Brit visiting California - what's the ettiqette with......

[SDRider]

Originally Posted by martinr

Tyler you offer no proof to back up you comment about how I'm statistically incorrect. Considering you live in London and I live in California and eat all my meals out I'm pretty sure I know more than you about the subject. But that's not the point. The point is that feeling sorry for the poor downtrodden waiter/waitress is a choice also. Let's say you live in the USA and pay income tax. And say you believe taxes on the wealthy should be higher. You pay your taxes as required but nothing is stopping you from voluntarily sending more money to the IRS. Would you do that?

I'm a pretty good tipper generally and consider myself fairly sympathetic to the plight of the poor and downtrodden and I can honestly say that I've never once felt this way or considered that when tipping a waiter/waitress.

[KarlS]

I remember arriving at the Ritz in Miami. Guy opens the door when I arrive and shows me reception desk.....he hovers for a tip....the guy that delivers the bags from the car to reception then wanted a tip...then the guy delivering from reception to room needed a tip...then collecting the car from valet he needed a tip.... and then you pay $50 a day for parking!!!

[martinr]

Originally Posted by SDRider

I'm a pretty good tipper generally and consider myself fairly sympathetic to the plight of the poor and downtrodden and I can honestly say that I've never once felt this way or considered that when tipping a waiter/waitress.

I don't feel that way either, I leave 20% for a waiter or waitress unless the service is awful or they're rude to me. I have no idea what you mean by saying your fairly sympathetic to the plight of the poor. Think about this, perception is everything and who do you think gets the best service in a restaurant? Middle aged white males generally tend to be the best tippers and they get the best service, ask any server if it's true, and I'm not looking to hear about some rich rapper that leaves 500%, that's the exception not the rule. So tipping culture is bad for everybody, waiters and waitresses make assumptions and the result is twofold, people get treated better or worse based on what somebody thinks they may or may not do. A waitress may not get the tip they want because they've predetermined who is good and who isn't.

[codecow]

Originally Posted by KarlS

I remember arriving at the Ritz in Miami. Guy opens the door when I arrive and shows me reception desk.....he hovers for a tip....the guy that delivers the bags from the car to reception then wanted a tip...then the guy delivering from reception to room needed a tip...then collecting the car from valet he needed a tip.... and then you pay $50 a day for parking!!!

Pretty much. When I travel I always carry a stack of $20 bills to make them go away but yes it's easy to drop $100 on tips checking into a hotel. Then again they call you by name the entire time and give you ice water and towels.

[chieftd]

IMO avoid the tip jars at fast food, convenience stores, coffee shops and such. Not the normal tipping venue IMO. Other suggestions already made are spot on, 15-20% is standard, unless awesome service then tip what you feel is more appropriate. Enjoy your trip.

[imperio]

Originally Posted by Goin2drt

This I totally agree. I travel a lot for work throughout the US. I find Las Vegas and New York at the top of rudeness when it comes to service providers and they “expect” a hand out or tip at every corner no matter the level of service.
I know I am generalizing. I even find CA to be a bit devided. NorCal is more similar to NYC and SoCal seems to be more like Texas and the South. Folks are friendlier and good service earns the respect and better tip. They are also way more appreciative of that tip as they feel proud they have earned it and are not granted it by simply providing a service even if it is bad.

I personally have a huge range of tipping but 20% in SoCal seems to be the norm. I have rarely not tipped. It has to be absolutely horrible. I have tipped the total of the bill before.

Don’t even get me started about wages and dual income to live in this crap state. All I have to say if you want to make a living in KA. At a restaraunt waiting tables go get an education and get out of the business of waiting tables.