than we had paid for the original taxi ride.

 

[MamaLema]

Tipping is only out of control because people let it be.

I hardly ever tip unless it is something way beyond normal level of service.

My son left his IPHONE in the back of a taxi in Puerto Rico. We thought it was gone forever.

Later that day we learned the taxi driver went out of her way to come back to our hotel and track us down to give it back at the end of her shift. We have her a nice tip.

 

[Kae]

The only "suggested tip" that annoys me is Panera. I mean, come on, not only do we pick up our orders and then bus our own tables, but we have to divide it all up between trash, silverware, bowls, plates, etc. No, I'm sorry, but I'm not tipping.

Thank you!! I agree. But at one of the Paneras by me it has changed and they bring you your food & bus your table.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Panera's suggested tip doesn't annoy me. I simply don't follow the suggestion.

I order my food and pay at a counter, I pick up the food at another counter, I clean my own table. No tip. No annoyance.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Curbside luggage check guy to me at airport: "I'll make sure to take good care of your bags".
Me (oblivious): "Great, thanks!"
Curbside luggage check guy (more pointedly): "I'll take VERY GOOD CARE OF YOUR BAGS".
Me (catching on): "Ah, OK" (gets out wallet to tip).

In my early travel days I didn't know we were supposed to tip. I got my luggage the next day. Now if I need to use curbside at the airport I tip very well.

 

[RedAngie]

The only "suggested tip" that annoys me is Panera. I mean, come on, not only do we pick up our orders and then bus our own tables, but we have to divide it all up between trash, silverware, bowls, plates, etc. No, I'm sorry, but I'm not tipping.

Thank you!! I agree. But at one of the Paneras by me it has changed and they bring you your food & bus your table.

The Panera by me also brings the food and cleans the tables, so I add a couple of bucks on the credit card reader when paying.

I never had AAA, but I'd probably tip if someone assisted me in an auto-related incident.

 

[focusondisney]

Tipping is only out of control because people let it be.

Excellent point! In New York, minimum wage is going up to $15 over the next couple of years. If are making $15 an hour to serve me burgers (or salad) at a counter, doing nothing other than the job you are being paid for, I see no reason to tip you. At what point is enough, enough?

As for the OP, I would never consider tipping AAA either.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

The problem is. People who work in the United States earn less per an hour in Australian Dollars. Then per an hour then my disability pension divided up on to 40 hours provides me with. That is why you tip. Because businesses literally do not provide people with a living wage in the United States. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/04/opinion/editorials/disney-strike-living-wage.html
I won't be getting any pension or very little this week though!
When I work my pension get lowered. I get about 27 dollars an hour where I work as entry level worker in Australia.
I get my clothes laundered
Free meals
and a tools allowance

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

Almost exactly a year ago, I had a flat tire. I actually had everything I needed to change it, but due to an injury it would not have been wise to do it myself. We have Roadside Assistance through USAA.

After the contractor came out and changed it for me, he told me that I didn't owe him anything. I asked if he would accept a tip (he was really nice and it was all of about 7 degrees outside). He put his hands up to stop me saying, "No, no. My services are completely covered by your insurance... By the way, you said you have two kids, right?" Then he brought out a box of flavored candy canes and told me to pick out 2 for my kids. He then checked the tire pressure for all 4 tires and even filled the two that were low.

He got an outstanding review from me when I got home.

 

[MrsCobraBubbles]

The problem is. People who work in the United States earn less per an hour in Australian Dollars. Then per an hour then my disability pension divided up on to 40 hours provides me with. That is why you tip. Because businesses literally do not provide people with a living wage in the United States. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/04/opinion/editorials/disney-strike-living-wage.html
I won't be getting any pension or very little this week though!
When I work my pension get lowered. I get about 27 dollars an hour where I work as entry level worker in Australia.
I get my clothes laundered
Free meals
and a tools allowance

Wow, that is amazing! I had no idea your wages were so much higher. I do agree that our American capitalist society stinks. I do what I think is important work, but I make very little money and receive no health benefits through my employer, even though I work full time. The only reason I am able to survive and live independently on what I make is because I receive checks from SSI for my son, it's a type of disability for children. The SSI supplements the income of parents of kids with special needs. Although I love what I do, it's a thankless job where I take a lot of abuse and there is a significant risk of injury. And I make about $16/hour, which is minimum wage in some areas of the U.S.

