Poll: Should you always tip for "direct services" ?

[SantoUno]

To clarify, what I mean by "direct services" are services in which the person is doing or acting out a service for you face-to-face or close enough to service you directly, so this includes a stylist doing your hair, a mechanic explaining to you what troubles your car might be having, and arguably at fancy restaurants when you tip for the "service" you get from waiters. This obviously excludes simple fast food places where a tip is hardly deserved depending on the quality of food and/or service.

I bring this up because tomorrow I am going with my usual stylist to have my hair trimmed because I want to grow my hair longer than ever before. The thing is I have always gone to her all these years because she is related to my dad so she knows me best. However, for the past couple years I have not been completely satisfied every time I go. That's not completely her fault because I am totally clueless when it comes to hair and I do not fully specify how I want my hair. She merely gives me advice or tries to explain how she could cut my hair. However I have always given her $2 extra as tip every time I go (I got this from my dad).

So this time since I just want my ends trimmed to allow my hair to grow longer I don't think that I should pay $10 like I usually do. I'm also planning to express to her that I was never fully satisfied with my haircuts, and hopefully she'll understand why I am not giving her $2 extra like I usually do.

So for more insight, do all of you think that you should always give tip for services like these?

While I do always WANT to leave tip for fancy restaurants, I don't think that they should get a tip every time, and I sure as hell won't ever leave a tip larger than $10, no matter how good the food or service is, as some restaurants I have gone to suggest we should do. As a matter of fact, isn't the expensiveness of fancy restaurants due to the "quality" meals and service? Aren't we already paying extraordnarily more for that? Why should we empty our wallets even more by dropping 10% or more extra as tip?

 

[Liam1390]

Yes, you should leave tips if you're satisfied.

Especially at high quality restaurants because the wait staff rely on tips for a large portion of their pay.

 

[Mr.Pandah]

Blah, I hate this topic so much. Not because I'm some jaded waiter, but because I'm actually a grunt worker at a automotive repair shop. When I fix someone's tire or do an oil change for them, a dollar tip would be nice. Most of the time I don't get that and I don't make great money so its really tough for me. When I go to a restaurant, someone who simply gets me my food and sometimes even screws that up deserves a tip from me? I don't see how that works.

What if I screwed up your oil change? Or I decided that your tire wasn't going to be properly fixed? I don't know, it just seems...a little silly.

I tip my barber by the way. I tip my buddies at the shop if they help me out. I tip waiters and waitresses. Sometimes you hit a point though where you just can't hand out anymore money to be "nice".

 

[Thamous]

If it's a job that pays below minimum wage because tips are included in their pay, then yes I will tip if the employee has done a good job. But if you are being paid minimum wage or above then no, I don't tip.

 

[Saccade]

Yes, I'd say almost always leave a tip.

You can leave as much as you feel is deserved: I've left tips for 120% of the total bill for truly outstanding service, and I've left pennies to show my lack of appreciation for atrocious service. But the bottom line is, if someone is doing you a service, it's courtesy to tip them. What you say with that tip is up to you.

With the hairdresser situation, I would say to tip her and leave her. Even if you know her, it doesn't mean she should be cutting your hair if you aren't satisfied. Try another place, where there is more helpful staff. It's sometimes hard to find a great hairdresser, but you should really look for one.

 

[latenightapplepie]

People tip hairdressers?

Odd.

I tip waiters. If the service has been adequate. Otherwise, no. However, my tipping habits change when I travel; different country, different tipping customs, you know.

 

[KiKiweaky]

Something I had been wondering myself actually.

My brother was in a pub in Canada, drinking not sure how many drinks he had. He went to order a drink some time later and the bar man basicly ignored him. A guy sitting at the bar said, 'he's not going to serve you as you havent tipped him'.

That system seems a bit kack to me. How bad are peoples wages if they rely on tips? Or is just the way things are done in north america? I could go to a bar here for a whole evening and not pay any tips at all. Thats provided I walk up to the bar to order my own drink.

