Devaluation of the IHG Diamond breakfast benefit in North America

[Clipped wings]

It's become a bizarre cultural norm. I feel it makes for a master/ servant relationship, rather than mutual respect for someone doing a job, and someone buying a service. Very inequitable. A tip is something that should be given willingly for good service. That is no longer the case in North America from Canada, the USA and Mexico (in tourist areas). It's invading places like South Africa (as mentioned above) and Bali. It's quite a scourge but it's so ingrained now there is really no way to get rid of it. Some might argue it creates better service but really who wants to have something over someone to get that service. I find it quite uncomfortable.

 

[drron]

It's become a bizarre cultural norm. I feel it makes for a master/ servant relationship, rather than mutual respect for someone doing a job, and someone buying a service. Very inequitable. A tip is something that should be given willingly for good service. That is no longer the case in North America from Canada, the USA and Mexico (in tourist areas). It's invading places like South Africa (as mentioned above) and Bali. It's quite a scourge but it's so ingrained now there is really no way to get rid of it. Some might argue it creates better service but really who wants to have something over someone to get that service. I find it quite uncomfortable.

In South Africa It certainly doesn't create better service. None of those who virtually demanded a tip gave good service. In fact completely the opposite.
But on our last night we went to a chain restaurant at the airport -Spur. Our server only got the job 3 weeks before. He was personable and gave excellent service. Wine glasses refilled regularly. So he got a 20% tip and I told the restaurant manager how good he was. Name was Fyrone. Ask for him if you dine there.

 

[Lockyer Man]

We need to be cautious of just following what the Americans do. Tipping used to be an act attributed to good service. However, this rule has gone out the window in the US with companies paying their employees less as they consider the tip to be a part of their pay. This is wrong because the tip has risen to, in some cases, over 20% nowadays in the US.

I have also extensively witnessed Americans tipping just to obtain better service where gratuities are included in a fare such as on cruise ships (where it is specifically included of course). However, I have also witnessed on cruise ships where the American passenger has been rebuffed because it is against policy for a crew member to accept a tip where gratuities are included.

I only tip when I have received good service. I definitely do not tip when a tip is added to a coffee or another drink before service or I have tasted the drink. My thought is that we need to watch out for just following herd instincts and just doing it because Americans do. Only tip if the service is good rather than trying to buy good service by giving a tip before such service has been given. This is my
Policy and I have never had bad service because I have not tipped at the outset. It comes down to our own communication style and our approachability to receive such good service rather than the money we splash about.

 

[Happy Dude]

Yes, not necessary. However, I find that putting down a tip usually pays a dividend.

Those who don’t tip will probably never realise this.

And that's fine, as long as they don't receive anything less than a 'normal' drink. If the server rewards tips with doubles or whatever, and charges the normal price, then that's an issue for management to reconcile.

 

[drron]

And that's fine, as long as they don't receive anything less than a 'normal' drink. If the server rewards tips with doubles or whatever, and charges the normal price, then that's an issue for management to reconcile.

I had that all the time i visited an Admirals Club in the USA. I don't think AA cared.
On cruise ships we always donate to the crew fund. The main beneficaries are the lower ranks who wouldn't be tipped normally. The best benefit to me is when say a crew comes up and thanks me for him being able to get home for the death of his mother.
On th other hand I really wonder about the USA custom when someone arbitrarily decides the rate should go from 10% to 20% when the percentage is based on the meal price which itself has increased by that much.

 

[DC3]

I had that all the time i visited an Admirals Club in the USA. I don't think AA cared.

 

[DaleS]

It's become a bizarre cultural norm. I feel it makes for a master/ servant relationship, rather than mutual respect for someone doing a job, and someone buying a service. Very inequitable. A tip is something that should be given willingly for good service. That is no longer the case in North America from Canada, the USA and Mexico (in tourist areas). It's invading places like South Africa (as mentioned above) and Bali. It's quite a scourge but it's so ingrained now there is really no way to get rid of it. Some might argue it creates better service but really who wants to have something over someone to get that service. I find it quite uncomfortable.

My take is you need to be careful saying "it's become a bizarre cultural norm" when referring to the US or Canada. It definitely has not "become" anything as it's been a part of the "cultural norm" for a long, long time. This doesn't mean you have to like it and I certainly agree that it is bizarre that it now permeates in certain situations here and in other territories.
However uncomfortable you find it, saying that a tip should be given willingly for good service then noting cultural norm means that you don't understand life in service industries in the US and Canada.

Please note that this is not a personal criticism - it's just how things work. In almost all cases the service will be efficient and friendly not because they expect a tip but because that is the cultural norm - big smile, friendly greeting, you're welcome after every interaction and every other aspect of service. Not in all cases sure, and if that happens you can show your displeasure with a low or no tip.
For clarification, in the 80's when in my twenties, I worked 5 ski seasons and summers in Vail CO. My job was working in the only late nite diner in town. We took the order, cooked the food, served the food, and gave the customer the bill at the end of the meal. I got paid $4 an hour but made good tips on a busy night. So a 40 hour week gave me a small fortnightly wage but the tips were what i lived on.

By all means let's not allow the culture of tipping to take off here any further than it is at present - please! But complaining about what happens in a "culture" with completely different "norms" is not really valid.