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Workers, students expose tipping habits

By Michelle Gregg, For The Miami Student

When it comes to tipping, college students have the reputation of being stingy. But according to several Uptown workers, tips aren't as bad as many might assume.

Co-owner of Skipper's Pub, Terry Amarantos, believes the tipping habits at restaurants in small, college towns are naturally going to be different than those of restaurants in a more metropolitan area.

"In general, kids are pretty fair with what they have to spend," Amarantos said.

Amarantos added that many people who work in industries where they receive tips make their livings from what gratuity they obtain, and that even though tips aren't required, they're important for restaurant employees.

According to the Huffington Post, tips vary greatly throughout many countries in the world.

An average tip in the United States is between 15 to 20 percent, whereas most tips in Italy are under 10 percent. In countries such as China and Japan, it is very rare and often considered rude to leave a tip.

In most American food establishments, waiters and waitresses receive below minimum wage, often around $2/hour, due to the income they are likely to earn from tips.

Tipping below what is expected, or not tipping at all, can cause workers to make far below livable wages.

Although Skipper's has a pub environment, it does not see as much business as the larger bars in the Uptown area. Amarantos mentioned that he is sure alcohol plays a role in the tips students provide, whether for better or worse.

Another Uptown employee had a similar opinion of college students. Thomas Romano said that Bagel & Deli definitely has a different atmosphere than other restaurants in the area.

The popular sandwich shop functions on a first come, first serve basis and gets most of its business from college students late at night.

"More than 30 to 40 percent at least tip one dollar," said Romano. Similar to what Amarantos believed, Romano said he has faith in students and their ability to provide what they can.

Romano said that it is most important that people enjoy coming in and have a good experience.

While Romano and Amarantos have a positive attitude about their customers, Miami students who leave tips shared their habits.

Scott Hingsbergen, a first-year at Miami, answered that he does his best to provide a fair tip.

"I always tip 20 or so percent," Hingsbergen said. "The minimum for me is 15 percent, but I feel like tipping the minimum isn't okay."

Comparing a fast-paced restaurant to a pub or sit-down restaurant, Hingsbergen admitted that he is much more likely to tip higher at the latter.

"I haven't tipped at Bagel & Deli other than a dollar or my change into the tip jar," he said.

Another first-year student, Matthew Clements, shared similar tipping habits compared to Hingsbergen.

"I tip when I'm being served and not when I'm ordering," he said. "Depending on the service, I tip from 12 to 20 percent."