A Series of Questions About Tipping

 

Who actually sets the "standard" tip amount?

There is not a central authority for this.  Usually, people just google it. and someone tells them 15 to 20 percent of the pretax bill.  Or, however much you think will avoid pissing off your server, maid, hair dresser, etc.  So you set the amount.

What is the "standard" tip?

15 to 20 percent depending on who you are tipping.  And, the list of those positions that you tip is growing.   This is the US standard, which varies from state to state.  European and Asian countries are a different world when dealing with tipping.

When did tipping start?

According to Wikipedia, in 1700 Europe.  The article is fairly straight forward.  I get the impression that it started out as a way to reinforce class status.  There are some good arguments out there that tipping is still an expression of class dominance.   Given the behavior of customers in restaurants, I believe that is the case.

Where does tipping occur?

It's cultural.  Usually in cultures strongly with strong European influences.  Apparently, it is not as common in cultures with less influence from western cultures.  Oddly, I have heard that Europeans tip less than the 15 to 20 percent common in the US.  5 to 10 percent is the usual there.

Why is the "standard" tip going up?

I don't have a clue.  In the Texas restaurant industry servers are paid 2.13 dollars an hour and tips make up the difference in wages,  Also, there is a 80/20 percent rule in which duties that do not involve serving is limited to twenty percent.  I suspect that rule is not always respected.  So, I'm assuming that the standard tip is going up because the industry can't keep servers for less.  Oddly, California has a minimum wage of 14 dollars and hour plus tips - depending on the city involved.  So, tipping is not necessary to run a restaurant.

How is it done?

You leave cash on the table.  Sometimes it gets divided with the kitchen.  

Yeah, right.  Most servers scream bloody murder when the idea is brought up.  On average, with tips, they make 19 to 25 dollars an hour in the US.  The kitchen staff was around 12 to 16 dollars when I was working in a kitchen this summer.  

Summary

Tipping is an ill defined practice, highly dependent on a customer base with money and status.  It is imbedded in various tax codes in the US, which seems to merely complicate our understanding of how the service industry is paid.  

I Don't Think My Ideas Fit.

Old Photography Study
"Gazing at my Navel"

Sometimes, I wonder what it would have been like to know what everyone else was being paid at a job I was applying for.  From the prospective employee point of view, that would have eliminated the feeling that other people are being paid more for the same amount of work I am having to do.  From my point of view, that would have been all I wanted.

But, what about the person dealing with employees, the human resources person.

A prospective employee has shown up for an interview.  

Just hand him a sheet of paper with the standard salaries for each position in the company.  And, ask if that meets his needs.  I am assuming that if a company is going to post salaries of employees and managers, then having standard salaries linked to positions would cut short a lot of awkward discussions.  

If the employee is still interested then perks and bonuses can be discussed.   Assuming bonuses are even offered.  Bonuses defeat the purpose of posting the salaries.

Then there is advancement.

As one goes up in any company, opportunities for advancement decrease for each level.

What if, instead of retaining midlevel talent in positions that will waste a lot of potential, place their names on a list of people open to positions at other companies.  And, then send that list to recruiters.  

The company will be losing experience, yes; but, most people are going to look outside of the company anyway.  There is no other path of advancement for them; and, honestly, few companies have an unlimited budget for retaining employees and managers.

I don't know if any of this rambling has value.  

We like to think human beings are rational creatures.  I suppose we are.  

Humans are very self centered, often selfish.  It's an effort to get any group of them to work together.  In modern times, a little brainwashing has been required.   (I am thinking of corporations and the devotion of their employees to that entity.  I guess this could be a way to look at government and religion.)

The employees are trained with the expectation of loyalty to the company.  In the case of extremely large corporations, there are relentless propaganda campaigns, demands for long hours sacrificing personal life, loyalty tests, and group bonding exercises.  Rewards are always promised to be delivered after long periods of sacrifice.  At one point, although this has proven too expensive, pensioned retirement was held out like a carrot on a stick.  All of this to reinforce loyalty, and standards.

I don't think my ideas fit.