Tipping in Australia

[TomVexille]

I agree with that in general. US service is almost always very good. But maybe some of that reason is the genuine need for work. Service charges remove the incentive that could justify the concept of tipping. And in many countries tipping is the norm but service is either cough, or totally unnecessary (see how many times you have to tip to get from an aircraft to a hotel room in Mexico!)

Absolutely agree

 

[Himeno]

Personally I don't think it's a big deal and that service in a country like America is consistently at a much higher standard than Australia. Not saying that you don't get great service in Australia, just that it's really hit and miss.

I've had some shocking service in America (before anyone knows if I will or won't tip or how much might be tipped).

Very rarely have I seen anyone in the US in a "tipped" job give just the right amount of service. Service in US restaurants tend to fall into one of two groups. Those who do the bare minimum required of the job and then feel they are entitled to a tip for doing nothing more then the basics, and those who go so far over the top that they go beyond the point of good service in into the point of annoyance.

I do tip delivery and taxi drivers in the US, but that is more of a case of neither of us want to deal with change. I had a taxi driver last year to get from DTW to a downtown hotel. He had no idea where the hotel was, even when I gave the address. Got to the area with GPS, got lost, circled the block looking for the hotel, didn't listen to me when I spotted it, then still expected a tip.

In general, I've found service in America to be much worse then in Australia, Japan, Korea, Spain, France, Italy or Germany. (and my views of tipping have nothing to do with it. The amount of any possible tip is worked out after that service is provided. and in one us restaurant, I once tipped almost 40%.)

 

[JohnK]

Not against tipping.

Against forced tipping because the owner of a restaurant doesn't pay staff enough and expects customers to make up shortfall. The owner still makes a huge profit without the overheads. Advertise and sell the steak for 10% more and everyone wins. Both staff and customers.

It really is a simple business concept.

 

[harvyk]

First of all, just thinking that if $7.25 is considered minimum hourly wage inclusive of tips, then assuming a 40 hour week, 52 weeks a year, that only comes to $15,080. That wouldn't even reach the tax free threshold over here. So really to be able to actually afford to survive themselves it's no wonder that there is a class of working poor in the US.

Personally I think the idea that a business owner can stiff the staff so greatly and yet still sleep at night is an amazing thing.

If everyone ceased tipping ... maybe, those stingy US employers/US Gov will start paying a decent wage. The USA wage system is pathetic - first world country, MY cough!

They need a decent union to cease this cough!

Funny you should say the U word. I do believe that recently some fast food workers arranged a strike over working conditions and pay.

 

[amaroo]

First of all, just thinking that if $7.25 is considered minimum hourly wage inclusive of tips, then assuming a 40 hour week, 52 weeks a year, that only comes to $15,080. That wouldn't even reach the tax free threshold over here. So really to be able to actually afford to survive themselves it's no wonder that there is a class of working poor in the US.

Personally I think the idea that a business owner can stiff the staff so greatly and yet still sleep at night is an amazing thing.



Funny you should say the U word. I do believe that recently some fast food workers arranged a strike over working conditions and pay.

This post by Warks - sums it up beautifully!

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....tipping-in-australia-62058-4.html#post1183449

 

[Johnstone]

I'd tip well a a restaurant if the service is good, and Bellboy after they bring up my bag

 

[Warks]

Interesting debate piece in The Grauniad:

Is it finally time for Americans to do away with tipping? | Comment is free | The Guardian

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Interesting debate piece in The Grauniad:

Is it finally time for Americans to do away with tipping? | Comment is free | The Guardian

Mr Hill suggests it's a culture worth retaining. Underpaying employees is a "culture" that needs change IMHO. I know of another nation where everything can and usually is stolen if not bolted down and protected by a shotgun and that too, is often excused as "it's our culture". No it's not. It's wrong and it needs to change.

I agree totally with Mr Taylor.....a tip should be a token of gratitude for some really exceptional service, not something to be demanded as a God given right.

