Tip

From Freepedia

(Redirected from Gratuities)
For other uses, see Tip (disambiguation).

A tip (also known as a gratuity) is that amount of payment to certain service sector professionals which is in addition to the advertised bill or fee. These payments and their size are a matter of social custom.

There are no universal rules or obligations concerning whether to tip (tip is both a noun and a verb), who to tip or how much. Tipping varies from culture to culture and by service industry. In some situations tipping can be considered rude or demeaning. In other situations it can be considered very stingy not to give a tip. Giving a very small tip can be considered worse than giving nothing, and can be used as a deliberate snub.

Some establishments forbid their employees to accept tips. Others pool tips and divide them to include employees who don't have customer contact. In some jurisdictions, tipped workers qualify for a lower statutory minimum wage from the employer, who must make up any deficiency in tips.

Bribery may be disguised as tipping (leading to social customs such as police officers never accepting tips to combat this pattern).

Contents

Tipping by region

Australia

In Australia, tipping is traditionally not common and, beyond the hospitality industry, almost all service providers will never expect a tip. Employers pay a sufficient wage and do not expect employees to supplement their income with tips. However tipping is becoming increasingly common at some establishments (particularly restaurants, cafes, upmarket hotels, and nightclubs) in larger cities such as Sydney or Melbourne, for good to exceptional service. In recent decades, tip jars have increasingly become common in hospitality establishments, even in suburban areas of these cities. However, even in these establishments, tipping is often still seen as being an optional personal choice.

Austria

In Austria, waiters receive sufficient wages. Tipping is however very common and although legally not mandatory it is often considered as socially obligatory. Giving 5% to 10% of the total amount is common, more signals exceptionally good service. Paying a multiple of a Euro is usual, for low sums the amount payed is often a multiple of 50 Cents (i.e. a bill of Euro 7.80 can be payed as Euro 8 or Euro 8.50). Giving no tip at all is considered impolite and should only be used when the service was bad. Tipping is common in any bar and restaurant, but not when the goods are exchanged over the counter (i.e. in fast-food restaurants or at street stalls). Traditionally, the owner of a restaurant (known as "Wirt" in German) does not receive a tip. However, this tradition is less common nowadays.

Finland and Taiwan

In Finland and Taiwan tipping is practically unheard of except when a customer wants to show appreciation for exceptionally good service.

Germany

In Germany, sufficient wages are paid to most service employees. However, in bars, restaurants and taxicabs tips are expected to be 5% to 10% of the total amount if the guest was satisfied with the service. When the bill is presented, pay any multiple of a Euro. Replying with a new total "nice" figure and asking for change in full Euros, no Cents, is okay.

Ireland

In the Republic of Ireland, tipping is not very established as a custom, though has become much more commonplace as a result of increased wealth through the Celtic Tiger. Very few employees in the service industry will expect a tip or be insulted if one is not provided. Similar to the UK, it is not customary to tip bar staff, though often waiters in pubs (known as Lounge Girls/Boys) are tipped a token amount. It is not usual to tip in a restaurant when a service charge is included (which is the norm), except in the case of exceptional service. Where no service charge is indicated, a tip of about 10% is appropriate for good service.

Japan

Tipping is not the custom in Japan and it is almost never done.

Malaysia

Tipping is not customarily done in Malaysia.

Mauritius

Even though tipping is not the custom in Mauritius, individuals will gratefully accept any tips you give them for their exceptional service.

New Zealand

Tipping as of habit is not part of New Zealand culture and is often treated with suspicion or actively frowned upon. Despite this, some forms of tipping are quite common, such as rounding up a taxi fare. It is almost as likely, however, that the taxi driver will round the fare down. Occasionally tips are given in a restaurant for exceptional service.

Some anti-tipping groups have voiced concern that the influence of the tourism industry will increase the amount of tipping in New Zealand, and North American tourists are sometimes specifically requested not to tip.

Singapore

Tipping is not required in Singapore and even taxis will usually return your change to the last cent, or even round in your favor if they can't be bothered to dig for change.

Spain

In Spain, expected tips at restaurants are usually from 5% to 10% of the total amount.

Sweden and Norway

In Sweden the service charge is included in the bill, but a small tip may be given as a sign of approval of the service.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, tipping is an established custom but is less widespread than in the USA, and the expected percentage lower, rarely any more than 10%. Notable distinctions include pub/bar staff, where no tip is expected (though regulars occasionally offer to buy a drink for a bartender in a pub).

In Northern England and Scotland, a tip is almost never given; with the single exception being restaurants.

United States and Canada

In the United States and Canada, these people are likely to expect to be tipped:

As a rule, the proprietor/owner of a business would not expect an additional tip.

Gratuity is generally 10–20%. Many restaurants will automatically add a gratuity of around 15–18% to the bill for large parties (often defined as 8 or more people)—if this is done the amount should be clearly indicated on the check as a "gratuity" or "service charge". In this case no additional tip need be added to the total.

Sometimes, this information on the menu can serve as a guide to patrons. If a diner is unsure of how much to tip a server, often the gratuity stated on the menu is the appropriate percentage to apply.

In some large cities, especially New York, the staff of apartment buildings, such as building superintendents, porters, concierges and doormen, expect an annual tip from residents during the winter holiday season. The amount to tip varies on the occupation of the person receiving the tip and the size and wealth of the building; most residents typically budget $75 to $200 in total each year for building holiday tips. Building staff also expect tips for performing services not normally part of their jobs, such as watering a plant or running an errand.

At the beginning of Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs, there is a small argument amongst the five thieves when Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi) claims he tips people when they "really deserve a tip," and that as a person rule, he doesn't tip people because society tells him he has to.

Etymology

The Oxford English Dictionary states that it is derived from the English thieves' slang word tip, meaning “to pass from one to another”. The notion of a stock tip or racing tip is from the same slang.

Another possible source for this term is a concept from Judaism that it is a chiyuv (obligation) for a seller to "tip the scales" in favor of the customer. The Torah says, "Nosen lo girumov (Give to him a tip)." For example, if your customer has asked for three pounds of onions, you should measure out the three pounds plus one extra onion, tipping the scale in his favor [1].

An urban legend states that the word "tip" is an acronym for terms such as "to insure prompt service" and "to insure promptness". However, in addition to using "insure" when "ensure" is meant, this etymology contradicts the Oxford English Dictionary. [2]

External links

Retrieved from "http://en.freepedia.org/Tip.html"


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