Who Tips Doctors, Lawyers, Accountants?

[Rusty]

I am trying to understand something, and I need some input. If a person has a listed price for services rendered, should that person be entitled to a tip?

[hoglaw]

I would think the conventional wisdom would be tipping people that we understand to count on tips for a significant portion of their living. I bill by the hour and am paid salary by my firm, and obviously wouldn't expect a tip. When I bartended, tips were pretty much all of my income. I would think that anyone who dictates the rate for their services should not expect to be tipped, but fishing guides appear to be the exception to that rule. I've tipped deck hands on chartered boats in foreign countries, and I've tipped fishing guides because I knew they expected it. Sure seems like they should build that into their billing scheme though.

[timsfly]

Sure if they have done you a good job, I can't see where a tip would do any harm, might just be the push they needed that day, but I only tip if the person has done a good job.

I have tipped a Dr. but I have the best Dr. in the world, never a lawyer but I've never needed a lawyer yet

I tip when I feel like it.

I have waited tables a bit when I was younger, and let me tell you what a good waitress is well deserving of a tip, they work hard.

My wife and I were at resturant in springfield the other night, and we had the worse service I've had in a long time, I tipped her

very little to make a point, she was rude, only came by once and acted like it was out of her way to see if we were doing ok.

Good help is hard to find.

So Rusty only tip if you feel it is deserved.

[Quillback]

I would never tip a doctor, lawyer, or accountant. If anything I would be angling for a discount from them.

[timsfly]

I've got a Dr. that makes shop calls, and works on the barter systyem, best Dr. ever. He deserves a tip once in awhile.

[WebFreeman]

I kept waiting for the punch line, but...

I don't think they expect it. I think I would only tip someone I actually pay. My accountant, lawyer and doctor all have receptionists. Doesn't seem like the right setting.

[rps]

When I used to practice, I always considered prompt payment of my bill to be all the tip I needed.

[Rusty]

I would think that anyone who dictates the rate for their services should not expect to be tipped, but fishing guides appear to be the exception to that rule. I've tipped deck hands on chartered boats in foreign countries, and I've tipped fishing guides because I knew they expected it. Sure seems like they should build that into their billing scheme though.

Funny you should mention guides. Why is it expected? They say it isn't, but I have overheard guides talk about clients that don't tip, and not in a friendly manner either. Why don't they charge what they want to make?

[techo]

I guess I always thought the rule of thumb was tip for a service. Tip the barber, the luggage carrier, the car parking dude, the waiter, waitress, bartender, the guide and so on. I also thought a rule of thumb was that you do not tip te owner of the establishment. The barber who owns the shop and so on.

By that rule of thumb you should tip the dentist. I promise you that isn't going to happen from me!