Tipping Cab Drivers......

[Manji]

Since the topic of tipping has come up for Pizza Delivery Guys and Gas Station Attendants, how about Cab Drivers?


What's the appropriate tip for Cab Drivers?


On the most part I will tip them usually a couple of bucks for the ride...


Though I have to admit that sometimes I don't tip if I don't want to break a bill and I don't have change (especially when I'm in a rush).....

 

[fantasiafan]

Think it depends on the city im in.....

But with all this tipping talk im swearing the whole practice off!

From now on, I'll only tip cows!

(you knew it was only a matter of time before someone said it.....)

 

[l69norm]

..On the most part I will tip them usually a couple of bucks for the ride........

Depends on his chances for getting a fare back.

If I have a taxi take me out to the boondocks during rush hour, I'll give him a decent tip cause it's going to take him a hour to get back to his next fare.

Same thing at the airport if it's a short ride. I know he has to go to the back of the queue and he'll have a long wait for his next ride, so I'll give him a decent tip

 

[RTRD]

Personally...

...I go with 15 - 20 percent in just about all situations, depending on how much it takes to round off the change and avoid carrying anything smaller than a looney or twoney (sp?).

That remains one of the handful of things I have yet to adjust to about Canadian life...all the damn change!!! I hate carrying change...I have spent the last two weeks trying to spend off about $45 worth that I had in the car!!! (I just take in out my pockets and dump it is the various cup holders, ashtrays, etc.)

 

[gabeti]

I also try to give 15 - 20%.

 

[Jade4u]

If I have a bunch of parcels in the trunk and the guy is too lazy to get off his ______ he will get no tip out of me. So many times I have things and they just unlock the trunk from inside and do not assist and then also ask me to close the trunk and stand there waiting for the monies. The ones who have gotten out and assisted I have given up to 10.00 tip. This just from square one to my place a short distance, but hopefully they remember that it is appreciated and keep it up for others.

 

[saliksalik]

I always tip cab drivers. But the condition is courtesy and politeness. No courtesy No Tip. That applies to all situations where tipping is being discussed.
Cheers

 

[frankcastle]

Generally the rides I take are short $10 or less so I usually just tip one or two dollars..... generally I try to make it fall between 10 and 20 percent.

 

[Francesca22]

Ok, so I have a stupid question...or comment, which ever-

I am downtown, this elderly woman who looked like she'd break in half if the wind blew the wrong way... is LOADING her own groceries into an awaiting taxi, while the guy sat inside the car, twiddling his thumbs... for all I know.

So, I of course... offer a hand.

Now, sure I could have been like everyone else and minded my own business but COULDN'T believe for a second someone or ANYONE didn't help, especially the driver.

So now, here I am- offering an hand and this bugger gets out of the car and STANDS there and watches us, then offers... like I over stepped a boundry, but by that point we had all the bags, half of which she already did herself- in the trunk. And says to her... "I could have helped, why didn't you ask???"

So... my question is, is it a no brainer being a taxi driver, especially with the elderly to OFFER instead of being asked OR does someone have to TIP before or is it expected as a common courtesy without anything being given???

Now, not being the elderly woman or knowing if she WOULD have tipped... does that decifer his actions... or conclude perhaps maybe money talks???

Do you think 'tips' dictate service.... or should the service dictate the tip.

I myself, think he should have helped her in any case... especially when she had the majority done and struggled long before I even came into the picture, which re affirms he had no intention until I did, to offer at any rate.

So, I gave him a twenty- winked at her... and walked away, keeping my own thoughts to myself, when I would have ran up one side of him; and down the other-had I not been in her presence.

What would have done?

Why even up until now, has this even crossed my mind???

Perhaps this is ONE situation, or many factors including a dumbass who has no thought or comprehension of the situation, which would be a waste of breath to even bother with in the first place.... and yes, I've come into many taxi drivers who aren't fighting over who's in line first, honking-cursing or driving like a maniac....and tip, regardless

But I also think about ANY time I've taken a taxi and ALWAYS tip and think just once, all that I've paid for no reason other then feeling it's well mannered, court and polite would be returned in one way or another... like with this woman. The karma thing...do onto others as you'd wish yourself. But it doesn't happen and if it does, not often enough.

