To tip or not to tip

Meadow · #1 (**permalink**) 29-06-2008, 10:07 AM

When we arrived i had already heard from other expats that you dont tip.
Our Kiwi pals said, nah dont tip
But it feels weird.
Ive tried it and it doesnt feel right,then ive tipped and they sort of get shocked and try give you it back and it gets uncomfortable.
Then ive seen other pop it right into a tip jar.
Taxis ive only used once and it was really expensive and the man wasnt exactly pleasant,so no worries not tipping him.
But hairdresssers,i dont know what to do there.We tipped mine and she tried to give me it back
My daughter didnt tip hers and she looked kinda like she expected to be tipped,which made us feel awkward
Has anyone else experienced this? And do you tip or not?
Cheers

Taffy · #2 (**permalink**) 29-06-2008, 10:38 AM

In general, tips are not expected. I've been to some places where there are signs up saying 'we dont expect tips but they are always nice'. I think it's best to reserve tipping for exceptional service rather than expected service, and if they don't want it then don't worry about it!

Cliff · #3 (**permalink**) 29-06-2008, 11:06 AM

I lived in Las Vegas for many years where tipping is expected and a away of life. It felt strange for me too but I got used to it. As an employee of a casino you were mandated to tip if the service was at the casino. You would get reimbursed on your expense report. It was a way of life.

The biggest thing you will do here is build an expectation of servers to begin to expect it so please don't. You can tip for exceptional service if you want but not the norm.

Servers in others countries use the pay for taxes and live on the tips. Here in NZ the wage is enough to live on so tips while aren't required but appreciated.

Tipping isn't here and I hope doesn't come. I will allow some servers to comment as well.

Cheers and expecting some backlash

Cliff

Dawn · #4 (**permalink**) 29-06-2008, 11:37 AM

I certainly agree Cliff. Tipping should be a personal choice and personally if I get the slightest impression from anyone that they expect a tip, they definitely won't get one - I hate presumption. Anyone who goes above and beyond or who is extremely professional, efficient or extra helpful I may tip but they're also the people that don't expect it because they think they're just doing their job in the first place. Good manners and polite service shouldn't be tipped I feel, simply because it's part of the job description eh? I don't tip someone for doing what they should be doing anyway. And it works the opposite way as well, if someone doesn't do what they're supposed to be doing or the product or service isn't up to scratch they can expect to hear about it from me - politely of course.

So, for me, it's a personal choice. And Meadow, you really shouldn't allow anyone to make you feel bad for not giving them a tip, as I say it's your choice. YOU and yours work hard for the money that's in your wallet and YOU nd yours decide whom you share it with. Anyone who tries to take that choice from you with expectation, definitely shouldn't be tipped because they're not respecting your freedom of choice. Simple

MotherBear · #5 (**permalink**) 29-06-2008, 03:03 PM

I go along with Dawn and Cliff. I feel these people are paid to do a job and to do it properly. I have no objection to tipping if someone goes out of their way to provide a good service, but that's about it. If we tip x, y and z for doing their job, then we have to tip a, b and c as well, so where does it stop? Do we tip our doctor or dentist for doing a good job or the petrol attendant or the checkout girl? I don't see why we should tip one sector but not others - they're all just doing what they're paid to do.

I've heard it said 'Oh, but these people rely on tips because they don't get paid much'. Why would an employer pay more if he knows his staff are living off their tips? It lets him off the hook and perpetuates the payment of poor wages. If wages were poor and there was no prospect of being tipped, potential employees would be looking elsewhere for a job. Perhaps that would encourage the employer to ask himself what he's doing wrong.