MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > Do you think tipping should be abolished...

Do you think tipping should be abolished?

posted 2 years ago by SilenceByWolf (1868)
73 replies | jump to latest

I copied and pasted below from Reddit. I think they make a good point. https://www.reddit.com/r/PersonalFinanceCanada/comments/o33s3m/why_do_we_tip/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

In come the downvotes. Very controversial topic which is going to get hated on by the general public but I’d still like to know if my logic isn’t sound here.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been tipping my entire life, but money matters to me more now that I have more responsibilities.

Why are we tipping? The waiter is just doing their job and they’re getting paid an hourly wage for it, why does society feel like it’s mandatory for us to pay an additional 15% of our meal, at a minimum, for someone doing their job. The rebuttal to this is usually, “It helps them make a living wage.” But with this logic, we should be tipping all minimum wage workers so everyone can have a living wage. Why are we not tipping the other minimum wage workers who provide us with a service like McDonalds workers we come across. They have hard shifts too and feed you, standing there near the hot kitchen all day prepping food.

Back in the day serving used to be a profession for single moms to provide for their kids so I guess the tradition of tipping got passed down. But now there’s so many opportunistic in North America, if servers are unhappy with their wage they should study something and look for something else. Most of the time now servers are young, so very unlikely they are supporting a family and more likely it’s a side job while studying or they’re unsure what career path they want to follow.

TLDR: Why is tipping necessary. I work hard for my money and need it too, why am I giving it to someone else for doing their job.

[–] Mrmojo4700 (21724) 2 years ago

“I don’t tip. No, I don’t believe in it. … Don’t give me that, if she don’t make enough money she can quit. … I don’t tip because society says I have to. All right, I mean I’ll tip if someone really deserves a tipping, if they really put forth the effort, I’ll give them something extra, but I mean this tipping automatically, it’s for the birds. I mean as far as I’m concerned they’re just doing their job”

[–] jriley555 (8557) 2 years ago

Thanks, Mr. Pink.

[–] Mrmojo4700 (21724) 2 years ago

😎

[–] April-151-CT (10210) 2 years ago

It's sad that restaurant owners feel that the public should pay the wages of the restaurant owner's employees. I think it should be made illegal that restaurant employees can be paid less than minimum wage. That way you don't have to worry about tipping because they'll already be making a normal per hour wage. The public shouldn't be required to pay the wages of food service employees. But if you still want to tip, it should be up to the individual. Not expected of them.

[–] SilenceByWolf (1868) 2 years ago

Tipping is dumb. I shouldn't be responsible for someone else's wages.

[–] April-151-CT (10210) 2 years ago

Exactly. We shouldn't be responsible for someone else's wages. I still can't get over the fact that it's not illegal to pay someone under minimum wage. Pay a fair wage, that way people aren't expected to tip. You could just do it if you feel like doing it not because you're looked down upon if you don't do it.

[–] SilenceByWolf (1868) 2 years ago

Well, even if the employers would pay them a "fair wage", I'm sure the employees would still bitch about not getting the tips. Entitlement I tell ya!

[–] April-151-CT (10210) 2 years ago

https://y.yarn.co/8db0ca41-3afb-41a5-b4a9-3580126823f5_text.gif

[–] chilone (18338) 2 years ago

Anytime money leaves your possession, you're paying someone's wages.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

I'd rather tip for the same reasons. Owners are just going to up the cost of goods to offset the new wages and I get to help someone along without the need of getting the IRS boogyman involved. I think it works the whole way around. Higher wages means more taxes, a higher food bill and potentially less service.

Yeah, I know there are tight asses out there who never leave a dime so that's another reason I try to tip generously.

[–] April-151-CT (10210) 2 years ago

Owners are just going to up the cost of goods to offset the new wages

I can live with that. Or I can choose not to eat out. It's better that being looked upon as being obligated to tip. Because I'm not obligated. I'll do it if I want, when I want, and how much I want, if any. No matter who likes it and who doesn't. 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

LOL. Take it easy, tough guy.

[–] Kowalski (79178) 2 years ago

EVERYONE HAS TO TAKE A STAND ONCE IN A WHILE .LMAO. NOEMOJI

[–] April-151-CT (10210) 2 years ago

https://i.ibb.co/bNPSTcs/PWHL.gif

[–] db20db (17758) 2 years ago

I once worked in a popular restaurant and was startled to discover one day with a customer's bill, that the 'gratuity' had already been automatically calculated into it. In other words, the waitstaff was often being tipped twice.😲 The waitress known for being the most prolific in acquiring tips actually bought a brand new car that year.

