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[RoadHazard]

In some places in the US you're literally not getting served past the first drink if you don't tip the bartender. They'll just straight up ignore you no matter what principles or philosophies you have about the matter. You can scoff all you want but you'll be scoffing sober.

And that's such utter BS.

 

[Maintenance]

Don't forget to clap after you tip.

 

[Yohane]

I'll never understand America tipping culture

 

[RoadHazard]

I'll never understand America tipping culture

What I especially don't understand is people defending it. It's trash.

 

[DopeToast]

Like a lot of people have said, you should have tipped your barber.

 

[ramparter]

Sorry to inform you, but tipping barbers is about as 'mandatory' as tipping waiters or delivery people.

If the cutter is the owner and gets the money then why?

Also I'm glad in my country there's no mandatory tip for waiters. I do like to leave tips for waiters mainly because they get paid shit but if it was mandatory it should be put on the bill.

 

[Caayn]

tip your fuckin barber bro I bet your hair looks stupid

If the OPs hair looks bad all the more reason not to tip and go to a different barber. This tip blackmailing is insane.

So glad to live in a country where tipping is completely a optional activity.

Agreed. The boss is responsible for paying the employee's wages, not the costumers. Tips are supposed to be a bonus to reward outstanding service, not something that's mandatory if you want average service.

 

[17 Seconds]

Glad I never have to deal with that awkwardness. The closest thing here is at bars and restaurants, where you are asked to enter the total amount. You can just enter the default amount with no extra, and nobody will think you're an ass. Tips are given (if you feel like it) when the service has been especially great, not for just tapping a beer.



Difficult? No (except that you have to do math to figure out what you will really be paying). Dumb? Hell yes.

it's not an issue at all. i don't understand why non-americans insist on acting like this is some issue in america that leads to constant social awkwardness. it's very simple. there are basic amounts that are expected for different services. you learn them pretty quickly in adult life. if you run into a a situation where you're not sure how much to tip, you do 30 seconds of research on your phone to find out what most people tip.

the reason the OP has found himself in this "awkward situation" is because he's being a bad person. if you really hate the tipping system so much, then DON'T GO TO A PLACE WHERE IT'S EXPECTED. it's as simple as that. find somewhere else. nobody is forcing you to go there. by stiffing the worker, you're not just punishing the wrong person, but you're part of the reason why this system is forced upon them in the first place.

 

[17 Seconds]

If the OPs hair looks bad all the more reason not to tip and go to a different barber. This tip blackmailing is insane.
Agreed. The boss is responsible for paying the employee's wages, not the costumers. Tips are supposed to be a bonus to reward outstanding service, not something that's mandatory if you want average service.

and the reason the boss does this is because stiffing the low level employee doesn't hurt him. you don't see the problem with this? if you do consider the tipping system a "problem", then you're part of it.

 

[highrider]

I'll never understand America tipping culture

Yes it is a very mystical concept, paying a percentage of the bill for a service.

What I especially don't understand is people defending it. It's trash.

So, stick it to the little guy. Nice.

 

[Bustanen]

I give my barber a huge tip because..

 

[Maintenance]

The worst part isn't even defending tipping, but defending tipping blackmail. "Tip me or I'll wreck your hair / spit on your food", get outta here with that bullshit.

 

[blankempathy]

How about tipping for carry out food?

 

[Laieon]

The receipt has a tip line, now many places are going to those Square reader tablets where there is a tip option

The place I went to for years in the US definitely didn't. It was a small hole in the wall place run by a few ladies from Vietnam. Haircuts took 10 minutes (although I haven't changed my style in forever and just ask for a trim), they didn't talk to me (as an introvert, that's all I'm really looking for). I don't particularly want to have a personal relationship with my barber, and I'm not picky. Just trim my hair and let me be on my way, I'll see you again in a few weeks. Almost always walk in/walk out, I think there was maybe 1 time in the 8+ years I went there when I had to wait more than a 5 minutes to get a seat. Great place.

