In the midst of the financial kerfuffle going around, I know most people feel pinched for cash. Many started doing second and even third jobs to have more cash to support themselves. Almost each cent is lovingly counted and considered before being parted with. Or something like that.
GST and service charges in eateries are not necessarily mutually inclusive, and have now become a major deciding factor in many middle- to low-income families when deciding upon a makan place. Most places charge a 10% service charge on the total bill, and for larger groups this is rather the hefty sum.
So, the question goes: Do you tip?
Because generally, I do.
This is not a bragging post but merely my take on this issue in particular.
Most Malaysians are loathe to tip- that is a well-known fact. We are used to service charges. I do not know if service charges were the result of Malaysians' tendency to not tip, or the reason we do not. In any case, cause or effect, this is the widest reason most people don't tip: "Service charge got already meh."
Alright, understandable.
Though in all honesty, if the service is very good, it doesn't hurt to show your appreciation by throwing down a few ringgit, right?
But what about places that do not have service charge?
I really like this concept because ultimately you are not required to pay extra, but when you do pay something amounting to a normal service charge you feel even more fulfilled- and usually your gesture will be greatly appreciated by the staff.
Most people argue that it's wasteful, especially now that penny-pinching is really required. I think of it as a form of sedekah, and that makes it all the more easier for me. I am not wealthy, but I find that making tips part of the cost for my meals before I even place my order to be highly economical. If you look at the prices of the meals before the charges, you are bound to feel dissatisfied when the bill comes and the extra charges are added to the cost of your meal. However, if you look at the prices and immediately factor in the amount you have to add on to them, you will have mentally prepared yourself to feel more at peace with what you are paying later; and this can apply for tipping too. Several restaurants- like Sushi King- have convenient menus, where they display the prices of the meals and even include the amount of each item after the extra charges are added to your bill later.
As a general rule, more because of awkwardness, I do not tip if you have to pay at the counter and there is no tip box. I do not have it in me to pay the cashier and go 'Oh, here's a few ringgit for tips.' If they have a tip box, and I like the service, I would shove in some tips into the box very hastily. Usually, when they bring me the cheque, I will pay, wait for the balance and leave some, all, or add-on to the balance- depending on the amount. Like I said, I am not wealthy.
I usually will leave about the amount of 10% of the bill or more if there is no service charge. In a certain chain that I really like with very efficient service, I tend to give them 20% each meal, maybe more. If the service is deplorable I might consider not tipping. Coincidentally, the places I go to without a service charge give very good service, perhaps because they rely on tips. Even then, several Arab restaurants I have frequented do not have service charges, and jovially but vehemently refuse tips!
If there is a service charge, I will leave my balance- at least RM 1 for very normal to sub-par service. Sometimes if the restaurant workers are downright rude I will of course refuse to leave them anything. Other times I don't have small change- I will try to pay so that there will be some balance if the service is decent. If it really can't be helped, then it's just not my day for tipping.
So I'm not a particularly huge tipper. I do not have a special part of my coin purse/wallet where I keep smaller denominations of my currency specifically to tip, but I make it a point to try to do so, even when I'm eating with other people. It gets hard when someone else is using their card to pay for your meal, though. How do you insist on tipping that way? But when no cards are involved it's easy to just leave some balance with the cheque. Even when no one else wants to tip, there is some from me.
Now as I said, this is my take. Some may say that rather than tipping, you could better use the balance money to put into donation boxes, or to be collected into your savings jar. That is entirely up to you. But to me, having known people who have worked in the service industry such as these, the gesture- no matter how small- goes a long way. And if you frequent the place, it might mean an even better service and warmer smiles for you! Now isn't that wonderful for everyone involved? :)
Being frugal is necessary, but giving really goes a long way!
GST and service charges in eateries are not necessarily mutually inclusive, and have now become a major deciding factor in many middle- to low-income families when deciding upon a makan place. Most places charge a 10% service charge on the total bill, and for larger groups this is rather the hefty sum.
So, the question goes: Do you tip?
Because generally, I do.
This is not a bragging post but merely my take on this issue in particular.
Most Malaysians are loathe to tip- that is a well-known fact. We are used to service charges. I do not know if service charges were the result of Malaysians' tendency to not tip, or the reason we do not. In any case, cause or effect, this is the widest reason most people don't tip: "Service charge got already meh."
Alright, understandable.
Though in all honesty, if the service is very good, it doesn't hurt to show your appreciation by throwing down a few ringgit, right?
But what about places that do not have service charge?
I really like this concept because ultimately you are not required to pay extra, but when you do pay something amounting to a normal service charge you feel even more fulfilled- and usually your gesture will be greatly appreciated by the staff.
Most people argue that it's wasteful, especially now that penny-pinching is really required. I think of it as a form of sedekah, and that makes it all the more easier for me. I am not wealthy, but I find that making tips part of the cost for my meals before I even place my order to be highly economical. If you look at the prices of the meals before the charges, you are bound to feel dissatisfied when the bill comes and the extra charges are added to the cost of your meal. However, if you look at the prices and immediately factor in the amount you have to add on to them, you will have mentally prepared yourself to feel more at peace with what you are paying later; and this can apply for tipping too. Several restaurants- like Sushi King- have convenient menus, where they display the prices of the meals and even include the amount of each item after the extra charges are added to your bill later.
As a general rule, more because of awkwardness, I do not tip if you have to pay at the counter and there is no tip box. I do not have it in me to pay the cashier and go 'Oh, here's a few ringgit for tips.' If they have a tip box, and I like the service, I would shove in some tips into the box very hastily. Usually, when they bring me the cheque, I will pay, wait for the balance and leave some, all, or add-on to the balance- depending on the amount. Like I said, I am not wealthy.
I usually will leave about the amount of 10% of the bill or more if there is no service charge. In a certain chain that I really like with very efficient service, I tend to give them 20% each meal, maybe more. If the service is deplorable I might consider not tipping. Coincidentally, the places I go to without a service charge give very good service, perhaps because they rely on tips. Even then, several Arab restaurants I have frequented do not have service charges, and jovially but vehemently refuse tips!
If there is a service charge, I will leave my balance- at least RM 1 for very normal to sub-par service. Sometimes if the restaurant workers are downright rude I will of course refuse to leave them anything. Other times I don't have small change- I will try to pay so that there will be some balance if the service is decent. If it really can't be helped, then it's just not my day for tipping.
So I'm not a particularly huge tipper. I do not have a special part of my coin purse/wallet where I keep smaller denominations of my currency specifically to tip, but I make it a point to try to do so, even when I'm eating with other people. It gets hard when someone else is using their card to pay for your meal, though. How do you insist on tipping that way? But when no cards are involved it's easy to just leave some balance with the cheque. Even when no one else wants to tip, there is some from me.
Now as I said, this is my take. Some may say that rather than tipping, you could better use the balance money to put into donation boxes, or to be collected into your savings jar. That is entirely up to you. But to me, having known people who have worked in the service industry such as these, the gesture- no matter how small- goes a long way. And if you frequent the place, it might mean an even better service and warmer smiles for you! Now isn't that wonderful for everyone involved? :)
Being frugal is necessary, but giving really goes a long way!
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