Tipping in Great Britain (or more specifically, England).

[payn]

It's getting weird in here.

 

[Maxperson]

Tipping, especially online, has gotten weird over the last few years. It's gone from something that you give to people when they tend to your needs over an extended period of time, to something that's somehow expected for shovelling something across the counter to you.

One of the local talk show hosts went to a grocery store here in Los Angeles. He went through the self-checkout and the computer asked him if he wanted to leave a tip.

 

[Maxperson]

Wait people have FLGSes that serve food and drink? Look at these fancy lads and lasses! Back in my day we went to Orc's Nest up hill through the snow both ways and the shop could barely fit six people and one of those people was always an unwashed dude buying MtG cards and arguing with the cashier!

My best friend, who I've known since Junior Highschool, owns an FLGS/Coffee Shop. We can order a panini, maybe some coffee or wine, and enjoy the game. It's really a great combination.

 

[R_J_K75]

What bugs me is suggesting that I should tip for retail service, like buying a game from a FLGS. I specifically go to my FLGSs in order to support them; I think they bring a lot of value to the community. Generally, I could buy online for less. So it's probably not a great idea to further incentivize me to avoid going into a shop.

Right, it's the fact that people are openly asking for money for doing a job they are already getting paid to do, a job they willingly accepted at a pre-determined wage. I can understand if some unfortunate circumstances have fallen upon the owner, or a worker and they are asking for donations. I can see that and may contribute but most likely not as I'm not very quick to believe people.

As far as FLGS, that's a hard pass for someone just to point to a CC machine that's going to solicit me for a tip. If they are providing a service that warrants a tip/donation, such as gaming space, terrain, minis, RPG books I think that's fair. I highly doubt most game stores are getting rich and are in any position push away customers with this practice. Last time I was at a game store was when the MM24 was released for about 30 seconds, and I probably won't be back until the new FR books are released. I don't frequent game stores anymore, haven't in probably 20 years so I don't feel a loyalty or need to support them.

It's the norm everywhere, I think. You're hiring an artist to work on your body. If I'm going to tip my barber, I'm definitely going to tip my tattoo artist.

You'd think it would be, but I guess it's not. The only time I can remember not tipping was my very first tattoo. I got it done when I was 16-17, at a tattoo party at a friend's house. I was drunk and it was 4AM. Thinking back now I'm surprised I didn't die the instant the needle first broke the skin from every disease on the planet. What was I thinking, oh yeah, I was a stupid teenager. It was crap and I had it covered shortly after I got it.

 

[R_J_K75]

I’ve never tipped a tattoo artist.

Several.

From the same artist and shop with apprentices or different ones? I can see not tipping if you go to a different place and a different artist each time. If you're never going to use their services or see them again, what's the point.

 

[R_J_K75]

It's getting weird in here.

At least it's a civil conversation. I have never seen a thread here that hasn't veered off course a bit.

 

[Morrus]

From the same artist and shop with apprentices or different ones?

Various over 30 years.

 

[Ryujin]

One of the local talk show hosts went to a grocery store here in Los Angeles. He went through the self-checkout and the computer asked him if he wanted to leave a tip.

In that case the tip should be a discount on the groceries.

 

[Ryujin]

My best friend, who I've known since Junior Highschool, owns an FLGS/Coffee Shop. We can order a panini, maybe some coffee or wine, and enjoy the game. It's really a great combination.

A couple of guys who were a year ahead of me, in high school, opened a game store/comic shop when they graduated. It started just around the corner from the school, then moved a few Km away and closer to my house. They also put a sort of coffee shop at the front of the new location and it worked out great. Unfortunately the one remaining owner passed, just before Covid hit, and the store closed down.

 

[Morrus]

A couple of guys who were a year ahead of me, in high school, opened a game store/comic shop when they graduated. It started just around the corner from the school, then moved a few Km away and closer to my house. They also put a sort of coffee shop at the front of the new location and it worked out great. Unfortunately the one remaining owner passed, just before Covid hit, and the store closed down.

The gaming cafe model is a popular one, albeit one with a very high failure rate. It's a harsh world for small independent games stores and for small independent eateries! I've seen so many come and go.