The receipts looked like this (also obviously not exactly):

Nowhere on there does it indicate tipping is standard.

 

[17 Seconds]

The worst part isn't even defending tipping, but defending tipping blackmail. "Tip me or I'll wreck your hair / spit on your food", get outta here with that bullshit.

might as well say that a taco shop is blackmailing you by saying you have to pay for a taco at all

it is understood that the tip is part of the price. if a tip is expected for a certain service, then the base price probably reflects this. you know going in that it's basically the part of the price, and if you reeeally want to be a scumbag, you can't get it for a little cheaper by screwing someone.

 

[blankempathy]

might as well say that a taco shop is blackmailing you by saying you have to pay for a taco at all

it is understood that the tip is part of the price. if a tip is expected for a certain service, then the base price probably reflects this. you know going in that it's basically the part of the price, and if you reeeally want to be a scumbag, you can't get it for a little cheaper by screwing someone.

To be fair some people don't know this. Its not like its printed out in a manual thats mandatory reading material for adulthood. Its typically something taught to someone. Theres plenty of stuff like tipping/buying a gift for your mail person/trash people etc that I've never heard about until I was well into adult hood. Thats why some folks would like it if they straight up put the tip into the price because thats cut and dry. They don't have to feel like they're ripping someone off by not tipping when they have no idea if thats a thing.

 

[Maintenance]

might as well say that a taco shop is blackmailing you by saying you have to pay for a taco at all

Not even close to the same thing.

 

[BassForever]

Tipping is a part of American culture, not tipping in America is the same as asking for ketchup in a french restaurant its something you don't do.

 

[UrbanRats]

Yes it is a very mystical concept, paying a percentage of the bill for a service.

A very stupid system, for sure.
I'm not saying you shouldn't tip, the system is in place now, and the bottom of the chain should pay for it, so go ahead and tip, but the system of tipping remains a stupid fucking concept, certainly not worth defending.

It's really the symptom of a broken economic distribution if anything, forcing working people to rely on tips is asinine.
If someone needs tips to survive, they aren't being paid enough, and to think tips are the fix to that problem, is bollocks.

But as i said, sticking it to the little man (as you put it) is, indeed, an ass move.

 

[17 Seconds]

Not even close to the same thing.

if a meal is priced at 10 bucks, you know that really means like 12 bucks after tip. if they got rid of the tipping system, what do you think they'd do to the base price? they'd raise that shit to 12 bucks. nobody is "blackmailing" you by relaying the price of an item in a slightly convoluted way.

 

[Robot Pants]

I tipped my barber $10 dollar every time for years.
He was always good and consistent for two full years. Then I realized it's been two years of consistent haircuts so recently I started tipping him 15 for two years of a job well done.

You know what? He tries every time to make me look my best because of that. I respect him so he respects me. Good luck with your bowl cuts, OP.

 

[highrider]

A very stupid system, for sure.
I'm not saying you shouldn't tip, the system is in place now, and the bottom of the chain should pay for it, so go ahead and tip, but the system of tipping remains a stupid fucking concept, certainly not worth defending.

It's really the symptom of a broken economic distribution if anything, forcing working people to rely on tips is asinine.
If someone needs tips to survive, they aren't being paid enough, and to think tips are the fix to that problem, is bollocks.

But as i said, sticking it to the little man (as you put it) is, indeed, an ass move.

I was being sarcastic about the mystical concept, it's pretty straightforward to me.

 

[milanbaros]

In some places in the US you're literally not getting served past the first drink if you don't tip the bartender. They'll just straight up ignore you no matter what principles or philosophies you have about the matter. You can scoff all you want but you'll be scoffing sober.

Holy shit, the customer service sounds terrible.

 

[John Caboose]

if a meal is priced at 10 bucks, you know that really means like 12 bucks after tip. if they got rid of the tipping system, what do you think they'd do to the base price? they'd raise that shit to 12 bucks. nobody is "blackmailing" you by relaying the price of an item in a slightly convoluted way.

