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How much do you tip at bars?

#22
scoobs said:
Nothing, ever. I fail to understand the concept of tipping. I mean its not as if they don't get paid. It's not as if im cheap its just not the done thing here in Australia. Why should a customer reward someone for doing their job? It just doesnt make any sense...
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Consider this
 
#23
If it's a place where they know me I tip as I'm leaving. If it's a place I've never been, I'll give them $5 to start, and then it depends on their attitude, which is usually good when you start by giving them $5 up front. ;)

$5 minimum going up as high as $20. (more if it was a big party)

No, I'm not trying to be a show-off, I've just known for a very long time how little most bartenders get as a base salary, and how much tips mean to them. Also, it's a nice feeling to walk into a place with a lady, friends, or family and have someone call your name as though they're your best friend.

Another little perk is the inside circle of info you gain entry to when you tip someone well on a regular basis, such as:

1) Hard to get tickets to in demand shows.
2) Where and when the "happening parties" are.
3) Which women to stay away from.
4) If the cops have been looking for you. :eek:

Plus put yourself in the bartender's place: a big tip can really help you keep going when you're having a lousy day.

I know tipping is not that big a thing in Ireland, England and Australia, but it's almost a way of life here in the States.

ANOTHER MULBERRY WINE, my good man, and be quick about it! :D

Mike
 
#29
scoobs said:
That just makes bar tenders seem like asses...

Anyway you pay $2.50us for a beer in a bar? Here we pay about $2.00us depending on the beer and the bar and we don't tip.. If most of the bar tenders income comes from tips the owners of the bars over there must be making a fortune either that or you dont drink as much as we do... :hmm:
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A draught Newcastle is usually between 3 & 5 US depending on where you go, at least around here. If a place is having "specials" you can get a draught Buttwiper for $2. Yum yum.
 
#34
scoobs said:
That just makes bar tenders seem like asses...

Anyway you pay $2.50us for a beer in a bar? Here we pay about $2.00us depending on the beer and the bar and we don't tip.. If most of the bar tenders income comes from tips the owners of the bars over there must be making a fortune either that or you dont drink as much as we do... :hmm:
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It depends on where you are in Australia and what size beer you drink. For example in a lot of the inner city bars in Sydney, a pint (585ml) will cost you about $4.50-5US and a Schooner (385ml) will cost you $3-4US

A pot may be as low as $2.00US, but thats on 285ml.

However we don't have a culture of tipping other than little bits of shrapnel here and there. I guess in the US tipping is like a tax rather than a gratuity :)
 
#36
Q for the American's, do you ever wonder why you tip?

Ie these blanket tipping rules seem a little strange because clearly if you have a rule of $5 for 1 drink, $10 for two etc, it is not based on service at all.

If you say "well they don't get paid very much so I have to tip them", do you feel compelled to send an extra $5-10 down to Mexico when you buy a MIM Fender? Or some cash over to Taiwan when you buy a new pair of Nike runners?
 
#38
Mark Latimour said:
Q for the American's, do you ever wonder why you tip?

Ie these blanket tipping rules seem a little strange because clearly if you have a rule of $5 for 1 drink, $10 for two etc, it is not based on service at all.

If you say "well they don't get paid very much so I have to tip them", do you feel compelled to send an extra $5-10 down to Mexico when you buy a MIM Fender? Or some cash over to Taiwan when you buy a new pair of Nike runners?
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Good point Mark. If I remember correctly I believe to "TIP" stands for "To Insure Promptness"...meaning when someone does a good job you leave them somethin a little extra! Not, you leave them money because they don't make enough money. I have had some *terrible* waiters/waitresses and what not that obviously expected tips at the end of the night...I normally still leave 15% but I generally feel like I'm being ripped when I do. If they do a good job I will easily leave more...maybe along the lines of 30%. I, for one, am tired of incompetence, and it seems prevalent.
 
#39
Jared Morante said:
Good point Mark. If I remember correctly I believe to "TIP" stands for "To Insure Promptness"...meaning when someone does a good job you leave them somethin a little extra! Not, you leave them money because they don't make enough money. I have had some *terrible* waiters/waitresses and what not that obviously expected tips at the end of the night...I normally still leave 15% but I generally feel like I'm being ripped when I do. If they do a good job I will easily leave more...maybe along the lines of 30%. I, for one, am tired of incompetence, and it seems prevalent.
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No it doesn't. Read the post above yours. :)
 
#40
Whenever I go to bars I start a tab. That way I don't have to worry about pulling my wallet out and fumbling for change every time I buy a drink. When I leave i close out my tab and leave a 15-20% tip, just like I would at a restaurant. Of course it's always nice when your band is playing at said bar and you get a free bar tab. :D
 

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