CNBC has this online. Basically, the recommended tipping amounts should bankrupt you by Christmas.

http://www.cnbc.com/id/40196071

I'm sorry. I don't mean to be a scrooge, but after 9 years with the same company earning less than the average salary for someone with my experience, education and abilities, I still don't make anywhere near enough (no holiday bonuses either) to tip as extravagently as most "tipping guides" suggest. I also have some moral issues with the whole practice.

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2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid SEL Premium (Sparky)
http://badges.fuelly.com/images/smallsig-us/193500.png

It's a car not a science experiment! Open the throttle!

Well, anyone who can afford most of the services discussed in that article can probably afford an appropriate tip. We've always given small gifts to our kids' teachers, maybe $20 each. I general don't tip the post-man or the trash collector, mostly because I never actually see them. My wife gives generous tips to her "service providers" (hair, nails, etc.) on an ongoing basis, which is probably more helpful than a once per year gift.

My cousin just started her hair dressing career and I was a bit shocked to hear how much people tip at salons....

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

I think it depends on the cost of the service, maybe $20 for a $100 haircut? I don't really want to know what my wife a daughter spend in salons.

HAHA $20 is what I spend FOR the haircut and that's IF I go somewhere which is rare

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

I assume that you're single.

Painfully so.....

__________________
1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

Craig, you are correct. You do NOT want to know what the ladies spend there. I don't even ask my wife, although I do sometimes notice it in the checkbook. Then again, it makes the wife happy and keeps her looking good, so I can't complain too much.
My haircut with tip is generally $20. When I get the haircut before Christmas, I'll give a bit more. Same for the waitress who serves me every Wednesday evening at the local diner. I believe in taking care of the folks who take care of me.

Well, the upside is not having to know how much tipping is appropriate at the salon, the nail place, etc.; or how much a high school prom dress costs these days.

Considering that most of the garbage collectors are private contractors, their crews are, probably, working non-union wages, but better than most folks they're collecting from. But, I take my garbage elsewhere and I don't have any for my "crew" to pickup...

As for the WEAC crowd (Wis. Teachers Union), when they start loping off the upper 4/5ths of the supervisory group, then I might care one way or the other...their payroll is bloated with too many paid-off, "should be retired," do-nothing talking heads...and they are the ones getting the raises while the classroom folks are the ones "waiting tables" or "bussing tables" (if you will) and getting the short straw on supplies for the kids and themselves. And...I wouldn't mind their "healthcare plan" and its cost on my bottom line...if I had it. As for those folks, when my kid was in school, I couldn't afford to tip...now that he's been gone for 15+ years, I don't see any teachers that I'd even recognize, let alone, want to tip.

As for tipping your "public servants" - it might be something that people used to do, but with folks getting automatic raises (built into their union or service contracts), and the working taxpayer MAYBE getting to KEEP HIS/HER JOB FOR ANOTHER QUARTER...tipping has become an "EXTRA" that is the first item getting lopped off the "survivor" gaming list.

Hey, if you have the money to do it, more power to you.

Me? I'm just catching back up with where I should have been 15-20 years ago. It's just been a few years since I cracked the 5-figure mark in my savings account (not counting the 401(k) [now, the 200.5(e/f) account]) and I'm not exactly sure what's in store for us "folks" for the end of this year yet...

But, I'm keeping my fingers crossed...and I'll still tip the waiters/waitresses my usual +20% (I worked in the restaurant industry MANY YEARS AGO...).

BTDT...and it sucked, but it sure taught me the value of every dollar that I earned. I didn't get tips, but I knew I wouldn't when I took the job. But the gals out front? They worked hard for what they got. It's the stuff going on BEHIND the double-swing doors that the customer never sees that deserves the recognition.

I'm rambling...just remember THOSE folks when you go out on the town this holiday season and cut them some slack. Believe me, THEY'LL remember you if you tip nicely...sometimes they fight each other over who gets to serve you. I found that out one time when two practically landed on my table trying to get to me first...We laughed about it and I ended up with both working my table that night...thank God I was by myself and I didn't mind the extra attention. And "NO! Aklim!" it wasn't a table-dance or lap-dance!

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M. G. Burg
'10 - Dakota SXT - Daily Ride / ≈ 172.5K
.'76 - 450SLC - 107.024.12 / < .89.20 K
..'77 - 280E - 123.033.12 / > 128.20 K
...'67 - El Camino - 283ci / > 207.00 K
....'75 - Yamaha - 650XS / < 21.00 K
.....'87 - G20 Sportvan / > 206.00 K
......'85 - 4WINNS 160 I.O. / 140hp
.......'74 - Honda CT70 / Real 125
.
“I didn’t really say everything I said.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ Yogi Berra ~

I make it a point not to know some things. DADT.

I rather have a Mercedes

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http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/v...7/scotflag.gif http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/v.../scot2flag.gif

"If women are so bloody perfect at multitasking how come they can't have a headache and sex at the same time?"
Billy Connolly

You could probably find one for cost of the dress.

I've been shopping, in the past, with the "ex" - glad I only had one kid and it was a boy...

The cost of a "girl" scared the hell out of me...it was bad enough taking care and feeding the grownup one!!!

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M. G. Burg
'10 - Dakota SXT - Daily Ride / ≈ 172.5K
.'76 - 450SLC - 107.024.12 / < .89.20 K
..'77 - 280E - 123.033.12 / > 128.20 K
...'67 - El Camino - 283ci / > 207.00 K
....'75 - Yamaha - 650XS / < 21.00 K
.....'87 - G20 Sportvan / > 206.00 K
......'85 - 4WINNS 160 I.O. / 140hp
.......'74 - Honda CT70 / Real 125
.
“I didn’t really say everything I said.”
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ Yogi Berra ~

Epic foreshadowing.

__________________
1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."