One person said if you can’t tip generously, don’t come. Another said, for goodness sake don’t tell customers that. Five huge issues with tipping in Hawaii.
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127 thoughts on ““Bribes To Ensure Good Service:” Hawaii Tipping Goes Insane”
I was in the bar, restaurant business for over 30 years. Never did anyone ask for tips before the food and drinks were enjoyed. Then the ticket was given. Your service was always the same hoping tir s good tip. Not the other way around.
No tips for going up to the counter ordering something and soneibe hands into me expecting a tip. Absolutely wrong.
Fair wages…important and needed. Fair understanding of prices here for the consumer: important and needed. The cost of living in Hawaii and travelling here has to be open to tourists and others. If the economic model here can’t be open to that…that is wrong. And if tourism doesn’t work for many of the full time population…then they/we have to deal with the full consequences. We lived in Europe for years….prices were high but at least we knew what they were and were not shamed or pressured for ‘tips.’ I think that is the right way to have things.
I agree that the European model that doesn’t rely on tips is better than the current system. You see the price up front, aren’t shamed into tipping, and the workers make a living wage.
The cost of cabs just went up a great deal. I was really suprised when a ride from the Mall with groceries that was under $10 (but we gave the driver $15) is now $12 (and we gave the driver $15). The percentage tip that we leave has been reduced to around the 20% standard tip. So the cab companies are doing better from us but while the cab drivers will do better from the meter, not so much from the tip. I don’t know if the cab drivers asked for an increase in the meter rates, but we certainly didn’t and there is only so much money to go around.
It is a shame when people expect to be rewarded for services to the public. Whether you work in Hospitality or as a cashier. I myself work as a caregiver,companion. I give my very best at all times. The reward I receive is to see and know that they and family are satisfied with the care and knowledge I provided. There are no monetary bonuses. Just to hear that you made a difference in their health and prolonging life expectancy is more than money can buy. I’ve been taught what ever field you get into do your best and with pride. My 1st hourly pay 1967 $1.20 my last hourly pay $15.58 2022
Performing any job should be to the Best of your abilities, hopefully as you gain experience you will excel. Sometimes you may be recognized for the job you perform, never count on it. Remember that it is Your responsibility, your Job. Hopefully as you gain experience along with that will come raises, promotions, or similar. Satisfaction is knowing that you did your job to the best of your abilities. Working for another isn’t always easy, the ever changing job description is tiresome. Many find Solace and Contentment in the Simplest of Duties. Money never seems to be enough but an extra job or hours does make a difference. Mainly, Work to afford better, incrementally, like our Ancestors!
What many don’t realize is that the tip generated on these machines is calculated on the total Including tax. I refuse to tip on taxes. I tip the appropriate person in ca$h after servie is rendered. My mother waited tables in the 50s. My motto: Can’t afford to tip at restaurants …. eat at home. I don’t tip at McDs. I don’t eat there either. :0)
I Remember being stationed at Hickam AFB back in the 80’s as a lowly enlisted guy. We scrimped and save to take a once in a lifetime glider ride.
When we got into the aircraft there must’ve been 15 stickers saying the pilot works for tips. I’m sure I didn’t have $20 in my wallet and can’t remember what I gave him, but it just about wrecked the good time trying to figure out if $5 or $10 would be good enough. I can definitely see people opting out of doing things when they become too expensive. Once so many things get scratched off the vacation list, then ultimately the vacation gets scrapped. I can definitely see robot workers in Hawaii’s future.
Seems like every day in the newsletter you are complaining about the hawaiian air travel, hotels, restaurants, locals,or service etc..Recommend to your readers to try Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, anyplace in Mexico. They treat you with respect and are glad you came to visit. Much, much cheaper airfare, and they have all inclusives and beautiful Beaches. If Hawaii doesn’t want us, go somewhere else. I have probably stayed in Hawaii close to a total of 5 years out of the last 15 years. And a few months a year in Mexico. Do not put up with Hawaii!
Portions of Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America, the West Indies, all are wonderful and welcoming hosts. Choices abound and the costs are not prohibitive. Lately we have been staying closer to home by vacationing in coastal Florida and Alabama, even New Jersey and Maryland. There’s plenty to see, experience, enjoy, without traveling 11 hours non stop to Hawaii to get abused by overpriced necessities. I plan on Hawaii in 2024, about 18 days to celebrate our Wedding Anniversary. We were Married on Oahu. After that is in question. Antigua is beautiful.
Food Workers need to unionize. Without wait staff or other employees companies can’t make money. Adding more hotel rooms at cheaper rates, no room cleaning and $39 airfare are all part of the problem. Elect people who want to increase the minimum wage so withers are compensated enough to live without concerns. Wages in Hawaii should reflect the cost of living. People in Alabama pay $240 cents a gallon for gas. They earn less. Make Hawaii livable.
Iwas in Alabama on vacation 2 months ago, the absolute lowest price for Regular Unleaded was $3.299 per gallon and it remains unchanged. I’m now ending another vacation, this time in Madeira Beach Florida, and Regular Unleaded is $3.349, I was told by another vacationer from Alabama what the price was “back home.”
I let the customers wait, and I don’t do substitutions or change any menu items, I dont need a tip, so customers shut up and deal. No tips. I only do my job
With that attitude you must be hoping for the unemployment line and benefits. You do realize that if you are Fired you won’t be getting benefits after the Hearing. I enjoy it when employers go to hearings and do what is right.
This is not meant as a joke, but more a resigned commentary: Maybe ‘Hawaii’ should reconsider its situation as a remote pacific island, its situation of being part of the United States, and…obviously, rid itself of the part of the population whose ancestors got here after Captain Cook. Need to take a sober look at all the claims about ‘aloha’ (whatever that means in any situation) and think about being alive humans in 2023. If tipping and anything else rises the price to be a tourist….or a resident as I am….to some point (a tipping point)…some of us need to leave and go to the mainland…and do it while HI is still part of the U.S.A. As it is … it seems to be well known that ‘the best and the brightest’ go away already.
Ben, as long as the Islands are floating they will be the 50th State. I would never encourage this but it might be easier to wait out the Native Hawaiians moving to Las Vegas than trying to get everyone else to leave, just seems more plausible. If a small number of people are not happy and causing problems, why Punish the majority? My idea is make them all get along, play nice, or get tossed into an active volcano!