Sales & Customer Service Training | Consulting | Coaching | Virtual and Face to Face Training and Workshops
  • Home
  • About
  • Training
  • Coaching
  • Consulting
  • Keynote Speaking
  • DISC PROFILE
  • Contact
  • Blog

Blog.

View my profile on LinkedIn

to tip or not to tip

13/9/2019

Comments

 
Picture
Recently, I went on my first visit to the United States of America, spending six days in Hawaii on a business conference plus leisure time.  This was my first experience in a country where tipping is customary. 
​
I was aware prior to my visit, unlike in Australia, tipping is part of everyday life in the US, understanding the low minimum wage see’s employees relying on tips to make a living.  Although I knew it was custom, I was surprised to see in some cases a certain percentage automatically added to a bill.  At other establishments, a gratuity amount was calculated and printed on a receipt, with the customer asked to select an option between 15%-25% on top of the total.

I was prepared to pay tips particularly in restaurants, however what I wasn’t prepared for was the poor customer service that was provided in most cases across a wide array of service areas.  Retail stores, food outlets, bars, restaurants and tourist attractions, the service level overall was sub-standard.

I was completely surprised by the lack lustre approach taken by staff when serving customers.  Even in high end hotels and resorts, we had to hunt down servers or wait staff to place food orders and refill drinks.  One would expect in these venues, staff would be attentive and eager to increase their earning potential through providing high end service to cashed up tourists.

Sadly, I didn’t identify any outstanding service provided throughout the days we spent on the famous tourist island.  Most staff were simply going through the motions, struggling to produce a smile or in some cases, basic manners.

Perhaps it was my perception or understanding of tipping in general, seeing it as a way of recognising exceptional service.  Rather it seems it is an expectation regardless of the standard of service provided, making tipping less of an incentive and more like an expected subsidy of their wage paid directly by the customer.

I found myself torn, not wanting to offend or disadvantage the person by neglecting to pay a tip however, I also struggled to reward poor service. 
​
In a location such as Hawaii with its large portion of clientele being tourists for whom tipping is not necessarily the norm, these customers need to be given even more of a reason to tip.  Where the service provided is at such a level, that a customer shows their gratitude to the person who served them, because they want to not because they are expected to.
Comments

    Author

    Juanita Miell-Sparks

    Archives

    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    June 2018

    Categories

    All
    Adding On A Great Service
    Characteristics Of A Great Leader
    Cutting Costs Versus Customer Service
    Different Customer Types
    Ensuring Group Training Is Effective
    Follow Up In Sales
    Hearing Vs Listening In Customer Service
    How Retail Can Save Pharmacy
    How To Turn A Complaint Into A Loyal Customer
    It's Part Of The Uniform
    Motivating A Team
    Reasons For Poor Customer Service
    Retailers In Trouble
    Sales And Professional Services
    Selling On Value Not Price
    Smile
    The Power Of Acknowledgement
    The Push Towards Self Service
    The Relationship Between Training And Coaching
    The Six P's Of Frontline Service
    Tolerating Poor Service
    Top Sales And Training
    Top Salespeople Don't Always Make Great Leaders
    To Tip Or Not To Tip
    Training Social Skills
    What Is Mystery Shopping
    Your Candidates Are Also Your Customers

Training and Services

Face to Face Training
​
Virtual Workshops
Consulting
Sales Training
Customer Service Training
Customised Training
​DISC ADVANCED® Assessments and Workshops
Sales Coaching
​Coach the Sales Coach
Keynote Speaking
​Mystery Shopping

Company


About Learn Lead Inspire
Our Values
About Juanita Miell-Sparks
Testimonials
Blog


Contact

MOBILE:      + 61 410 619 879
​EMAIL:         juanita@learnleadinspire.com.au
​ABN:            61 401 937 375



Picture
© COPYRIGHT 2020 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • About
  • Training
  • Coaching
  • Consulting
  • Keynote Speaking
  • DISC PROFILE
  • Contact
  • Blog