 

[barkley]

The problem is. People who work in the United States earn less per an hour in Australian Dollars. Then per an hour then my disability pension divided up on to 40 hours provides me with. That is why you tip. Because businesses literally do not provide people with a living wage in the United States. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/04/opinion/editorials/disney-strike-living-wage.html
I won't be getting any pension or very little this week though!
When I work my pension get lowered. I get about 27 dollars an hour where I work as entry level worker in Australia.
I get my clothes laundered
Free meals
and a tools allowance

i know it's not the same in every state/every region of every state in the u.s. but-

where i live the minimum wage is $11.50 per hour (goes up to $12 in a month and then up to $13.50 in 2020)-this includes all servers so if they are also getting tipped they can be taking home WAY more than the per hour wages of an employed person in a job that is not considered 'entry level'. i know a good number of college educated individuals who opt for these jobs b/c they earn WAY more than they can in the industry they've been educated for.

additionally, depending on the employer the non taxed benefits can be substantial (again, i know it's not everywhere-this is where i live). my dd for instance has a truly 'entry level job', it pays $12.01 per hour which granted is not a huge amount-but her employer provides free meals to her every day she works (not skimpy-multiple entrees, soups, salads, beverages) AND provides full medical, dental and vision CAPPED at employee premium cost of 1/8% of her 'salary' (so if she does o/t, gets holiday pay-which she does-it's not counted for the cap). she has mental health coverage free of charge through employee assistance. she also got (walking through the door as a new employee) 12 days per year paid vacation and 8 days sick leave (all the legal holidays are paid, and if they work them-paid double rate).

i'm a disabled retiree with a pension in addition to social security. OVER 50% of my pension goes to pay for minimal supplemental health insurance for my dh and i. about 8% of my social security goes to medicare. i still have substantial out of pocket and co-pays while my dd and many of her minimum wage peers do not.

i do not begrudge these benefits but i do get a bit tired of hearing about how 'no one who earns u.s. minimum wage can live on it' when frequently tips, untaxed benefits and percentages of other expenses greatly tip the balance of net available income.

 

[AllyBri]

We have only used AAA one time, car would not start. He arrived, charged the battery and DH gave him §10. The young man really seem to appreciate it.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

The only "suggested tip" that annoys me is Panera. I mean, come on, not only do we pick up our orders and then bus our own tables, but we have to divide it all up between trash, silverware, bowls, plates, etc. No, I'm sorry, but I'm not tipping.

I've started feeling the same way about Five Guys. Not only have their prices increased enough to feel the bite at lunch but they always have this large tip jar at the register. I walk up to order, get my own drink, and my food comes in a paper bag. When the onus of all the table-side activity falls to me, then I see no reason to tip.

 

[barkley]

Everybody in our province makes a minimum of $15/hour - everybody. That includes restaurants and bar staff and yet the credit/debit machines still default to 18% as the "recommended" tip...{{sigh}} I'm totally over tipping.
https://nationalpost.com/news/the-1...myth-some-hard-truths-about-tipping-in-canada

i noticed that with the machines when we were vacationing there in september. the other i thing i noticed was (and this may have been regional to where we traveled to) the WEALTH of 20 something austrailians working in businesses. we constantly overheard other tourists/customers chatting with them about where they were from/their plans of applying for canadian (?) residency. is there a big influx or is this the norm?

 

[kaytieeldr]

where i live the minimges are um wage is $11.50 per hour (goes up to $12 in a month and then up to $13.50 in 2020)-this includes all servers

Wow. I will uave to check here. Minimum wage is going up $1 an hour each year for the next five years. If server wages are included, I'm going to have to rethink tips!

 

[_19disnA]

Food at Panera tends to be pricey compared to other similar places, so I don't see the need to tip when you order/pickup your own food at the counter. I don't recall seeing any other similar restaurants with tip jars.

 

[DisneyHardin]

I've started feeling the same way about Five Guys. Not only have their prices increased enough to feel the bite at lunch but they always have this large tip jar at the register. I walk up to order, get my own drink, and my food comes in a paper bag. When the onus of all the table-side activity falls to me, then I see no reason to tip.

I'm pretty sure the Five Guys by our house doesn't even have a tip jar - I definitely don't tip at fast food either.

 

[DisneyHardin]

Have never even thought to tip AAA.

Me too. Until I read this thread, it never would have crossed my mind to tip the AAA guys. They generally give me a card and ask for a good rating, which I always do, but I've never had one that seemed to be hinting for a tip.

 

[nkereina]

Curbside luggage check guy to me at airport: "I'll make sure to take good care of your bags".
Me (oblivious): "Great, thanks!"
Curbside luggage check guy (more pointedly): "I'll take VERY GOOD CARE OF YOUR BAGS".
Me (catching on): "Ah, OK" (gets out wallet to tip).

LOL - the first time I used curbside, I didn't realize it was a tipped position. The man had no qualms about coming out and (politely) telling me "this is in fact a tipped position"... which of course prompted me to get my wallet out and tip him. I always tip now when I use curbside, but its one of those that I don't fully get. They don't do much more than the person at the airline counter, and those aren't tipped positions.

I do pay something like $127 per year for my membership (mid-level with two people on the membership) and one of the main perks of AAA is roadside assistance. It's completely random whether I get a AAA tow truck or one that's contracted out.

To be fair, the membership fee is to belong to their network of roadside assistance (among other things). The people who come out to change your flat on the side of the highway or in the middle of a snowstorm don't see any of that. They're still doing a service for you, and likely getting you out of an unexpected bind to boot. But that said, having worked for AAA in the past, I'd say its about 50/50 whether people tip the drivers that come out. It doesn't occur to people sometimes, and people aren't thinking about that when they were just thrown a curveball with a flat or a breakdown.

Also, in many regions, all the drivers are 100% contracted out.