Was in a pub before where they had staff coming to your table with drinks, 5 people 5 drinks one euro each, and they did it 5 or 6 times, seems fair enough to me. Then again I don't know how much is expected in those situations

 

[scrambledeggs]

In Australia, our economy relies on wages, not tips, which makes this entire situation easier: Only ever tip at restaurants, and then, only if you can afford it and the service was deserving.

 

[SantoUno]

What if I screwed up your oil change? Or I decided that your tire wasn't going to be properly fixed? I don't know, it just seems...a little silly.

Are you saying that some professions don't always deserve a tip while others do?

If it's a job that pays below minimum wage because tips are included in their pay, then yes I will tip if the employee has done a good job. But if you are being paid minimum wage or above then no, I don't tip.

How would you know if they receive minimum wage or not?

As a matter of fact why would you suspect some restaurant workers don't receive minimum wage? That would be against the law if that occurred.

If someone is doing you a service, it's courtesy to tip them. What you say with that tip is up to you.

With the hairdresser situation, I would say to tip her and leave her. Even if you know her, it doesn't mean she should be cutting your hair if you aren't satisfied. Try another place, where there is more helpful staff. It's sometimes hard to find a great hairdresser, but you should really look for one.

I was considering giving her only $1 tip, just to sort of show that I don' want to keep giving the tip I always do if I'm not fully satisfied.

And while I do understand that looking for another hairdresser would also be a good option, I doubt that any other person would try and advise me on my hair like she does.

Either way, thanks for the advice, and welcome to The Escapist :].

 

[Jarcin]

This is probably gonna get me flamed but, I have never heard of tipping the mechanic. Is this just me or have others never really been shown this?

As for restaurants and stylists, I always tip. I have brought myself to leave 20% if good and even if it wasn't great 10%. If it's terrible 5% but I won't ever not leave a tip.

 

[justnotcricket]

In Australia, our economy relies on wages, not tips, which makes this entire situation easier: Only ever tip at restaurants, and then, only if you can afford it and the service was deserving.

I live in NZ, so pretty much this =) It does make things a lot easier.

 

[3AM]

Tipping is a tough one. I wish people were paid what they're worth. I don't like the idea of tipping someone for doing their job properly, but that's how it's done in my society. I tip generously for good service yet have no problem leaving no tip for poor service. And to make this even tougher for you - it's the holidays. Especially if this person has performed this service for you all year, a little holiday bonus is not out-of-place.

The fact that you're not satisfied with the service makes this even tougher, but I think the fact that you've been going to this person all year says you should tip them. Whether you continue seeing them next year is the decision to be made.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

I never tip because I live in a country where people are actually paid well.

 

[Mr.Pandah]

What if I screwed up your oil change? Or I decided that your tire wasn't going to be properly fixed? I don't know, it just seems...a little silly.

Are you saying that some professions don't always deserve a tip while others do?

A waiter is a professional? Pfft, not where I go. You said those who provide a direct service, someone whom you speak to face-to-face about something they are going to do for you should be tipped. I believe that yes, they should, but to a certain extent on each service. Giving me food at a table, with a drink, does not constitute a 10 dollar tip as far as I'm concerned.

 

[-Samurai-]

I always tip. The amount depends on the level of service.

When it comes to waitstaff, I always tip at least 15%. The better the service, the better the tip. And unlike most people, I don't tip low for bad food. The waitstaff didn't cook it. The cooks did.

 

[Fumbleumble]

And I am reminded of the awesome diner scene in Reservoir Dogs.

"You've convinced me. Gimme my dollar back."

 

[SturmDolch]

In Canada, I always tip waiters, bartenders, hairdressers, and taxi drivers. Maybe some other people, too, but I'm not sure right now who that would be. Not mechanics, though... I've never heard of tipping them.

My tip is almost always 15%. Now, if the service is particularly bad, I'll tip less. But I have never not tipped at all. A small tip shows the waiter more that you did not like the service than no tip at all. Again, not like I have much experience with that, but that's how I would think.

In Switzerland, I wouldn't tip. It's included in the price.

