Besides waiters, who are you tipping, and how much?
Tipping has always been touchy, and the recession and its lingering effects have changed little about the act.
Toward the end of 2009, for example, our first real holiday season when the downturn was in full-swing, tipping was set to slim down in unison with our consumer spending. Not shocking news.
But if there’s to be any return to normalcy in the financial world post-recession, we’re bound to see it in tipping as much as anywhere else. Generosity, after all, often stems from what we can afford to lose.
So as a point of debate, why not take a step back and look at tipping from a distance – who are we tipping, who aren't we tipping and how much are we giving?
Everyone knows you’re to tip your waiter at a restaurant (15 per cent as the common benchmark, depending on your quality of service and overall fat-catness), but what about your dog groomer or, say, your tattoo artist?
Are these professions worthy of tipping? If so, what denomination is expected?
The good people at CouponSherpa.com have come up with a handy reference list of 63 pointers for tipping, including several suggestions for gratuities where you might not have thought they were warranted.
A few notable entries:
1. Take-out food: 10 per cent when you pay, as per CouponSherpa’s recommendation.
2. Coat room attendants: $1 per coat for up to five jackets. Fifty cents per coat for six or more.
3. Taxi drivers: 10-15 per cent standard. Up that to 20 per cent if the cabbie helps with you heavy luggage.
4. Florists: $1 to $10 – a sliding scale based on the size of your arrangement.
5. Tattoo artists: 10-20 per cent – again, at your discretion based on the size and difficulty of your design.
Going through CouponSherpa’s list is a little daunting (at some point, gratuities have to be considered into the list price, don’t they?) but it’s a worthy task, nonetheless.
Readers: besides waiters and general food staff, who are you tipping most? And, on that note, who do you think gets tipped that doesn’t deserve it?
By Jason Buckland, MSN Money
Posted by: PXN | Aug 25, 2021 9:28:30 AM
I feel tipping shouldn't be something standard as the article suggests - "Everyone knows you’re to tip your waiter..." A tip or gratuity should be earned by one's hard work, pleasant attitude, show of respect, etc towards one's client. Not everyone receives a tip or bonus at their workplace so why should a select group of workers be awarded one? I repeat, it should be earned.
Posted by: kristy | Aug 25, 2021 10:07:41 AM
I generally "tip" my cab driver, say the ride is 7 or 8 bucks, ill leave 10 and just get out, if the ride is 9.75, i leave 10, if the ride is 10.25, ill probably just give 10.25 it really depends.
Plus most cabby's are rude, don't talk to you, drive erratic and are just generally unpleasant.
Posted by: Lisa | Aug 25, 2021 11:09:58 AM
I don't tip big in Canada anymore. Basically, my reasoning is, whatever I"m "buying" is wayyy too expensive in this country anyway...AND...we have the HST now. So, you will not receive a big tip from me on this side of the border. I simply don't have the money for it. I really hope you have a great attitide and enjoy your job.
Posted by: Guy | Aug 25, 2021 11:36:47 AM
PXN said it best. I travel a great deal and when someone goes out of their way to make you feel welcomed or appreciated, I will provide a tip. I have even given a tip to an attendant at a gas station for virtually giving me a car wash with his squeegee in the middle of a snow storm. That
$2 tip was not much. However, I am certain others who went to that Gas Station benefited from my little token of appreciation. Someone like LISA would be quick to tell me that I am already paying for this expected service by the higher gas cost at a full serve station so why pay more. I call it pay it forward or even better "it's the Canadian Way". If everybody like Lisa felt they were overpaying for everything, tipping would no longer occur. What a shame for those who go the extra mile to earn it.
Posted by: J.L.W. | Aug 25, 2021 11:42:51 AM
Tipping? Nobody but nobody tells me what and to whom I tip, if employers paid everyone a decent salary to begin with employees would not need a tip, one thing I love about Australia, they frown on tipping and DO NOT DO IT.
Cruise ships are amoung the worst for telling people what they must give to the staff, then rude cab drivers who don`t open the door or take care of the luggage come next, followed by some hotels who have the nerve to add tips to your bill.
TIPPING SHOULD BE OUTLAWED EVERY WHERE, AND YOU CAN TELL YOUR SERVEY PEOPLE TO "GET LOST". PERIOD!!!!
Posted by: Lisa | Aug 25, 2021 12:04:36 PM
Well "Guy"...you seem to want me to look like the "bad guy" here.
I'm going to tell you something that I noticed on a recent trip to the USA. What I will tell you, I rarely, if ever receive on THIS side of the border anymore. Let me preface this by saying I was born and raised here, and at one time I was proud to be Canadian. (I have an American parent who raised me to be proud to be Canadian too, by the way.)
