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Tips, tips tips -- it’s a word that’s practically flying out of people’s mouths these days. Waitresses at Manifesto ask for it. Receipts from Zentral suggest it. The Westin Brunch includes it without even asking! What gives?
There was a time not all that long ago when tips were taboo in our fair city — Shanghaiist has even had tips forcibly rejected by taxi drivers and waiters who found the very concept to be vaguely insulting. (“Why would you need to pay me more? It’s my job! You don’t think I normally give good service?”)
Yet over the past year or so, we’ve detected a distinct change in the way tips are perceived. Perhaps it’s the recent influx of foreign waiters, or a more general awareness of bar and restaurant culture elsewhere in the world. Wherever the idea come from, it’s popped up in unexpected places: a box at Starbucks, a space on credit card receipts and as mentioned above, a suggestion on a delivery receipt from Zentral -- a restaurant that already charges 10 kuai for delivery.
We didn’t really consider the issue until a recent visit to Manifesto, mentioned several times on this site. Our waitress could only be described as comically, epically, theatrically rude -- she would sigh loudly we when we would flag her down, and roll her eyes when we wanted a drink. We even had an “I can’t talk to you right now, I’m way too busy!” during an apparently hectic moment. It was almost charming! The icing on the cake, though, was her request, not once, not twice, but three times for a tip! Excuse me?
Now this is an extreme example, but it seems to mirror a larger trend: restaurants and bars are encouraging their customers to tip. As a former waiter, Shanghaiist appreciates the value of the extra cash -- it was the only the real money we ever made in high school. Yet we’re not sure how we feel about its emergence in Shanghai. Not to sound too much like Scrooge McDuck, but it’s the deliveryman’s job to deliver -- why should we pay him more? We have steadfastly refused to tip except for exceptional service, but have lately been feeling insecure about this policy. At dinner on Saturday, Shanghaiist did an unscientific survey of our Chinese and foreign friends, and found most people had similar rules.
Do you tip at bars and restaurants? If so, how much? What do you think is the right policy? We’d love to know.
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I tip if I feel I am receiving good service, which is not that frequent in Shanghai, or when a waiter/waitress is particularly attentive.
Depending on the place I am eating at, I tend to tip anywhere between 20 and 50rmb, in exceptional cases I tip more.
I tend to tip all the time when I go to Bellagio restaurant on Xikang Lu as I always consistently experience the best service and the coolest grooves of any Shanghai restaurant.
It's all my fault! I took my g/f to Shanghai a couple of weeks ago and she, who works in the service industry, had to tip EVERYONE -- taxi drivers, hotel cleaning staff, even our server at a crummy fast food curry joint in Renmin Square.
Does this mean I won't be able to get a Visa for my next visit to China?
Hehe, I once tried to tip a bus driver. The bus was 2 RMB, but I only had a 5 RMB note. He had no change, but as soon as we arrived at the next stop, he got out of his seat, took some RMB from a guest who got on, walked all the way through the bus to me and gave me my three RMB back - that was so emberassing, since then I tip no more.
Great. Compulsory tipping. What a great idea. And the fools will all go for it. I gave a guy at a hotel 100 kuai to get me a taxi one Saturday when the queue was just too long, but that was for exceptional service rendered. Tipping some rude cow in a yuppie restaurant? Now why would you want to do that...?
Ah, the american culture... who invented the tip? they of course, as a way of motivating underpayed staff to give a better service. But then it has spreaded all around the world in so many tainted ways, until finally arrived at China, the otherwise consumer's paradise. Now we all have to tip as if it were an obligation... duh!
Americans are spoiling so many good things, with their prepotent attitude of "this is me and my money, way better than you(rs)". Even the good ole XiaoJies, warrior's rest, are now fatter, lazier and ask for more money, as they get overpayed by uncle's Sam siblings. So much for the american "culture". Oh, well.
Those who don't know!!!!!
Don't mess up the no tips mentality of China. They can't handle it. Imagine if they start doing what new yorkers do? Ie, even though the service was super horrible, but it's industry standards to pay them tips. I think It's the job of the operators to treat their stuaffs well. Next time you pay 70RMB for a salad in some restaurants, remember you are already pay for their service already. F&B operators! Stop stealing money for serving 2 RMB lettuce salads!
I never tip in restaurant (they nearly always give it back to you).
My ex-girls friend was working in a Bar, and she earn most of her money through tips.
I sometime refuse the change (1 or 2 RMB) when I ask a delivery guy/girl to deliver me cheap food when it is raining.