 

[tuapekastar]

Mr Taylor wins it for mine.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Interesting debate piece in The Grauniad:

Is it finally time for Americans to do away with tipping? | Comment is free | The Guardian

It's finally time for Americans to do away with tipping? | Comment is free | The Guardian

Finally some common sense!

 

[harvyk]

+1 for Mr Taylor,

So Mr Hills argument is "well it's always been that way" - well actually he is very wrong. For a long time tipping was considered a bribe and thus highly illegal. Tipping only came about as a standard thing during prohibition as a way for restaurants to cover the shortfall from booze sales, so really it's only been around since the 1920's. Of course like most money grabs, prohibition ended, but the money grab remained, and slowly restaurants used that as an excuse to rip off workers until it just became a "custom".

As far as I'm concerned, don't go telling me something only costs $15 and then expect me to pay $20 thanks to tips and taxes, it would be considered deceitful in virtually any other setting.

 

[chelzmalee]

Mr Hill seems a bald eagle cuddling sleeps with the flag type. While it's great to retain culture, tipping is bad culture. Along with gun toting. But that's another story

 

[jb747]

And there's confusion. Some restaurants and hotels add a service charge. Is a tip expected on top of that?

If there is a service charge, I will not tip. If the service charge is hidden amongst the meal items, I will complain and have it removed.

I do tip taxis though, always.

Really....you've found a cabbie worth tipping? I'm sure they once existed, but these days they should pay you for putting up with their often dangerous displays of driving.

 

[Milefest]

Relevant video:

[video=youtube;q_vivC7c_1k]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_vivC7c_1k[/video]

(Apologies if this has already been posted)

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I am just about over tipping completely:

1. Cruiserette and 3 of her cobbers dined at Waterfront Southbank Sat nt prior to tennis - bill came to ~$795 - YES quality restaurant, food and service - BUT - apparently presure to tip and tip big overwhelming. 2 botts Veuve NV included at $165 before 10% tip brings them to $181.50 incl tip - given I recently bought 2 doz Veuve from CM at ~$33/bott then $181.50 would really get up my nose. Given profile of this restaurant I would assume all staff are paid at award rates.

2. A recent visit to Topolinos on Fitzroy St St Kilda had me chatting to 2 wait staff who were both backpacking visitors to Australia. At end of night when I was paying bill I asked one staff member do they actually get the tips - her response floored me - 'I do not know anything about tips but I will go ask!'. She returned 20 odd mins later and replied Management actually keep tips and distribute to staff if and when they leave. Anybody who knows Topys at all know majority of staff are backpackers and I would assume should not be working anyway so doubt they would be getting award rates and who they gonna complain to if Mgmt don't indeed pass on tips they earned? My simple rule here now is give them a few bucks direct in their hands - most are just lovely kids here to experience Australia.

Tipping at restaurants in Australia with the award rates in place? Tipping at restaurants where exorbitant markups on wine exist? I am just about over tipping completely!

 

[Deleted member]

When paying by CC I NEVER add a tip. I pass cash to my waiter / waitress.

 

[blackcat20]

When paying by CC I NEVER add a tip. I pass cash to my waiter / waitress.

I'm a big fan of this in the US too.

 

[amaroo]

Last week we had a meal at a NYC restaurant with a gratuity included policy - the service level sucked!

Amazed how disinterested the waitstaff were... I suppose, why put in the effort if you're probably not going to get rewarded.

 

[drron]

Having just been in the USA not once did I put a discretionary tip on a CC.Always cash.I do sometimes think that could be a little unfair to the staff you don't interact with but unfortunately putting it on a CC means you don't even know if anyone apart from the owner gets it.
As for NYC we have been to a gratuity included restaurant.The service was fantastic so we tipped a bit more.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I know I am a bit of a simpleton but I thought the thread title was ‘Tipping in Australia’