The whole tipping culture in western countries is unfair and totally wrong!

[Flexystar]

You can’t blame the modern societies for doing that and it’s not that bad act if you ask me. The tipping is everywhere, from highly developed modern countries to developing to third world countries.
If you really want to blame and want to know why this has happened then go ahead and read following linked research paper. There is full scope of it.

History: It started in England

Tipping is a multi-billion-dollar phenomenon that challenges the traditional assumption of selfish
economic agents who have no feelings and do not care about social norms. This article reviews the
early history of tipping and offers an economic analysis of different aspects of tipping. Using the
historical evidence, it then addresses two major questions about tipping: why do people tip? And does
tipping improve service quality? The reasons for tipping changed over the years, but conforming to
social norms and avoiding embarrassment were generally the main reasons. Tipping seems to improve
service quality; the extent of the improvement varies across occupations

It all started as social norm, so that it can improve the quality of service that you get.
It’s not at all mandatory considering the modern day convention.


The history of tipping - From sixteenth-century England to United States in the 1910s

[Anonylz]

so.  lets try something else.

Pizza delivery driver.   95% of these people use there own car own gas own insurance 100% there own risk.  

Most dont even get a salary.  Accident rate among pizza drivers is high due to the nature of the job.  

They get to pay for their own gas, oil change which is about once a month due to the very high mileage  brakes tires ball joints tie rods most of that is once a year, brakes twice.  If they live in snowy regions then add Winter tires to that added costs.

Pizza car maintenance is high.   Many don't bother and buy utter crap and drive it in to the ground.   Can be cheaper to replace crap car with another crap car then to fix them.  So they also get to spend time replacing the car.  


Tip your fucking driver!  Be happy hes even working!   He might even be an asshole but he gets to deal with shitheads all day long on the road and at the door.  saying to him... but you got your delivery fee right?

Are you saying pizza delivery workers use their own personal vehicle and fuel it to do delivery for the company? I find it hard to believe. What happens if you don't have a personal vehicle? Does that mean you will not be able to work as a delivery service since the company won't provide it.
Why would anyone take up such job just for tips that may not account for what you spend doing the job. That's absurd.

[gantez]

Taxi drivers I'm not certain about, and honestly I'm not a big fan of tipping anyone.  You pay for a service, that's the way it should be.  Giving money voluntarily (but being expected to) in addition to that rubs me the wrong way and always has.

This time around some service providers are relying on this alot to make extra pay on the side and it is funny how the expectation for tipping is going high. Some workers in eateries will salute you at the door way to expect you to drops something for them and if you don't do that you be surprise the next time visit the salute you get won't be cordial like the first. Right inside too is same when the waiter is giving out food there is expectation of keeping over the balance  I also see the ladies in the service do have high expectation to get some tipp from the men.

[Smartvirus]

I don't know a place where tips becomes compulsory. In fact, I've heard of the opposite of some nations although I can't present any crucial evidence to support at the moment but, I know a local security company in my country where, tips are not allowed. Either given by the staff to a fellow staff or customer to another staff. It's one way to control bias by the company within its staff not to turn a blind eye at an unbecoming practice out of favouritism.
That way, you've got nothing to gain or lose in carrying out your duty in all justification.

Tips are given freely and it would be wrong to be forced to tip after paying your service charges. There is no social pressure there except the one you give yourself. If you feel you should then, you should otherwise, don't.

[Haunebu]

Firstly, tipping culture is followed in literally every single country in the world. Secondly, tipping pressure varies depending on the business itself. Thirdly, it all comes down to whether you are willing to tip or not.

Some people succumb to peer pressure and end up tipping while some others don't give a crap about any sort of pressure and only tip when they truly want to.

Blaming western countries for introducing the tipping culture is seriously silly since it actually does more good than bad overall.

[TimeTeller]

so.  lets try something else.

Pizza delivery driver.   95% of these people use there own car own gas own insurance 100% there own risk. 

Most dont even get a salary.  Accident rate among pizza drivers is high due to the nature of the job. 

They get to pay for their own gas, oil change which is about once a month due to the very high mileage  brakes tires ball joints tie rods most of that is once a year, brakes twice.  If they live in snowy regions then add Winter tires to that added costs.

Pizza car maintenance is high.   Many don't bother and buy utter crap and drive it in to the ground.   Can be cheaper to replace crap car with another crap car then to fix them.  So they also get to spend time replacing the car. 

Tip your fucking driver!  Be happy hes even working!   He might even be an asshole but he gets to deal with shitheads all day long on the road and at the door.  saying to him... but you got your delivery fee right?

