Mr & Mrs Pumpkin took a weekend break last week in one of the posh hotels in town.
Kind of a long overdue break from home and work.
Everything was fine, nearly perfect, especially the Concierge.
They person was very nice and attentive and all that.
That got me thinking: do people tip in Australia?
I know it's nearly compulsory in USA, but unsure about Australia.
We have travelled to many places in Oz and stayed in many hotels, most people are nice, but this is the first time I felt quite strongly about tipping. But we were a little unsure: fear that it might offend, and most of all, unsure of the amount to give. Also the demenour of the person just someone render us a little uncertain.
Any help, tips and sharing would be greatly appreciated :-)
Any Tipping in Australia?
Comments
But we were a little unsure: fear that it might offend, and most of all, unsure of the amount to give. Also the demenour of the person just someone render us a little uncertain.
It won't offend and there's no need to tip in Australia.
most people are nice, but this is the first time I felt quite strongly about tipping.
Tell or write to the manager complimenting the staff member(s) for excellent service. If staff are having a crap day, a compliment goes a long way.
Oh why didn’t I think f this. Will do this. Thanks heaps.
Writing a review on Google Maps etc is also good. I've named a person who was very helpful and I'm sure they like seeing people care enough to publicly tell others.
It's not compulsory, but people certainly do tip.
Here's a tip - there's no tip.
You can tip me instead, I open 24/7.
Tip if you want to tip, like if you have a waitress/waitor that really go above and beyond for you, sure, but not expected
It looks like you've seen the lecture by Mr Pink in Reservoir Dogs.
I like you
A lot?
i promise, just the tip!
"phrasing, are we not doing phrasing anymore?"
.
No, tipping is not the standard here. However, if you think they are doing a great job and you are in the financial position to, go for your life.
In regards to if they would be offended (as some cultures do find it disrespectful/unnecessary), everyone that I know would gladly accept your tip unless it's company policy.
If you want to make someones day, go ahead!
Why asked ? It’s your money, do whatever you want to do, so simple !
I worked in a 5 star hotel in Australia a long time ago. We would get tips, but not from most people. It was mostly international guests, recognisable people, or people with very expensive cars. Definitely never offended. The only mildly annoying thing was people staying with kids sometimes got their kids to tip us. It was a little odd. Some Asian brides would also give very big tips on their wedding day and were insistant that it was kept. That was uncomfortable.
The concept of "compulsory tipping" has always been absurd to me. A worker should be on a fair wage, and if the customer believes that the worker went above and beyond then a tip may be offered.
On an anniversary dinner, our server was super attentive without being pushy - you could see he was scanning the room 24/7 to check if any of his tables were looking for him, even when mid-way through a task already. He also moved us across a few tables to escape the cold, after already sitting (pre-meal).
Gave him a 15% tip on a $200ish meal, and he seemed genuinely shocked. I'm not sure if it was the tip, itself, or because we're a younger couple so he wasn't expecting much/anything.I think tipping is great to reinforce good service. Not only should that drive standards up, but its nice to show appreciation.
+1000
This is exactly it.
No. Nope. Please dont start this idea into people’s head.
How very unozbargain it is to tip.
That's right.
Compulsory tipping is stupid to the highest order. It is forceful rather than being gratuitous. You still have to 'tip' even if the service is bad and they actually write down how much they want to be 'tipped'. The word 'extortion' comes into mind.
anywhere the yanks travel they have ruined places bringing in a completely unneeded (mod: removed) tipping culture.
in the USA they get paid 2 dollars an hour and then make the customers feel guilty into making up their wages. its not required anywhere else.
I usually tip around 3-5% in restaurants if service is reasonable or good. And have gone way beyond where service is exceptional. These activities, eating out, etc, are about enjoyment and having a good time. Where possible, I would like the people who serve me to feel good too at the end of it. Trading places, and I know I would be happy to be rewarded for good service. It is not even just about the money, it is acknowledgment the server has done a good job. So, I budget in the tipping costs when considering the expenses of such activities.
I especially tip in restaurants where the servers are unlikely to get a tip. Those servers who still work diligently to provide good service, when not expecting a tip, have a good attitude and deserve to be rewarded.
Hotels are harder because there are too many staff. But mainly the cleaners and luggage handler. And those who attend to special requests etc.
OP, I don't think you need to fear about people getting offended because you tried to tip (I assume that is what you meant - tipping where it is not expected, and unsure how much). There have been instances in the past, where service personnel would not accept the tips for various reasons. But they have never been offended.
There is no actual requirement for tipping in Aus, so whatever makes you feel good and OK, that is all that matters.
In Australia employees are paid good wages.
Service staff in the US rely on tips to make up for very low wages and that system is illegal here and also in most other countries.
That aside, yes you can still tip but understand that it is not expected or necessary as your good service is already rewarded.tipping isn't a thing in australia, don't worry
but if you're feeling generous, go for it :)
Tipping is thankfully not expected in Australia, and I hope it stays that way.
I don't tip personally, but if a group of friends are out and we enjoyed our time, we might round up to the nearest $5 or 10 - partly out of of convenience so the maths is easier and we don't all need to go digging for loose change, but partly cause its a simple way to thank a host if they've helped us have a good time beyond the meal itself being amazing.It not compulsory
but you can tip any amount you wantMost hospitality worker's would really appreciate tips
Got asked for a tip during payment at Rockpool . Spoiled the dinner imo.
