Tipping? Please no!

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BlueShift

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#214662 23-May-2017 09:29

It must be election year. I know there's a lot of people in these forums who travel a lot more than I do, but is there anyone who thinks that more tipping in NZ would a) improve service and/or b) increase the take-home pay of service workers?

A common theme in the comments is "put the politicians on minimum wage, and we'll tip them if we think they do a good job". Unfortunately, when politicians get tipped for making some of their constituents happy, its usually called bribery and corruption.

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#1786461 23-May-2017 09:41

I think if someone does a reasonable job they should be adequately paid for it.

Why should one sector have to get cr*p pay and rely on little more than begging to get enough regular income.

Paula Bennet is admitting that wages in our society are insufficient to live on and expects people to beg for money.

If someone did something extra nice for me, I may tip. But to expect a tip everytime someone brings me a coffee - just doing their job is not tipping - its a tax.

Where should tipping start and end?

I go into a shop to buy a pair of shoes - the person is helpful - Do I need to tip? (and if not why?)

I get my car serviced and its ready on time - do I tip and if not why not?

etc etc.

Tipping sucks - NO!

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eracode

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#1786463 23-May-2017 09:42

IMO a truly daft idea. Tipping in the US is a major PITA and a symptom of a seriously screwed-up part of their economy - we should keep well away from anything similar.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

Behodar

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#1786464 23-May-2017 09:43

eracode: The tipping in the US is [...] a symptom of a seriously screwed-up part of their economy

Bingo. A friend over there is paid a whopping $2/hour and replies on tips to get a livable wage.

kobiak

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#1786481 23-May-2017 10:08

I will move if they bring tipping culture to NZ.

It's common to see tips request in major AKL restaurants already, and it's scary move.

Our above average and some average bars/cafes/restaurants overpriced already by a lot. $12 for a pint? WTFenomenal?

When we were in US for holidays, I hated every single second in restaurant/cafe during pay time.

And 2 times I hit boiling points:

- breakfast in SF, walked to cafe, had to order on counter, 2 coffees and light meals, paying on the counter with card and first screen asked for tipping, 3 options, 10%, 12% and 15%. I was lost fo good 5 seconds and clicked cancel thinking that I will be moved to next screen to pay, but NOPE. I asked lady if I can move to payment without tipping. She gave me the LOOK of the lifetime. Like I asked her something inappropriate. She told me I need to pay cash if I don't want to tip. Faarrrout

- late night in SF (1-2am), boozed with friends and on the way to hotel stopped at 24/7 eatery. Ordered some club sandwiches, price was $9.99. I gave lady $10 and walked to the side to wait for order. She asked for extra money as tax not included. Faaarrrout. She told me how much, I gave it to her. She asked again if I wanna tip? Faaarrrout, Noooo.

I hope none of them did anything nasty to my meals :)

But I don't want this in NZ, please NO!

helping others at evgenyk.nz

DarthKermit

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#1786485 23-May-2017 10:12

A hell of a lot of eateries (restaurants and cafes mainly) already have tipping jars at the counter. Some people obviously choose to tip, I'm not one of them.

May it remain a choice and not any kind of implied obligation.

timmmay

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#1786486 23-May-2017 10:17

NZ is already a pretty expensive place to eat out. Mandatory tipping would make it moreso, because minimum wage won't go away.

I will tip for exceptional service, but that's rare. NZers aren't good at service.

trig42

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#1786490 23-May-2017 10:20

I will tip if I have received what I believe to be good service at a restaurant. If the Waitperson has done a great job, I will tip them directly ($10 or $20 cash for them), or if the whole place has been brilliant, I will tip when I pay for the meal.

I don't do it every time I eat out, and would hate to have that expectation. If they want to make tipping more widespread, are they going to allow lower hourly rates? Where does it stop? Restaurants, Hotels, Taxis, Uber...

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old3eyes

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#1786499 23-May-2017 10:28

Introducing mandatory tipping is just a way of reducing wages or not ever giving a pay rise. Tipping in the US can go up to 20% of the bill these days. I for one hope it never comes in here though I have given a tip in NZ for great service at a restaurant.

Regards,

Old3eyes

Linuxluver

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#1786501 23-May-2017 10:30

BlueShift:

It must be election year. I know there's a lot of people in these forums who travel a lot more than I do, but is there anyone who thinks that more tipping in NZ would a) improve service and/or b) increase the take-home pay of service workers?

A common theme in the comments is "put the politicians on minimum wage, and we'll tip them if we think they do a good job". Unfortunately, when politicians get tipped for making some of their constituents happy, its usually called bribery and corruption.

