Tipping

ashleypastori

Okay, here's something I've been wondering about for a while.  When we go to dinner, I usually tip the waitress 20%.  I usually tip pizza delivery people a few dollars. Other than that, I have no idea what to tip or even if I'm supposed to tip.  (I hope the FI takes care of it.)  

What about carhops at places like Sonic - tip or not? 

Hotel maids - how much?

How about the rare occassions at the supermarket when the young guy bagging your groceries carries them out to your vehicle and loads them for you - tip or not, and if so, how much? 

pandasquishy

I would tip the carhops like you would at a restaurant I think.  Also, I'm jealous you have Sonic where you are.  We don't, but they air the commercials anyway.

Hotel maids I tip only if I'm in a fancy hotel or they did something above and beyond.

The supermarket I regularly shop at does not allow you to tip anyone.  They are paid a full wage, unlike restaurant waitstaff.

MyNameIsNot

Pizza delivery and servers get 20% for good service.  I also tip my hair guy and nail lady 20%, but I think 15% is standard for them. 

At a hotel, I usually leave $5 for the maid.  If someone brings up my bags, they get $5. 

I don't go to Sonic or anywhere drive in, but I guess I'd probably give them a few dollars.  I usually don't have the guys bring out my groceries b/c I don't like how they load them in the car, but if they do, $2-3.  I refuse to tip Starbucks/Subway people unless they go above and beyond.  If I have to come to the counter and stand there to wait for my food, you don't need a tip!

lilcassers

I don't tip maids because it is their job to clean and I usually could care less if my room is cleaned the whole week at a hotel. I tip anyone else because they are providing me face to face service and I am usually asking for more things (ketchup, more pop, a magazine at the salon, etc)

jenn.daniel

I guess I'd tip a carhop same as a waitress.  I never tip hotel maids, and the groceries I've been to don't allow the grocery-carriers to accept tips.

cukimerrydoll

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_tipping?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:79ac7cca-536a-4deb-a95e-af93f4d923d9Post:49cbc746-fd18-4fe4-860d-08728060b52d">Re: Tipping</a>:
[QUOTE]I refuse to tip Starbucks/Subway people unless they go above and beyond.  If I have to come to the counter and stand there to wait for my food, you don't need a tip!
Posted by MyNameIsNot[/QUOTE]

I agree... but I was tipped all the time when I worked at Subway!  I must have been doing something right.  Just thought it was funny.

I normally don't tip fast food/coffee shops either - unless they are awesome.  There are a few select people that I always tip.
And I tip most of the time at Coldstone, because they sing.  It makes me smile.

goheels05

I tip 20% to nail techs, hair stylists, and servers in restaurants.

I don't tip hotel maids.  I rarely let anyone handle my bags unless it's a work trip and I can expense my tips, and then I tip $1-2 a bag. 

I tip baristas--I'll put my change in or $1, whatever I have.  My sister works in a coffee shop and she and her friend tell me horror stories of how rude people are to them, plus they are awesome--they are really passionate about coffee and go to seminars to learn, so I guess I just have a soft spot for all of them.

I don't tip at Sonic or places with counter service.

We aren't allowed to tip at the grocery store.

ashleypastori

Thanks girls. It's one of those questions I've always wondered, just never really had anyone to ask. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't being cheap.  It sounds like everyone pretty much tips the same, so I guess I'm doing okay. 

Oh, Pandasquishy, Im sorry you don't have a Sonic. We saw the first one in New England and couldn't figure out why there were 50-60 cars lined up down the road trying to get in when the parking lots are always over half-empty here.  We later found out that it was the first and only. 

ootmother2

Always remember to tip the hotel maids.  They will make your life far easier for your entire stay.  average hotel, $5 per person per night is okay.  Delux hotels, double that.

$2 or a pound sterling to get a cab for me.  $2 per bag they help you with.  Just keep a stack of bills handy to avoid uncomfortable situations.  Tip 15 - 20% for taxi  driver. (before the surcharge, of course)

Hair and Nail Salones, 18 - 20%, same with waxers and hair profssional.

You all must know the servers in restaurants, coffee shops, w here you sit, you tip..  At breakfast, tip much more than 20%,  It takes the same time to put your scrambled eggs and toast on the table as it does a 3 course mean and look at the price difference!

yes, I waited table in colllege.  It shows, doesn't it? 

goheels05

[QUOTE] At breakfast, tip much more than 20%,  It takes the same time to put your scrambled eggs and toast on the table as it does a 3 course mean and look at the price difference! yes, I waited table in colllege.  It shows, doesn't it? 
Posted by ootmother2[/QUOTE]

And also, tip based on full price when you use a coupon.  Your server didn't work any less hard just because you got your meal buy one get one free.

jenn.daniel

The breakfast thing got me thinking.  I wish there was some other convention for tipping, like how long you're there (If I'm there very long, I'm going to ask for a lot of refills!).  It also doesn't take any MORE effort to serve a lobster compared to a bowl of stew, but you're supposed to tip more.  Really, the waiter is supposed to EARN the tip.  Good service at a place I go regularly 20-25%, average service somewhere I don’t go a lot, 15%, bad service anywhere 10%.

ootmother, I don't appreciate you patronizing us. "always remember" and even worse "you must know".  OP asked what we tipped, not what you think everyone should tip.  It varies by region.  Tips in WV are a lot lower than what my grandma gives in New York.  Just because I sit, doesn’t mean anyone should get a tip.  Someone has to bring me my food for me to tip.  Therefore, subway or panera, no tip. 

MyNameIsNot

Yeah, how long you're sitting there is big.  When I was waiting tables we used to joke that there should be a rental fee to camp out at a table.  Sure, you've finished and your server isn't really doing anything except maybe bringing a refill, but when you sit at the table and chat for an hour after you've finished, that's another party that your server doesn't get to serve.  It's considerate to leave something extra for that.

The maid in the hotel thing is true, too.  I think most people don't realize it, but those people rely on tips too, particularly at resorts and nicer hotels.  If you're at a hotel for more than a night, this person comes through and changes out your towels (sometimes your sheets) brings TP, etc.  I find that if you tip them well, extra soaps and shampoos and towels suddenly appear.  But really, that's a hard job, and they make minimum wage.  It's customary to tip them, I think its a good idea.