That's a bit rude from that class of restaurant. Are Neil Perry's group one of the under-payers?
Yep, bad form for someone to ask for a tip (in Aust).
Similarly, we were at a different 'celebrity' restaurant a couple of years ago where the 'celebrity' was supportive of a charity. Good charity, they do good things.
But the way that the 'celebrity' supported the charity was to add a % to each bill. The wait staff explained it when the bill was provided, so quite open about it.
I, and a few other tables, asked for it to be taken off the bill.I will choose which charities / causes that I support.
And we haven't returned to that restaurant.Thats a bit rough it should be disclosed upfront I've had it enforced once overseas US of of all places and the service and meal was the worst I've ever had, couldn't do anything about it then but the hotel concierge had a debt to repay, told him it was coming out of his tip or I'd take some help getting hard to obtain tickets or restaurant bookings while I was there. Some of the large hotels can pull a rabbit out of a hat where a tip is concerned.
Most restaurants have this built into the payment screen now, very few have had the nerve to ask however, funnily enough it was Rockpool where they asked me how much I'd like to tip, I asked how much of the meal did Neil cook I couldn't believe they tried to lie (none was the eventual answer, he doesn't arrive till tomorrow for a meeting was the response) I already knew the answer!
They said he was cooking that evening when I booked and said similar when I arrived and shown to the table, then later we over heard another waiter saying he hadn't been able to make it to some people who knew him personally who had asked to see him as they couldn't get him to answer his phone, that's when the jig was up, it put a few people off at the time as they were all under the same illusion that they were fortunate to actually have him cooking that evening.
I use to work for the tech help department at a prestigious University.
A student asked me for tech help that was sort of unrelated to her studies.
She then tried to tip me afterwards, I refused.Tipping is not expected in Australia, and outside of some situations the receiving person will be awkward about receiving it.
I tip the woman that cuts my hair but not if her boss (the owner) cuts my hair (partly because he's the owner, partly because he's crap at cutting hair - the haircut I got on Monday looks like he dozed off at one point and continued cutting).
I tip at restaurants if the service has been exceptional or if it's a place I visit regularly… but not if I'm served by the owner.
Some places, like where I get my annual car safety check done or the scrap yard, I'll take them some softdrinks or sparkling water just to be friendly.
Taxi drivers I usually round up to the nearest dollar if they haven't tried to pull a swifty.
The cafe / function centre where my kids work. All the tips go into a pool. The owner divides them up among all the kids and keeps 10% for herself. It doesn't come as a shock because her weekday job is HR Manager at a major ports handling company.
I tip when I receive what I believe is service that goes beyond the normal standards.
It is an expression of gratitude and it makes two people feel good.That got me thinking: do people tip in Australia?
I know it's nearly compulsory in USA, but unsure about Australia.A lot of people are answering as though you're asking: "Is tipping compulsory in Australia", and not just "Do people tip in Australia."
It's not compulsory, but as far as I've noticed - even if it goes against the spirit of OzBargain itself - people definitely still tip here. If I get a good waitress or waiter (wait-person?) I'll leave between $5-$20 depending on the cost of the meal. I'll also tip hotel staff if I'm staying somewhere very posh and they do a good job (e.g. I've left the room an absolute sty and they've minimally but efficiently tidied things up), taxi and uber drivers if I like their driving and they've gotten me there especially quickly or contributed entertaining conversation, and even more especially if it's really late at night.
We're not retarded, so no, we don't have a dumb, broken, unnecessary, dipshit tipping system. But of course you're free to tip if you really feel like they deserve it! They might refuse to accept it but I don't think anyone would be offended.
Wow, thanks guys/gals for all your responses!
I will note for next time.
Ya, glad we havent followed USofA.
The worst part is we never know what's our cost with dining and shopping. There are so many add-ons which vary from place to place. I am so proud of our country which display a total/final cost.
Til next time, Cheers and welcome to August!I'll tip in restaurants if there's good service, and because I used to work hospo and it's a fair amount of work for pretty rubbish pay, so I know the 5 or 10 bucks means lots to them, and not so much to me.
I usually don't tip in bars because they are terribly overpriced, but I will chuck the silver in the tip jar if a schooner is under 5 bucks or something.
Never tip in hotels etc.
You don't have to tip, but if you can afford to, and you know the person makes way less money than you do, they'll be happy rather than offended by your generosity.
Was watching an episode of the Daily show the other day and the host brought up the issue of tipping in US going towards paying their base wage instead of to the employee who earned the tip. E.g. If the base wage is $10 an hour and the employee was given $3 tip, the employee would not receive the $3 it would go to the company who would then only need to pay the employee $7. Couldn't believe it!
https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-amazon-…
https://www.latimes.com/business/technology/story/2019-07-25…
I’ve tipped in Australia once, at a restaurant.
We only tipped because the meals were delicious and we were splurging. Service was good too.Never tipped since, however. Tipping comes from helping out those in America that rely on tips to make a liveable income, and promote good service. I feel Australia pays exceptionally well, so don’t understand why tipping is trying to be introduced in some places
No.