Vegas Tipping Culture: Is It Time for a Change?

I know I am not the only one feeling the crunch of overtipping. To tip or not to tip, that is the question, but tipping unmanned kiosks? Get Bent!

Vegas lives on tips

Vegas is a tipping town. I learned this when I moved here, and my boyfriend asked if I tipped the plumber who replaced my water tank. “Doesn’t he make like $90.00 an hour?” I asked. “Why would I tip him?” But I digress. The main argument against tipping is that customers shouldn't have to compensate for employers not paying a living wage. You might be shocked if you knew how little some people earn in the hospitality industry. In other states, servers may only earn $2 per hour! Now, Vegas is different. All bartenders, housekeepers, servers, etc, working in Vegas make at least minimum wage. And if they're working at a top-tier property, they'll earn a lot more. It's not unusual for cocktail waitresses to earn in the mid-six-figures, mostly from tips. Still, as prices go up, so do tipping expectations. We all know we're supposed to tip the server at the fancy Vegas restaurant. But what about the Dunkin Donuts cashier? Or the guy who hands you your to-go food order? But why does tipping at Burger King, Subway, or McDonald’s seem so farfetched when people regularly tip at Starbucks without hesitation? My friend Antonio, an industry veteran of 24 years, weighed in. “McDonald’s is transactional, and with fine dining, the emphasis is on creating an experience.” Never tipping isn't really an option. If you show up to Vegas and don’t tip, people will talk, especially if you have clout. The hospitality industry knows, and they don’t forget!

What exactly are you tipping for?

Tipping used to be an award or a thank you for good service. It was a choice. However, I see more and more local spots adding automatic gratuity to small parties. Sometimes, I don't notice, and I still throw an extra tip on top. Antonio says “servers” are really “hospitality industry experts.” They know wines and how menu items and different drinks are prepared. They need to read the table for special moments and tensions and know when to be present and when to be scarce. At least, that's the ideal. These days, there doesn't seem to be much difference between servers at Bellagio's finest steak house and those working at the many drink carts on the Strip. They'll smile but don't expect banter or useful recommendations.

When should you tip?

In the grand scheme of things, it comes down to this: is the person making your meal, your experience, or your trip more enjoyable? Are they cordial, helpful, and attentive? Time is fleeting, and every moment we get is precious. Often, a good hospitality expert can make or break that experience for you. If your experience was enhanced, then tip generously! Or, if they did a great job replacing your water heater, I guess.