Is there even a joke in there?  

Nope.

When I was in business in Britian, none of the people I encountered believed in tipping. They couldn't understand why American's insist on it, since they felt they already are paying for the service.

There isn't much tipping going on here in Israel either.  Food delivery people seem almost shocked when they get a tip.  I always thought that it was just good manners no matter where you were. 

I'm afraid there's a grain of truth in this stereotype. Ask any waiter who works in a Chinese restaurant or Jewish country club. I wouldn't have believed it until I started delivering pizza in a very wealthy town and noticed how small the tips were on every house with a mezuzah.

Always tipping generously and urging our fellow Jews to do the same will do a lot more to alleviate this stereotype then making a stink whenever there's a tasteless joke about it in the newspaper (at best, that replaces the 'cheap jew' with the 'touchy jew' - not exactly a huge victory).

I am afraid we have a definitive illustration on philistine so-called wit. This cartoon ech mir a joke?

I disagree there's a grain of truth in the "joke."  But even if there were, it's not an appropriate comment.  What's next, "jokes" about African-Americans and criminal behavior?

It’s shame that this sort of accident happened. I don’t now if always must be like that, when one Jew do something that isn’t ok with some racist maniacs, all of us taking  kicks no matter we are we living. Well to be honest mostly I’m leaving  tips, and then no won will say a word even after arguing who decided to burn my dish, tips on the table  means no hard filings and thank you.

Hmm. Maybe there's a different attitude toward the gratuity. It's more of a reflection of service than a requirement. Maybe?

So, are Jews bad tippers or not?

Israelis are really fucking bad. Worse than regular cheap Jews. And they demand service like they are paying serious cash. I bet you can't find a Diaspora Jewish waiter who isn't sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. I realize Diaspora Jewish and kosher restaurants can't officially ban Israelis like they reputedly do in Thai hotels, but waiters should be allowed to wear those "peace scarves" sold at Urban Outfitters in solidarity with other oppressed by these cheap and demanding Zionists. 

In Israel you only tip 10% in restaurants and you don't tip cab drivers at all. I know waiters in the US who've had bad experiences w/ European customers because they tip less in Europe too. That's not an excuse to be rude to wait staff or for travelers to undertip when they're in the US, but I think you have to recognize that tipping isn't the same in every country.

 

Maya Wainhous wrote,

 "That's not an excuse to be rude to wait staff or for travelers to undertip when they're in the US"

Well, that's what it sounds like. 

For the record, I happen to be a "Diaspora Jewish waiter" who also supports Israel. There's no excuse for rude behavior, but Israelis certainly aren't the only non-Americans with a reputation of tipping badly. I also don't really see what the original question (are Jews bad tippers?) has to do with the Israel/ Palestinian conflict. Maybe DK can clarify.

 

the 'comic' was bad, but the subsequent comments - really bad. 

The one thing I noticed was that my biggest tips came from my poorest customers, and vice versa. The super rich customers ordering 20 gourmet pizzas to be delivered to their sprawling mansions tipped small amounts--if they tipped at all. But the young parents in apartments, ordering a small cheese, tended to tip above and beyond. As for comparing religions or ethnicities, I never noticed anything along those lines, but that's not really what this is about, is it? I thought it was just about an ignorant editorial team at a college paper making fools of themselves thanks to their own stupidity.

Helen Jupiter wrote:  "As for comparing religions or ethnicities, I never noticed anything along those lines, but that's not really what this is about, is it?"

In that case, you should have come up with a different headline for your article.   

Helen,

 Bringing out for discussion the reality that Jews are bad tippers was not inappropriate, and you don't need to beat your breast or pretend it was about "standing up to racist stereotypes" or any of the other hogwash we tend to seek refuge behind when we call a group -- even our own group -- out.

Just don't let it bother you.

From what I have heard in America tipping is almost necessary because the waiters don't even get paid minimum wage. In Europe or somewhere I was told that staff gets paid more in the first place so tipping isn't a big deal. In america waiters depend on tips as pay.

Where you from, Helen? Cause I did delivery work for two years, and by and large poor people were the shittiest tipper. Real scumbags. I went to a place one time where they sent their kid, probably 1st grade age or so, out with a handful of dimes, nickels, and pennies to pay me. No tip whatsoever.

 

DK if you don’t mind please clarify, bad tipping and conflict between Israeli and Palestinians. It’s really amazing, how you can put this to things to one suck  ? Oh bay do way it’s not a stew.

That Israelis are often dominant and elitist diners.

Are you, ok. meaning please ? Be honest, because you chasing your own tail come on,  conflict or pure tipping?

I would rather be ruled by the French or the Swedes than by Israelis.

Okay?

After reading your posts, i'm convinced that the only thing missing from your id are the letters IC.

Tipping is a complicated business in the UK.  And the people you encountered are right, they do pay for the service, more than we Americans if we eat out and don't tip.  There is no separate wage level for service industry workers in the UK, as there is in the US, therefore there is no discrepancy in wages which is supplemented by the customer, letting the employer off the hook.

That said, Britons do tip (around 10%), if they are receiving table service.  However, since most meals ordered in pubs are ordered at the bar and unceremoniously delivered to the table, there is no expectation of a tip.

I really don't see why this is a problem; why should we expect the rest of the world to conform to our customs?  Hell, in France, servers are unionised!

Craig,

I think you and Helen are using different terms. She said less wealthy people teneded to be good tippers and you said poor people are bad tippers. That may not be inonsistent. I consider myself in the middle class. I tend to give generous tips because I remmeber how much I appreciated a good tip when I was working delivery. It's likley that the young parents Helen referred to may be in the same boat. The wealthy and the poor may not have that same experience.

Good call.

Touche. 

"I thought it was just about an ignorant editorial team at a college paper making fools of themselves thanks to their own stupidity."

 

Thats what I thought when I read your piece. I don't many of the ensuing comments.