7 ms·

Based on what I've seen in the US, tipping doesn't encourage good service, it encourages noticeable service. I'd rather be served by a slightly inattentive sul

Based on what I've seen in the US, tipping doesn't encourage good service, it encourages noticeable service. I'd rather be served by a slightly inattentive sullen teenager in the UK, than a perky waitress with a fake smile pestering me all the time in the US.

lefstathiou 10y ago
I respect that but find it to be a bizarre tradeoff I would never willingly make. I would pick the perky attentive waiter sporting a smile that neither you nor i know is fake over a sullen inattentive person anywhere. In fact, if someone is having a bad day, I actually appreciate the effort to make it better with a fake smile than imposing it on me with a bad attitude. I've experienced overbearing waiters and the solution is as simple as politely asking for space. Nobody walks away from a moment like that feeling angry. Back to the ultimate point: the question at hand is does tipping (overall) add to or take away from the quality of service provided to the partron. Based on my experience the answer is yes. All else equal - a person may or may not care about the tip.. in which case you get your base level of service. However, you may come across someone that does, in which case you are overwhelmingly more likely to get better service as a result. Last thought: I find that tipping for service establishes a more direct human bond between me (the recipient) and the person performing the service that ultimately adds (positively) to the mutual experience. Rarely have I been anywhere where I walked away thinking I would have gotten better had I not tipped.
- aninhumer 10y ago
  > sporting a smile that neither you nor i know is fake If it's not fake, they're doing a bad job showing it. >the solution is as simple as politely asking for space. Nobody walks away from a moment like that feeling angry. Not angry, but it is an awkward thing to request, and I'd rather not have to. >I find that tipping for service establishes a more direct human bond between me (the recipient) and the person performing the service I absolutely disagree with that. I find reliance on tipping creates an alienating subservient relationship. No one is going to be genuine when they're depending on my opinion of them for their pay that evening.
throwaway6845 10y ago
Yes. This is why I never go to Indian restaurants any more. Love the food, can't cope with the false bonhomie, so I order takeaways instead. (UK resident.)
eeZah7Ux 10y ago
How about a third option: a professional that knows how to give food and wine recommendations when asked with no fake smiles and pestering. In some european countries this would be normal even for small moms-and-pops restaurants.
- geodel 10y ago
  3rd option seems fine dining place with wine experts and all. I think those sullen teenager or perky waitress would be working at a diner or something.

lefstathiou 10y ago

I respect that but find it to be a bizarre tradeoff I would never willingly make. I would pick the perky attentive waiter sporting a smile that neither you nor i know is fake over a sullen inattentive person anywhere. In fact, if someone is having a bad day, I actually appreciate the effort to make it better with a fake smile than imposing it on me with a bad attitude. I've experienced overbearing waiters and the solution is as simple as politely asking for space. Nobody walks away from a moment like that feeling angry. Back to the ultimate point: the question at hand is does tipping (overall) add to or take away from the quality of service provided to the partron. Based on my experience the answer is yes. All else equal - a person may or may not care about the tip.. in which case you get your base level of service. However, you may come across someone that does, in which case you are overwhelmingly more likely to get better service as a result. Last thought: I find that tipping for service establishes a more direct human bond between me (the recipient) and the person performing the service that ultimately adds (positively) to the mutual experience. Rarely have I been anywhere where I walked away thinking I would have gotten better had I not tipped.

aninhumer 10y ago
> sporting a smile that neither you nor i know is fake If it's not fake, they're doing a bad job showing it. >the solution is as simple as politely asking for space. Nobody walks away from a moment like that feeling angry. Not angry, but it is an awkward thing to request, and I'd rather not have to. >I find that tipping for service establishes a more direct human bond between me (the recipient) and the person performing the service I absolutely disagree with that. I find reliance on tipping creates an alienating subservient relationship. No one is going to be genuine when they're depending on my opinion of them for their pay that evening.

throwaway6845 10y ago

Yes. This is why I never go to Indian restaurants any more. Love the food, can't cope with the false bonhomie, so I order takeaways instead. (UK resident.)

eeZah7Ux 10y ago

How about a third option: a professional that knows how to give food and wine recommendations when asked with no fake smiles and pestering. In some european countries this would be normal even for small moms-and-pops restaurants.

geodel 10y ago
3rd option seems fine dining place with wine experts and all. I think those sullen teenager or perky waitress would be working at a diner or something.