Tipping and Drink Tickets

[202dy]

Why would you play for drink tickets?

 

[BellBottomBlues]

I know this is a bit OT, but as a non-American reading this thread I'm very curious. How did the whole tipping thing start in the US, and why don't people in the service industry get paid decent wages to begin with?

Here is Aus we pretty much don't tip ever. Sometimes we might leave a dollar or two change from a larger note (like a 20 or 50), but we don't go out of our way to tip staff. They get paid decent wages so they aren't relying on tips.

This is called traditional economics. People here tip, because its customary. Its also an incentive for service staff to work harder. In many countries in Europe, they just add service charges.

The labor laws in the US say that if you make tips, the owner is allowed to pay you less than minimum wage. It allows the restaurants to serve food at a cheaper price because wages aren't as high. I used to make $2 an hour as a waiter. And many people have either worked in the service industry, or know someone who has, so they know the money sucks.

Also if this is a bar you regularly go to, and you just happen to go there, I tip the wait staff generally. You make a sort of bartender/drunk relationship where they buy back the drinks of the regulars.

If I don't usually go to the bar, I still tip if the service is good, but not as well. If the service sucks, they don't get money outta me.

 

[mcbassdude]

Tip generously. It's good business. It pays to make friends.
Managers and club owners always ask the staff how the band did.

Bands are notoriusly cheap on the tip. Tip good right up front and make an impression. So rather than tip a buck or two a round, just throw them a 10 spot right up front and you'll be suprised how much better the service is.

 

[mcbassdude]

I know this is a bit OT, but as a non-American reading this thread I'm very curious. How did the whole tipping thing start in the US, and why don't people in the service industry get paid decent wages to begin with?

Here is Aus we pretty much don't tip ever. Sometimes we might leave a dollar or two change from a larger note (like a 20 or 50), but we don't go out of our way to tip staff. They get paid decent wages so they aren't relying on tips.

It stems from the depression.
It stands for "To Insure Proper Service"
By tipping a waiter you could be reasonably secure that they wouldn't spit in your food.
Still holds true today.

 

[BellBottomBlues]

Not only should you tip, you shouldn't act like an ass to the wait staff either. If you are, they're reasonably sure that you won't tip good anyways and will give you even worse service. Worse still, if its a small restaurant, they can bitch to the cooks who will sometimes purposely make your food crappy. I'm now a short order cook and I've seen some disgusting things happen.

Like I tried to help one of our waitresses scrap the food into the trash while not knowing she wanted the half a steak wrapped. So she made me pick the steak and potatoes out of the trash and brush them off. Once you work in a restaurant, you never wanna eat in one again :blah: