A tip that was not well received.

[FTX I]

I've always been worried about tips in NY and I always try to be generous, but in Europe I never cared that much until a couple years ago. However, as time goes by and I'm tipping more and more over there too, leaving notes and tips for the cleaning staff at the apartment I rent, tipping at bars, restaurants etc, but this particular time I had to deal with a strange reaction.

I was at my usual destination some weeks ago having drinks etc and had to use the restroom while walking in the city center. Wife said there's a McDonalds over there, so I went and the cost was 50 cents. I had two coins in my pocket, 2 euros each. The lady at the door said to me we don't have change. I said no problem, gave her two coins, 4 euros, and said you can keep the change. I thought it was a nice gesture tipping someone responsible for a public toilet, but apparently it was a mistake. She looked at me and said oohh I'm rich right now and laughed. Well, I know the tip was not much money, but it was 8x the service cost, so I don't think I was offending anyone.

Just need to say I'm not complaining here and I was not sad or anything so no one needs to feel sorry for me lol but it was a bit weird. I'm not sure I should stop worrying that much about tipping in Europe or it was just someone having a bad day. Thoughts?

[locutus49]

I got nothing. Wait: No good deed goes unpunished.

[Zakalwe]

Where was this?

The bog had a minder?

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

Where was this?

The bog had a minder?

AMS. My favorite place.

[Zakalwe]

I think I’ve led a sheltered life; I’d be bemused by this encounter.

McDonalds puts an attendant at the door of the toilet?
They charge you to have a piss?
The person whose job it is to collect 50c off people has no change?
The person who can’t get a better job than bog-keeper scoffs at a tip?

Maybe she was stoned.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

I think I’ve led a sheltered life; I’d be bemused by this encounter.

McDonalds puts an attendant at the door of the toilet?
They charge you to have a piss?
The person whose job it is to collect 50c off people has no change?
The person who can’t get a better job than bog-keeper scoffs at a tip?

Maybe she was stoned.

Well at least I wasn't and I'm sure of that lol

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

I think I’ve led a sheltered life; I’d be bemused by this encounter.

McDonalds puts an attendant at the door of the toilet?
They charge you to have a piss?
The person whose job it is to collect 50c off people has no change?
The person who can’t get a better job than bog-keeper scoffs at a tip?

Maybe she was stoned.

Pay to use a toilet at a McD's? Comical. That would never happen in the USA and we always stop at one on road trips because their restrooms are usually decent. But in the OP's instance I would just whip it out and pee on the floor right in front of her and drop the coins in the puddle.

[joli160]

If this was in AMS you experienced some typical Amsterdam cynical humour. People there always have a smart ass response and can never shut up
Quite sure her remark was in no way meant to be offending.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by joli160

If this was in AMS you experienced some typical Amsterdam cynical humour. People there always have a smart ass response and can never shut up
Quite sure her remark was in no way meant to be offending.

Agree my friend. She seemed to be a nice person, not a teenager in any way, most certainly not local and I'm sure she didn't mean any harm. When I'm having a good time I want people to be happy as well. It's all good.

[Old Geezer]

Originally Posted by joli160

If this was in AMS you experienced some typical Amsterdam cynical humour. People there always have a smart ass response and can never shut up
Quite sure her remark was in no way meant to be offending.

This was likely the case. I have spent a lot of time in The Netherlands for work and leisure. My co-workers had a wry sense of humor that took some getting used to.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Old Geezer

This was likely the case. I have spent a lot of time in The Netherlands for work and leisure. My co-workers had a wry sense of humor that took some getting used to.

Sure. The location is irrelevant. I've been there on the last 25 years, renting the same apartment on the last 18 lol. Just thought it would be a nice discusiion on salaries, approaches, I don''t know. It's friday. I'll put my glass down now. Sorry.

[FHFinster]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

in the OP's instance I would just whip it out and pee on the floor right in front of her and drop the coins in the puddle.

ROFL. Heck yes.


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[bondtoys]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

I think I’ve led a sheltered life; I’d be bemused by this encounter.

McDonalds puts an attendant at the door of the toilet?
They charge you to have a piss?
The person whose job it is to collect 50c off people has no change?
The person who can’t get a better job than bog-keeper scoffs at a tip?

Maybe she was stoned.

The sad story is even sadder unfortunately:

It‘s quite common all over Europe, that McDonalds and others are (I kid you not) are renting out the toilets to big corporates.
They then employ the toilet ladies and men and pay them a minimum wage and in exchange they are obliged to hand over the tips that they are receiving.

[037]

Probably just having a bad day. I can't imagine anyone minding a toilet and loving their job.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by 037

Probably just having a bad day. I can't imagine anyone minding a toilet and loving their job.

My thoughts as well. But I notice when I tip in NY it's kinda expected. People are thankful of course and react nicely, but when I do the same thing in Europe, people look more surprised. I don't know, maybe their salary is covering all basic needs and in the US the tip they get is more relevant in their monthly income, I'm not sure. Just what I observe.


Edit. Europe is a continent so I can't generalize. I notice that on the half dozen cities I visit often these days.

[Fat_ninja]

Wait... you paid 4 euros to take a piss?

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Fat_ninja

Wait... you paid 4 euros to take a piss?

No I paid 50 cents.

[Fat_ninja]

Originally Posted by FTX I

No I paid 50 cents.

This is interesting,...I’ve never been to anyplace where I need to piss.

[Dr. Robert]

Originally Posted by Fat_ninja

Wait... you paid 4 euros to take a piss?

Maybe it included a happy ending.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

Maybe it included a happy ending.

I'd gladly decline. Trust me.

[Fat_ninja]

Originally Posted by Dr. Robert

Maybe it included a happy ending.

Clearly not very happy lol

[daveathall]

It's called spending a penny. If she scoffed at the 4 Euros, I would have took one back.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by daveathall

It's called spending a penny. If she scoffed at the 4 Euros, I would have took one back.

Would be rude, I don't know. Didn't even cross my mind, Dave. But I was not happy with what I heard that's for sure.

[polaris72]

Depends who’s tipping. What amuses me is paid toilets and limited number of public facilities. How do they function? “Wait honey, we can not leave the house to go to opera as I am about to go...”

[GB-man]

What I took away here is next time I come across a bathroom attendant I can ask how long he's been minding the bog for

[BigAppleBill]

Reminds me of when my kid and I were driving around Iceland. In the middle of nowhere we pulled over to use the restroom at a mom & pop sandwich place. There was a sign that said $1 to use the toilet for non-customers. So I bought a cookie for $1. I figure they must sell a lot of cookies.

[Yoda_Eating_Pizza]

Originally Posted by BigAppleBill

Reminds me of when my kid and I were driving around Iceland. In the middle of nowhere we pulled over to use the restroom at a mom & pop sandwich place. There was a sign that said $1 to use the toilet for non-customers. So I bought a cookie for $1. I figure they must sell a lot of cookies.

This might have been their plot all along.

[Andad]

Go back and tell her she owes you seven more.

Sorry, my Scottish is showing.

[FTX I]

I'm planning on going to heaven Ed. lol

[swils8610]

You should have whipped out your schlong and pissed on the floor.


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