Russell Reveals: Do you agree with giving tips?
A NEW year “do” in a little town in The Lakes. All ten of us sat down to a typical Italian meal before moving on to the real party upstairs.
Then came the bill. No problem until we saw the handwritten note that came with it saying that as it was new year a 20 per cent tip was expected rather than the normal 10 or 15 per cent.
There’s nowt like cheek is there?
But then that’s the way it seems to be these days. Go anywhere where you are served and there seems to be an automatic assumption that tipping is part of the deal. Even when there’s a service charge attempts are often made to top it up a bit.
BLINDS & CURTAINS MADE 2 MEASURE WE COVER SCUNTHORPE & GRIMSBY...
View detailsHave a look at our website and view our fantastic new blinds! then you could book a free home visit were we show you more samples and help you choose your new blinds.www.grimsby-sunblinds.co.uk
Contact: 01472 809887
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
Now I have no problem with tipping most of the time. Good service should get what it deserves. But shouldn’t it be up to the customers to decide how much this should be, not put in the situation of being told what to shell out?
Among the worst examples of this holding of guns to client’s heads are cruise lines.
On a recent Royal Caribbean ship you were never allowed to forget that tips were expected.
You could pay these in advance, which mean that they took a lot of money off you and doled out as they thought best or you could do it yourself in special envelopes.
There were regular reminders saying it was “customary” to give so much to the bloke who cleaned the cabin, so much to the waiter, the assistant waiter, the head waiter and anyone else who happened to pass by.
What they really meant was that they did not pay these people anyway near as much as they should so the passengers would make up the difference.
Certainly the cabin attendant deserved a few quid, as did the waiters. But as tipping time approached several people worried that they were not giving enough.
Tipping’s for good service, not just for jacking up poor wages.
Do you agree with giving tips, how much do you give, or do you not bother?
Let us know by commenting on this Russell Reveals article – you views may be published in the Grimsby Telegraph.
Read more of Russell Reveals in today’s Telegraph.
Comments
by AfricanMeggy
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 4:20PM
“Not tipping is stealing! If you have n't got enough money to tip you should n't go in the restaurant in the first place! Waitrons are paid a tiny basic wage as tipping is considered a large part of their income.If you don't want to tip buy some Fish n chips from the Chippie! My daughter worked part time as a waitress in a restaurant whilst she was a student.The stories she told us were unbelieveable! She does n't have to do it any more as she works as an Ecologist.Being a waiter/barman etc is the *******st job on earth! You get people who find something to complain everytime they go out whatever the food is.It's too cold,its too hot!They change their minds after the order is given.Some people walk out without paying and then the waitress has to pay for their meal.After the customers go home the waitress has to do certain jobs like tidying the salad bar or cleaning the tables.That time probably an hour or so is unpaid.”
by smitsus
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 3:20PM
“I dont mind tipping if the service is good but i give what i choose to give not dictacted to giving.
What i dont agree with is tipping the waiting on staff and then management taking it from them.
This happens at the coachouse in humberston so beware folks when you tip there it doesnt go to waitresses but straight to the owner.”
by TheWrangler
Tuesday, January 08 2013, 10:22AM
“There is a massive difference between tipping in the UK and tipping on a cruise liner. We are not at sea or in the US where there is no minimum wage and people rely on tips to earn a living. Tips in the UK should be for service above the level expected, but we seem to be being 'expected' to follow US culture.
Even if the restaurant includes the service charge on the bill, you do NOT have to pay it as it is purely voluntary. If you've had poor service, or don't believe the amount set is appropriate you can reduce it or not pay it at all. If the service charge's already absorbed within the food cost, you are still legally entitled to deduct a reasonable amount (eg, 10%) if the service was not as expected.
If they cause a fuss and say you have to pay, leaving you feeling forced into it, then pay 'under protest' and dispute the cost later to ensure you are protected against any action.”