Are you saying pizza delivery workers use their own personal vehicle and fuel it to do delivery for the company? I find it hard to believe. What happens if you don't have a personal vehicle? Does that mean you will not be able to work as a delivery service since the company won't provide it.
Why would anyone take up such job just for tips that may not account for what you spend doing the job. That's absurd.

I don't think that's the case here. But pizza delivery guys are using their company vehicles in most cases.
But it may be different on his area. Maybe, he is talking about 3rd party riders as they do really use their own vehicles.
Owed to pandemic, third party riders are now very common as you can access them in different delivery apps.
But when it comes to tipping, it is still up to you if you will give them or not. If you're not in the mood, or has no extra money, then don't.
Tipping should be a voluntary one and should be happy doing it. But if it is against your will, better not give it.

[bocyaj]

Yes ,it’s need to think differently every things.We are giving them a  tips from our pocket for the social status.But it’s not a compulsory one,you can avoid of such things on your side.If any people think wrong about you,why you are worry about it.It’s their problem and not your problem.Let them hate you for that,you no need to worry for that things apart.

[Oceat]

Yes ,it’s need to think differently every things.We are giving them a  tips from our pocket for the social status.But it’s not a compulsory one,you can avoid of such things on your side.If any people think wrong about you,why you are worry about it.It’s their problem and not your problem.Let them hate you for that,you no need to worry for that things apart.

It's just weird though why we have to give tips because of the peer pressure but they never really think it broadly like you tip the waiter in an expensive restaurant but when you go to the public market you ask for discount? That's just so wrong right there and it clearly shows that they tip according to the social status or they are showing that they could tip because they have money but couldn't tip the vendors in public market. smh

[TheGreatPython]

I believe it's high time owners need to be more responsible for needs of their workers. Customers can't carry this burden.

I don't know about tipping in any other country than the US, and to the best of my knowledge restaurants aren't required to pay the servers a minimum wage (and someone correct me if I'm wrong, and I'll have to re-read this thread to see if anyone has since I mentioned it before).  And if they don't have to, they're not going to, especially since the practice of tipping has become so entrenched in American culture.

Food delivery drivers also expect to be tipped, and I'm not sure if their employers pay them at least minimum wage.  Anyway, I would disagree with you that the economy is so bad that people can't afford to tip.  If that were the case, they probably wouldn't be eating at restaurants, taking taxis, ordering food, etc.  This isn't the first time money has been tight, and it won't be the last.

I believe that tipping culture of USA is wrong from the default but it’s the minimum wage that is the trouble. It has been the same price for so so so long that if you worked 8 hours a day for 5 days, you would be earning enough to just starve, nothing more.

The minimum wage could be increased, and that way we would find a way where with or without tips people would live a decent life at least. Just because we say "if they can get away with paying minimum wage, they will" and be fine with that, we need to definitely considering paying a lot more, and I mean like x3 of what it is right now because 7.5 is too little, something around 20 would be a lot better.

[NotATether]

Its not mandatory but we're used to it already.
And its also because the guys in the restaurant will remember you don't give tips to them, they will spit and piss on your drink which I'm sure you won't like it.  This is why I also give tips to some waiters who will serve me on a restaurant because I've seen it first hand what they did to someone's food.

Well if they do that then don't eat at their fucking joint in the first place.

You get tips for being good to customers. If you act like an asshole to them then how do you expect to keep your job without customers?

[ultrloa]

Its not mandatory but we're used to it already.
And its also because the guys in the restaurant will remember you don't give tips to them, they will spit and piss on your drink which I'm sure you won't like it.  This is why I also give tips to some waiters who will serve me on a restaurant because I've seen it first hand what they did to someone's food.

Well if they do that then don't eat at their fucking joint in the first place.

You get tips for being good to customers. If you act like an asshole to them then how do you expect to keep your job without customers?

And file a case if you found someone doing that since its really hazardous for your health if someone do that in purpose and for sure this doings will get busted since there's no wrong doings will continue.

But I don't think those restaurant staff will do it just for the tip and maybe they will do this nasty act because they don't like the behavior of their costumer.

[dezoel]

I think it only depends on the person maybe some are like you who feel pressured to tip them but for me no I didn't feel that way. Like you said it was their job and they are already earning or being paid to do it so there is no need to tip them. They also don't forced us. For me, I do gave tips sometimes if I have extra money and if I feel generous at the same time.

If we are talking only about restaurants, well I believe not all restaurants are the same who abuse their employers but there must be some who pays enough. I know some restaurants who even disallow tips and for this to be effective, the employees' pockets must be closed and they are being frisked by guards before they go out.

