Comments on: International Tipping Etiquette

By: foXnoMad » The Pros And Cons Of Using Cash During The Various Stages Of Travel

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:42:30 +0000

[...] behind. In other places the size of the tip depends on the service you got. As Kim pointed out, don’t reward bad service with a good tip (in Canada, for example). Leaving a small tip to an already grouchy server with a credit card might [...]

By: foxnomad

foxnomad — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 13:54:39 +0000

Great advice Kim – I’ve had some very rude servers and the opposite while over in Montreal.

The one incident I can recall is where I paid with a credit card but was going to leave the tip in cash. The waitress was extremely rude (this is before we even got up) about me leaving a tip.

Anyway, I did end up leaving some tip with the added bonus of some extra words too

By: Kim Kinrade

Kim Kinrade — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:06:19 +0000

Hi,

I used to be partners in a British-style pub in Canada so I know a little bit about this. I wouldn’t tip more than 15% unless the person really made your day. I’ve done that before but rarely.

Here’s what I suggest.

15%: Great service
10%: Good service
5%: Grumpy server but decent service
$.01 Server with attitude. (Yes a penny. They’ll get the message.)

Let’s face it, even a bumbling server who means well but is having a bad day deserves something. But don’t reward a belligerent server. You’re just setting up the next patron for a lousy attitude.

And there’s no need getting the manager involved unless the server is really insulting. If they are having a bad day you don’t have to pay for it.