Tipping Points
Joelle said at some point on March 5, 2008 while listening to Sara Bareilles - Vegas
Last night I worked myself into a frenzy over SXSWi. You ever have those moments when you’re just like “ohmygodhowamigoingtogetitalldoneican’togonatriprightnowvodkaPUBLICSPEAKINGholycrap!"? You know that feeling? Yeah… pretty much like that.
I realized that there was just no way in hell we were going to get all our clients to a comfortable “save point”, for lack of a better term and finish up our redesign before we leave (at 6am!) on Friday morning. Oh, and somewhere in there, I need a mani/pedi, a haircut and a new pair of stylish flip-flops (because my dogs remember the blisters of ‘06 and it wasn’t pretty). Oh yeah, and I’ll still need to throw a bunch of stuff in a suitcase that, if history repeats itself, will either be crushed beyond recognition or lost. If I show up with clothes that match, I’ll consider myself lucky.
To say I was bit wound up last night is putting it lightly. I realized that if I didn’t cut something off the list, my head was going to pop right off my neck and I don’t think Continental counts one’s head as an approved carry-on item. Our clients are the first priority, so that’s not up for discussion. And if you saw my hair right now, you’d agree that the haircut isn’t negotiable either.
We also realized that everyone and their third cousin, Bubba, was probably launching their own re-design, re-opening, new product, (insert geek porn of choice here) in time for the conference, and we don’t want to be just one of many awesome redesigns, thank you very much. So, we decided to postpone relaunching our new site for the millionth time, but this time it’s by choice as well as necessity. We’d rather wait until all the SXSW ballyhoo has died down. We still have a super-cute, solid site design that we love and rather than tear our hair out rushing to release our new (also fabulous) look, we’d rather go to SXSW with a more Zen approach.
Whew.
Speaking of tips, what is your tipping philosophy? Like, for service stuff? At a restaurant, I tip 15% for breakfast/lunch and 20% or more for dinner, depending on how great the service is. I usually don’t go below the minimum for said time of day unless the service was particularly bad. I realize that servers work for tips. I have a friend that says 15% is the default tip across the board, even for dinner. Ultimately, it’s a personal choice, but which is socially accurate?
When it comes to the salon, I’m usually 20%, which I believe is the standard tip, no? I’ve always heard that a stylist/colorist gets 20% and if you have separate shampoo person, they get like $5 or whatever. Which then you’re then basically paying for your shampoo which should be included for the cost of your first born, but that’s another discussion. I do 20% for my manicurist and waxer, too. I figure if you are going to scrub people’s feet and wax parts one can’t even see without a mirror, you deserve 20%. Kudos.
Where was I going with this...?
Moxie Design Studios™
from Seattle
I’m a 20% tipper across the board unless the service is shit.
Definitely at least 20% unless it was just HORRIBLE service.
Have fun at sxsw!!!!
I’m a 20% tipper too. And anyone who touches my feet - although I have nice feet but c’mon, still, they’re FEET - sometimes gets 25%
This is why I never eat out, get professionally waxed or get manicures anymore.
from Columbia City, IN
15% to 20% depending upon service.
I don’t go below 20%. Even for super duper shitty service, I tend to still tip 20%. I tend to over-tip. If the service was good, I have no issue leaving a fatty fatass tip. It means more to the server than it does to me.
Cocktail: Amaretto Stone Sour
Usually around 20%, but if the service is shit, then so is the tip.
I haven’t been to the Moxie site lately, but if you are still doing the airline theme, then I wouldn’t worry one bit. I think it rocks and really makes you ladies stand out-in a good way.
Just take a deep breath. You will get what you need done, done in time.
20% is the starting point. More if you think the service was the shit.
from San Diego, CA • Cocktail: slightly dirty Grey Goose martini
So, I’m getting the sense that 15% is too low for breakfast and lunch? I was always raised that 15% was customary for earlier meals because they cost less all around. What do you think?
Wait, why the 15% for breakfast/lunch? That was the shift I used to work at Ruby’s in San Juan, and it wasn’t any easier than the dinner shift was, lemme tell ya! (In fact, I had to get in at 6:30 a.m., do all my side work as quick as I could before customers started coming in, and then serve them all on my own until the next server started at 10. And don’t even get me started on how crappy it was to have that shift in the summertime. GAH! In TIGHTS no less!!)
Just because they cost less doesn’t mean that server doesn’t still bust his/her ass to get it to ya! If they do a good job, splurge on the 20%. They’ll dig you all the more for it! (Although I never hated on 15%, personally. It was just nice when I got anything more than that, of course.
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I’m a 18 - 20% tipper, personally. I love my hairdresser, so I give her a bundle when I see her, as it’s usually only once every 5 weeks or so. (i.e. $35 on a $135 dye/trim job...)
from Orlando • Cocktail: Sit-Down Straw-Rita
I’m in the 20% club across the board, unless it is crappy service OR they automatically add that 18% gratuity to my check of two people.
I was once with a ex-friend at a Chili’s and she not only didn’t tip when she paid the bill, but she felt, as a “fellow waitress”, she needed to write a long note about why she didn’t tip the girl. I was so embarrassed I went back in the restaurant, found the waitress and gave her 25%, explaining that I didn’t agree with the whole note thing.
Wish there was some way I could help you get all your stuff done before SXSW but I’ll send you some good mojo.
from San Diego, CA • Cocktail: slightly dirty Grey Goose martini
@Faith: I honestly have no idea, that’s why I asked. That’s just how I was raised to tip… To be fair, I do overtip 95% of the time, so I think I’m even.
from Pasadena, CA
Goodness! I’m glad you pared it all down a bit to stay sane...ish.
20% on everything unless the service was crap and then I tip 15%. Enjoy SXSW and try not to go insane getting there. The hardest part of a trip is getting out the door, it seems. We’ll look forward to the new fab relaunch AFTER your trip.
I hear ya on the luggage thing. When I was in college, I flew home for breaks and 85% of the time my baggage was lost. And I flew different airlines depending on which was cheapest, so it wasn’t even airline specific. By my junior year, I’d learned to carry two pairs of knickers and socks and a shirt that could be worn with the pants I wore on the plane in my carry-on luggage. That way I’d at least be covered for a day or two.
Have fun!
Wooooo SXSW! I’ve been freaking out about it for the last two days because OMGitsthefirstitmeI’mtravelingaloneandwhatifIgetonthewrongplane?! But I’m sure we’ll all have fun once we get there.
As for tipping, I generally go for 20%.
You are a good tipper, Jo. Having eaten out with you more than once (which sounds far more scandalous than it is), I know you’re not a shit tipper.
I can understand the reasoning for tipping less for lesser-cost of meals, but think about this: that extra 5% is probably gonna be spare change. How much does that mean to you, versus the server? Bumping a $4 tip into a cool $5 bill can completely make a server’s day. There’s something about receiving a tip that isn’t change or titty-bar $1 bills that just lights up the day.
And it’s easier to do the math. (Shut up.)
Also, whenever I can, I tip cash on a check I paid for with my credit card. When you tip on a credit card, there’s a hard record of what the server received and s/he will be taxed accordingly. I like to side with the kid making $2.13 to serve a bunch of drunken assholes with mean Moons Over My Hammy cravings at 3am. I’ll pay with my card and then tip (overtip) in cash so s/he can claim --or not claim-- whatever s/he’s comfy with.
i do the same as you for breakfast & dinner tip wise.
as an esthetician in a high end day spa & an independent place i always appreciate the 20%. i provide excellent service with a smile from the minute a client walks in. good post!