Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Why some US restaurants are banning tips

bbc.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

201–210 of 416 posts

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#201

Post by Sentralis »

detourdog wrote: post #103
QuantumNomad_ wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

At least they don’t demand a bunch of extra tips. I’m European (well, Scandinavian, which some Europeans consider European and some don’t) and my rule of thumb is that if I go out I tip 10%. If the service is extra good I might tip extra. If the service is very bad (unreasonably slow, or staff forget or mix up the order in a significant way, or they are very rude), I tip 0%. Of course everyone can mess up things a li…

I’m from the USA and had the experience in Switzerland where the server refunded money due to my overtipping.

I lived in Swizterland, but never experienced any refund. Some places would reject tips outright when asked or point out that your tip is excessive, but a refund?

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#202

Post by villish »

mschuster91 wrote: post #44
jamisteven wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

> Part of European dining is the social aspect

So like every culture in the world then?

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#203

Post by Fargren »

yostrovs wrote: post #135
zarzavat wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

The waiter comes by about twice in a visit, asks you "Is there anything you need?". You say "No thanks". And you get upset by that. And then you complain about Americans and their terrible ways. What sense does that make? Can't you see how rude you are? The person simply came by to check, since that person is your waiter and the goal is that you have a tasty and pleasant time.

If I need anything, I will call for the waiter. I do find it intrusive and patronizing if they come and check if I need anything. I'm not "upset" about it, but it does make my dining experience worse. It also gives me the impression they are trying to get me to free up the table as soon as possible.

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#204

Post by olsondv »

zoobab wrote: post #56

Been to Santa Cruz visiting the bike factory, went to the bar next door to drink with some mountain bikers. They had 'Brussels IPA' and 'Belgian IPA', I ordered those beers coming from Brussels and did not knew those beers. The waiter looked at me strangely. I did not gave any tips.

He probably looked at you strangely because you don’t seem to know much about beer. Do you think all beer called a pilsner is imported from Czech Republic or all Vienna Lager is from Austria?

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#205

Post by bluebarbet »

QuantumNomad_ wrote: post #63
rock_artist wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It depends and also is culture based. In Spain you can find some places (eg coffee place) with 1-2 workers. Sometimes it takes a lot of time to get your order at rush hours, but the culture tolerates patience and waiting.

At least they don’t demand a bunch of extra tips. I’m European (well, Scandinavian, which some Europeans consider European and some don’t) and my rule of thumb is that if I go out I tip 10%. If the service is extra good I might tip extra. If the service is very bad (unreasonably slow, or staff forget or mix up the order in a significant way, or they are very rude), I tip 0%. Of course everyone can mess up things a li…

What Europeans think that Scandinavia is not in Europe?

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#206

Post by mfcl »

xyzelement wrote: post #199

Every time tipping comes up there's a vocal contingent of anti tippers, coming from one of these perspectives: European pride, cheap fuckery, or faux labor concerns. It's important to remind that American restaurants work well - we have promp and good service as a rule, the majority of Americans are fine with and enjoy tipping and the vast majority of service workers enjoy getting them and are ahead financially vs Eu…

I've traveled to places where I would not tip and I don't remember the experience being very different. I say what food I want and get a plate with such food.

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#207

Post by lintfordpickle »

xyzelement wrote: post #139
FartyMcFarter wrote: post #21

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

You're telling on yourself. Most people I know are happy to leave a tip - especially to reward great service as part of a great night, or in cases where you have a long term relationship with an establishment and its staff. I can only imagine the staff is likewise happy to see the nice tip from us at the end of the night. If you can only imagine "unnecessary bad feelings" - I can only imagine the tip you leave and ho…

What an incredibly obnoxious comment.

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#208

Post by rglullis »

ricardobayes wrote: post #59
rock_artist wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It depends and also is culture based. In Spain you can find some places (eg coffee place) with 1-2 workers. Sometimes it takes a lot of time to get your order at rush hours, but the culture tolerates patience and waiting.

One of the biggest cultural differences - for Spain - is that servers are seen as equals, not as a client-provider relationship. This reflects heavily in the language often used - "when you can, bring me X". Just one of the quirks of a low gini coefficient society.

Oh, please. This reeks of a anglocentric worldview. Most places are like that. The exception to this rule is the US and franchise/chain restaurants that they have around the world.

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#209

Post by GJim »

yostrovs wrote: post #135
zarzavat wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

The waiter comes by about twice in a visit, asks you "Is there anything you need?". You say "No thanks". And you get upset by that. And then you complain about Americans and their terrible ways. What sense does that make? Can't you see how rude you are? The person simply came by to check, since that person is your waiter and the goal is that you have a tasty and pleasant time.

> The waiter comes by about twice in a visit

That's at least once too often.

Re: Why some US restaurants are banning tips

#210

Post by thinkharderdev »

ginko wrote: post #99
deadbabe wrote: post #2

Retail stores should also ban tips.

Tipping in stores is a thing now?

It is pretty common to be prompted to tip by the PoS system in any place you can buy made-to-order food. This includes stores that are normal retail stores but also have some sort of made-to-order food. Like a fancy wine shop or gourmet food store that also sells sandwiches. But this isn't really a new phenomenon either. It's just that there used to be a tip jar sitting by the register, but now the PoS system prompts you because nobody carries cash anymore.
Post reply on HN