Pre-Tipping

[Chesterton]

I went to this new little place in the neighborhood for a bite to eat. The waitress is taking my order, pressing the screen on her little device, then after I say what I want she turns the screen towards me and says "And the tip...". So I have to select one of several choices like 15%, 20% and such. I asked "Before the service?" She said "Yes." I started to tell her this was completely stupid, that they're doing it all wrong, she needs to repent and come to Jesus, then show her an irrelevant YouTube clip, but then I remembered this was real life and not an internet forum, so I just sheepishly pushed her screen.

Tipping's sort of controversial, I've heard good arguments for and against the practice, but this turns the whole idea on its head. You're supposed to be paying based on the level of service and now I'm asked to pay for an unknown quantity in advance. I felt a little threatened, like if I don't tip enough will the waitress dump food in my lap? Then I thought well this is how every waiter must feel with every customer, they never know what they're going to get.So now the shoes on the other foot.

Is this a new thing? Anyone else encountered this? I don't remember if "no tip" was an option, but if it is I think next time I'll push that, then leave cash.

 

[Ana the Ist]

Never heard of it.

That said, it does seem backwards...the idea of a tip is for services rendered, not services expected.

 

[bhsmte]

I would tell them, if you are asking for the amount before service is delivered, it is 0%. If you want to ask after service is rendered, it could be as high as 20%

 

[RecklessDefector]

You know servers only make about 2$ an hour? They rely on tips for to live on, so unless "coming to Jesus" pays the bills, I think you're in the wrong here. In fact, it's the religious part in the US who has allowed the wage for servers to be that low. In addition, getting angry at a server is just awful, they didn't set the policy, if you have a problem ask for the manager instead of going off on servers.

I've worked retail for five years, and I can't count the amount of times I've been screamed at over prices, sales, return policies, etc. Do people like you really think that the lowest workers set those policies? I never had control over prices or any of those things, yet I had to take people's anger over it.

The server who "needs to come to Jesus" because of a pre-set tip (that makes no sense) is just as much of a person as you are, deserves to paid, and you're the one who is acting entitled and spoiled because you're being asked to pay the full price for a service you decided to take. Grow up.

 

[Moral Orel]

Is this a new thing? Anyone else encountered this? I don't remember if "no tip" was an option, but if it is I think next time I'll push that, then leave cash.

I've only seen it when ordering pizza online. I thought it just had something to do with not having the credit card physically there when payment is rendered. I wouldn't like doing it in a restaurant though.

There was an episode of "Third Rock from the Sun" a long time ago where John Lithgow's character went to a restaurant and placed a pile of $1 bills on the table. He then instructed the waitress that every time she did something he liked, he would place another $1 bill on the table. When she did something he didn't like, he would remove one. If I had the cajones, that would be the ideal way to tip, in my opinion.

 

[HannahT]

You know servers only make about 2$ an hour? They rely on tips for to live on, so unless "coming to Jesus" pays the bills, I think you're in the wrong here. In fact, it's the religious part in the US who has allowed the wage for servers to be that low. In addition, getting angry at a server is just awful, they didn't set the policy, if you have a problem ask for the manager instead of going off on servers.

I've worked retail for five years, and I can't count the amount of times I've been screamed at over prices, sales, return policies, etc. Do people like you really think that the lowest workers set those policies? I never had control over prices or any of those things, yet I had to take people's anger over it.

The server who "needs to come to Jesus" because of a pre-set tip (that makes no sense) is just as much of a person as you are, deserves to paid, and you're the one who is acting entitled and spoiled because you're being asked to pay the full price for a service you decided to take. Grow up.

Whereas I agree with much of what you said? I would find it odd that an employer would place a waitress in that position of requesting the tip prior to service myself. Personally? I don't like to fill in the tips on those machines, because I would rather give cash to the person. If they report the tip? That's up to them. I prefer to give it directly to the wait staff, pizza driver, or what have you. They don't need anymore reported income is my viewpoint.

He kept his reaction to himself - which most people would do. We all know there are knuckleheads out there that wouldn't of course. Yet, he was placing his reaction here, and she didn't get to feel it. So, I'm rather confused by your blowout of name calling and accusations.

