On 9/6/2013 2:36 PM, ImStillMags wrote:
> Seems many places are doing away with tipping and going to a service charge.
>
> What do you think?
>
> http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/04/di...tml?ref=dining
>
>
> Personally I would prefer paying a living wage equivalent to what the staff would usually earn including their tips and leave the tipping up to the customer.
>

In the cruise business, many lines have instituted "automatic
gratuities" where a set amount is charged to your onboard account every
day for gratuities (Usually around $11 - $12 pp per day). This money is
divided up between cabin stewards, assistants, waiters and their
assistants, servers and workers in the buffets. You do have the option
of going to the Purser's Desk and having these removed.

When this first started happening, most people were against it including
the ship's crews... but it turns out that the system works great. The
crew knows how much money they will be making and no one can stiff them.
If service declines, an individual crew member can be assigned fewer
cabins/tables and make less money until their performance improves.
There is a lot of peer pressure among crew members for everyone to do a
good job. Service has not suffered because of this as far as I can see.

On land, I would prefer that servers be paid a living wage and not have
to rely on tips. I've had a couple of jobs where I depended on tips
(waiter, cab driver) and it gives you a whole new perspective on people.

George L