Tipping Owners

Ted shuffled out of his cave and grunted these great (and sometimes not
so great) words of knowledge:

Quoted message said:

When I go to this little Korean restaurant, the only working people
there are the owners (husband and wife) and I wondered if there was
anything done differently when it comes to tipping? It sometimes seems
weird to be tipping the owners who aren't wait staff employees.
Any thoughts?
Goomba

If they are serving you as a waiter/waitress would (serving food,
providing beverages, clearing the table, etc. ), give them a tip. You
are tipping for the service provided whether it comes from a wait person
or the owners.

On Sat 22 Oct 2005 06:03:05p, Goomba38 wrote in rec.food.cooking:

Quoted message said:

When I go to this little Korean restaurant, the only working people
there are the owners (husband and wife) and I wondered if there was
anything done differently when it comes to tipping? It sometimes seems
weird to be tipping the owners who aren't wait staff employees.
Any thoughts?
Goomba

My conscience tells me that since they are also the "wait staff", they should
probably be tipped. Any store or business where tipping is customary, and
where there are other staff who are not owners, I would not tip the owner
even if the owner served me. In that case, it was his choice to serve me,
not a requirement.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
_____________________________

http://tinypic.com/eikz78.jpg

Meet Mr. Bailey

Wayne Boatwright said:

My conscience tells me that since they are also the "wait staff", they should
probably be tipped. Any store or business where tipping is customary, and
where there are other staff who are not owners, I would not tip the owner
even if the owner served me. In that case, it was his choice to serve me,
not a requirement.

I don't get this distinction. He served you. What does it matter
whether he owns the joint or some megabuck corporation owns it? He
gave you service. Why not tip him? -aem

"aem" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Wayne Boatwright said:

My conscience tells me that since they are also the "wait staff", they
should
probably be tipped. Any store or business where tipping is customary,
and
where there are other staff who are not owners, I would not tip the owner
even if the owner served me. In that case, it was his choice to serve
me,
not a requirement.

I don't get this distinction. He served you. What does it matter
whether he owns the joint or some megabuck corporation owns it? He
gave you service. Why not tip him? -aem

There is a distinction, for instance if you go to a hair salon for
a cut, you aren't supposed to tip if the owner worked on you.
I don't defend the custom, I didn't make it up. I tip if it's customary
to tip for that type of service. Besides, who am I to know who is
the owner or if they're the owner's brother or something.

nancy

Goomba38 said:

When I go to this little Korean restaurant, the only working people
there are the owners (husband and wife) and I wondered if there was
anything done differently when it comes to tipping? It sometimes seems
weird to be tipping the owners who aren't wait staff employees.
Any thoughts?

The idea of tipping is to subsidize the low wages of the hired help, not
the owners.

Dave Smith said:

The idea of tipping is to subsidize the low wages of the hired help, not
the owners.

What kind of income can the owners be making if they can't afford to
hire servers?

Leaving that aside, I don't buy your premise, because it's not up to me
to subsidize anyone's income. It is up to me to pay for service. Here
in the U.S. we have this truly weird 'voluntary' system, where what you
posit does come into play. Abroad, they put the service fee on the
bill. But ... oh well, this has been the subject of many very long,
often intemperate threads ... never mind. -aem

"aem" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Wayne Boatwright said:

My conscience tells me that since they are also the "wait staff", they
should
probably be tipped. Any store or business where tipping is customary,
and
where there are other staff who are not owners, I would not tip the owner
even if the owner served me. In that case, it was his choice to serve
me,
not a requirement.

I don't get this distinction. He served you. What does it matter
whether he owns the joint or some megabuck corporation owns it? He
gave you service. Why not tip him? -aem

The other day when we ate at the Korean restaurant in a grocery store (this
is the norm for Korean grocery stores to have little restaurants in them) I
assumed the owner and his wife, and two other people were working there. We
ordered at the counter, they called our number, we went up and got it, our
table was not swiped clean, we bussed our trays, and left our table as it
was: no cleaner, no dirtier. There were no 'tipping jars' by the cash
register. There were about 8-10 tables, I didn't see anyone tipping. I
didn't feel the need to tip.

However, if I were in ChiChi's where the circumstances are the same, and my
table is clean when I sit down, and someone busses my table/plates, I will
leave $2 on the table for an all-you-can-eat lunch - salad, pizza (crummy
dessert) pasta, soup ($8 total for two people). I use 3 plates -- I won't
say how many plates DH uses, but that's what the $2 is for.
Dee Dee

aem said:

Dave Smith said:

The idea of tipping is to subsidize the low wages of the hired help, not
the owners.

What kind of income can the owners be making if they can't afford to
hire servers?

Probably excellent income, because they're saving the expenses
associated with an employee; their wages, insurance, taxes, and any
personal benefits, such as how eatery help is typically fed.

