(January 31, 2013 at 5:07 pm)frankiej Wrote: While this guy is a bit of a prick, I don't like the idea of a set tip. If someone wants to tip, then let them tip you what they want.
I very rarely tip... I just can't really afford to. I pay for what I have bought and that is that.
Is tipping customary and necessary where you live?
It is here. Wait staff aren't paid nearly enough to live on here (often a fraction of minimum wage) and absolutely depend on tips to survive. It's customary here for large groups to be charged a minimum gratuity because a) large groups consume a large amount of wait staff's time, and b) large groups are otherwise notorious for stiffing on tips.
It's also worth noting that in the US, people who work for tips are taxed based on a percentage of the gross receipts (i.e. what they would be expected to make in tips), so not tipping doesn't just not put money in their pocket, it takes some out.