He wasn't complaining about the tip, but the timing of it. He didn't say he wouldn't give the tip, nor that she didn't deserve to be paid. He isn't responsible for WHY the base wage is so low, nor did he complain about that.

We have all had knucklehead customers, but you are presuming he took it out on her - and that isn't what he said. Some knuckleheads will give less due to that type of thing, and YOUR right it has nothing to do with her. It's just bad management.

Did you read his post to fast or something? He never claimed he screamed at her, got ugly, or anything else.

 

[AvilaSurfer]

Pre tip? Next restaurant.

 

[RecklessDefector]

Whereas I agree with much of what you said? I would find it odd that an employer would place a waitress in that position of requesting the tip prior to service myself. Personally? I don't like to fill in the tips on those machines, because I would rather give cash to the person. If they report the tip? That's up to them. I prefer to give it directly to the wait staff, pizza driver, or what have you. They don't need anymore reported income is my viewpoint.

He kept his reaction to himself - which most people would do. We all know there are knuckleheads out there that wouldn't of course. Yet, he was placing his reaction here, and she didn't get to feel it. So, I'm rather confused by your blowout of name calling and accusations.

He wasn't complaining about the tip, but the timing of it. He didn't say he wouldn't give the tip, nor that she didn't deserve to be paid. He isn't responsible for WHY the base wage is so low, nor did he complain about that.

We have all had knucklehead customers, but you are presuming he took it out on her - and that isn't what he said. Some knuckleheads will give less due to that type of thing, and YOUR right it has nothing to do with her. It's just bad management.

Did you read his post to fast or something? He never claimed he screamed at her, got ugly, or anything else.

He said he started to show tell her she needed to come to Jesus, and had a Youtube video loaded up before he gave up on it. That's still going waaaaayyyy too far. It wasn't her fault, she needed a job to survive, so she took whatever she felt was the best opportunity and now works there. She's not responsible for anything in this situation except for trying to earn an honest living. Which all American Christians seems to bellow, "PULL YOURSELF UP BY THE BOOTSTRAPS!!!" Which this woman is clearly trying to do, and this "good Christian" OP sees it fit to tell her she needs to "come to Jesus" because of the tipping policy her manager or owner of the restaurant decided on, not her. It's hypocritical at best, stupidly absurd at worst.

 

[HannahT]

Did you miss this last part of the sentence?

but then I remembered this was real life and not an internet forum, so I just sheepishly pushed her screen.

There is a message there that completely went over your head.

 

[Dave-W]

I've worked retail for five years, and I can't count the amount of times I've been screamed at over prices, sales, return policies, etc. Do people like you really think that the lowest workers set those policies?

Of course not; but the managers and owners that DO set policy are not going to show up at your table so you can scream at them instead.

 

[Dave-W]

On that same note - I have seen a policy for years that when a sizable group goes to a restaurant, they say up front that a 15 or 20% gratuity is added to the bill.

 

[AirPo]

Never encountered that.

 

[AvilaSurfer]

Of course not; but the managers and owners that DO set policy are not going to show up at your table so you can scream at them instead.

Not always true. In my restaurant days I stood still and listened to a few, all the while knowing I was going to invite them to leave, because obviously we weren't fulfilling their needs. Then high-fived the waitress.

 

[Chesterton]

On that same note - I have seen a policy for years that when a sizable group goes to a restaurant, they say up front that a 15 or 20% gratuity is added to the bill.

Yeah, I forgot about that, I see that on menus often. That's really the same thing I guess.

 

[leematthew1234]

You know servers only make about 2$ an hour? They rely on tips for to live on, so unless "coming to Jesus" pays the bills, I think you're in the wrong here. In fact, it's the religious part in the US who has allowed the wage for servers to be that low. In addition, getting angry at a server is just awful, they didn't set the policy, if you have a problem ask for the manager instead of going off on servers.

I've worked retail for five years, and I can't count the amount of times I've been screamed at over prices, sales, return policies, etc. Do people like you really think that the lowest workers set those policies? I never had control over prices or any of those things, yet I had to take people's anger over it.

