Service charge/tip

[Blake]

FYI Blake...in case you don't know...
the average/minimum wage in jamaica is approximately $50.00us a week for a 40 hour work week...

And I think that's atrocious, because clearly there is a disconnect with what the business owners charge for a meal and what they're paying their staff then.

A huge number of people in the US live below the poverty line, that doesn't affect how I feel about the tipping culture.

If the service fee isn't optional then it's not a voluntary tip, if it's not voluntary it does nothing to promote good service.

[sbeth]

I really appreciate Rob's input on this thread!

I also wanted to share my experiences working in restaurants in the US. Your tip does not always just go to your waitstaff. As a waitress, I "tipped out" (gave a percentage of my tips) to my bartenders, bus staff and food runners. There was a required minimum for each of those individuals, although it made sense to tip out appropriately to ensure that your drinks were always ready when you needed them, etc.

[Blake]

I really appreciate Rob's input on this thread!

I also wanted to share my experiences working in restaurants in the US. Your tip does not always just go to your waitstaff. As a waitress, I "tipped out" (gave a percentage of my tips) to my bartenders, bus staff and food runners. There was a required minimum for each of those individuals, although it made sense to tip out appropriately to ensure that your drinks were always ready when you needed them, etc.

At the restaurant I worked for and eventually managed there was an unofficial tip the hostesses/host stand policy... Keeping your host stand happy means they're more efficient and get you more tables. That also applies when you're going out, dropping a $5 can get you seated A LOT faster if it's really busy.

I have no problem with wanting the wait staff to be paid appropriately, I just think the tipping culture is fundamentally flawed especially when service charges are added in.

Meal Cost+Tax+10% service fee+10-20% server tip= True meal cost.

Meal cost=True meal cost should be the standard.

Tipping does not guarantee better service especially when it's not a voluntary tip.

[walleyed99]

Crusher wrote

"You know we are all guests in their country and if this is a way for everyone to share in the profits of my visiting paradise then I am fine with that. The locals welcome us with open arms and a warm smile. I for one think that is worth something. As I stated previously we do that at the theatre here as the servers aren't the only one's responsible for the experince that we have. Same thing with the hotel, I tip waitresses, bartenders and the ladies who clean our room. I have a local who drives me around and he is like family. For the weeks that we are there I ensure he and his wife live like royalty and do everything that we do. Its the least that I can do for the love and caring they show us while we are there. I love Jamaica, calculate how much I want to spend, and darn well make sure all of its spent while we are there!"


Well said buddy!!!! As a fellow Saskatchawanian, and Canuck great post and great outlook! I agree with you as do most of us Canucks, Brits, and American friends! I will gladly pay 500J or whatever it takes on top of my bill for a service charge and then tip the server another 15 to 20% on top of it. Not cause I am a high-roller, but if I can make a difference and give a little extra why the hell not!! Plus almost everyone I have met who helped us and served us did so with a smile and made me feel more welcome in JA then I have been in my own country at any bar, pub, restaurant !!! A little thing like 500J shouldn't bother anyone, your in PARADISE!! relax, wind down, ENJOY!!!!!!!

[captaind]

And I think that's atrocious, because clearly there is a disconnect with what the business owners charge for a meal and what they're paying their staff then.

A huge number of people in the US live below the poverty line, that doesn't affect how I feel about the tipping culture.

If the service fee isn't optional then it's not a voluntary tip, if it's not voluntary it does nothing to promote good service.

Too bad you will spend your time in Jamaica being pissed off at the way it is there.

As for me and Miss G we're happy to be home and be able to pass a bit of money around.

Be happy don't worry.......

[sunray]

Many of the restaurants in Jamaica do not add a service charge. I can understand that the concept of a service charge added to your bill is a distasteful concept to many. You can never go wrong being kind to people you meet along the way, and be generous when you can. How many of us remember to thank the gardener that keeps the grounds looking so amazing, or the maintenance staff that cleans and fixes things up for our comfort?

[Blake]

Too bad you will spend your time in Jamaica being pissed off at the way it is there.