I don't tip business owners, especially not when they are substituting
for the services of an employee, they are depriving someone of a job.
I often hire building trades contractor types to do work on my house;
carpenters, plumbers, electricians, etc... I tip the helpers, never the
owners. Often they have no helper, if the owner is willing to do the
scut work a helper would normally do that is their decision, but then
why should I pay extra in the form of a tip when the job took longer
because they had no helper... and they certainly don't lower the cost
of the job by whatever a helper would otherwise receive, even though I
was deprived of that service. My experience is that small business
owners don't hire help because mostly they are paranoid that the help
will rip them off, not to mention how they are typically tightwads, but
they have no concience when they rip off the customer by over charging
and doing shoddy work by cutting corners because they are in a hurry,
they fall behind due to not having a helper, they become irritable, and
who sufferes, the customer. I don't like to hire the services of owner
operators... owners typically resent having to service their clients,
and it shows in their work and especially in their attitude. Whenever
possible I don't patronize those businesses where the owner does it
all. I don't want the owner cutting my hair, whey should I be
inconvenienced by having to wait every time the phone rings or every
time someone walks in the door to converse about something... anyway,
these days I cut my own hair, there are no more barbers.

Sheldon Clippers

Dave Smith said:

Goomba38 said:

When I go to this little Korean restaurant, the only working people
there are the owners (husband and wife) and I wondered if there was
anything done differently when it comes to tipping? It sometimes seems
weird to be tipping the owners who aren't wait staff employees.
Any thoughts?

The idea of tipping is to subsidize the low wages of the hired help, not
the owners.

That's your perception. My perception is different. I view tipping as
a price one *gladly* pays in order to eliminate having to endure any
more of an intimate relationship with the owner/management than is
absolutely necessary. At a restaurant I definitely do not want to be
served by the cook, likewise the cook definitely does not want to serve
me, and the cook most definitely doesn't want me coming into the
kitchen to retrieve my own food. Waitstaff automatically runs
interference, eliminates an awful lot of problems before they can
occur, let alone escalate. And waitstaff definitely does not
necessarily endure low wages... professional waitstaff usually takes
home more dollars than the other restaurant employees... anyone who
thinks they don't is a lousy tipper. Fortunately lousy tippers are in
the minority... most Americans who dine well tip well. The lousy
tippers typically frequent fast food joints, usually the drive thru.

Sheldon

"Goomba38" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

When I go to this little Korean restaurant, the only working people
there are the owners (husband and wife) and I wondered if there was
anything done differently when it comes to tipping? It sometimes seems
weird to be tipping the owners who aren't wait staff employees.
Any thoughts?
Goomba

If you went to a bar, let's say, and the owner is the bartender, would you
not tip? I do.

kili

aem said:

Dave Smith said:

The idea of tipping is to subsidize the low wages of the hired help, not
the owners.

What kind of income can the owners be making if they can't afford to
hire servers?

Who says they can't hire servers? I had assumed that it is a small operation
and that they could handle it themselves, or preferred to handle it themselves
rather than spend money on servers. As the owners, they set the prices. If
there is not enough provide there, that is their direct responsibility. It is
not like a hired waiter who has no control over the prices.

Sheldon said:

aem said:

Dave Smith said:

The idea of tipping is to subsidize the low wages of the hired help, not
the owners.

What kind of income can the owners be making if they can't afford to
hire servers?

Probably excellent income, because they're saving the expenses
associated with an employee; their wages, insurance, taxes, and any
personal benefits, such as how eatery help is typically fed.

And maybe not. The small Asian restaurant described is pretty typical.
Given the prices they charge I seriously doubt they are rolling in dough.

Quoted message said:

I don't tip business owners, especially not when they are substituting
for the services of an employee, they are depriving someone of a job.
I often hire building trades contractor types to do work on my house;
carpenters, plumbers, electricians, etc... I tip the helpers, never the
owners. Often they have no helper, if the owner is willing to do the
scut work a helper would normally do that is their decision, but then
why should I pay extra in the form of a tip when the job took longer
because they had no helper... and they certainly don't lower the cost
of the job by whatever a helper would otherwise receive, even though I
was deprived of that service. My experience is that small business
owners don't hire help because mostly they are paranoid that the help
will rip them off, not to mention how they are typically tightwads, but
they have no concience when they rip off the customer by over charging
and doing shoddy work by cutting corners because they are in a hurry,
they fall behind due to not having a helper, they become irritable, and
who sufferes, the customer. I don't like to hire the services of owner
operators... owners typically resent having to service their clients,
and it shows in their work and especially in their attitude. Whenever
possible I don't patronize those businesses where the owner does it
all. I don't want the owner cutting my hair, whey should I be
inconvenienced by having to wait every time the phone rings or every
time someone walks in the door to converse about something... anyway,
these days I cut my own hair, there are no more barbers.