[–] chilone (18338) 2 years ago

The waitress known for being the most prolific in acquiring tips actually bought a brand new car that year.

Is there something wrong with that?

[–] db20db (17758) 2 years ago

I thought tipping was supposed to be optional.

[–] chilone (18338) 2 years ago

It mostly is, but some places add it in for larger parties and usually state this. If a tip is added to your bill, don't leave an additional tip (unless you want to).

[–] db20db (17758) 2 years ago

I'm just saying, after many years of restaurant experience, I had never encountered that before. Catch the word "startled"? I've seen both sides of the coin when it comes to tipping. As an addendum, the same restaurant owner gave me a couple of surprisingly nice raises over a short period of time.

[–] chilone (18338) 2 years ago

Noice!

[–] Bloodworth79 (5739) 2 years ago

Went out to eat last week and the tip was included.

[–] April-151-CT (10210) 2 years ago

Oh yes, I've seen that. And I refused to pay it. I'll be seriously motherfucking damned if I'm going to be forced to pay a certain amount for a tip, let alone be forced to leave a tip period. I leave what I want, when I want. No matter who likes it or doesn't like it. So now, when I scout for restaurants for holiday visits, I make sure to check and see if a gratuity is added to the bill. If there is, then they don't get my business. Again, whether anybody likes it or not. 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

[–] db20db (17758) 2 years ago

I became curious, did some digging and found this: https://20somethingfinance.com/irs-automatic-gratuity-withholding-tax-rule-change/#:~:text=Well%2C%20thanks%20to%20IRS%20rules,be%20going%20extinct%20next%20year. There's some interesting, eye opening info here. Notice where it mentions a delivery service fee being somewhat of a sham. That's bill padding. Automotive repair shops are notorious for that sort of thing.

[–] Padeen (6459) 2 years ago

Hell no. Servers make more money through tips compared to a set wage. If tipping wasn't a thing, our meals would end up being a lot more expensive. Its a win win situation for both employee and customer.

[–] sokar (2098) 2 years ago

So how come restaurants around the world can do it where tipping isn't mandatory?

Its a win win situation for both employee and customer.

The only person who wins is the company/owner for not having to pay a living wage

[–] Padeen (6459) 2 years ago

The cost is added on to the meal.

Nope. Talk to some servers and ask them what they prefer. Like I said, they make more with tips than a set wage. Waiters can make serious money with tips. Yeah, some people are cheap, but you'd be surprised how many are generous.

[–] db20db (17758) 2 years ago

"...you'd be surprised how many are generous."

I had a generous soldier throw a $20 tip on the seat next to me once during my taxi driving days. He said, "Here, buy your kid a train set." It was just before Christmas. The tip was more than the fare.🫡

[–] sokar (2098) 2 years ago

The cost is added on to the meal

So how does the rest of the world do it without costs rising?

I tip when a server has done there job well not "just for doing there job".

It shouldn't be the customers job to pay the employees wage.

[–] April-151-CT (10210) 2 years ago

https://media.tenor.com/images/5ecaf1420a484f67302b7e822b4821f0/tenor.gif

[–] Padeen (6459) 2 years ago

Huh? Service included restaurants aka automatic gratuity comes from the price of the meal. The only way to pay for this is to charge more for the food.

Lets say we get rid of tipping and pay servers $15/hr. In many cases, waitstaff can make more than that in tips, especially at night, so why would we want to abolish that? Again, tipping is a win win for everyone.

[–] SamNoyoun (6019) 2 years ago

'I tip when a server has done there job well not "just for doing there job".'

I guess there will be no tip for your English teacher!

[–] 102000 (6350) 2 years ago

I'm so tired of that term and not even sure what it means. Just how much is it? IMO, not every job requires one.

[–] sokar (2098) 2 years ago

If you work a 40 hour week then your wage should be able to be lived on.

Hence a living wage.

It is not the job of a customer to pay your wage.

[–] 102000 (6350) 2 years ago

But a lot of jobs are not 40 hour a week jobs - teens, college students, parents wanting to work around school schedules, retirees. Not everyone wants or needs to work full-time, so are you saying someone working 20 hours a week should be paid less than someone who does the same job but works 40 hours?

