I just came back from a trip to the US and was surprised by how quickly stuff is being served and how helpful people are in general compared to what we have here in Europe.

In an NYC Diner we got served coffee within 60 seconds of getting a seat and got served our breakfast for three within ~4-5 minutes tops. Hotel staff was helpful and restaurant waiters were attentive and helpful with our off the menu requests (we have a kid travelling with us).

I just had a lunch here at home and it took waiters 10 minutes to notice us and 40 minutes to bring a burger. JFC, place was half empty with terrace not even working due to weather.

Having said that I was surprised by the rampant extortion of tips for EVERYTHING in the US and what really triggered me demanding tips BEFORE service. Don't get me wrong I don't mind tipping if that's the local culture, but why ask for tip upfront for stuff that is not a service rendered (eg websites?) or for something that does not involve any deviation of behavior (i'm looking at you Shake Shack. Demanding tip for pouring a lemonade?) or eg buying a book in a museum - why should I tip you 20% of the value of the book?

What's your take on this jsp. Where is this all going.

New yorkers have a particular attitude or lifestyle.
I think you would see a contrast if you went down to some of the southern states.
During my time living in houston, things were very laid back, which was a contrast for the other major cities of that partiuclar state.

A lot of people don't like Tipping. For a long time workers like waiters and waitresses made a living off tips.
I think now you'll find more people being for paying better so the customer doesn't have to tip.

The idea of working one of those jobs, usually a service job, tipping has been indoctrinated to go along with it.

Employers should pay their employees fairly for the job they perform. It should no long be up to the consumer to make up the difference.
Now, as an employee you shouldn't expect $20 an hour to pour a frigin lemonade and flip a burger.

Those low training jobs are meant for high schoolers and people just starting out.
They're not meant for someone in their 40s who thinks they deserve higher pay.

The fact that employers are being pushed to pay these kinds of workers more, Leaves LESS job opportunity for people just starting out or high schoolers.
How tips were meant to be, is these people made little because these jobs are for noobs and thus if they performed their job well for the consumer, the consumer rewarded them with a tip.
Now every place expects you to tip, even if they perform shit.

This post was edited by Mondain on Jul 27 2023 07:02am

Maybe things work a little differently in New York since it is a big tourist destination but I don't think I've ever actually been asked for a tip in other parts of the US or in Canada.

There is usually an option to tip when paying with card at many places but I don't feel like it is pushed really, if anyone ever asked for a tip I definitely wouldn't give them one though, demanding one would have me complaining to management and I never do that sort of thing.

What part of Canada are you in? I live very remotely so when I travel I can really see contrasts from years before and I'd say in the last three years tipping has been added everywhere.

Not only that there's a use of guilt now. The machines in restaurants have labels like 18% poor service. 20% okay service 25 good service 30% excellent service.

15% used to be the max and now machines when you go to select are basically saying your spitting on them by selecting such a low amount.

Tim hortons has tipping, booster juice, everything.

I've straight up been to self serve places that have a tip option. Airports are over the top too. Always have been but now the machines have presets for 50% at some resurants.

This post was edited by SBD on Jul 27 2023 07:36am

expect good service. wont do business with a place that expects a tip or brings up the topic of a tip. get up and walk out (live in cali)

This post was edited by TiStuff on Jul 27 2023 07:46am

Toronto here, confirming your entire post for Toronto and the suburbs, no idea what rock dizzy been under

This post was edited by 18nomaUSEast on Jul 27 2023 07:47am

Pseudo-mandatory tipping makes no sense

A tip is supposed to be a bonus for good service

Atlantic but its the same everywhere in Canada I've been, as well as the US. There is an option to tip but I've never been asked.



Lol thankfully not the same one as you.

I've lived in 8 provinces and 31 states in the past decade

Everywhere prompts for tips

Even the most backwoods of states still asks for tips (via receipt where you do the math and sign)

What if i refuse to give a tip before the service happened? I get kicked out of the restaurant or do they spit on the food?