Dear Hillary,
Tipping – I can understand that the service girls don’t get paid much, so they need the tips to build up their salary, but we (the customers) are getting ripped off by many places. I always look at the bill, and if a 10 percent (or sometimes more) “service charge” is already in there, I don’t leave a tip. I reckon a few of these places don’t give the girls the 10 percent either. Am I right or am I wrong?
Joe
Dear Joe,
I am old-fashioned, but I believe you tip for exceptional “service”. If the cook and the server have done well, then I add 10 percent onto the bill. If I want to reward the girl who served me, then I discretely give her the 10 percent in her hand. If the management has already put 10 percent on the bill, then I don’t add anything, other than a few coins which come in the change. “Tipping” shouldn’t be an automatic extra.
