Tip

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(Redirected from Tipping)

For other uses, see Tip (disambiguation).

Image:2 usd gratuity.jpg A tip (also known as a gratuity) is an amount of payment to certain service sector professionals which is in addition to the advertised bill or fee. These payments and their size are a matter of social custom. In India, Middle-East Asia and Egypt, tips are known as Backshish or Bakshish.

There are no universal rules or obligations concerning whether to tip (tip is both a noun and a verb), who to tip or how much. Tipping varies from culture to culture and by service industry. In some situations tipping can be considered rude or demeaning. In other situations it can be considered very stingy not to give a tip. Giving a very small tip can be considered worse than giving nothing, and can be used as a deliberate snub.

Some establishments forbid their employees to accept tips. Others pool tips and divide them to include employees who lack customer contact. In some jurisdictions, tipped workers qualify for a lower statutory minimum wage from the employer, who must make up any deficiency in tips. For example, the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires employers of restaurants to ensure that the total tip income reported to them during any pay period is at least 8% of their total receipts for that period. If the reported total is less than 8% (about half of 15% that is customarily given by customers), employers must allocate the difference between the actual tip income reported and 8% of gross receipts. [1]

Bribery may be disguised as tipping (leading to social customs such as police officers never accepting tips to combat this pattern).

Etymology

The Oxford English Dictionary states that it is derived from the English thieves' slang word tip, meaning "to pass from one to another." The notion of a stock tip or racing tip is from the same slang.

Another possible source for this term is a concept from Judaism that it is a chiyuv (obligation) for a seller to "tip the scales" in favor of the customer. The Torah says, "Nosen lo girumov (Give to him a tip)." For example, if your customer has asked for three pounds of onions, you should measure out the three pounds plus one extra onion, tipping the scale in his favor [2].

An urban legend states that the word "tip" is an acronym for terms such as "to insure prompt service", "to improve performance", and "to insure promptness". However, in addition to using "insure" when "ensure" is meant, this etymology contradicts the Oxford English Dictionary [3] and is probably an example of a backronym or apronym.

Tipping by region

Europe

In general, in the European Union and other parts of Europe, adding 5% to 10% to a restaurant bill is common, though there are regional variations.

Austria

In Austria, waiters receive sufficient wages, although this has not always been the case. Tipping is however very common and although legally not mandatory it is often considered as socially obligatory. Giving 5% to 10% of the total amount is common, more signals exceptionally good service. Paying a multiple of a Euro is usual, for low sums the amount paid is often a multiple of 50 Cents (i.e. a bill of Euro 7.80 can be paid as Euro 8 or Euro 8.50).

Giving no tip at all is considered impolite and should only be used when the service was bad. Tipping is common in any bar and restaurant, but not when the goods are exchanged over the counter (i.e. in fast-food restaurants or at street stalls). Traditionally, the owner of a restaurant (known as "Wirt" in German) does not receive a tip. However, this tradition is less common nowadays.

A tip is known in the German language as Trinkgeld, which literally translates as 'money for drink'. In similar fashion, the French expression is pourboire.

The Czech Republic

Although it is customary to tip in The Czech Republic, it has very little to do with the size of the bill, and more to do with a sign of appreciation. Most often you will round up to the next even number, or if the bill happens to be even (which is very common) you would offer a coin or two.

Denmark, Sweden and Norway

The service charge is included in the bill, but a small tip may be given as a sign of approval of the service.

Finland

In Finland tipping is entirely optional. In taxis, restaurants, and bars you can round up the bill by a couple of euro or 5-10%, especially if the service has been exceptional. Except for the finest restaurants you can leave a few euro of your change at the table when leaving. Even the best hotels rarely help with your luggage so that the only helper may be your cab driver (1-2 Euros per piece). Coat checkers generally have a compulsory service fee.

Tips are preferred in cash instead of credit cards, because of avoiding sharing with the employer and with the tax office.

For clerks, police, etc. tipping is not allowed, and could lead to legal problems.

Germany

In Germany, sufficient wages are paid to most service employees. However, in bars, restaurants and taxicabs tips are expected to be 5% to 10% of the total amount if the guest was satisfied with the service. When the bill is presented, pay any multiple of a Euro. Replying with a new total "nice" figure and asking for change in full Euros, no Cents, is okay. Restroom attendants are commonly tipped €0.50 if not indicated otherwise.

Iceland

In Iceland tipping is practically unheard of except when a customer wants to show appreciation for exceptionally good service.

Ireland

In the Republic of Ireland, tipping is not very established as a custom, though has become much more commonplace as a result of increased wealth through the Celtic Tiger. Very few employees in the service industry will expect a tip. Many may be insulted if one is provided. Similar to the UK, it is not customary to tip bar staff, though often waiters in pubs (known as Lounge Girls/Boys) are tipped a token amount. It is not usual to tip in a restaurant when a service charge is included (which is the norm), except in the case of exceptional service. Where no service charge is indicated, a tip of about 10% is appropriate for good service.

