An older couple came in, each ordering an extra well done burger and fries. They were extremely pleasant and asked for advice on sights, shows, and dining. Since it was pretty slow I chatted with them until their food came. Then I brought them vinegar and mayo for their fries. Even though I knew they were Canadian and probably going to only tip me 10% at most, I still made sure their drinks remained full and that they had everything they needed. In short, I provided them with excellent service and even gave them some knowledge not usually privy to tourists. When they went to pay they charged their check to the hotel room, leaving the tip area blank. As they got up from the table the man said to me “Thank you so much for the great service, everything was wonderful - Best service and meal since we have been in Vegas by far.” He then places a $1 Canadian coin in my hand as a tip. I look down, completely insulted, and hand it back to him.
The man (looking confused): That’s for you. It’s a tip.
He tries to hand it to me again.
Me: That’s OK – you keep it
His wife: He likes to give those to people. He gives them to the baggage handlers & cocktail waitresses. He gives them to everyone.
Me: I don’t need it. It’s OK
The man: It’s like a souvenier
Me: How is it a souvenir if I didn’t go to Canada to get it? Besides, It’s not worth my time to cash it in.
The man: Well, you can use it when you go to Canada
Me: I don’t plan on visiting Canada. (with a big smile) Have a nice day though.
With that, the couple left.
Twitter Updates
That really sucks, but the thing they are completely clueless about the situation.
Hey there. LOVE this blog. Sucks about the tip you can’t even use.. probably worse than a verbal tip. Just wanted to say that I came across this blog and I couldn’t stop reading. It is quite funny!
Stop by mine sometime.. tipsfrombb.blogspot.com. It’s ranting from a bartender’s POV
That is NOT ignorance. That was CHEAPNESS. Plain and simple. Like we give a shit about Canadian money…Or for that matter, visiting Canada.
I’m Canadian, and even here 10% is not an okay tip. Here, it’s 15% for average service, 20%+ for great service… then again, minimum wage is $9.50 in my province.
Minimum wage in Canada applies to servers, and they aren’t required to keep a record of total sales for tax records. 10% is the average for half-assed service, 15% for decent service, and 20% for good service. I, personally, will tip 25-30% for excellent service.
If the servers here had to live off what US servers made, I imagine things would be different, but as it stands, the average server in Canada makes as much money as an electrician’s apprentice or high-end appliance salesman. It all balances out for us.
To assume Canadians are cheap because they don’t tip as much as Americans is like comparing apples to oranges because the variables are drastically different.
Perhaps, instead of judging, you could put some time and effort into creating a “Reasons to tip higher when visiting the United States” pamphlet that outlines the bullshit your government pulls on servers. For example, compare how much a hostess, bartender, cook and server make in wages. Describe how you’re taxed on theoretical sales for each table, etc… Educate the Canadians instead of judging and mocking them.
That being said, I really enjoy your blog. I imagine serving in Las Vegas is harder than a lot of other places. You get the same assholes, only drunker.