Reverse Culture Shock: Tipping
| * Note: In an effort to make the article less cumbersome to read (and for me to write,) I will use “waiters,” instead of using “waiters and waitresses” or “waiters/waitresses.” Please note that when the word, “waiters,” appears, I am referring to both men and women servers. |
The time has finally come. For family related reasons, I have decided to move back to the United States. So unfortunately, this will be my last article with Fujistaff. Moving back to the U.S. would make it necessary for me to make a few cultural adjustments. Living in Japan for a few years has certainly changed various aspects of my lifestyle and I am bound to have some reverse culture shock upon my return. A reverse culture shock I anticipate having is tipping in restaurants.
The definition of “gratuity,” which is another word for “tip,” on Merriam Webster Online is “something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service.” Although the definition indicates that tipping is suppose to be a voluntary act, it has become a social norm to do so. Tips are usually accepted as a mandatory cost on the bill. The customary amount is about 15% - 20% of the bill, before the sales tax is added. (Some may say the tip should be calculated after the sales tax is added.) A little known fact is that, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the federal minimum wage for workers who receive tips is $2.13 per hour. Therefore, most of the waiters’ salaries are earned from tips. So unless you receive horrendous service, it would be appropriate to give at least a 15% tip.
I prefer eating out in Japan than in the States. This thought has never crossed my mind before I moved to Japan but I felt like I was being deceived when I had to pay tips. Even if I understood that it was part of the culture, it was like a hidden cost that I find out after I get the bill. But in Japan, I never had to worry about it. For example, if my R ?su Tonkatsu Teishoku costed 850 yen on the menu, the same amount would be paid at the cash register. It was very simple and that was ideal for me. On the other hand, the bill at my favorite steakhouse in California would include the cost of the items ordered plus sales tax plus tips. I would not know how much I would have to pay until I receive my bill. To avoid confusion, we should increase the hourly wages of waiters, do away with tips, and increase the prices on the menu. With increased prices, customers would not have to worry about doing the gratuity calculations because the gratuity would already be included in the price of food. And if there was no gratuity to be paid, the waiters’ hourly wages would increase. (The federal minimum wage for regular employees is $5.15 per hour.) And then everyone would be happier.
Anyway, I have had much fun writing these monthly articles and I am sad that I am not able to write these articles anymore. But I am sure my replacement, Seth-san, will be writing great articles to help you improve your English. Good luck with your English studies everyone! |