Italy

Tipping in Italy is almost absent today, and is seen as an odd, very old-fashioned custom. However it is likely that in most restaurants and hotels small tips, although never expected nor asked, will be happily accepted, especially from foreigners. Most Italians don't like to tip, and find the custom very annoying when visiting places like the United States where tipping is customary.

Slovenia

Tipping is not the custom in Slovenia and it is almost never done.

Spain

In Spain, expected tips at restaurants are usually from 5% to 10% of the total amount. This also applies to Latin America.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom tipping is common in restaurants (assuming a service charge is not already included), though no tip is expected in pubs (however, regulars may offer occasionally to buy a drink for a bartender). Taxis are sometimes tipped, but otherwise tips are usually only given for exceptional service (the expected percentage is rarely more than 10% and frequently less).

In Scotland however, it is very commonplace to tip bar staff. Usually all tips are put in a jar and divided between all staff working at the end of the shift.

Asia

Tipping is not common in Asia, though there are regional variations.

China

In China, traditionally you don't have to tip at restaurants or hotels. But businesses that cater to foreign tourists may accept your tip if you insist. In five-star international hotels, porters are tipped.

Japan

Tipping is not the custom in Japan and it is almost never done.

Malaysia

Tipping is not customarily done in Malaysia. However, individuals will gratefully accept any tips you give them for their exceptional service.

Singapore

Tipping is not required in Singapore; however it is common for restaurants to levy a 10% service charge. Taxis will usually return your change to the last cent, or even round in your favour if they find it inconvenient to dig for change.

South Korea

Tipping is not the custom in South Korea and it is almost never done.

Taiwan

In Taiwan tipping is practically unheard of except when a customer uses a porter at an airport, which is usually 50 new Taiwan dollars per luggage, or wants to show appreciation for exceptionally good service. Many restaurants and hotels already add 10-percent service charges [4]. Taxi drivers may not willfully refuse to make changes or ask for tips.

Australia

In Australia, tipping is traditionally not common and, beyond the hospitality industry, almost no service providers will expect a tip. Employers pay a sufficient wage and do not expect employees to supplement their income with tips. However tipping is becoming increasingly common at some establishments (particularly restaurants, cafes, upmarket hotels, and nightclubs) in cities such as Gold Coast, Sydney or Melbourne, for good to exceptional service. In recent decades, tip jars have increasingly become common in hospitality establishments, even in suburban areas of these cities. However, even in these establishments, tipping is often still seen as being an optional personal choice.

Egypt

Tipping in Egypt can be tricky. Most public bathrooms are staffed, and visitors are expected to tip the attendant. Some restroom attendants, especially at tourist sites, will dole out toilet paper based on the tip you give them. Some locals have been known to attempt to demand backshish for minor services, such as assisting people out of their cars or helping people up if they trip in the street. There is no rule for what is considered tip-worthy, so be ready to hand out an Egyptian pound or two just to use the bathroom or to get into a building. People can be extremely aggressive in their demands for backshish, so be prepared for an uncomfortable situation if you decide not to acquiesce. For professional services, such as tour guides or translators, a tip of 20% or more is generally accepted, and for taxis and restaurants, 10-15%.

Mauritius

Even though tipping is not the custom in Mauritius, individuals will gratefully accept any tips you give them for their exceptional service.

New Zealand

Tipping as of habit is not part of New Zealand culture and is often treated with suspicion or actively frowned upon, as many people look upon it as a largely American custom that over-compensates certain professions while others are left out. Despite this, some forms of tipping are quite common, such as rounding up a taxi fare. It is almost as likely, however, that the taxi driver will round the fare down. Occasionally tips are given in a restaurant for exceptional service, and even then the waiter might insist that the tip be given back.

New Zealanders who visit North America often state that one of their greatest annoyances is their unfamiliarity with the custom of tipping, and often say that bellhops and bartenders in particular expect entirely too much money for relatively little extra work.

South Africa

In South Africa, the customary tip at restaurants is 10%, although a few restaurants charge a mandatory service fee for large parties. A small amount is occasionally given to petrol station attendants for additional services, such as cleaning one's windscreen. Toilet cleaners at service stations along major road routes are sometimes tipped when they provide good service and keep the facilities clean, especially if there is a tip jar, or a notice recommending tipping, in the rest room. "Car guards", who claim to "look after" one's parked car are usually given a small tip if they are in uniform and authorized; however those without uniforms are usually regarded as a nuisance, and tipping them is not compulsory, despite the fact that they often harass motorists looking for payment.

Turkey

For service establishments (hotels, restaurants, Turkish baths, barbers/hairdressers) the common level of tip is from 5%-15% but taxi drivers do not expect tips.

