In Reply to: Aussies tend not to tip .. posted by Heatherbelle on Wednesday, 1. February 2006 at 17:36 Bali Time:
Rather than give Heather a belting, read it with an allpoints view.
The question is being asked by an American who by nature will tip for all service, good or bad, due to the nature of their labour market.
Australians do not tip in a big way at home, especially if the food and or service are crap.
Heather explained herself quite well I thought, but for some reason we all feel this instant indignation when someone doesn't throw money around in the same way as someone else might. Human nature maybe?
Tipping is great. But remember what it is there for.
Ponder this for a moment.
If tips became the 'Norm' in Bali and every one tipped at a level commensurate to where they come from and not where they are at the time, how long before some restaurateurs start asking their staff just to work for tips?
The US would seem to be a prime example.
There is already a strong culture of having 'Trainees' work for nothing more than a meal at many places, so how long before we help them on to the next step?
I'm all for tipping guys. Some deserve it, some don't.
If you are doing it, make it for the right reasons.
Tipping because it's expected may lead many of these young people down a path that we shouldn't be pushing them.
When you do tip, do the person a favour, explain that the tip is for their great service and if the food was great give them part of the tip to share with the kitchen staff.
They will appreciate the words as much as the money.
Don't we all value praise?
You can't eat it, but it will get you through a few days of work with a smile and a swagger. That alone may be what gets you the next tip and the next bit of praise.
All I ask, is that before busting someones chops on subjects like this, that we think of the consequences of what we do and say.
Your opinion is exactly that, YOURS
And this was mine ;-)
CBE
Cracker ;-)