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The norm in US is average 15% which could be considered high in other countries. I have lived in 3 countries including US. The only sense I could make out of it

The norm in US is average 15% which could be considered high in other countries. I have lived in 3 countries including US. The only sense I could make out of it is the fact that labor is considered premium in the US (not talking about cost here since that is debatable in 2012). I personally do not mind tipping well (read 20-25%) but I find it disturbing that a waiter gives me attitude, shitty service, forgets to bring straw for the drink and then expects a tip since it is the norm. My wife and I have a joke. Every time a waiter screws up, we deduct 1% from the norm. Every time a waiter does something extra (like being nice, on time, no order screw-ups), we add 1% to the norm.

stefanobernardi 14y ago
That's an interesting system. Do you think that having a 15% base is normal/right?
- yashchandra 14y ago
  Depends. If the service is good, I am fine with 15% base. But I am not fine if I get bad service.
  - nextparadigms 14y ago
    Will you still tip if the service was bad/not adequate? Personally, I don't get tipping either. Aren't they supposed to do their job well in the first place? This probably leads to only having them treat you badly next time if you don't tip them well or at all the first time.
    - 18pfsmt 14y ago
      In the US, a waiter or waitress typically gets paid $2.15/ hour, so hopefully you will take that into consideration.
      - dfxm12 14y ago
        I'm not totally sure this is true since I made more per hour as a bus boy when I was in high school. Either way, you shouldn't take this into consideration. If a server decides to (or is desperate enough to) take such a raw deal, that's on them. Their time can certainly be spent better than hoping customers can subsidize their salary. They'd probably do just as well begging on the corner (begging for tips is still begging just the same). Take into consideration how well the person is serving you.
        masklinn 14y ago
        > I'm not totally sure this is true Depends on the state you're in, $2.15 is the federal minimum for tipped staff (and the employer is supposed to match standard (non-tipped) federal minimum wage if tips don't bring staff over) but many states have their own labor laws going beyond federal standards. For instance NH has a $3.27 tipped minimum wage (and a federal minimum wage), Washington State has a single minimum wage (no tipped staff exception) of $9.04.
- astrodust 14y ago
  That's typical in most parts, but New York is moving towards 20% being the norm. Maybe it'll be 25% for crappy service, 50% for decent treatment in the future if it keeps escalating.
tomp 14y ago
When I was in the US, the norm was 10%. Anyone has a clue why the tip is raising faster than inflation?
masklinn 14y ago
> The norm in US is average 15% which could be considered high in other countries Infinitely so, as most countries either include staff remuneration in the bill or automatically add a service charge to the bill. Tips generally aren't expected in any western european country that I know, for instance. Exceptional service is sometimes rewarded, but beyond that there is no tipping apart from people leaving the change "on the table" (because they can't be arsed)

stefanobernardi 14y ago

That's an interesting system. Do you think that having a 15% base is normal/right?

yashchandra 14y ago
Depends. If the service is good, I am fine with 15% base. But I am not fine if I get bad service.
- nextparadigms 14y ago
  Will you still tip if the service was bad/not adequate? Personally, I don't get tipping either. Aren't they supposed to do their job well in the first place? This probably leads to only having them treat you badly next time if you don't tip them well or at all the first time.
  - 18pfsmt 14y ago
    In the US, a waiter or waitress typically gets paid $2.15/ hour, so hopefully you will take that into consideration.
    - dfxm12 14y ago
      I'm not totally sure this is true since I made more per hour as a bus boy when I was in high school. Either way, you shouldn't take this into consideration. If a server decides to (or is desperate enough to) take such a raw deal, that's on them. Their time can certainly be spent better than hoping customers can subsidize their salary. They'd probably do just as well begging on the corner (begging for tips is still begging just the same). Take into consideration how well the person is serving you.
      - masklinn 14y ago
        > I'm not totally sure this is true Depends on the state you're in, $2.15 is the federal minimum for tipped staff (and the employer is supposed to match standard (non-tipped) federal minimum wage if tips don't bring staff over) but many states have their own labor laws going beyond federal standards. For instance NH has a $3.27 tipped minimum wage (and a federal minimum wage), Washington State has a single minimum wage (no tipped staff exception) of $9.04.
astrodust 14y ago
That's typical in most parts, but New York is moving towards 20% being the norm. Maybe it'll be 25% for crappy service, 50% for decent treatment in the future if it keeps escalating.

tomp 14y ago

When I was in the US, the norm was 10%. Anyone has a clue why the tip is raising faster than inflation?

masklinn 14y ago

> The norm in US is average 15% which could be considered high in other countries Infinitely so, as most countries either include staff remuneration in the bill or automatically add a service charge to the bill. Tips generally aren't expected in any western european country that I know, for instance. Exceptional service is sometimes rewarded, but beyond that there is no tipping apart from people leaving the change "on the table" (because they can't be arsed)