to tip or not to tip?

[tipper]

Been here sometime, and curious if it's really the norm to not tip at restaurants? Sometimes it feels awkward. Is it really OK not to tip waiters?

[its the thought]

Waiters (men and women) can earn less than S$6 per hour.
They do their best.
Dont ask if you should - ask why shouldnt you and be comfortable about the tip.
You dont have to behave like a millionaire, just a grateful customer.

[buzzer]

Tip is not customary here

[fifa]

Tip is not customary, and not required in Singapore. If you notice a 10% is included in many restaurants. Rounding up and leaving change is done sometimes. At this time of the year, it is customary amongst certain people to give a small ang pow to the service staff, but hardly a standrad practice. No tips for taxi drivers either.

If we decide to tip or not based on the wage of the server, then we'd better be tipping the staff at McD's and KFC.

I don't understand the logic of tipping just because they make less than $6/hr. You tip for a service rendered above and beyond expectations. Otherwise it's just their job.

[This message has been edited by fifa (edited 01-02-2003).]

[Sverre]

"tipper", you must be from the States, right?

[its the thought]

Points made so far are respectfully accepted - but why do we bother to say "thank you" if its simply their job?
If we say "thank you" then why not add to a salary which is pitched low in consideration of anticipated subsidies ie tips?
Sure we dont have to - so why is service charge 10% automatically added in some countries? Do we have to be forced to say "thanks".

[Chicago]

In Singapore, the "low" salary is not because of the assumed tip.  Tipping is not customary here.

Try this next time:  On a short cab ride, say that comes to $3 or less, give a $5 note and try to leave the cab.  Often, the driver will hurriedly insist that you take your change.

Tipping is just not very common.  Don't worry about feeling awkward.  It will go away.  When a service person (cab driver, waiter, etc) has done a very good job or made me feel at ease, I still do tip.  By the way, if you tip regularly, the waiter at your favorite restaurant will be very helpful to you.

[SGal]

The 10% service charge is basically the tip already. However if you have too much money to give....
I actually prefer it if the 10% service charge isn't compulsory, then you can tip them according to their level of service.

[buzzer]

I say thank you because I am polite   And also coz it's free. And to say thank you for politeness is a practice here. Not tip.

[Jef30322]

Having been a waiter in England in my youth. I know from the experience that it was damned hard work for liitle money. I definately liked getting a tip! However, I believe that you earn the tip with the service you provide and nothing more.
Example: Whilst over in Singapore on a job interview I went to an Indian restaurant, Khansama-Tandoori, in Little India. The food was fantastic and the service brilliant. I gave a tip.
Two weeks later after travelling the region, I again returned to the same restaurant-I didn't think they would remember me, but they did. I had the same experience and told the waiter that I would be a regular customer if I came to live in Singapore. These guys definately appreciated the tip and comment.
On the other hand, sometimes in the USA I go to places where the tip is expected regardless of service! Then I believe the waiters/ waitresses get a bit upset with me because I don't do it!. If the service is really bad I won't even hang around to order. That's my bottom line on tipping.

[fifa]

Singapore doesn't do the low salary because you get tips thing like in the US. In fact, most restaurants *pool* their tips. Not all societies have a common practice, so accept it when people who have lived here for yonks say something that you may not agreewith. Of course, you're more than free to practice things your way - that's your perogative.

As for saying thanks - I say thanks because it's a simple matter of courtesy. Do you mean that a situation that calls for thanks is "replaceable" by an offering of money?

If a salesperson goes the extra mile to give me good service, I don't tip him/her - I don't tip the flight attendants that bring me my headphones, water, food, and hot towel. It's part of good service, and it's not all about giving money. The thanks is the acknowlegement of a job well done. And where I have met someone giving very good customer service, I write a note of recognition to their employer.

[Hui]

It is not compulsory to tip in Singapore. At some places, there are notices put up saying "No Tipping".

But whether to tip the person rendering you good service, should come from the heart. If you feels that he/she deserves it, by all means do so.

I sort of read somewhere that Good & Services Tax collected, part of it would be distributed to the service staff. Don't know if it is true.

[Chicago]

a note: if you want to tip at a restaurant for exceptional services of your wait staff, don't include it in your credit card payment.  Pay your bill using credit card (probably has the 10%GST anyway) and then leave your tip in cash for the waiter.   Same goes in other countries in this region.

[almost mandatory]

we didn't have enough change once when we were travelling and left less than 10% when tipping in the USA.

the waiters actually made passing comments in our faces about that oversight.

[Get real wiv it]

It's about time this myth about the 10% service charge is the tip got exploded. I have checked.

The 10% does not go the waiting staff. It goes to the Training School (Shatec) for training of staff. (The theory is that they're responsible for improving F and B Service in Singapore).

DO tip 'cos that's the only way these poor guys supplement their income.

Next time you go to a hotel - ask the doorman (especially if it's a Bangladeshi/foreign worker) how much he's paid. It's usually $400 and the rest he's expected to earn in tips. Welcome to the New Economy folks.