New card machine with tipping function in restaurants: reactions are far from mild
Last time, we wrote about the phenomenon of a card machine with a tipping function. And you really let loose. Because asking for a tip?! No, apparently that is really not done – judging by your reactions. ‘Why tip in restaurants when everything has become expensive enough lately?’ And: as soon as it feels like an obligation, people drop out – as it turns out.
Tipping: voluntary
Marijke experienced it in Rotterdam: ‘I could “choose” between 5, 10 or 15% tip. I give tips voluntarily.’ And quite a few people agree with her. ‘The waitstaff are simply doing their job too. I really think it’s nonsense. Call me stingy, then. Everyone does their job. It’s great when people want to give a tip of their own accord. But making it mandatory? No.’ Another comment: ‘I always give some tip, but if it’s already on the card machine, I don’t. I really see that as asking for a tip.’ And: ‘As soon as it becomes mandatory in this way or you are asked to give a tip, you’ll get absolutely nothing from me because then you’re simply being rude. I give something extra for lovely and good service, but that service immediately disappears when they start forcing you to give a tip at the last moment.’
Not at the bakery
Also striking: many people find it strange that tips are given in the hospitality industry, but not in other sectors. ‘Package and postal delivery drivers don’t get tips either, and they work themselves to the bone. Nurses don’t. Teachers. I could go on for a while. Where do you draw the line regarding what counts as service?’ And: ‘People who work hard in healthcare don’t get a tip for every patient either. Or teachers who spend all day with an entire class of children. I really don’t understand why it’s so self-evident in the hospitality industry. They get paid too. A tip is extra. That isn’t the case everywhere in the world, but it is in the Netherlands.’
Expensive enough
Some people no longer give tips because everything is already expensive enough. ‘When you see the absurd prices they charge in the hospitality industry these days, they don’t get a tip from me anymore.’ Someone else says: ‘When prices are reasonable again, I’ll be willing to tip, but not with these absurd amounts; they’re already making 300% profit on this.’ Yet another person says: ‘With these prices in the hospitality industry… You should ask your boss for the tip. This week I had to pay €7.90 for two cappuccinos that seriously contained three sips each. That’s completely out of touch. I even had to ask for my ten cents back.’
Actions, not words
There are also people who don’t entirely understand the principle of tipping. ‘I think tipping is a strange principle in the Netherlands anyway. Everyone is paid at least the minimum wage. They agreed to the job themselves, along with the hourly wage that comes with it. That’s the deal you make with your employer. It’s included in the price the customer pays. So why should I have to pay extra?’ And: ‘That begging for tips! What a shakedown!’ Another comment: ‘I can simply say that I appreciate it, can’t I? Lovely place, it was nice having a drink here, bye!’
A token of appreciation
Fortunately, there are still guests who see it differently. ‘Everyone who is against tipping in the hospitality industry forgets that when you encounter a pleasant and/or proper bartender or waiter, it’s a two-way exchange. You sit comfortably, are treated well, the person does their best to make you happy, and there’s nothing wrong with giving a tip as a token of appreciation when you leave. It doesn’t have to be an exact percentage at all; most hospitality staff are already happy when you round up. So if you have to pay, say, €27, you say, make it €30. Getting something at a counter is completely different, but when someone looks after you and you leave the establishment feeling good, a token of appreciation is appropriate.’
And I personally couldn’t agree more.
Read also:
- Eddie’s dining annoyances: restaurants with those damn tiny tables and chairs
- Bizarre and disgusting behavior by hospitality guests #3
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