They charge more.
3 Likes
Actually, I believe the charges are lower, when Iāve been traveling internationally. Once you pay tips in the US, you often pay more, some times MUCH more!
3 Likes
I guess YMMV on that. That hasnāt been my experience anywhere Iāve travelled abroad.
Dominoās is tired of the tip culture, so if you tip their drivers, they tip you back!!
Oh, sorry - thatās marketing!!! But they are using peopleās disgust to their advantage - I assume itās an advantage or they wouldnāt keep running it.
1 Like
Thereās a new law in Michigan for tipped wages. I admit that I havenāt looked into it very closely but it raises the minimum wage for tipped workers.
What Iām not liking is all these restaurants going on their facebook pages complaining about the law. Saying if this law goes into effect, they will have to raise prices and may go out of business.
Who knew that paying employees a living wage might increase your prices? 
1 Like
I donāt know if youāve ever worked in a tipped position, but the majority who have know the employees would rather be tipped than paid a fair wage. Theyād rather have some control and be able to work harder, and work harder shifts, to be able to make a lot of money in a limited time. My daughtersā paycheckās could be $2 after taxes, but they could make enough money in three shifts a week to pay rent and food in college. Most do not make a career out of a serving position. My 23 year old in in lake George for a few day, visiting a friend, and is working at least three shifts because sheās so broke after her non paid clinical this summer.
1 Like
I think the tipping (lol) point is that the customer is feeling that the system is confusing and opaque.
I think almost all can agree that we would like every worker to be paid a working wage able to support themselves.
As the customer we are being bombarded by requests. Are they so that the worker can be paid a living wage? Are they compulsory? Can they be declined? And in what capacity?
Thatās all Iām asking for. Clarity
2 Likes
We are on a safari where everything, including having your laundry done, meals and tips, is included. Their literature emphasizes this, though the do say you are welcome to tip above and beyond if you want to. Well, Iāve put away my wallet since we donāt need it, but when the gentleman dropped for the laundry I think he was expecting a tip and I didnāt have easy access to my wallet. Now feel badly, but if I ask the front desk which tall thin gentleman dropped off our laundry , that doesnāt exactly narrow it down much around here in Tanzania. So I shouldnāt feel badly, but I do. He did have to walk a ways (the rooms are spread out all over the property). So tipping again has me puzzled. I amy make an effort when we go to dinner, Not sure. Adding a photo of the bird sitting on the tree above our deck.
6 Likes
The reality is though, if their costs increase (wages go up) then theyāll either have to eat the difference, find cost savings elsewhere or increase their prices. I donāt hold that against the business owner.
1 Like
Hmm, on our safaris, everything was included at the game lodges during the stay, but the literature in the rooms at two different places made it quite clear that a very large gratuity at the end of the stay is appreciated (expected). They gave suggested percentage of the cost of the stay, which is steep. They spread the tip out between the guides, trackers, and resort staff.
1 Like
I agree with @HImom , we noticed the last two trips to Italy, France, Portugal and Spain that the food cost were lower or in the case of France equivalent. Wine and beer prices were noticeably less.
This weekend I had three incidents where rips were asked for. First was a Mexican restaurant that you go up and order, they serve the food to you on real plates. I tipped 15% I think the options were 10,15, 20 or custom. I felt it was deserved as they do provide a version of table service. The 2nd was a tiny pizzeria. You go up and order and they bring it to you. The young woman was helpful, they have real plates and utensils. I canāt recall tip options. I felt okay being asked to tip but it wasnāt like the service of the spot the day before. Third was a soft serve ice cream place. I declined to tip and stuck a dollar in the jar.
We used to go weekly to a place where you went up and ordered but they brought food and drinks to you. It was our go to spot for years. High quality food at a reasonable price. They would flip the screen but tell you tip was optional.
2 Likes
Adding I used to tip my esthetician but she has now told me no tip is necessary. She is her own boss.
Iāll have to find it, but there is some meme that says something along the lines of ātipping is everywhere these days, even my cat is asking for a tip.ā
interesting. thanks. Havenāt seen any literature here. And we will have no bill for incidentals so dont have a lodge bill to pay.Any thoughts?
Iām sure it is more profitable for them as patrons are likely more generous than the business owner - heās got us subsidizing his business. Just trying to wrap my head around this no income tax on tips. I realize when the tips are on credit cards and and the business owner splits them among all, they have to report for tax purposes but do the individual workers report cash tips or all tip share and report?
And Iād be okay with that as I think a lot of people would, as long as the business owner is pulling his own weight and providing benefits as well. I get this may knock out some small local shops, maybe there needs to be a requirement for the large chain restaurants or those who service over a certain number of patrons have a no tip policy and charge more. Let the little local guy continue with tipping. I really have no idea what Iām talking about, kind of thinking out loud but just the mention of this possible change, ticked off my hubby and got me wondering.
On our safari in North Tanzania we only tipped the guide/driver who was excellent. He was our guide throughout the two week trip. I believe this was in the FAQ from the parent company, or maybe a suggestion from friends who used this company before us. We tipped in cash.
It was an amazing trip. Enjoy!!!
Thanks. That sounds similar to what our parent companyās instructions, burner have a little bit to the staff here last night and today. Figure they need it more than we do.
There is a formula they use to assume a certain amount of cash tips. Keep in mind servers usually have to tip out bus boys and bartenders, and many make servers pool tips. Iāve heard of restaurants going no tips and charging higher prices, but havenāt heard of any successful with that model here in the US. Probably hard to staff.
1 Like
It sounds like your situation is different. Iām sure they would have made it clear if they really expected anything.