However, THIS is what I noticed as soon as I crossed the border. This is sad really. All items I bought anywhere were much cheaper. The taxes are nothing compared to Canada. Now, I also looked at HOW I was treated by Americans. They all treated my whole family like gold. I received quick and efficient service at EVERY restaurant I went to. There was ONE time I needed a price check at a TARGET. (NOT a "high end" store obviously.) They were also quick and efficient with that and the sales clerk apologized profusely. (And no...you don't tip at Target...it was just an example...before you jump at me.)
I rarely receive that kind of treatment in Canada anymore.
Anyway, in the USA, I believe every person who "served" me deserved the tip they got, when warranted. However, at the same time, I wasn't getting ripped off by high taxes...so I had the "extra" money. Now, I could have kept that money for myself. Did I?? No! I chose to tip because I was getting treated with respect and everyone was fast and efficient and did their job. Things that I would think were "basic" in their job. By the way, on our way home, our family was dreading coming to back. Why? Canadians are anything but friendly. They are very cold and most act like the world owes them. (By the way, check out some more of these blogs for proof of that.)
Yes, I tip enough...when it's warranted "Guy." However, noone should have to tip for someone to do their basic job...it's called a paycheck. Secondly, I find a person WANTS to tip if treated fairly.
Think about it. Have a good day.
Posted by: Johnny K | Aug 25, 2021 12:32:45 PM
Let me preface this by saying that when I eat at a restaurant I generally will tip 20% when I am happy with the service. When I pick up take-out, however, I never tip...nobody has served me, why would I tip? I pay for my food and leave, isn't my consistent business enough? What am I tipping them 10% for?? Taking my credit card number?
Posted by: Mike | Aug 25, 2021 1:04:59 PM
unless YOU are AIDING ME by doing some soft of USEFUL service, you arent getting a tip from me...it's that simple...why the hell would I tip someone at a fast food restaurant? they didnt do anything for me...thats like going to a grocery store and tipping the cashier....dumbasses
Posted by: Mike | Aug 25, 2021 1:05:58 PM
sort**
Posted by: Mike | Aug 25, 2021 1:08:41 PM
To Lisa. Unfortunately, you do not catch the picture in Canada. Waiters/waitresses are paid minimum wage (or slightly higher). They also have to pay out a certain amount of their sales after each shift to the remaining staff (chefs, etc.) So on a night where they say serve customers where the total amount of the bills equals say $1,000 they are already paying roughly $40 or more (it varies from each restaurant).
And if you are going to complain about the taxes we pay in Canada compared to what it is in the USA, then think of it this way. In Canada we have roughly 1/10 of the population compared to that of USA and we have a larger land mass where the population is spread out. If our taxes would be as low as those in the USA, we would have next to no services in this country. If you don't understand that, then you are obviously not seeing the big picture.
Posted by: Ordinary Man | Aug 25, 2021 1:37:53 PM
I completely agree with Lisa. The service you receive in the US is 100% better than the service you receive in Canada. My wife and I travel frenquently to various parts of th US and are always blown away by how friendly the people are. We were at a Walmart late one night somewhere in Arizona looking for something, and a guy from the night cleaning crew saw us looking up and down the aisle and offered us help to find what we were looking for. Here in Toronto if you ask for help in the Walmarts you'll either get a dirty look and attitude or someone who doesn't speak english.
Posted by: Craig | Aug 25, 2021 1:39:55 PM
+1 for the use of "overall fat-catness"
there is no way i would tip anything for take-out food...
Posted by: Norah | Aug 25, 2021 2:14:46 PM
Maybe I've been to the wrong states!!....We go to Florida almost every year and I have to tell you that most of the staff we encounter at places like Target or Walmart are not all that friendly. In fact, most of them make you feel like you are putting them out by asking for their help.
I will say that a lot of the chain restaurants...like TGI Fridays, for example, the staff are super friendly, but then again, that is the image that restaurant protrays, so if they can't offer that experience then they should not be in the hospitality business.
To say things like the US is "better" (not an exact quote) than Canada........when I'm down there and go into these department stores and see senior citiizens working to pay for their health care....I think God Bless Canada!!!! My grandmother is enjoying her later years relaxing and still gets her medical issues looked after!
Posted by: Paul | Aug 25, 2021 2:45:08 PM
First of all, Lisa, if you think the U.S.A is so great then move there permanently, we don't your type here in Canada. Go ahead and complain about the taxes in Canada. I really hope you don't have to go to the hospital in the USA though. If you do go to the hospital and you get really good service perhaps you can tip them on the $20,000 invoice you receive.
