Tipping -- when, how much?

[Kupcake]

My comment about hoping tipping becomes more common place here. It would encourage more service-oriented serving staff I believe. The old bags who've lived through the old times of absolutely no tips, and who just kinda throw the plates down on the table, will never provide the courtesy of a pleasant dining experience.

There are plenty of countries in the world where tipping is not expected and yet they still offer good service. If tipping is required because of low wages, perhaps it's a situation where the minimum wage needs to be set higher. I'm not sure the "old bags" who throw the plates down on the table are doing that because of no tips. It's likely got more to do with a mindset about service in general - or they're having a bad day

[TampereOwl]

Don't buy bar staff drinks. They don't appreciate it because they're all lightweights and don't drink at work.

[onkko]

There are plenty of countries in the world where tipping is not expected and yet they still offer good service. If tipping is required because of low wages, perhaps it's a situation where the minimum wage needs to be set higher. I'm not sure the "old bags" who throw the plates down on the table are doing that because of no tips. It's likely got more to do with a mindset about service in general - or they're having a bad day

Its from times when you had to had tie/etc to get in and couldnt move between tables without permission (thats in club type place, dont know about restaurants)
Times have changed but here is still some dinosaurs. Ages ago when dinosaurs roamed in finland you were lucky to get in (fewer places, eating out was/is quite rare in finland), no need for service. Dinosaurs were here in 1983, Almost extincted since 1995. Something happend in between, dont know what. (these years is from what my uncle told and what i experienced when 18)
Or they just had bad day or just bored for that work. I call them "hiekkapillut" (not in face, i would fly out quite fast ) (no i wont translate)

[Kupcake]

There are plenty of countries in the world where tipping is not expected and yet they still offer good service. If tipping is required because of low wages, perhaps it's a situation where the minimum wage needs to be set higher. I'm not sure the "old bags" who throw the plates down on the table are doing that because of no tips. It's likely got more to do with a mindset about service in general - or they're having a bad day

Its from times when you had to had tie/etc to get in and couldnt move between tables without permission (thats in club type place, dont know about restaurants)
Times have changed but here is still some dinosaurs. Ages ago when dinosaurs roamed in finland you were lucky to get in (fewer places, eating out was/is quite rare in finland), no need for service. Dinosaurs were here in 1983, Almost extincted since 1995. Something happend in between, dont know what. (these years is from what my uncle told and what i experienced when 18)
Or they just had bad day or just bored for that work. I call them "hiekkapillut" (not in face, i would fly out quite fast ) (no i wont translate)

Ahhhhh, still so much to learn!!

Dinosaurs

[Pursuivant]

onkko gave a word of wisdom there... now sitting in a table with your beers - which you had ordered as you couldn't sit in a table if you ordered from a bar - you saw some girls in another table and wanted to join them - you had to ask the waiter to come on and *move your drinks* as you weren't allowed to do so yourself. and woe if it was another waiters station (as they were on tips off sales)... that was about the age of mammoths and cavemen circa 1988-1990, but as onkko said some meteor struck around that time and the system changed.

[Pursuivant]

It would encourage more service-oriented serving staff I believe. The old bags who've lived through the old times of absolutely no tips, and who just kinda throw the plates down on the table, will never provide the courtesy of a pleasant dining experience.

naaah, the old bags are from the time it was a privilege to get *in* into a restaurant, the "service" is something with germen efficiency and russian customs inspector eating lemons... these days they're taught to come annoy you in between even its the same slop...

[Ktulu]

I'm with Mr Pink on this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgBGRfSvfxY

[mrshourula]

Well, this has been a most diverting thread. Thank you for the replies to my original question -- I knew it couldn't be as simple as, "There is no tipping in Finland." (We were mostly trying to figure out what she should tip the taxi driver for the trip from the airport into Tampere but have a much bigger picture, now )

As for my own feelings about tipping, I fall on the side of Mr. White (Harvey Kietel).

[Rosamunda]

When I eat in a restaurant all I really want is for someone to take my order and bring me my food as seemlessly discreetly unobstrusively as possible. I hate it when the waiter/waitress arrives as the table with a smile as wide as the Forth Bridge and then renders a performance of the day's specials worthy of an Oscar nomination. Even more infuriating are the constant interruptions "how are you doing?" "can I top you up" "would you like me to peel that grape for you madame" while I am trying to eat/have a conversation. So as far as I am concerned, the harder they try, the less likely they are to get a tip.

[silk]

I couldn't agree with you more, penelope. Trying too hard is bad service. Fast, seamless, unobtrusive service equals a good tip from me.

[Pursuivant]

the best "professional" waiter (and not some college phd student that just does it to make ends meet) is the kind that is nowhere to be seen nor heard, but the second you need something they're there with what you were craving... shows in some finnish chains that they train the waiters through a "chain" ideology (from the US or UK) that makes a finn cringe or giggle themselves silly... then again for rude service estonian countryside has a few sweet spots there you can get 1970 esson paari feelings...

[raamv]

hmm this thread also show that Tipping is an art.
Too much..then you become stupid foreigner..and too little wraths you to them forever..
In th US, 10-15% is norm..
I ve done worse..and done 50% for nightclubs as they give out VIPs after the 3rd or 4th one..
but Restaurants..10-15% does give you good eating..and 20-30% Gives you bar seats and 30-40% giving you On the house drinks..
But In Finland..it Gives you good looks and a smile!! not to mention that the waiter/tress is thinking what a Dimwit you are ..dong that!!

For good service a 5% is OK!! Excellent service 10% is Good enuff!! and an extraordinary service requires a 15% or more!!

[silk]

the best "professional" waiter (and not some college phd student that just does it to make ends meet) is the kind that is nowhere to be seen nor heard, but the second you need something they're there with what you were craving...

The butler

for rude service estonian countryside has a few sweet spots there you can get 1970 esson paari feelings...

Did they disappear from Finland?

[Pursuivant]

esso sold out and is no more...

[onkko]

Well, this has been a most diverting thread. Thank you for the replies to my original question -- I knew it couldn't be as simple as, "There is no tipping in Finland." (We were mostly trying to figure out what she should tip the taxi driver for the trip from the airport into Tampere but have a much bigger picture, now )

As for my own feelings about tipping, I fall on the side of Mr. White (Harvey Kietel).

hmm.. isnt there a bus? 6? buss will run from there to the city and there you can pick up other, more work but cheaper