Sorry, Jemingway. Scientific inquiry always trumps blind acceptance of cultural norms. Automatic tipping LOWERS good service and increases costs. An employee should ONLY be tipped for providing excellent service and they need to know that they will be operating under this system. That is the only way to insure that tips are appropriate.
The next time you go to a store, be sure to give the cashier a 15% tip for stocking the shelves and keeping the store clean. (They do this as well as their regular job duties.)
The next time you use a gas station restroom that happens to be filthy, be sure to give the attendant $7.50 per person per use since they are SUPPOSED to keep it clean.
The ONLY way to "stiff" the crew is to fail to tip if they provide excellent service. If they don't and you have chosen the automatic route, YOU are the one getting stiffed!
Nope, give ME the envelopes. I will tip appropriately and not out of a sense of guilt, a sense of duty, or because it is a custom.
That's complete BS. Show me your "scientific" research. Are you suggesting that we have scientists studying waiters? Besides, you're conveniently missing the point. Even if you are correct, it's just another excuse to stiff the crew and crow about how you've got a few extra dollars in your pocket. Personally, I can afford to tip. You're "tipping appropriately" is just so you will feel better about stiffing them. This is not about the philosophy of tipping. that debate is just one more excuse not to tip.
I still feel that most of this thread is one rationalization after another for stiffing the crew.
No, I would not stiff the crew - except if the service has been abominable. Likewise for service I don't use (like the wine steward - we don't drink) But even with the mandatory tips, we still like to give those who deserve it, what we feel they deserve (usually a bit more)
What my complaint has been is that the ships (HAL in particular) force you to reward the undeserving as well as the deserving.
No, I would not stiff the crew - except if the service has been abominable. Likewise for service I don't use (like the wine steward - we don't drink) But even with the mandatory tips, we still like to give those who deserve it, what we feel they deserve (usually a bit more)
What my complaint has been is that the ships (HAL in particular) force you to reward the undeserving as well as the deserving.
Please understand that I don't disagree with any of the complaints about mandatory tipping. I just don't think anyone should use that complaint as an excuse to not tip the crew. No extra is necessary. If there was truly bad service, the automatic gratuity should be removed and someone should be notified about the poor service. I think the automatic tipping has been put in place in part(note "part") because so many passengers don't tip at all, when it is left up to them.
Jemingway - Since you appear to know so much about me and my practices of stiffing the staff, may I suggest you do your own research and enlighten yourself? I doubt you would believe the empirical studies (MANY have been done) anyway. Try a Vivisimo search if you are unsure how to look up empirical studies.
I do not find fault with your desire to tip. I merely point out that I do not need some corporation forcing me to tip a set amount. I tip quite generously but ONLY when the staff member has provided good to excellent service. I refuse to tip when I do not receive service.
You will never change my mind nor I yours.
You say that I only "tip appropriately" so I will feel better when I stiff the staff. I say you only tip automatically because you think it is the appropriate thing to do, so you don't feel guilty, or because you want to feel superior. The latter is the reason I believe you tip since you attempt to show superiority with the words, "Personally, I can afford to tip".
Jemingway - Since you appear to know so much about me and my practices of stiffing the staff, may I suggest you do your own research and enlighten yourself? I doubt you would believe the empirical studies (MANY have been done) anyway. Try a Vivisimo search if you are unsure how to look up empirical studies.
I do not find fault with your desire to tip. I merely point out that I do not need some corporation forcing me to tip a set amount. I tip quite generously but ONLY when the staff member has provided good to excellent service. I refuse to tip when I do not receive service.
You will never change my mind nor I yours.
You say that I only "tip appropriately" so I will feel better when I stiff the staff. I say you only tip automatically because you think it is the appropriate thing to do, so you don't feel guilty, or because you want to feel superior. The latter is the reason I believe you tip since you attempt to show superiority with the words, "Personally, I can afford to tip".
We are done with this conversation.
Yes, I see what you are saying. I also apologize to you for the tone of my reply. I think if I met you on a cruise, we would probably hit it off much better than we did here. But I agree, the conversation is over.
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