tipping

[Brocksmom]

Sometimes I wonder just how much to tip for certain things. I went to the commissary(they have baggers that work for tips only) I usually only give $2. I think I read somewhere that it should be .25 a bag. Sometimes I walk out of the store w/ 15-20 bags depending on how they bag(sometimes the bags about ready to bust open and other could fit 10 more items) so that would add up to about $4-$5. That seems alot to bag groceries and load them in my car(plus I usually help out)
Then as far as dining out, I remember 10% now I think it's more like 15%-20%.
What about getting you nails done? I usually give $3. And for a haircut I usually give $3-$5
I have no idea what is the right amount I don't want to look like a cheap skate but sometimes it just doesn't seem a high tip is worthy?
What does everyone else do?

[Linda]

Some restaurants have a "built in tipping" so I would check.

Everthing else you describe is a hard one for me too ???If a kid is bagging for me AND takes it out to the car I usually give a couple of dollars,BUT some establishments do not allow tipping.

So I am right there with you

[finnmom]

Hmmm, I only give tip on restaurant´s but I dont use store´s that have someone bagging for you(not common in here, we have to bac them ourself´s )

I usually give about 15% in restaurant´s...

[tridlette]

I figure 15% in a restaraunt as a base, and then add or subtract depending on the service, the food and the type of restaraunt. Sometimes I figure $1 per person at the table.

I've never heard of tipping the bagger, but then again, I grew up in the sticks of New England!

Hair and nails I usually give $2-3 unless they do a better than usual job.

My mother refuses to pay ANYONE more than 10%... because you only tithe 10% to God, so "why would you pay a mere mortal anything more?" Interesting, thought provoking, and probably not a bad rule to live by... but then the "cheap skate" feeling hits again. If I can't afford 15-20%, I can easily excuse myself based on the tithing rule!

[Brocksmom]

tridlette said:

My mother refuses to pay ANYONE more than 10%... because you only tithe 10% to God, so "why would you pay a mere mortal anything more?" Interesting, thought provoking, and probably not a bad rule to live by... but then the "cheap skate" feeling hits again. If I can't afford 15-20%, I can easily excuse myself based on the tithing rule!

Ya know I never thought of it like that. Very thought provoking. I think I might use that reasoning...it makes sense to me

[Allanque]

None of the supermarkets here allow you to tip the person carrying the bags. In restaurants, I normally figure out the 15%, then round up to the nearest dollar unless service was either exceptional or flat out bad

Tridlette - if she's tithing 10% to the church, that would be of her total wealth and not the amount she's being charged. I bet the amount she ends up tipping is less than 10% of her total wealth, even if she did tip 15% for everything.

[AnneM]

Hmmm ..... the "general guidance" here for restaurants is 10% ... Hairdresser I normally give £2-£3 and about £1.50 to the young girl or guy who washes it ....

Baggers at the supermarket ?... generally these are only used when someone is disabled and unable to pack their own ... so I don't know but I don't think they are tipped at all ....

However we do know as a country that we are not such generous tippers as in the US ... You guys are "known" worldwide for your generous tipping !!

[Linda]

Not always Anne If I get really bad service in a restaurant....I leave 2 cents for a tip My dh can't get out of the place fast enough when I have done it. ;D ;D

The waiters and waitresses are going on the theory that men are better tippers and maybe they are sometimes....but I tip better than my dh. for good service.

[Allanque]

My mother has been known to complain to the manager about the person who was technically our waiter and hand a nice large tip to the waitress who was actually taking care of us and refilling our drinks. I bet that waiter was pissed. ;D

[dawn]

Well, one thing I know is that waiters/waitresses usually are paid less than minimum wage. Tips are a HUGE part of their income. So I tip generously for good service . Hair, nails, the pizza guy, etc. I'm not as sure of what to tip.

[finnmom]

I´ll tip generously too if we get good or great service at restaurant, then I usually pay a bit extra.

[amcfanny]

Baggers at the commissary work for tips only and you are expected to tip them. Most people I know tip the baggers 2 to 3 dollars. I heard that .25 cent a bag thing too. I hate tipping them and rarely shop at the commissary because of this. Last time I went I bought alot like you were talking about and tipped 5 bucks. I feel like any savings I make shopping there goes down the drain in tips and surcharges.

[camismom]

Hey Trid...I like your mom's tipping idea! It does makes VERY good sense! REgardless of it being 10% of your earnings/wealth...it is given for the Lord...who has done WAY more for me than a waiter, hairdresser, bag boy, etc.

My hair dresser owns her chair/spot, so all her earnings go directly to her. She has been my hair dresser for about 15 years and has gotten countless customers thru me...so I don't usually tip her...LOL!

We are not allowed to tip bag boys..and waiters and waitresses I usually give between 15 - 20% depending on the service and remembering that the tips are the true earning for them.

[Kaiti]

What is a commissary?

At our stores, sometimes there are baggers, some times there aren't. Depends on the other lines at the check outs. I usually help them bag anyhow, and if it was a couple of kids that used to work at the club I MAKE them do it and tell them that I'll complain if they don't ;D ;DThen at the club I'll give them ssomething for free from the kitchen

At resturaunts we usually do 15%. Mom met my dad when he was driving truck and she was a waitress, so I try to keep an up beat look after them. If they are really busy, I'll be patient and make nice conversation about the idiot at the table over being impatient.......just usually something like SURE IS A BUSY NIGHT. HOPE YOU GET SOME GOOD TIPS.

I don't go to the hair dressers or anything, so I have no clue about that

[tridlette]

Dear Kaiti... this is going to be al long letter...

I believe a commissary is the store on the military base, where military personnel and their dependents can shop with government discounts.

I can just see you and me together in the local diner at rush hour... on our way home from WalMart Poor nasty customers won't know what hit them

As far as NOT going to the hair dresser or nail salon... I can't say I blame you if the P-ville natives are working there! ;D

But, then again, a "professional" haircut would ruin your reputation! I went into the local $10 hair shop with Michael last week, and on a spur of the moment got my hair cut... I realized talking to the lady... the last time I got MY hair cut, was the week before my surgery in May 2004 So, I know what you mean about not getting it done... my scissors in the mirror don't cost me anything in tips... sometimes a few bandaids, but that's cheaper than 10% of $10 ;D