Sheldon Clippers

I don't agree with the every small business guy with no staff is ripping
you off idea. They are plenty of "one man bands" who are quite
competant, don't cut corners, know how to schedule their time and charge
fairly. Not every task requires a crew.

"kilikini" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Goomba38" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

When I go to this little Korean restaurant, the only working people
there are the owners (husband and wife) and I wondered if there was
anything done differently when it comes to tipping? It sometimes seems
weird to be tipping the owners who aren't wait staff employees.
Any thoughts?
Goomba

If you went to a bar, let's say, and the owner is the bartender, would you
not tip? I do.

kili

Can't resist, sorry.
"EYE don't GOoooooooo to bars."
Dee Dee

Sheldon said:

Quoted message said:

I don't want the owner cutting my hair, whey should I be
inconvenienced by having to wait every time the phone rings or every
time someone walks in the door to converse about something... anyway,
these days I cut my own hair, there are no more barbers.

You need a new barber then. I use to go to is a one man shop. He never
answered the phone. Most callers would ask if he was busy and how long of a
wait. He'd hang up the phone and three people would walk in increasing he
wait by the time the caller got there. It was always an interesting time
with the group discussing sports, local politics, what is going on in town,
Ford vs. Chevy, etc. Makes me wish I had enough hair to keep going.

"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Sheldon said:

Quoted message said:

I don't want the owner cutting my hair, whey should I be
inconvenienced by having to wait every time the phone rings or every
time someone walks in the door to converse about something... anyway,
these days I cut my own hair, there are no more barbers.

You need a new barber then. I use to go to is a one man shop. He never
answered the phone. Most callers would ask if he was busy and how long of
a wait. He'd hang up the phone and three people would walk in increasing
he wait by the time the caller got there. It was always an interesting
time with the group discussing sports, local politics, what is going on in
town, Ford vs. Chevy, etc. Makes me wish I had enough hair to keep going.

Supercuts is a madhouse. They would be out of business if all customers
were like me. I go once a year whether I need to or not. I tip well. She
remembers me and doesn't cut a stylish haircut. She doesn't own any part of
the business, but has worked there at least 10 years on the same days of the
week. After waiting a year, cutting my hair takes the same amount of time
as if I would go every month -- just about 3 minutes total. Snip, snip --
it's done. If I never went, it would be ok with me. It's the weight of the
hair that 'weighs me down.'
Most of the talk I hear in this shop is 'kids & school,' not politics.
Arrgggh - I should go before winter sets in.
Dee Dee
Dee Dee

aem said:

I don't get this distinction. He served you. What does it matter
whether he owns the joint or some megabuck corporation owns it? He
gave you service. Why not tip him? -aem

I did tip him. I just wasn't sure, and wondered if there was any
distinction?
Goomba

"Nancy Young" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"aem" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Wayne Boatwright said:

My conscience tells me that since they are also the "wait staff", they
should
probably be tipped. Any store or business where tipping is customary,
and
where there are other staff who are not owners, I would not tip the
owner
even if the owner served me. In that case, it was his choice to serve
me,
not a requirement.

I don't get this distinction. He served you. What does it matter
whether he owns the joint or some megabuck corporation owns it? He
gave you service. Why not tip him? -aem

There is a distinction, for instance if you go to a hair salon for
a cut, you aren't supposed to tip if the owner worked on you.
I don't defend the custom, I didn't make it up. I tip if it's customary
to tip for that type of service. Besides, who am I to know who is
the owner or if they're the owner's brother or something.

nancy =============

Really? At the salon I used to go to (Armpit, IL) I was always attended to
by one of the owners and I always tipped.
--
Syssi

George said:

Quoted message said:

Probably excellent income, because they're saving the expenses
associated with an employee; their wages, insurance, taxes, and any
personal benefits, such as how eatery help is typically fed.

And maybe not. The small Asian restaurant described is pretty typical.
Given the prices they charge I seriously doubt they are rolling in dough.

Then they should charge more. They set their prices low to attract customers.
If the prices are so low that they aren't making any money they should boost
their prices rather than expect tips.

Dave Smith said:

George said:

Quoted message said:

Probably excellent income, because they're saving the expenses
associated with an employee; their wages, insurance, taxes, and any
personal benefits, such as how eatery help is typically fed.

And maybe not. The small Asian restaurant described is pretty typical.
Given the prices they charge I seriously doubt they are rolling in dough.

Then they should charge more. They set their prices low to attract customers.
If the prices are so low that they aren't making any money they should boost
their prices rather than expect tips.

It is standard practice in the US to tip food servers. If I am in a mom
& pop place how would I make a determination that the person serving me
is the owner and why would it matter?