I used to work in jobs overseas that got tips. They also tended to have a lower hourly wage because the legislators and the employers knew you would get tips.

When the tips were in cash you just put them in your pocket and never paid income tax on them.....which is illegal but everyone does it.

For Paula Bennett to recommend this for New Zealand is typical of how little this government thinks about pretty much everything. "Light-weight" at the feather end of that spectrum.

All she can see is lower wages for employers....and the workers and other taxpayers can get stuffed (in a word: National).

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jonathan18

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#1786504 23-May-2017 10:31

timmmay:

I will tip for exceptional service, but that's rare. NZers aren't good at service.

Isn't this one of the reasons those supporting tipping argue in its favour, ie it improves service as it gives workers an incentive to try harder?

Personally, if that's the case I'm happy to carry on with the current standard of service as I'd hate to see tipping take a hold in NZ.

Wiggum

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#1786505 23-May-2017 10:31

I blame our minimum wage for this

eracode:

IMO a truly daft idea. Tipping in the US is a major PITA and a symptom of a seriously screwed-up part of their economy - we should keep well away from anything similar.

IMO I think it works much better in the US. In fact so much better that I can rarely account for really bad restaurant service from all the times I have dined there (unlike here in NZ). I blame our minimum wage for this cock-up in NZ. (high restaurant prices/poor service)

Most people that are against this are not very well traveled, and don't really understand how bad our hospitality industry really is.

I dont believe we should drop the minimum wage completely, just give waiters/waitresses the opportunity to earn a little more for working harder, and bettering their customer service. Currently they all get paid the same rate if they offer outstanding service or not <=== thats a problem.

Linuxluver

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#1786506 23-May-2017 10:32

trig42:

I will tip if I have received what I believe to be good service at a restaurant. If the Waitperson has done a great job, I will tip them directly ($10 or $20 cash for them), or if the whole place has been brilliant, I will tip when I pay for the meal.

I don't do it every time I eat out, and would hate to have that expectation. If they want to make tipping more widespread, are they going to allow lower hourly rates? Where does it stop? Restaurants, Hotels, Taxis, Uber...

I think the Uber Driver contract specifically forbids tipping.

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Linuxluver

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#1786507 23-May-2017 10:32

timmmay:

NZ is already a pretty expensive place to eat out. Mandatory tipping would make it moreso, because minimum wage won't go away.

I will tip for exceptional service, but that's rare. NZers aren't good at service.

Depends on where you. I tend to go places that have good service.

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Geektastic

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#1786508 23-May-2017 10:34

I'd prefer tax to be stated more separately like it is in the US as I think it would help people see just how much we pay.

If I thought tipping would improve service I wouldn't object, but I think we would get the same poor service, just for more money.

Linuxluver

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#1786510 23-May-2017 10:36

kobiak:

I will move if they bring tipping culture to NZ.

It's common to see tips request in major AKL restaurants already, and it's scary move.

Our above average and some average bars/cafes/restaurants overpriced already by a lot. $12 for a pint? WTFenomenal?

When we were in US for holidays, I hated every single second in restaurant/cafe during pay time.

And 2 times I hit boiling points:

- breakfast in SF, walked to cafe, had to order on counter, 2 coffees and light meals, paying on the counter with card and first screen asked for tipping, 3 options, 10%, 12% and 15%. I was lost fo good 5 seconds and clicked cancel thinking that I will be moved to next screen to pay, but NOPE. I asked lady if I can move to payment without tipping. She gave me the LOOK of the lifetime. Like I asked her something inappropriate. She told me I need to pay cash if I don't want to tip. Faarrrout

- late night in SF (1-2am), boozed with friends and on the way to hotel stopped at 24/7 eatery. Ordered some club sandwiches, price was $9.99. I gave lady $10 and walked to the side to wait for order. She asked for extra money as tax not included. Faaarrrout. She told me how much, I gave it to her. She asked again if I wanna tip? Faaarrrout, Noooo.

I hope none of them did anything nasty to my meals :)

But I don't want this in NZ, please NO!

Adding the sales tax at point of sale is common in North America....and the norm in Canada anywhere. It's to do with the Constitution not allowing provinces to levy "indirect" taxes, so legally they must add it at the till when you pay...and it can't be embedded in the price on the sticker / label. Plus, in Canada, they also have a federal GST which CAN be embedded in the price......making it even more complicated. Don't know if this is the same sort of thing ni the US......must be, or the sales tax would be in the prices. Plus each state or province will have a different rate of tax - or none at all - so doing business nationally is complex and more difficult.

It's times like that you begin to realise how simple and easy life in NZ is........including doing business. All the crap we were fed about "high costs" was just that: crap. NZ is cheap...and relatively easy.

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