[bakasabo]

I find it hard to understand tipping culture like it is in US. For example two situations, you order your menu at the McDonalds, go to the table and wait for a guy to bring your food. And you go to any restaurant of café, make an order and wait similarly for the food. In first case the guy brings you food, and maybe a balloon for your kid. In the second case also a person simply brings you food, but expect 10-20% tip. Both of them get more or less similar hourly payment. Both of them run here and there whole day, but a waiter gets tipped, McDonalds employee dont.

I dont understand the idea of tipping a bartender. He can cheat you with pouring less, he can give you dead beer for example (no bubbles, or give a glass filled half with foam), he can even bring his own bottle of whiskey (I've seen such guys) and in general sell this bottle 5x its cost (you buy 15-20 EUR worth whiskey bottle, sell each 50ml drink for 5-7 EUR). Not all bartenders are like that, but I've seen how bartenders cheat on drunk people and receive tips from them...

[Ultegra134]

I find it hard to understand tipping culture like it is in US. For example two situations, you order your menu at the McDonalds, go to the table and wait for a guy to bring your food. And you go to any restaurant of café, make an order and wait similarly for the food. In first case the guy brings you food, and maybe a balloon for your kid. In the second case also a person simply brings you food, but expect 10-20% tip. Both of them get more or less similar hourly payment. Both of them run here and there whole day, but a waiter gets tipped, McDonalds employee dont.

I dont understand the idea of tipping a bartender. He can cheat you with pouring less, he can give you dead beer for example (no bubbles, or give a glass filled half with foam), he can even bring his own bottle of whiskey (I've seen such guys) and in general sell this bottle 5x its cost (you buy 15-20 EUR worth whiskey bottle, sell each 50ml drink for 5-7 EUR). Not all bartenders are like that, but I've seen how bartenders cheat on drunk people and receive tips from them...

I think that tipping goes well beyond food and catering businesses in the USA. You're expected to tip your hairdressers, assistance employees, taxi drivers, beauty salons. It's a generally widespread practice. While I'm not against tipping a reasonable amount of money if the service was great, charging huge amounts of over 15-25% is outrageous.

Dining outside and services are generally a lot more expensive in the U.S. compared to Europe, and especially Greece in my case. Dinner for two ranges from 25-40 euros here. Most I've spent is about there, in the U.S. though, it's way more than that, and you also have to pay sales tax if I'm not mistaken and to leave an approximate 20% tip.

[livingfree]

I don't live in the US, but I have heard of their tipping culture and it's becoming a must every time people will pay for dine in or avail for such services.

But it seems that most workers are expecting tips even if the customers are not comfortable giving that to them and hasn't received good service from them.

It should be out of kindness and voluntarily because they're paid to do their job and whoever started it making it as a responsibility as a customer, well, it's on you folks if you're feeling that you want to give the tip, give it. However, it should not really be a mandatory.

[bakasabo]

I find it hard to understand tipping culture like it is in US. For example two situations, you order your menu at the McDonalds, go to the table and wait for a guy to bring your food. And you go to any restaurant of café, make an order and wait similarly for the food. In first case the guy brings you food, and maybe a balloon for your kid. In the second case also a person simply brings you food, but expect 10-20% tip. Both of them get more or less similar hourly payment. Both of them run here and there whole day, but a waiter gets tipped, McDonalds employee dont.

I dont understand the idea of tipping a bartender. He can cheat you with pouring less, he can give you dead beer for example (no bubbles, or give a glass filled half with foam), he can even bring his own bottle of whiskey (I've seen such guys) and in general sell this bottle 5x its cost (you buy 15-20 EUR worth whiskey bottle, sell each 50ml drink for 5-7 EUR). Not all bartenders are like that, but I've seen how bartenders cheat on drunk people and receive tips from them...

I think that tipping goes well beyond food and catering businesses in the USA. You're expected to tip your hairdressers, assistance employees, taxi drivers, beauty salons. It's a generally widespread practice. While I'm not against tipping a reasonable amount of money if the service was great, charging huge amounts of over 15-25% is outrageous.

Dining outside and services are generally a lot more expensive in the U.S. compared to Europe, and especially Greece in my case. Dinner for two ranges from 25-40 euros here. Most I've spent is about there, in the U.S. though, it's way more than that, and you also have to pay sales tax if I'm not mistaken and to leave an approximate 20% tip.

I am not against tipping either, but sometimes it is hard to understand the culture, why one employee class should or must be tipped, but others dont. For example I can go to an electric appliance store and get a 30min consultation, then other guy involved, that will get my item from warehouse to cash desk, and I am not suppose to tip those two. But it is a good manner to tip a guy that will deliver a pizza for me. He will just pick up pizza and give it to me. Two employees perhaps get same $/hour rate, but in first case I think it is ok to give consultant some tips, because his knowledge and experience was useful. But in second case, why should I give tips of guys work is basically walking or driving. I am confused.