[–] moviechatterer (16326) 2 years ago

so are you saying someone working 20 hours a week should be paid less than someone who does the same job but works 40 hours?

is that a serious question?

[–] 102000 (6350) 2 years ago

Well yes it is because sokar stated that people who work 40 hours should make a living wage. I don't believe all jobs need to be living wage jobs - 40 hours or not. The only point I was making is some jobs don't require a lot of skills and pay should be based on that and nothing else - even of they work 40 hours at it.

[–] jriley555 (8557) 2 years ago

I guess how we treat people who are dependent upon our good will for their earnings is a test of character.

It's not like tipping is some sort of innovation.

I tip because its expected, has a right to be expected, is a part of the process of being served. If you don't want to tip, don't eat out. Cook your own gd food.

I tip 7-11 counter clerks, the gals at the drive-up, at the restaurant. You would not believe how much they appreciate a dollar or so, just the gesture of it.

Or how much they despise miserly wankers who take their service for granted. If either matters.

[–] April-151-CT (10210) 2 years ago

https://i.ibb.co/bNPSTcs/PWHL.gif

[–] jriley555 (8557) 2 years ago

Not so friendly warning - don't be a repeat customer at a place where you are known for stiffing servers.

https://media.tenor.com/Z_EWy05q4M4AAAAM/super-troopers-cops.gif

[–] April-151-CT (10210) 2 years ago

https://i.ibb.co/bNPSTcs/PWHL.gif

[–] Kowalski (79178) 2 years ago

I'M NOT SURE BUT I THINK THAT DUDE JUST THREATENED TO JACK OFF IN YOUR OATMEAL. NOEMOJI

[–] Kowalski (79178) 2 years ago

I tip 7-11 counter clerks, the gals at the drive-up, at the restaurant.

JUST THE "GALS"?...YOU AREN'T TIPPING...YOU'RE FISHING FOR SEX. NOEMOJI

[–] Kowalski (79178) 2 years ago

YES...ABSOLUTELY...EITHER PUT THE WHOLE THING IN OR NOTHING AT ALL. NOEMOJI

[–] SilenceByWolf (1868) 2 years ago

[–] TandyMan (11357) 2 years ago

Tipping only makes sense if you're throwing a wad of cash on the table and treating the staff like the whores they are. Now that it's mostly a digital money transaction, it just feels like another tax.

[–] javie (2225) 2 years ago

Yeah, not in this country!

[–] AndyKing1967 (39874) 2 years ago

It’s interesting to see how tipping varies from country to country: -
Australia 🇦🇺 - No tipping
USA 🇺🇸 - Mandatory tipping
Thailand 🇹🇭 - Locals don’t tip / foreigners do

And everything in between.

[–] chilone (18338) 2 years ago

In the USA, tipping is predominantly optional. It's aggressively customary, but still optional. I tip reasonably generously, but if someone's an arsehole, I don't tip.

[–] AndyKing1967 (39874) 2 years ago

I have dual citizenship, so know what it’s like in the US, especially New York, lol (I was being a little tongue in cheek when I said mandatory).

[–] Kowalski (79178) 2 years ago

I WENT TO A STRIP CLUB CALLED TONGUE IN CHEEK ONCE...TIPPING WAS DISTINCTLY MANDATORY. NOEMOJI

[–] db20db (17758) 2 years ago

I had a stripper get pissy with me once because I didn't tip her. I told her I hadn't done so because I hadn't watched her dance. She accused me of being mean to her. Wtf?🤔

[–] AndyKing1967 (39874) 2 years ago

I went to a place called ‘2 girls, 1 cup’ once.

[–] April-151-CT (10210) 2 years ago

if someone's an arsehole, I don't tip.

I find that when the service is lousy/someone's an asshole, it's more insulting to leave a single penny than no tip at all. It hits the point home harder. 🤭🤭🤭🤭

[–] Kowalski (79178) 2 years ago

MY FATHER ONCE TORE A DOLLAR BILL IN HALF AND LEFT HALF WITH THE WORDS "DO A BETTER JOB" WRITTEN ON IT. NOEMOJI

[–] db20db (17758) 2 years ago

On the flip side of this, I like when I encounter occasional cool stories like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0VKZtH_tPY