16 Rude Tipping Habits You Don’t Know You Have
When you eat out, tipping is usually way in the back of your mind. You want to spend time with your friends and family and enjoy good food. Tipping the just the afterthought when the time comes to take care of the bill.
However, for severs, tipping is one of the most important things. A lot of establishments still don’t pay their servers a living wage, unfortunately, and they rely on tips to pay their bills. Customers get more and more tired of the United States tipping culture, where even getting a coffee to go means you get the opportunity to tip. However, when you’re sitting down in a restaurant, tipping is still encouraged and expected.
Servers have to deal with a whole lot of customers, and some people aren’t in the known when it comes to tipping. Here are some tipping habits that can be interpreted as rude, and some of these you don’t even know you have.
1. You Tip With Coins
We are not undermining the value of coins here. In fact, giving a few dimes may seem easy and save you some cash. However, using only coins to tip can come across as disrespectful and undervalues the service provided to you.
Staff usually rely on tips as an important part of their income, and offering loose change doesn’t properly compensate for their effort. They’d need to sort through the coins and add it all up, which can take a little more time. As much as possible, tip using paper bills. This shows your respect and appreciation for their service.
2. You Think 15% Is The Average Tip
You might have thought that 15% is the average tip. However, that’s the minimum amount you should be tipping. In the U.S., the standard for tipping is 20%, which helps workers earn extra cash. This is especially important for wait staff or servers, who often don’t get a wage high enough to pay their rent or groceries.
However, note that the 20% tip could be customary based on the location, quality of service, and overall experience. There are other places where 10% is enough, especially if you are traveling to other countries.
3. You Tip Using Gifts
Using gifts as a tip is simply not acceptable. While you are welcome to give them, they should never be substituted for a tip to restaurant servers.
Though giving gifts is sweet, cash is still much appreciated. Unfortunately, servers can’t pay their bills with a goodie that you picked out for them. It’d be best to save that money and give them an additional tip.
4. You Tip on the Discounted Cost
When you hand in a gift card, you don’t have to pay as much at checkout. And when you tip on that discounted cost, you can lower your bill even further. However, you’ll appear less generous and less appreciative of the service you received.
Service staff usually expect tips based on the original meal price or service, as their efforts remain the same regardless of discounts. To show respect and appreciation for their service, make sure to calculate your tip based on the total pre-discount amount.
5. Not Tipping When The Food Is Late
Another rude tipping habit is not tipping when the food is late. Though you can justify your actions, it is not the right thing to do if it’s not your server’s fault.
When the delay comes from the kitchen, and it’s not been sitting on the counter yet, it’s beyond their control. So, it’s unfair to vent your frustrations at them by withholding a tip.
6. Not Giving Tips Because You Can’t Afford It
Not giving tips because you can’t afford it is not a valid reason to skip tipping. By dining out, you spare yourself the stress of cooking and meal planning. And you know that you’ll be going out to eat and a tip is expected. So, it’s only appropriate to budget a little extra for tips.
The purpose of tipping is for service staff to be properly compensated for their hard work. Showing appreciation through tipping is part of being a responsible customer.
7. You Only Give Tips at Restaurants
Staff at restaurants aren’t the only ones you should tip; you should also tip other service providers like cleaning staff, hotel workers, drivers, and food delivery personnel.
Tipping is customary in many countries, but there are exceptions. For example, in South Korea and Japan, tipping is considered rude because it suggests you doubt their commitment to great service. Always research tipping customs beforehand to show appreciation politely.
8. Not Filling in the Tip Line
Tipping has become even easier with credit card slips, often featuring a dedicated line just for tips. You can simply write the tip amount on this line and skip the math.
However, it’s advisable to clearly state the tip amount when signing the bill. This makes the server’s job much simpler when reporting the total amount, including the tip.
9. You Give Tip The Same While You Travel
Not all places have the same expectations regarding tips. That’s why it’s essential to do your research about the tipping culture of the country you are heading to.
For instance, most establishments in Austria add service charges to the bill. Check it before leaving a 10 to 15% tip to avoid more payment than necessary.
10. Tipping $1
While leaving a $1 tip may sound better than not leaving a tip at all, it can come across as unappreciative and degrading. Servers or staff might see it as an insult to the service they provide.
As much as possible, stick to the 15 to 20% standard unless tipping is not customary at the place you visit. Always tip in bills, not coins, to show proper appreciation.
11. Tipping Without a Smile or a Thank You
Tipping without a smile or a thank you may imply that you are giving against your will. It can also make it seem like you’re looking down on the people serving you.
So, whenever you give a tip, make sure to offer at least a simple smile and a “thank you.” This goes a long way in showing genuine gratitude for their service. It also makes the tip more meaningful.
12. Tipping With a Credit Card When You Have Cash
Tipping with a credit card when you don’t have cash isn’t bad. However, if you want to be considerate to servers who might want immediate access to their tips, it’s best to give the tip in cash.
This lets them access their money without waiting for the establishment’s processing time. This simple gesture shows how thoughtful you are towards the staff’s financial needs.
13. Not Including Tax on the Tip
Another rude tipping behavior is not including tax in the tip. This can result in a lower gratuity for the workers.
Next time you tip, make sure to include the tax in the total amount so the staff’s extra income isn’t affected. To reward good service, always include tax in your tip.
14. Giving Too Much
Though giving an excessive amount in tips may sound beneficial, it’s not always the case. Overtipping can cause issues for the servers by creating unrealistic expectations and inequality of service, or they may think you’ve made a mistake.
Remember that tipping is a way to show appreciation and should be done thoughtfully. It should be within the local customs and the expectations of the server. This maintains the integrity of the tipping system.
15. Ignoring Service Charge
Some establishments include gratuity in the total bill. If you ignore this, it may come across as rude and selfish.
Always check your bill and tip accordingly. Doing so can lift the spirits of the servers and encourage them to do their job even better.
16. Leaving a Tip at the Table
When you leave your tip behind on your table when leaving, it may not have the best outcome for the server. Especially when it’s busy, and they don’t have the time to clear your table right away, it may be that another server or even an eager customer takes your tip.
To prevent that and to be more friendly to your server, give them your tip directly and thank them for their service.
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