The History of Tipping

BILLSHRINK THE HISTORY OF TIPPING WHERE DOES TIPPING COME FROM? Some say the term comes from English pubs in the 18th Century. It's said that urns were displayed with the label "To Insure TO INSURE PROMPTITUDE Promptitude", in which patrons could place their money for better service. Giving money to servants for better service quickly spread across Europe. Many visitors expressed amazement when they visited America and found most waiters and coachmen thought of themselves as employees, not servants. As such, they would not accept tips from the travellers. Tipping slowly began to be accepted, and by the 1910s about five million workers in the United States, more than 10% of the labor force, had tip-taking occupations. IN 2003 TIPS FROM U.S. RESTAURANTS REACHED ALMOST $26 BILLION DO SOME PEOPLE TIP MORE THAN OTHERS? AFRICAN AMERICAN PATRONS A STUDY FOUND THAT Expectations of a lower tip from 63% OF AFRICAN AMERICANS DIDN'T African-American patrons can lead to poor service, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy for the UNDERSTAND THE STANDARD CAUCASIAN PATRONS RESTAURANT TIP IS 15-20% COMPARED TO 30% OF CAUCASIANS. restaurant-goers. WHY DO PEOPLE TIP? Pressure from fellow patrons. Perceived pressure from employees. Desire to impress others. People often feel embarassed if they don't tip. To encourage good service in the future. Fearful of food-tampering in future visits. People feel that a better tip will encourage better service the next time they visit. Desire to show gratitude for good service. Desire to conform to social norms. People want to feel good about themsleves by fulfilling society's social contract. HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU TIP? Hair Cutter Manicurist About $1, depending on price 15% - A minimum of $1 Cab Driver 15% of fare, round up Waiter at buffet-style restaurant Help with bags $1 per bag, $2 if heavy 5-10%, depending on how much is done Flower delivery Large delivery $5-10 per person $4-5, or more if heavy or large Gas station attendant Pizza delivery $1-2 for pumping gas $4-10, more for long distances or bad weather Cleaning glass $2-5, less if you need to ask Parking attendant Around $1 Waiter/Waitress 15-20+% of the bill, tip more if you have a large group of people Bartender 10-15% of the bar bill Wedding hair/makeup 15-25%, depending on quality of service Wedding musicians $15-25 per musician Good DJs $50-100, tip more for taking requests HOW CAN YOU GET BETTER TIPS? According to research there are O reliable ways for waiters and waitresses to increase their tips. 1 Give name to customers. 2 Squat next to customer's table. 3 Touch the customer. 4 Give after-dinner mint to customer. SOURCE: FINANCIAL TIMES One simple method of increasing tips, drawing a smiley face on the bill, increases a 20% XXXXX 15 XXXXXX $$ 10 2$ XXXX 5 $$$$ waitress's tip by 18% but decreases a -5 waiter's tip by 9%. -10 SOURCE: FINANCIAL TIMES