Your thoughts?

 

[fantasiafan]

I really dont care much how much I tip, but yes Francesca, the service dictates the tip to me. Give me phenomenal service, I'll tip you phenomenally. Like a waitress who was dumbfounded when a group of us went out for dinner. Bill came to $1500 and change, but the service and friendliness was the best Ive ever had - $1000 tip - and the girl even chased after me saying I had made a mistake. Pulled out cash his time, $300 was all I had, and said "no i didnt, and gave her the rest - girl almost had a heartattack right there!

 

[Francesca22]

I really dont care much how much I tip, but yes Francesca, the service dictates the tip to me. Give me phenomenal service, I'll tip you phenomenally. Like a waitress who was dumbfounded when a group of us went out for dinner. Bill came to $1500 and change, but the service and friendliness was the best Ive ever had - $1000 tip - and the girl even chased after me saying I had made a mistake. Pulled out cash his time, $300 was all I had, and said "no i didnt, and gave her the rest - girl almost had a heartattack right there!

*laugh* I would have had a heart attack as well!!!

I tip, regardless of what type of 'industry' (resturant, taxi... YES subway...timmies etc etc) and always felt the tip was dictated by the service...I certainly couldn't afford to give 1000 (would if I could...) and can't say I've ever been tipped to that effect EVER....even working in the food and service industry. Crapped my pants once when I got 500, so I think your one of a kind and do more then you think and certainly speaks volumes...

But then of course a situation like this made me question that fundament. Would you have lent a hand as a good deed... chewed him out, kept walking... or ponder the situation or ask why?

I on the other hand, helped with no expectation of anything in return, a good deed so to speak.... chewed him out in my head.... walked away and I'm still pondering *laugh* Geeez. and of course asking myself WHY I even care.

 

[Toasted_Ravioli]

Do cab drivers really deserve a tip anymore?

Cab drivers don't even get out of their cars anymore to knock on a door or to press a buzz code in a condo. Nowadays the Cabdrivers expext you to be there waiting for them in your lobby. They'll only honk their horn, how impersonal is that?

Twenty years ago cab drivers would help you with your parcels or your luggage. They knocked on the door, they waited for you if you called them and you werent ready. You used to be able to have conversations with your drivers, now you are luck to have any driver that speaks english.

I tip only because it's the norm, but I really don't think they deserve what their predecessors received.

 

[fantasiafan]

Toasted Ravioli! I missed you ever since you and your Olive garden left the supreme country of the north! Incidentally does anyone know a restaurant that serves excellent toasted ravioli in toronto?

I think the Japanese cabs are the best experinces Ive ever had - and colombia, johanesburg and cape town all come a close second.

By I agree with TRAV, do drivers nowadays deserve tips?

 

[High_Roller]

This reminds me of the classic scene in the beginning of Stripes where Bill Murray is a cab driver and he's driving around that old hag

 

[massman]

If you've ever taken a cab in London, you'd be so appalled at the "service" provided by TO cabbies. London cabbies:
Know the city, despite that fact that its one of the biggest and most complicated in the world, half the addresses are unmarked, and many buildings have a "name" rather than a numerical address.
Know the history of the city better than most tour guides.
Are clean and well groomed and sober.
Are courteous to a fault. Help with bags is part of the job.
Cabs are spotless.
Actually talk to you and attempt to be friendly.

On the other hand.
Many TO "cabbies"
Have no clue how to get from A to B in the city, which is actually fairly easy to navigate. I once had a cab driver what way he should go to get to St. Mike's hospital from Bloor and Spadina.

Along these lines, many of them ask "which way should we go" just to find out if you are local or not. YOu can bet that if you say I don't know that it will cost 35 bucks to get from Union station to the sheraton center.

Rude. 50% are disgustingly rude, talking on their cellphones while driving, questions are answered with grunts, and polite conversation is ignored.

