Tips

[snopes]

Although I think that the American system of tipping is unfair to servers because of the outrageously low base wages and the "wild card" of whether a patron will tip or will tip enough, might I remind you that the acronym TIPS stands for "to insure prompt service." Poor service shouldn't be rewarded with a standard tip.

http://www.latimes.com/business/inve...4992565.column

[Dog Friendly]

I'm not convinced that the origin of the word involves the acronym, but I reverse it to derive an alternate meaning, "To Indicate Poor Service". If the server got my order wrong, like extra instead of no mushrooms, or added items to the bill that we didn't order, or never came by to check on us after bringing our food, these are all problems within the server's responsibility. I've been known to leave a ten-cent tip in particularly egregious cases, or to write a single word: SLOW in the line where a tip amount should go on a credit card slip.

I'm a regular diner in many restaurants near my home and work. I have a reputation as a generous tipper, and new employees often get the word from older staff. This leads me, fairly or not, to a certain sense of entitlement. Not that I expect special treatment, but if my service is poor enough to be reflected in my tip, the slighted server will get no sympathy from his or her coworkers, who'll know me better than that.

In french tip is "pourboire" wich means litterally "to drink". I recall reading that it came from when some generous nobles dismissed their servants for the day they give them some coins to go get themselves a drink. The practice spread to many european countries where the word for tipping usually means "Drink money"

Hence from the french meaning a tip is pure generosity on the tipper's part.

Wich is in part why I hate how there's this social obligation to tip or else you look like a cheapskate.



Cite : http://vouslesavez.blogspirit.com/ar...pourboire.html (in french though)

[carter108]

I normally tip pretty good but I do not like to just leave a small tip without saying something to my server. Normally it is something like "Hey I thought you forgot about me" or "Are you having a bad day becasue . . . . "

I do give really big tips to the pizza delivery person. You brought food to my house. Praise you oh great pizza gods!!

[Thera]

I have been a great tipper ever since I saw my friend's waiter check with two week's pay on it that came out to about $3.50 after taxes (this was 15 years ago).

And I figure, I'm paying for the luxury of not having to cook or clean or serve myself. If I don't want to tip I can learn how to cook the stuff at home, or go to McDonalds.

Speaking of which, with the exception of the pizza guy, my salon nail tech, and my hairdresser, I do not tip people who make minimum wage. I didn't get tips at the movie theater where I worked and I made $3.35/hour, so I'm not tipping a Starbucks barista, or anyone who isn't introducing themselves to me as their server and asking for my drink order.