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Why some US restaurants are banning tips

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41–50 of 416 posts

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#41
post #7

FWIW France has it right: there's no tipping, service is always included.

I am french, living in the US: yes, service is always included in France, but service is usually not that good. At least, definitely not as good as in the US.

I spend about equal time in the USA and split between France, Germany, and The Netherlands.

Personally, I find the service in USA restaurants to be obnoxious, overly fake, and disruptive. I generally only go out to eat in Europe because I prefer a peaceful meal rather than a rushed one with a side of fake friendship.

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#42
post #31

The biggest barrier to ending tipping in the USA is that restaurants are almost always over staffed there. The owner wants the maximum ratio of servers to customers possible. In the typical USA system, being paid primarily in tips means the server is highly incentivized to upsell the customer as much as possible and do everything they can to increase the total bill, and therefor increase their tip. Essentially a comm…

[flagged]

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#43
> the problem of going tip-free is that customers struggle to get their heads around the maths.

Maybe they should show the price "without tip" next to the full price, so people can compare.

Paying employees with tips is an insane concept, fundamentally abusive. If it wasn't, then the owner would also get paid from tips. "The meals are all free, and we count on you to pay them through tips". Obviously no owner would take that risk, because it is insane. They make their employees take that risk because they can abuse them, that's all.

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#44
post #31

The biggest barrier to ending tipping in the USA is that restaurants are almost always over staffed there. The owner wants the maximum ratio of servers to customers possible. In the typical USA system, being paid primarily in tips means the server is highly incentivized to upsell the customer as much as possible and do everything they can to increase the total bill, and therefor increase their tip. Essentially a comm…

LMFAO, have you ever been to a restaurant in Europe? The service is horrific. Sit down and wait 15 minutes for the menus, another 15 to place a drink order, another 10 for the drinks to get there, another 10 to place food order. Now you finish the meal, good luck getting the waiters attention to bring the check. European dining is the worst, every time I am back stateside I feel like im being waited on in the white h…

> European dining is the worst, every time I am back stateside I feel like im being waited on in the white house or something fancy.

Part of European dining is the social aspect, that gets ruined when you're constantly being asked if you want another drink.

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#46
post #7

FWIW France has it right: there's no tipping, service is always included.

I am french, living in the US: yes, service is always included in France, but service is usually not that good. At least, definitely not as good as in the US.

I think it is subjective. I prefer being left alone and having to talk to the staff only when I need something.

Being interrupted every 2 minutes with a "Is everything ok?" is annoying.

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#47
post #22

I am against the popular opinion and I actually tip if the hotel is somewhat cheap (ie food does not cost a small fortune). I do it out of selfish reasons. When I order chicken, I want them to bring me a good piece. Or if I order Porotta, I want them to bring me the most fresh one. Or sometimes when I get a very tasty meal, I just tip them to share them some of the happiness that they brought me. But totally depends…

Any recommendations for tipping in India? (Amounts etc) I was warned against tipping too much by locals who worried it could distort local economies toward tourists and away from local people.

I usually do like something between 30-50 Rs (around 10% of the cost of food). It is not a lot, but I don't think anyone would expect to be tipped more than that..

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#48
post #31

The biggest barrier to ending tipping in the USA is that restaurants are almost always over staffed there. The owner wants the maximum ratio of servers to customers possible. In the typical USA system, being paid primarily in tips means the server is highly incentivized to upsell the customer as much as possible and do everything they can to increase the total bill, and therefor increase their tip. Essentially a comm…

LMFAO, have you ever been to a restaurant in Europe? The service is horrific. Sit down and wait 15 minutes for the menus, another 15 to place a drink order, another 10 for the drinks to get there, another 10 to place food order. Now you finish the meal, good luck getting the waiters attention to bring the check. European dining is the worst, every time I am back stateside I feel like im being waited on in the white h…

I could say the same about US restaurants. I want to socialise with the people I'm sharing the meal with, not some random waiter. The servers are constantly interrupting, ruining the mood and you feel unwelcome like they want to get you out the door the moment your plate is empty (because that's exactly what they want). It's like being on a conveyor belt.

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#49

Good. Tipping creates so much mental overhead and unnecessary bad feelings on everyone's part.

I hate that some workers depend on tips and that creates an obligation on me, but I do like to tip because I know how great it feels to get one. At work I sometimes get a bonus and what’s that if not a tip?

I benefit too. It’s a way for me to express gratitude.

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#50
post #31

The biggest barrier to ending tipping in the USA is that restaurants are almost always over staffed there. The owner wants the maximum ratio of servers to customers possible. In the typical USA system, being paid primarily in tips means the server is highly incentivized to upsell the customer as much as possible and do everything they can to increase the total bill, and therefor increase their tip. Essentially a comm…

Is that why US service ("checking on the customer every few minutes") is so incredibly annoying...
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