As for me and Miss G we're happy to be home and be able to pass a bit of money around.

Be happy don't worry.......

Why do you assume my posting style will affect my ability to enjoy myself? I've been to Jamaica and while some stuff I see DOES piss me off it doesn't mean I can't enjoy the vacation I paid for.

I'm more than happy to pass the money around, I'm not going to sit there and hand it out for no reason though, I give away a significant portion of my income to charities in the form of anonymous donations, the last thing I care about while I'm on vacation is doing charity work.

Take that as you will but at the end of the day I want to make sure I can do the most good, not just fork over whatever is demanded of me. I respect money and respect knowing where it's going.

can understand that the concept of a service charge added to your bill is a distasteful concept to many. You can never go wrong being kind to people you meet along the way, and be generous when you can. How many of us remember to thank the gardener that keeps the grounds looking so amazing, or the maintenance staff that cleans and fixes things up for our comfort?

I take my time to thank those that do a great job, and I'm generally an extremely kind and caring person(unless I get into a heated debate on internet forums with random people....), that doesn't mean I can't question things like service charges, especially when I'm not even on vacation!

Would you rather people just show up and not tip extra at all when they assume the service charge includes the tip?

[sunray]

I tried a west end establishment that promotes itself as a high end Italian and pizza restaurant. The meal was good, but did not meet my expectations based on the high menu prices (just my subjective opinion). When the bill came it had tax and service charge added to it. I asked the manager to explain the service charge. He said it pays for such as laundering the napkins, and that it was not a tip. (He did not say it pays a stipend to the laundry workers). Needless to say, I was less than satisfied with his explanation, I left a tip for our server, and have not returned to that establishment. What's the big deal? If one doesn't like the policies of an establishment, why not choose to try something else?
Blake, I didn't know my comments entered me into "a heated debate on an internet forum with random people", nor were my general comments directed at any individual. (But this comment is directed to you).

[Blake]

I tried a west end establishment that promotes itself as a high end Italian and pizza restaurant. The meal was good, but did not meet my expectations based on the high menu prices (just my subjective opinion).

Just because it's your opinion doesn't mean you're the only one having it or that you're not right.

When the bill came it had tax and service charge added to it. I asked the manager to explain the service charge. He said it pays for such as laundering the napkins, and that it was not a tip. (He did not say it pays a stipend to the laundry workers).

So ladies and gentlemen what exactly is a service charge for? If the manager is lying, that's terrible customer service. If he's telling the truth, then why not name it a linen tax.

The problem is that if you ask 10 Jamaicans what a service charge is for they'll give you 10 different answers.

Needless to say, I was less than satisfied with his explanation, I left a tip for our server, and have not returned to that establishment. What's the big deal?

The big deal is that you're letting them walk all over you, the big deal is that you'll never return to that establishment, which means they failed at making you a repeat customer.

The big deal is that countries like Japan have incredible customer service experiences and prohibit Gratuity/service charges!

The big deal is that bad restaurants love people like you that will pay, tip, and leave; and they bank on millions more people like you coming along to keep justifying their prices, their lack of service, and to keep them afloat.

[Marko]

great and informative thread........nice mon
thanks to Rob and Bnewb for being on point...........and boardies

The big deal is that you're letting them walk all over you, the big deal is that you'll never return to that establishment, which means they failed at making you a repeat customer.

most bonafide Jamaican establishments don't walk all over their patrons.....
usually they do everything but......

the last two months mi have been in Negril twice and really enjoyed all the different establishments.....
and the ones I really enjoy a lot......the servers and bartenders get the bigger tips......
and I have no problem tipping 20+ percent on the bill/tab on top of the tax and service charge.....
afterall how many times do we go on vacation in our lifetime.......not usually very much......
so giving out a few extra dollars isn't going to break the bank for most of us.......
if it does........maybe you should wait till you have more dollars so you can really enjoy that vacation and not worrying about how much everything is going to cost you........
mi can't really expound or say enuff how much the Jamaicans really depend on your tips.......
sometimes it's the difference between being able to buy food for the family and not......
trust mi on that

Cool Runnings, Marko