Your "slightly convoluted" is my "complete bullshit". Fortunately I don't have to deal with this shit being from Sweden.

 

[Robot Pants]

Holy shit, the customer service sounds terrible.

You have no idea what you're talking about

 

[tanooki27]

tipping is another way Americans let businesses off the hook. somehow ownership can't be bothered to pay service people a decent wage.

 

[newtypepilot]

I don't tip my barber because he's the owner of the shop.

 

[17 Seconds]

Your "slightly convoluted" is my "complete bullshit". Fortunately I don't have to deal with this shit being from Sweden.

basic math is hard

 

[giancarlo123x]

Tip your barber. My dude spends an hour making me look like a God, he at minimal gets 10 dollars from me.

 

[Robot Pants]

tipping is another way Americans let businesses off the hook. somehow ownership can't be bothered to pay service people a decent wage.

Again, you have no idea what you're talking about.

 

[Norwegian_Imposter]

It's not only there, in Sweden you can pay with CC or even Smartphone almost anywhere, and is "preferred" many stores or places have at the cash register a sign saying something like; "please pay with CC or smartphone" to minimize risk for robberies/hold-ups". (translation might not be perfect)

Oh and on the topic, got my hair cut a few days ago... 530SEK (~us$60), no need for "tipping" at that price.

Yeah the price of cutting your hair over here in norway is crazy high, I dont mind the high prices as the wages are generally higher and noone has to rely on "guilting" people into tipping.

Tipping culture is toxic as hell

 

[tanooki27]

Again, you have no idea what you're talking about.

in my view it's similar to conservatives insisting the social safety net is uneccesary - because of course the kindness of individuals and churches will fill the gaps.

I do tip, but I see the absurdity in the act

 

[milanbaros]

You have no idea what you're talking about

Please do enlighten me why the bartender refusing to acknowledge my existence because the first time they spend 10 seconds grabbing a beer bottle and taking off the top I didn't give them a dollar isn't bad service?

 

[RoadHazard]

it's not an issue at all. i don't understand why non-americans insist on acting like this is some issue in america that leads to constant social awkwardness. it's very simple. there are basic amounts that are expected for different services. you learn them pretty quickly in adult life. if you run into a a situation where you're not sure how much to tip, you do 30 seconds of research on your phone to find out what most people tip.

the reason the OP has found himself in this "awkward situation" is because he's being a bad person. if you really hate the tipping system so much, then DON'T GO TO A PLACE WHERE IT'S EXPECTED. it's as simple as that. find somewhere else. nobody is forcing you to go there. by stiffing the worker, you're not just punishing the wrong person, but you're part of the reason why this system is forced upon them in the first place.

Yes it is a very mystical concept, paying a percentage of the bill for a service.



So, stick it to the little guy. Nice.

???

How is that at all what I'm saying? I'm saying that people should be paid adequately instead of relying on this shitty system of guilt-shaming customers into picking up the slack by handing out small charities all the time. It's just awkward and uncomfortable. Employers should pay their employees adequately, I shouldn't have to cover the difference because they don't.

I DO tip when I'm in America, of course, because I know what it means if I don't. But the system should not exist. People should just get paid what the work they do is worth.

 

[Jill Sandwich]

Yes it is a very mystical concept, paying a percentage of the bill for a service.

Why not include that percentage in the price of the service?

So, stick it to the little guy. Nice.

If the little guy relies on tips then include that amount in the price of the service instead of having it as an add-on.

 

[RocknRola]

Tipping is one of those things that'll forever feel super foreign for me, not being from the US. Not that tipping doesn't exist here (Portugal) but whenever or wherever you do it, it's usually reserved for a STELLAR job/service/product. And even then, tipping isn't required or even expected at all.

You pay whatever the price is and that is that.

 

[okdakor]

there are basic amounts that are expected for different services.

if you run into a a situation where you're not sure how much to tip, you do 30 seconds of research on your phone to find out what most people tip.