88
I'll cop to giving a tip sometimes at bars. I give it *before* I even get my drinks sometimes because otherwise, I'm FAR too used to getting VERY little alcohol in my drink. So basically, it's not a tip. It's a bribe.
Americans fucked it up. People, don't tip in China, please!!
Oh Please. Do you need to blame America for everything? I've been around the world enough to know that the best service you receive is in the States. Why? Because we tip. It's called an incentive. People respond to incentives. Get over it.
sometimes i tip... only when service is good or at least they treat u good..
but that almost never happends here :(
Every time I tip from now on I'll make sure to let the server know I'm an American. 1. The locals will have a better impression of Americans 2. They will have a worse impression of cheap ass, snooty Europeans (maybe not tipping is one reason why your immigrants hate you so much) and 3. I'll get better service while others sit and wait.
The best service is in the states if you like getting your ass kissed. I dont want to be patronised and told to enjoy my meal blah blah blah - save it, you are only after my money, I never saw so much falseness as I did when I went dining in the states.
Just bring me good honest food I ask for in a timely manner. That shouldn't difficult in any country. No tip required, greedy owners of shanghai eateries, pay your staff more if they do the job well.
Man, if you have to tip in America to get good service, it is because otherwise you get an awful one?... sort of blackmail. Is that the "the land of freedom?" duh!
Please don't export these things to the rest of the world, do us a favor, ok ?
Tipping is a reward for good service, not blackmail in lieu of bad service, and good servers get repeat customers (though mostly in 4 and 5 star joints).
Maybe Europee-ons don't do that, but then look at how happy you make your immigrants.
I come from a non-tipping culture. I prefer that people are paid honest wages and not have to suck up to idiots for tips. However, when I visit Europe, I am always happy to tip. When in Rome ...
In Shanghai the only person I always tip is Nancy at Kabb in Xintiandi. Months go by that I don't see her and she always remembers my name, and all my friends' names. (Although she thinks my friend's wife and mistress is the same person).
Smart, attentive, polite, considerate and always with a big smile for everyone and cute as a button. I have tipped Nancy 100 RMB on many occasions. I don't know why one of the big restaurants hasn't poached her.
I sometimes tip the Filipino waiters who I know are doing it really tough, often sleeping six to a dorm and stuggling to support family back home. They're usually very professional, in terms of understanding how food and beverages should be served at a Western establishment.
Once I get used to good service here on the mainland, I'm more than happy to tip for it. In the mean time, I find it highly offensive that anyplace here would think tips are required when the service is so badly lacking. Compare CPK at portman to CPK in Irvine. Nothing special... Just CPK. My english isn't good enough to adaquately describe service here other than saying that there isn't any.
I tip if service has been outstanding or someone is so impressive - above and beyond the usual crappy indifferent service. It's to say you are something special and please do not change it.
Of course it is sometimes refused even by a Philippine barman at the bar in Barbarossa. I gave him money for drinks and told him to keep the change and went to sit down. He found me a few minutes later and put my change on the table then even said DO NOT leave it there when you go.
It's very clear already in Shanghai there are places where it's awkward to tip and places where they do expect it.
Hmmm... If I am sitting at a restaurant, I give a tip when the service is flawless, but this is China, so I think that's kind of stigy of me to hold back all my money fora tip. hehe
If I order delivery, I give between 5-15 kuai. But the 'golden rule' stil stands: bad service, no tip.
-- MoJo
If you don't like the "American" custom of tipping (actually, it started in British tea gardens), don't do it. I'm not an American, but it seems a bit silly to blame them for your own guilt regarding whether or not you tip. Start taking responsiblity for your own actions/feelings instead of looking for someone to blame.
Tip only if it's good service, of course! I used to work as a waitress in Shanghai [as part of a summer "experience"] and trust me, most of these people barely get $100USD a month, and their managers suck the money out of their pockets just for being a few minutes late one day a month or something. That doesn't mean to tip unnecessarily, of course-- I knew a lot of my co-workers that were simply doing a crappy job-- but if the service IS good, why not tip?
I just got back last night to NYC from Shanghai and I have to say that I didn't tip anyone during my week and a half stay. Respect the country your visiting and follow the rules and regulations. You are in their country as a guest. China does not require a tip. If a person gives a tip, they will frown on you because it gives them the impression that you are superior to them which is why your throwing money at them.
You may believe that you are doing a good thing by thanking them for the good service but they don't think like us; because that is not what they are accustomed to.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Why give extra when it is not required? I'm not being stingy or nothing...it's just about respect.