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But I'm sick of the proliferation of tip jars and people who expect to be tipped. A waiter, bartender, or other job where tipping is routine gets a token wage, and is supposed to earn their actual income through the money given in exchange for quality service. (I think this is kind of dumb, too... but that's actually another discussion, just commission sales.) So I tip them, according to the service received, and I don't penalize a waiter for kitchen mistakes; I know the difference between poor service and a kitchen screw up. And, in fact, I probably tend to tip pretty generously -- since I've been there myself!
But why the hell should I tip the idiot who pours my coffee at Starbucks or wherever? Especially since I take my coffee black, no shots, no steamed milk, just coffee! Since when was a hotel housekeeper a tipped position, unless they're doing something beyond the norm? I mean, if I'm in a hotel, and we make a huge mess or something -- yeah, I can see a tip there. But to just make up the bed, put out a new towel, etc? Why should I be tipping the guy at Subway for making my sandwich? They're getting the wages they agreed on, and I'll bet dollars to donut holes that they ain't reporting that tip income, like a waiter has to do.
Then there's the whole "added gratuity for large parties" issue. I understand why, especially with kids. And I even recall one group that was clearly an office party that worked me pretty hard, and barely tipped 10% after they haggled over who had what... But it's pretty insulting for a group of cops to get an automatic gratuity because there are 9 of us in the group... at a buffet! (Yeah, that server got the percentage added, and nothing more. Probably would have gotten more had they not done that...)
I'm just sick of all these tip jars showing up everywhere I go. Or maybe I need to add a tip jar to my cruiser?
I generally follow the guidelines in the article (although I have never had my car valet'd, because I'm against the whole idea of handing over my vehicle to a complete stranger just because he may be wearing a uniform).
Regarding restaurant service, as a former waitperson myself I will make the following observations:
1. it was not my restaurant's policy to include a gratuity for large parties and more times than not the servers were seriously undertipped as a result -- the whole "ok everyone divvy up what you owe" system resulted in people badly miscalculating tip and tax. At least I hope it was not done deliberately. The worst offenders by reputation were the "church groups" who came in for pie and coffee on sundays or after bible study or whatever. Let me tell you, getting their orders right is an art in itself, what with everybody special requesting how their slice should be prepared (the server's job, not the kitchen staff btw) and of course all the refills. Then you maybe get 10%, perhaps supplemented by a few tracts. Lovely.
2. I would be completely against including gratuity in the check for any officers in uniform -- what an insult. Plus in my experience they're better tippers anyway
3. If somebody is on a tight budget and "can't afford" a proper 15% tip for reasonable service, there is always McDonald's and the like, where tip jars should not rear their ugly heads. (So far I haven't seen tip jars at local fast food restaurants, but if I do, I might leave a note in them explaining why I left no tip).
4. If somebody has trouble calculating 15%, there are calculators and even tip guides the size of credit cards that fit nicely in the wallet. Get one.
5. If somebody made an honest mistake and ran out of cash for a proper tip, I would have been understanding if they had handled it nicely. As in, perhaps leaving a note explaining the situation and promising to mail or drop off the tip personally later. In fact, it would've made my day if that had actually happened, but sadly, it never did to me at least.
Once again, and for the record, I hate tip jars generally also. If somebody deserves a tip for going above and beyond, I will hand it to them personally with thanks. If not, no jar is going to coerce me.
Oh, and a question for the group: how do you tip a chambermaid if you don't see her in passing? Do you just leave it laying around and hope she knows it's supposed to be hers? Should I leave it in an envelope with the word "for the housekeeper" or whatever on it? Is there a certain place in the room one is supposed to leave these tips?