The server who "needs to come to Jesus" because of a pre-set tip (that makes no sense) is just as much of a person as you are, deserves to paid, and you're the one who is acting entitled and spoiled because you're being asked to pay the full price for a service you decided to take. Grow up.

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act- "A tipped employee engages in an occupation in which he or she customarily and regularly receives more than $30 per month in tips. An employer of a tipped employee is only required to pay $2.13 per hour in direct wages if that amount combined with the tips received at least equals the federal minimum wage. If the employee’s tips combined with the employer’s direct wages of at least $2.13 per hour do not equal the federal minimum hourly wage, the employer must make up the difference." (United States Department of Labor)

Eliminating tipping would be one of the best things that we could do. It is not the customers responsibility to pay the employees it is the employers responsibility to pay them. Eliminating tipping would also eliminate a wage disparity between severs and kitchen staff. Eliminating tipping is fair to both the consumer and the employee as the employee would still be paid a fair wage. I don't see why people have such a fascination with tipping. I would argue that by tipping you are promoting an unfair labor practice and a terrible inconvenience to the customer. I would further argue that tipping is unethical because it promotes a wage disparity between wait staff and kitchen staff who actually are the biggest contributors to the dining experience.

 

[leematthew1234]

You know servers only make about 2$ an hour? They rely on tips for to live on, so unless "coming to Jesus" pays the bills, I think you're in the wrong here. In fact, it's the religious part in the US who has allowed the wage for servers to be that low. In addition, getting angry at a server is just awful, they didn't set the policy, if you have a problem ask for the manager instead of going off on servers.

I've worked retail for five years, and I can't count the amount of times I've been screamed at over prices, sales, return policies, etc. Do people like you really think that the lowest workers set those policies? I never had control over prices or any of those things, yet I had to take people's anger over it.

The server who "needs to come to Jesus" because of a pre-set tip (that makes no sense) is just as much of a person as you are, deserves to paid, and you're the one who is acting entitled and spoiled because you're being asked to pay the full price for a service you decided to take. Grow up.

Under the Fair Labor Standards Act- "A tipped employee engages in an occupation in which he or she customarily and regularly receives more than $30 per month in tips. An employer of a tipped employee is only required to pay $2.13 per hour in direct wages if that amount combined with the tips received at least equals the federal minimum wage. If the employee’s tips combined with the employer’s direct wages of at least $2.13 per hour do not equal the federal minimum hourly wage, the employer must make up the difference." (United States Department of Labor)

Eliminating tipping would be one of the best things that we could do. It is not the customers responsibility to pay the employees it is the employers responsibility to pay them. Eliminating tipping would also eliminate a wage disparity between severs and kitchen staff. Eliminating tipping is fair to both the consumer and the employee as the employee would still be paid a fair wage. I don't see why people have such a fascination with tipping. I would argue that by tipping you are promoting an unfair labor practice and a terrible inconvenience to the customer. I would further argue that tipping is unethical because it promotes a wage disparity between wait staff and kitchen staff who actually are the biggest contributors to the dining experience.

 

[Nithavela]

If that happened to me, I would say respectfully say farewell and leave. And I'd propably be laughing all the way to the door.

I'll never get your tipping policy. Under your laws, you are not giving your waiters a little something extra, you are subsidizing the greed of their employer, who you will never get to look in the eye. And you fell GOOD about it.

 

[Dave-W]

Eliminating tipping would be one of the best things that we could do.

I disagree. Eliminating the EXEMPTION from minimum wages for employees who receive tips would be better.

Tips should be a BONUS for a job well done, and NOT a regularly calculated part of their wages. If I want to tip a waiter, that should have NOTHING whatsoever to do with the manager or owner of the establishment.

 

[Chesterton]

Sometimes I think everyone should work for tips. I wish our congressmen worked for tips.

Well actually I guess they do, and some groups get good service 'cause they can tip a lot more than little old me.

 

[Mudinyeri]

TIP = To Insure Promptness

I guess by tipping in advance, you are paying your "insurance premium" in advance ... which is the standard practice in the insurance industry.

With that said, I would take the 0% up front/up to 20% after the meal approach.