United States and Canada

Tipping in the United States is theoretically optional, but has become so ingrained in the culture that it is considered mandatory. The wide variety of professions, in addition to the varying percentages and amounts which are expected of each profession, arguably gives the United States the distinction of having the most common (and complicated) tipping culture in the world.

Waiters (15-20%; 20% if it is a 4-star restaurant or for large parties; more if service is exceptional)
Bus Person (Tip generally not expected, as tip sharing with the waiters sometimes occurs)
Hotel bellman/bellhop/porters ($1 to $2 per bag)
Hotel maids ($2 per day)
Hotel room service (15-20%; Same as restaurant gratuity below.)
Hotel concierge ($5 to $10)
Hotel doorman ($1 per bag for help with luggage; $1 for hailing a cab)
Sommeliers (15% of the cost of the bottle)
Bartenders ($1 per drink or 15% of bar bill)
Restroom attendant ($0.50 to $1)
Taxicab/limo drivers (15%)
Valet parking attendants ($1 to $2 upon both arrival and departure)
Hairdressers/barbers (10% in small towns, 15-20% in cities; Tip is expected whether the stylist is the proprietor or not.)
Manicurist (15%)
Spa service (15-20%)
Pizza (and other food) deliverypersons (10% of total, at least $2. Remember he must pay for his gas. Many drivers are contractors who receive no hourly wage.)
Curbside luggage handlers at airports ($1 per bag)
Coat checker ($1 per coat)
Ski instructors (sometimes, especially when giving a private lesson)
Piercers and tattoo artists
Movers ($5 to $10 per mover)
Large or heavy deliveries ($5 to $10 per person)
Shoe shiners
Tour Guides/Tour Bus operators (only private guides)
Karaoke disc jockey ($1 per song)

At a restaurant

Gratuity is generally 15% for restaurant meals, 20% for very good service, and more for exceptional service. Many restaurants will automatically add a gratuity of 18% to the bill for large parties (often defined as 6 or more people) — if this is done the amount should be clearly indicated on the check as a "gratuity" or "service charge". In this case no additional tip is expected to be added to the total, however one may choose to. This is part of the bill, and not paying the tip may be subject to the same consequences as "skipping out" on a bill. For poor service in this case, speak with the manager or supervisor on duty.

You should tip buffets too, because it takes time to place food out.

Sometimes, the menu offers tipping information as a guide to patrons. If a diner is unsure of how much to tip a server, often the gratuity stated on the menu is the appropriate percentage to apply.

When dining out, keep in mind that the contact you have with your server is only one part of a chain of events that occurs when food is ordered. If food is prepared incorrectly or takes too long, it is often the fault of the kitchen, which may only receive only a wage and no part of the tip left, but in some restaurants the kitchen staff share in the tips.

At many establishments, the server must tip out members of the support staff (kitchen, bartender, and busser) at the end of their shift [5]. The amount that is tipped out is often determined by a certain percentage of the server's sales. Thus when a patron leaves a very small tip or no tip at all, it may actually cost the server more to have served the non-tipping patron than to have not have served the patron at all. [6]

If service is truly poor, tipping may be foregone.

At a bar

When at a bar, and receiving good or above service, is customary to tip $1.00 per drink. Some drinks, such as Macallan 25, which can be more than $35.00 for a single neat shot, could deserve more. This is arguable however, as it is just as easy to pour this shot as a shot of well vodka. For a pitcher of beer, which usually contains around four beers, a tip of $2.00 is reasonable. If you are drinking a soda (at an actual drinking establishment, not a restaurant), a tip is still a good idea, but it is acceptable to tip every other drink, or on every third. Remember that bartenders and cocktail waitresses depend on tips for a salary, and better tipping is almost always rewarded with better service.

Holiday season

Many service staff are tipped annually during the winter holiday season (often called a "Christmas bonus"), such as house cleaners and pool cleaners. Some people also tip their local mail carrier in this manner (see government workers below).

In some large cities, especially New York, the staff of apartment buildings, such as building superintendents, porters, concierges and doormen, expect an annual tip from residents during the holiday season. The amount to tip varies on the occupation of the person receiving the tip and the size and wealth of the building; most residents typically budget $75 to $200 in total each year for building holiday tips. Building staff also expect tips for performing services not normally part of their jobs, such as watering a plant or running an errand.

Government workers

Under United States federal law it is considered bribery to tip government workers. In some cases a potential tipper can donate money to a charity related to the government agency. For example, most National Parks have related "natural history associations". In which case the worker that prompted the "tip" may appreciate hearing that their service prompted a donation.

External links

he:תשר nl:Fooi ja:チップ (サービス) pl:Napiwek ru:Чаевые

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Categories: Service industries | Socioeconomics

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