[el kaka22]

The biggest difference is, if someone does a bad job at any other business, they would be either fired, or warned, or just ignored, but in any job that you are required to get a tip to survive, if you do a bad job, or if the customer is cheap, you are going to end up starving because you are not getting paid enough. That’s the thing, in my nation we have tipping too, it's not as "culture" as it is in the USA for example, and the guy who gets it, gets paid the same amount that 20%+ of our nation does, and that means any guy at a factory making your shirt is getting the same money.

West needs to realize that you can't have a job in the world that says "you either do a good job and good tips, or you are going hungry to bed tonight", that’s not acceptable.

[Techkoy407]

that's true, not only in western countries, but also in Asia where I live, things like that are commonplace or have become a habit,
and it is very difficult to change, because it has become a habit that is inherent in everyone.

and you ask why no manual laborer gives tips,
maybe the reason,
their work is sometimes underestimated,
maybe their work lacks social interaction with the public, such as construction workers or construction workers, they don't interact much with people around, because their work is focused on what they are facing and other people are reluctant to interfere with their work.

while jobs such as restaurant waiters and the like, they perform services directly, face to face,
and that's why they often get tips.

[Wapfika]

I don't live in the US, but I have heard of their tipping culture and it's becoming a must every time people will pay for dine in or avail for such services.

But it seems that most workers are expecting tips even if the customers are not comfortable giving that to them and hasn't received good service from them.

It should be out of kindness and voluntarily because they're paid to do their job and whoever started it making it as a responsibility as a customer, well, it's on you folks if you're feeling that you want to give the tip, give it. However, it should not really be a mandatory.

I don't live in the USA but giving tips is also common in my country, it is like rewarding people who do their job more than they are required to do, or if we know for ourselves that they have been outstanding to provide us with a better service we deserve. I usually give tips only when I know I troubled the staff too much with too many question or we know the price that I paid is too low for the item or service done. It is not required but it can help a bit to the staff. It will still depend on us, we are not required to give tip especially if we feel they don't deserve it or the price we already pay for the item is already high to cover their service.

[DrBeer]

I find it hard to understand tipping culture like it is in US. For example two situations, you order your menu at the McDonalds, go to the table and wait for a guy to bring your food. And you go to any restaurant of café, make an order and wait similarly for the food. In first case the guy brings you food, and maybe a balloon for your kid. In the second case also a person simply brings you food, but expect 10-20% tip. Both of them get more or less similar hourly payment. Both of them run here and there whole day, but a waiter gets tipped, McDonalds employee dont.

I dont understand the idea of tipping a bartender. He can cheat you with pouring less, he can give you dead beer for example (no bubbles, or give a glass filled half with foam), he can even bring his own bottle of whiskey (I've seen such guys) and in general sell this bottle 5x its cost (you buy 15-20 EUR worth whiskey bottle, sell each 50ml drink for 5-7 EUR). Not all bartenders are like that, but I've seen how bartenders cheat on drunk people and receive tips from them...

I think that tipping goes well beyond food and catering businesses in the USA. You're expected to tip your hairdressers, assistance employees, taxi drivers, beauty salons. It's a generally widespread practice. While I'm not against tipping a reasonable amount of money if the service was great, charging huge amounts of over 15-25% is outrageous.

Dining outside and services are generally a lot more expensive in the U.S. compared to Europe, and especially Greece in my case. Dinner for two ranges from 25-40 euros here. Most I've spent is about there, in the U.S. though, it's way more than that, and you also have to pay sales tax if I'm not mistaken and to leave an approximate 20% tip.

I am not against tipping either, but sometimes it is hard to understand the culture, why one employee class should or must be tipped, but others dont. For example I can go to an electric appliance store and get a 30min consultation, then other guy involved, that will get my item from warehouse to cash desk, and I am not suppose to tip those two. But it is a good manner to tip a guy that will deliver a pizza for me. He will just pick up pizza and give it to me. Two employees perhaps get same $/hour rate, but in first case I think it is ok to give consultant some tips, because his knowledge and experience was useful. But in second case, why should I give tips of guys work is basically walking or driving. I am confused.

The difference is that the sales assistant has, as a rule, a direct and understandable motivation. The buyer advised by him, having bought the goods, will automatically form an additional% for him. You should know that in most chain stores, the seller's rate consists of a fixed part and a % of the sales that he "warmed up" with his advice or recommendation. And for example, a hairdresser, taxi driver, waiter - as a rule, there is only a rate, and the subject of a tip is mentioned during employment. In a word, the reason for the presence of tips is the peculiarities of the formation of the wage fund. In many restaurants / pubs / cafes, a % is necessarily included in the check to pay for the work of waiters.

PS. But if you don't like the service, you have the right not to pay a tip