Cabs are apalling. these cars should all be put in teh scrap heap. Stained seats, shot suspension and brakes, are the least of their problems.

FIlthy cars.

Many actually demand a tip. This despite shitty service.

I've actually had cab drivers in TO refure fares because tehy are not far enough. (e.g.only 5$)

Airport cabs have what should be an illegal monopoly in our city and charge exhorbitant rates. For example did you know that the minimum charge in a licenced airport cab is $16??? It cost me $16 to go from terminal 1 to the airport marriot. Know how much that is in a regular metred cab? About 5. and If you didn't have heavy bags, you could walk it in 10 min.

I think part of the problem is that there are too few cab licences issued in TO. The drivers can pick and choose fares, and bad service does not hurt their business, so why get better.

 

[BabyMilo]

I have never seen a white cab driver in toronto.

most of 'em are indian, saw a couple of black and vietnamese guys...


back to the topic..ill usually give like 1 or 2 dollars tip, depends on the change I get/ distance/ service.

 

[massman]

doesn't matter what their ethnicity is. Most are extremely rude and border on incompetent. There are a few exceptions. There used to be this cabbie that cruised by my place most mornings. I'd often flag him rather than take the TTC. He had a nice clean car (older caddy I think) dressed in a jacket and tie. Always had the morning's paper (Globe, Star or Sun) and a selection of magazines. Played quiet classical music, and offered a little pleasant chit chat. If he had an espresso maker in the back seat it would be absolutely the perfect waty to start the day.

 

[Jade4u]

Ok, so I have a stupid question...or comment, which ever-

I am downtown, this elderly woman who looked like she'd break in half if the wind blew the wrong way... is LOADING her own groceries into an awaiting taxi, while the guy sat inside the car, twiddling his thumbs... for all I know.

So, I of course... offer a hand.

Now, sure I could have been like everyone else and minded my own business but COULDN'T believe for a second someone or ANYONE didn't help, especially the driver.

So now, here I am- offering an hand and this bugger gets out of the car and STANDS there and watches us, then offers... like I over stepped a boundry, but by that point we had all the bags, half of which she already did herself- in the trunk. And says to her... "I could have helped, why didn't you ask???"

So... my question is, is it a no brainer being a taxi driver, especially with the elderly to OFFER instead of being asked OR does someone have to TIP before or is it expected as a common courtesy without anything being given???

Now, not being the elderly woman or knowing if she WOULD have tipped... does that decifer his actions... or conclude perhaps maybe money talks???

Do you think 'tips' dictate service.... or should the service dictate the tip.

I myself, think he should have helped her in any case... especially when she had the majority done and struggled long before I even came into the picture, which re affirms he had no intention until I did, to offer at any rate.

So, I gave him a twenty- winked at her... and walked away, keeping my own thoughts to myself, when I would have ran up one side of him; and down the other-had I not been in her presence.

What would have done?

Why even up until now, has this even crossed my mind???

Perhaps this is ONE situation, or many factors including a dumbass who has no thought or comprehension of the situation, which would be a waste of breath to even bother with in the first place.... and yes, I've come into many taxi drivers who aren't fighting over who's in line first, honking-cursing or driving like a maniac....and tip, regardless

But I also think about ANY time I've taken a taxi and ALWAYS tip and think just once, all that I've paid for no reason other then feeling it's well mannered, court and polite would be returned in one way or another... like with this woman. The karma thing...do onto others as you'd wish yourself. But it doesn't happen and if it does, not often enough.

Your thoughts?

Now that just disgusts me. Ones like that are the ones I am talking about. I got my hands totally full and they are providing a service and they play ignorant. Ones like that should be fired and the good ones should recieve extra for being considerate.

 

[Esco!]

BTW Fransesca, what a fine looking ass you have



Fuck it, I cant sleep, looks like I'm gonna be up for a while

 

[fantasiafan]

Is anyone gonna tell me which restaurant offers excellent toasted ravioli???? Or am I gonna have to get off my lazy ass and do a 'search'.