Comments on: Generous Tipping: When to Tip Like a Rock Star

By: Mare

Mare — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:59:04 +0000

Okay, I own a spa. I have to stand up for my staff and tell Dwindle
that my employees do not "sit on their asses." Giving a spa service
(such as a massage or a facial) is physically hard labor. In fact,
if you give 4 massages in a day, you can liken it to working out
for 4 hours at the gym. Not only that, but you are frequently doing
it in a room that feels too hot for you because the temperature
must be adjusted for the comfort of the client (who is lying on the
table unclothed and relaxing, and at a much lower body
temperature). So, you are definitely sweating. And that means that
spa employees deserve as much of a tip as anyone else. That being
said, I don't feel that anyone should expect a tip at all... I
really frown on comments from my staff like, "She only left me a
$10 tip" or "She didn't leave me a tip" with the customary
look on their face of dissatisfaction and chagrin.
The attitude that you should get 20% just because you are in the
service business does not fly - you still have to earn it. Besides,
anything you do get ought to be looked at as a blessing (because
you could get nothing at all)! The other thing we have to remember
is that not all cultures tip. In fact, ours is the only
one I know that does. No one tips in Europe (I had a
waiter get offended when I tried to tip him in London). No one tips
in Asia. No one tips in India. So if someone isn't leaving you a
tip, it might just be because they don't know that they should. So
be grateful for anything you get... and more will come your way as
a result.

By: Hal

Hal — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:29:34 +0000

My rules on tipping: restaurants = 20% unless the service was
unacceptable. hairdresser = first, I'm a guy. Mens haircuts average
about $20 where I'm from. I put a 5 on it. spa = like I said, I'm a
guy. spa = never go. the pizza delivery guy = They bring the food
to your door! $5 minimum and 20% for any order over $25. taxi
driver = 15% min. Follow this and no one will think you're an
a**hole, at least not for how you tip!!

By: Hal

Hal — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:18:34 +0000

Ah, tipping arguments. Let's start here; the guy who thinks he'll
get any special consideration for 18.5%. You won't. Generally I
consider anything less than 20% a bust on my skills as a server and
would appreciate it if the customer would share with me or my
management the reasoning for this. Just a note to all the diners
who don't tip well. We remember the good tippers and we really
remember the bad. Trust me, if you've visited an establishment and
tipped poorly, you can be sure all the employees know it and will
happily give you crappy service next time you're in.