Job Discussion Forums

[ls650]

Yesterday one of my students asked me, "Do people give tips in Canada?"

"Yes, of course," I replied. This was the start of an interesting conversation with the class about the differences between restaurants in Canada versus Mexico. I then asked why he wanted to know.

This student told me that at the restaurant where he works, a large group of people from Winnipeg came in and ordered plenty of food. When they finished, they didn't leave any tip - and in fact, made jokes about it, telling him that in Winnipeg it's not customary to tip! Having never spent any time in Winterpeg, I can't say if that's true, but I sincerely doubt it.

Folks, Oaxaca is one of the poorest states in Mexico (second only to Chiapas), and the coast is especially so. The average worker in a restaurant, bar, or hotel earns a salary of about 100 pesos per day - and that's probably a 12 work day. If you do the simple math, that's about 8 or 10 pesos an hour - less than a measly buck!

If someone can afford to spend a couple of thousand dollars to fly down here and stay in a hotel, he or she can afford to leave a tip.

[DavefromWandsworth]

Although I know nothing of Winnipeg and its citizens, and like most people dislike meanness (especially in other people...), I think the owners of that restaurant and its workers could be very pleased that so many, foreigners or not, chose to spend their money there. For all I know, the restaurant may not be well used at this time of year, and the tipless takings from this group could make all the difference this month/week.

[Jetgirly]

I didn't realize that tipping was a seasonal thing. But come to think of it, it I got great service in a place that was dead because it was the off season I would probably leave a BIGGER tip. I wouldn't leave no tip and walk out patting myself on the back for bringing the poor Mexicans business off season. I wouldn't do it in Canada- why would I do it in Mexico?

(If the service was really horrendous I wouldn't tip, just like I wouldn't in Canada.)

[Guy Courchesne]

The herd mentality of not leaving a tip is pretty common and precisely why many restaurants, here and in Canada, automatically add a 15% gratuity whenever they see 6 or more people come through the door.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

Many people who have never worked a job where a big part of their earnings depends on tips are sometimes clueless, I think. Some of the fancier restaurants here include a 10%-15% service charge on the bill. Locals say a 10% tip is standard, although if the service is acceptable, I usually tip 15%. If the service is slow, and there are lots of customers with only a few waiters who are obviously doing their best to try keep on top of things, I consider that acceptable service.

I shared a house with two waiters when I first moved here, so I think I'm pretty well informed on the topic. I certainly heard a lot about it on a daily basis anyway. It's standard procedure that in most restaurants in Merida, the waiters also do all the cleaning, arriving early and/or staying late to sweep and mop the floors, scrub the tables and chairs, etc. Their salaries are pathetically low considering the number of hours and amount of work they do, and they share their tips with the cooks and kitchen staff, bus boys if there are any, the gerente de piso (supervisor,) the cashier, and in some cases, a cut goes to the boss/owner besides.

If you want to hear some very descriptive language, listen to waiters after a big group of tourists have come in, all wanting to sit together (waiters have to rearrange tables,) taking forever to decide what to order, asking for things not on the menu, demanding lots of attention from the waiters all during the meal, and then no tip. If you want very good service and extra large portions at restaurants you frequent, chat with the waiters when they aren't really busy, learn their first names, tip decently, and then shake their hands and thank them personally before you leave.

[MamaOaxaca]

I agree with Tim.
I usually tip 10% because I'm math challenged, but at my favorite breakfast place, which is also the only place in my town with really professional waiters who ad so much to tha abmienance of the place I tip 20%. They give great service and that is why I go there, so I tip to acknowledge that.

LS's story reminds me of a teacher from the US who I recently worked with. She asked me how much she should pay to have her shoes shined by the guys in the Zocalo. I responed "How much is it worth to you?" She was not happy with that answer. She was adament about not paying "gringo prices". In addition to good salary she was making working as an English teacher at the university she had other investment income and rental income in the US. Now I don't think locals should overcharge tourists, but her attitute towards money (trying to keep her hands on as much of it as possible) really turned me off. I told her to go to the same guy every week and pay as much as she would pay in New York for the same service and not only would she have the cleanest shoes in town, she'd make a great friend.
She blew me off and asked someone else.

[cangringo]

Wow, that group from Winterpeg sounds incredibly ignorant. We always ask what's customary wherever we go but if in doubt - tip, tip, tip. My husband and I used to wait tables so we know what's it's like to have jerks that don't tip. I mean sure if the service really sucks you have a right to not tip but I have found that the service is amazing here. Doesn't matter where you go - crappy dive or touristy restaurant, they all have excellent service.

I am pretty sure it's customary to tip in Winterpeg though...