Expected... that's the point that non-americans will never understand. Here, it's a gesture, you've done your work and as a client I think that you deserve a little something. "Keep the change", most of the time.
Hell, I usually have to stop the food delivery guys before they go away to give them a tip. Yesterday, he was so fast that he didn't heard me when I tried to call him back.

About the phone, there's even apps to calculate tips, it's insane...

 

[Gravy Boat]

Expected... that's the point that non-americans will never understand. Here, it's a gesture, you've done your work and as a client I think that you deserve a little something. "Keep the change", most of the time.
Hell, I usually have to stop the food delivery guys before they go away to give them a tip. Yesterday, he was so fast that he didn't heard me when I tried to call him back.

About the phone, there's even apps to calculate tips, it's insane...

The idea of needing an app to tell me how much I need to pay for a service is insane. I also think that not including tax in the prices is dumb. Just tell me what I need to pay.

 

[Captain Smoker]

I tip almost everyone here in Germany.

As a bartender I like to get tip as well, so fuck it.


Yesterday three dudes, everyone has a Rolex*, tipping 0,10 € on a 19,90 € bill, come on. xD


*and all of them look like this

 

[highrider]

???

How is that at all what I'm saying? I'm saying that people should be paid adequately instead of relying on this shitty system of guilt-shaming customers into picking up the slack by handing out small charities all the time. It's just awkward and uncomfortable. Employers should pay their employees adequately, I shouldn't have to cover the difference because they don't.

I DO tip when I'm in America, of course, because I know what it means if I don't. But the system should not exist. People should just get paid what the work they do is worth.

Guilt, shame, and charity. Wow. I'm not sure where that comes from. I look at it like a subcontractor, which is exactly what barbers and servers are. Nobody is going to work for the hourly wage they would pay.

 

[LegendofDragoonLives]

I've never seen anything resembling a computer inside my barbershop

Of course, I also tip them

facts, I pay cash and always tip.

 

[Maintenance]

if a meal is priced at 10 bucks, you know that really means like 12 bucks after tip. if they got rid of the tipping system, what do you think they'd do to the base price? they'd raise that shit to 12 bucks. nobody is "blackmailing" you by relaying the price of an item in a slightly convoluted way.

Where I live that already happened and I don't mind. They now charge a (mostly) flat fee based on the price of the meal. You don't have to tip anyone, it's already there.

And you know that by blackmailing I'm not talking about charging more.

 

[Abilidebob]

Tipping culture and the obsession over circumcision are the 2 American things I don't think I'll ever understand.

 

[ClosingADoor]

if a meal is priced at 10 bucks, you know that really means like 12 bucks after tip. if they got rid of the tipping system, what do you think they'd do to the base price? they'd raise that shit to 12 bucks. nobody is "blackmailing" you by relaying the price of an item in a slightly convoluted way.

Then put the total price on the menu. America should get with the times. Get rid of the tipping system, and while you are at it, also put the tax on the signs and such everywhere.

 

[highrider]

Why not include that percentage in the price of the service?



If the little guy relies on tips then include that amount in the price of the service instead of having it as an add-on.

Some restaurants do it that way, but the vast majority don't because people expect to tip. Servers are entry level positions, by putting them on a low salary it's more overhead for the restaurant. Tipping gives a server an opportunity to make decent money. Restaurants are a tough business, most of them fail. I doubt a lot of them could keep the lights on with a straight salary structure.

 

[jacobeid]

Fucking tip your barber.

 

[Maintenance]

Tipping culture and the obsession over circumcision are the 2 American things I don't think I'll ever understand.

Give us your tip one way or another.

 

[highrider]

Tipping culture and the obsession over circumcision are the 2 American things I don't think I'll ever understand.

Is it really that hard?

 

[Arkanius]

We don't tip in Portugal.
The only places that expect tips are Tourist Traps that have Americans visiting them.

 

[highrider]

Give us your tip one way or another.