Living in a country where tipping is the norm and not ever tipping because "I don't believe in tipping" is a very high form of douchebaggery. Some may bring up the Reservoir Dogs scene in this thread. But remember that everyone turned on him when he said he doesn't tip. That's because that's how it is in real life.

You're not impressing anyone by not tipping.

 

[Saccade]

I was considering giving her only $1 tip, just to sort of show that I don' want to keep giving the tip I always do if I'm not fully satisfied.

And while I do understand that looking for another hairdresser would also be a good option, I doubt that any other person would try and advise me on my hair like she does.

Either way, thanks for the advice, and welcome to The Escapist :].

That might be a nice compromise. I would try talking to her- explain why you aren't always satisfied, and tell her that although you're not getting exactly what you want, you still value her advice and opinion.

I wouldn't draw her attention directly to the decrease in tip, though. I think she'd be able to get it on her own, and it would show her that you're serious about wanting more from her, but also wouldn't like to leave her. (This sounds like some sort of relationship advice. D

And thank you! I've been lurking around here for a while but never really ventured into the forums.

 

[imperialreign]

Blah, I hate this topic so much. Not because I'm some jaded waiter, but because I'm actually a grunt worker at a automotive repair shop. When I fix someone's tire or do an oil change for them, a dollar tip would be nice. Most of the time I don't get that and I don't make great money so its really tough for me. When I go to a restaurant, someone who simply gets me my food and sometimes even screws that up deserves a tip from me? I don't see how that works.

What if I screwed up your oil change? Or I decided that your tire wasn't going to be properly fixed? I don't know, it just seems...a little silly.

I tip my barber by the way. I tip my buddies at the shop if they help me out. I tip waiters and waitresses. Sometimes you hit a point though where you just can't hand out anymore money to be "nice".

Completely agreed, man - in the same situation here. I'm sorry, but when I'm stuck swapping the motor in a Magnum (which book calls for 15+ hrs) with the customer demanding they need their car back the next morning, and I manage to crank it out in 8hrs . . . and I can't even get a simple "thank you?"

 

[StBishop]

I would tip if I was aware that it was customary, and that the person's livelyhood was dependant on tipping.
However I think it is a bad system, but I'm not going to neglect to tip a waiter in another country as a protest of a system that I think sucks, it's not their fault.

Now that I've gotten that out of the way.

NO! You shouldn't just always tip.

If someone is a friend or always looks after you then sure, tip away.

Always tipping sets a bad precedent.
If the service is bad; don't tip.
If the service is as you would expect; don't tip.
If the service was stellar and you feel like the person went out of their way to make you happy; say thank you, if you feel that money will help you to say thank you, give a tip.

I have recieved tips in the past, it makes you feel great even if it's just the change in their pocket, even if it's not enough to buy an apple, it's still nice.

I've also given tips.
In Australia, if you tip a barman/barmaid you can pretty much feel assured that you'll be served as soon as you walk up to the bar, regardless of how many other people are there, you'll get plesant service, if they're pouring a shot; they won't spill half of your booze on the counter, they may even give you an extra half shot to make up for possible spillage even if there isn't any, they'll continue to serve you after you're hammered provided that you aren't in danger of hurting yourself & aren't acting like a tosser.

Giving tips here is like saying, hey bro, I want to be your friend, how about you do me a favour. The size of the favour is usually proportionate to the size of the tip. It's essentially like bribing them to bend the rules or whatever.

Also OP: I think it would be rude to
"express to her that I was never fully satisfied with my haircuts, and hopefully she'll understand why I am not giving her $2 extra like I usually do.".

If I were you, I'd just say, thanks for all the haircuts, not book another appointment, and just give her the tip, because you've set the precedent and now it's an insult if you don't tip her rather than the other way around, where it's a nice thing to do by tipping her and normal to not tip.

I'd say you're better off just saying something like "Thanks, but I think I'm looking for seomthing different than I'm getting here." Rather than "I am unhappy with the service I've recieved even the last 20 haircuts or so have been all wrong, I am not going to tip you because I don't think you deserve it".

I know you won't actually say the second one to her, but that's how she'll probably hear it.