On a seperate note, what really burns me is mandatory tipping. I got married recently and those sneaky little b@st@rds known as the caterers snuck a 15% mandatory gratuity charge onto the final bill. How the heck can gratuity be mandatory? Why don't they just add 15% onto their prices? Mandatory tipping should be outlawed!
Posted by: Lisa | Aug 25, 2021 3:23:53 PM
OH "Paul"...I HAVE landed in emergency in the USA...and got much better service than landing in emergency in Canada. (Yes, I've landed in emergency in both countries.) Sorry to burst your bubble. That's a whole other subject. However, again, I prefer the USA when it comes to health care. Did you know...on BOTH sides of the border it is illegal to NOT give help in emergency?
Just a "heads up" to anyone worried about the American health care system.
Secondly, it's too bad there are people, like you Paul, here in Canada. There was a wonderful time in history when the Americans and Canadians looked at each other as siblings. It was great. And...after talking to many Americans recently, try to realize that actually we are all the same. It is actually the media creating this anti-American sentiment in Canada...not the true Americans.
Oh and "Paul"...if you don't like the mandatory tipping...don't use the service. Have a good one.
Posted by: Tina | Aug 25, 2021 3:34:02 PM
Any place may add an automatic gratuity but you don't have to pay it. By law, you only owe the actual bill & taxes but not the tip.
Posted by: Nic | Aug 25, 2021 3:38:21 PM
I grew up in Canada, and now live in the US. I have worked in the service industry on both sides of the border, and have seen quite a difference between the US and Canada. Working in the US, I found that people provided good service, and sometimes tried too hard, because they were working "for tips." What I mean is that their main objective was to get a big tip, so they would "work the customers." Some of my coworkers needed that extra money to live because they were making minimum wage, and their employers wouldn't give them enough hours to qualify for benefits, so they had to pay for their own medical insurance. Some needed the extra money to go get wasted at the club after work!
In the US they are "in-your-face" about tipping, to the point where it almost seems like they are begging for tips. I worked on a cocktail cruise boat, and part of our greeting for the guests at the end of the night was to tell them to fill our tip bucket, which made me very uncomfortable, and I refused to do it. I have also seen the reaction when a less than satisfactory tip was given. After the patrons left, there was a lot of rude and nasty comments about the people because of it. I even experienced this myself as a patron of a club one night. I didn't have the right change to leave the bartender a tip, but I was going to be there all night, so I thought I would leave a big one at the end. As I walked away from the bar the bartender yelled at me, saying "don't you know you have to leave a tip?" She wasn't that friendly to begin with, but nevertheless, that made sure she DIDN"T get a tip from me!!
I NEVER EVER experienced these things in Canada. My coworkers there did there jobs as they were supposed to, and would go out of their way to help people because it was the right thing to do, not because they thought they could get a bigger tip! We didn't have "tip jars" or "tip buckets", and we accepted any gratuity graciously as a bonus, and a testament to our hard work. Honestly, just a simple thank you and seeing how great a time the customers had was better than the guilt money one gets in the US.
Posted by: chris | Aug 25, 2021 3:44:11 PM
i dont agree with mandatory tipping....i do believe that it should not be allowed...why would u tip if u dont like the service....but then when u have waiters and waitress serving a table of ten people all nite long and only seving them because they need your attention all nite long...i do think that a tip should be left...
and lisa...move to the states...you seem to like it there more....then just move there...
or taxes might be higher and prices may be higher...but our services here are alot better...ie healthcare
if u truley think its better there....just move....just dont CRY LIKE A BABY when u go to just see a doctor down there...and the hand u a bill for 150.00 for checking ur sore throat
Posted by: don | Aug 25, 2021 3:46:12 PM
I tip for good service. It is my decision and mine alone. I have had the mandatory gratuity removed for poor service and have let it go through for good service. If the service is good I will tip 15%. I have never tipped above 15% and I have never tipped at a fast food resturant. I simply dont have that much money and why should I pay it if the service is bad? If you are working for minimum wage, I know it is tough but If I have to tip everywhere I guess I cant afford to go at all so at least this way there is still business coming in and the job is there.
Posted by: cam | Aug 25, 2021 3:57:23 PM
Lisa, to generally speak of one whole country by a few visits is quite appalling, people from all over the world act a certain way because thats how they want to act. you cant judge a whole country on a few people or services because i believe every country has places with bad,good, and amazing service. so really to frown on a whole country and think so well of another is, not trying to be rude or anything, not intelligent