Also, not allowing tips? That's the first time I heard of something like that. This is understandable in lower-class fast-food - you're not expected to tip since you get zero service, but in a café?
Also, not allowing tips? That's the first time I heard of something like that. This is understandable in lower-class fast-food - you're not expected to tip since you get zero service, but in a café?
Tipping is non-standard outside of the US. Most restaurants in Asia have a policy against individual tipping, since it's already formally included in the Service Charge. The gist of it being that tipping may cause "preferential treatment" that can be a cause for unfair distribution of wealth among the equally hard-working workforce.
Tipping is non-standard outside of the US. Most restaurants in Asia have a policy against individual tipping, since it's already formally included in the Service Charge. The gist of it being that tipping may cause "preferential treatment" that can be a cause for unfair distribution of wealth among the equally hard-working workforce.
I live on the other side of the globe from the US, though :3
In Russia, I've never seen a "service charge" in the check, it's sort of included into the prices already, but you're still expected to leave about 10% as a tip, unless it's a fast-food-ish type of place. But it's mostly courtesy, and no one will say a word if you leave less or don't do that at all, though it can get you a nice glare from whoever serviced you. I don't see any harm in tipping a bit more if I'm pleased with how they work, or don't tipping at all if they do their work half-assed, thus (hopefully) influencing staff attitudes in the future; that's why I was surprised.
The reason that tipping is a big deal in the US is because waiters/waitresses are paid about half (if even that) of the working wage and are expected to declare their tips as standard income. In other countries servers are paid the full wage, so tipping is seen as unnecessary.
Tapper said: In other countries servers are paid the full wage, so tipping is seen as unnecessary.
Even if it is seen as "unnecessary" I just can't get over the fact that restuarants and other places actually have a rule in place to not accept. Throughout my visits to Japan I've honestly tried to even "under the table" tip my waiters or waitresses directly (rather than leaving money on the table) and they just literally woudln't take for fear that I'm smuggling drugs or something.
I just don't understand the logic of refusing extra money for good service. If I recieve better than average service and whoever was serving definitely went above and beyond what his or her's fellow employees would do, I would tip to let them know that their extra mile of work has not gone unnoticed because for me, not all servers are created equal.
It honestly sounds like communism to me if the establishment is afraid of "unfair treatment" because they want all there workers to be treated "the same". Maybe in a perfect world all your employees would give it their all, but that definitely doesn't happen no matter what side of the globe you are at. You get bad servers and good servers. Bad hotel room service and good hotel room service.
Also "equally hard-working workforce"? Yea, that is definitely a laugh from me.
Even if it is seen as "unnecessary" I just can't get over the fact that restuarants and other places actually have a rule in place to not accept. Throughout my visits to Japan I've honestly tried to even "under the table" tip my waiters or waitresses directly (rather than leaving money on the table) and they just literally woudln't take for fear that I'm smuggling drugs or something.
As I recall, the mindset in Japan is that you're already paying for (and presumably receiving) good service. Tipping is thus considered a sort of insult to the establishment. It implies that 1) the restaurant doesn't pay the employee enough and 2) other workers aren't providing sufficient service. While either may be true, it's rude to imply it via tipping, and implication counts for a lot in Japan. A better course of action might simply be to thank the worker, or even compliment them to their boss. (Again, it's group above individual, so I'd say you'd want to mention something like how the worker's efforts reflect well on the establishment.)
Must be different in different parts of Russia then)
I live in Far East and I have never, ever leaved a tip, saw someone do it or even heard about someone doing it except on TV. Then again, it's Far East, strong Asian influence here. But yeah, service charge is sort of included into the prices already so there is no need "service charge" in check.
As I recall, the mindset in Japan is that you're already paying for (and presumably receiving) good service. Tipping is thus considered a sort of insult to the establishment. It implies that 1) the restaurant doesn't pay the employee enough and 2) other workers aren't providing sufficient service. While either may be true, it's rude to imply it via tipping, and implication counts for a lot in Japan. A better course of action might simply be to thank the worker, or even compliment them to their boss. (Again, it's group above individual, so I'd say you'd want to mention something like how the worker's efforts reflect well on the establishment.)
It's also true in many SE Asian countries. Well, each establishment also have their own policies for tipping, but it's generally not a social norm to hand out tips. Bigger, well-known establishments already have a service charge incorporated into the bill (and clearly marked as such) since good service is considered part of the job, not an extra. Waiters/waitresses are also required to provide good service as a bare minimum, not an extra.
Unless the restaurant owner has an American mindset, you won't be finding tipping being encouraged when going around SE Asia.
Must be different in different parts of Russia then)
I live in Far East and I have never, ever leaved a tip, saw someone do it or even heard about someone doing it except on TV. Then again, it's Far East, strong Asian influence here. But yeah, service charge is sort of included into the prices already so there is no need "service charge" in check.
Yeah, I live around Urals, so I wouldn't be surprised if it was different :3 I think it is more widespread in Moscow, though I'm not sure about when our region joined that mindset, since I didn't really have any money to go to restaurants until few years ago.
If anything in Malaysia tipping is rare, usually as a small thanks for their hard work. I am reminded of my former work supervisor who said: "If you are offered such after giving a customer a nice service, take it, it's their thanks."
Thank you for waiting.Tipping is not allowed at this restaurant, you see.Just how desperate are you?That's it!Thank you.What if we pretend you were offering "alms"?Are you telling me to take back what I've already put out?
Tip
Miss Customer, it's troublesome when you take such liberties.Right then, I'll give you a tip.Hurray..yarruH