Is tipping good or bad?

Readers debate the pros and cons of tipping. Other topics: Afghanistan attack, Hollywood

Readers debate the pros and cons of tipping at restaurants. Celia Peterson for The National

I don't understand when people don't tip (Tipping has a chequered past, January 12). Good service or not, tipping is a great opportunity to help someone else financially, who is working hard to earn a living and probably earning a low wage for it. Why not give them a little extra for having served you all night?

Rami Zahran, Dubai

American friends who own and operate food and beverages facilities adamantly oppose tipping for many reasons, not the least of which is that those in the kitchen – who arguably do the hardest work – do not receive a share of tips.

I would rather pay more to dine out knowing that all staff are fairly and adequately compensated and their performance measured by management, as in any other industry.

If I was dissatisfied, I could take it up with management and let my feedback reflect in the person’s performance review, as we all have good days and bad.

They should be measured on balance and not penalised for a rare disappointment, as is the case when we tip very subjectively and arbitrarily.

Elan Fabbri, Dubai

I am a strong advocate for owners paying their staff properly rather than customers subsidising their wages.

It creates problems for all, including the waiters, whose compensation ends up based on a patron’s arbitrary evaluation of service and varying customs.

I am from the United States and worked as a waitress in college. I loathe the system every time I return. I love not being expected to tip here in the UAE.

Suzanne Arruda-Wessel, US

Tipping is still expected in EU countries. However, there is no tipping culture here. People only tip if the service is really exceptional.

It’s also not possible to tip when the waiters aren’t assigned to tables.

Abdalla Ali, Dubai

What happens to the 10 per cent service charge in the UAE? Customers don’t give tips to staff when they see this, but does it actually go to the staff?

Sue Wild, UK

I love the tipping system. In non-tipping countries, service is often terrible. I always tip here, and where I am a regular I know I get better service.

Steve Kranz, Al Ain

Contrary to this article, tipping in the UK in restaurants is common practice and works well if the tips go to the waiting staff.

Chrissy Smith, Abu Dhabi

A terrible loss for the UAE and its people

Love and kindness must never stop, especially when faced with hate (UAE's charitable causes in Afghanistan will not stop, January 12).

What a terrible loss to these families and this country.

Anna Kaminski, Dubai

My thoughts and prayers for the families who lost their loved ones, as well as for the nation that will have to stay strong in the face of terror threats.

Laure Vidal, Dubai

The nation salutes its heroes. May Allah bless their souls and their families.

Ashiqali Mohibali Nathani, Dubai

Will Hollywood accept Trump?

There has always been a connection between Hollywood and the ruling political establishment (Real star power, January 10).

There have been films, mostly biopics, some of which were parodies of leaders, while others were patriotic.

So it is no surprise that, at the first award of the year, actors would take a swipe at the president-in-waiting, Donald Trump. After all, he has committed so many gaffes, not the least when he ridiculed a physically-challenged reporter.

Hollywood has always had its favourite candidate – on both sides of the divide. Many in the industry were critical of president George W Bush’s Iraq overtures.

Let’s see how far Hollywood goes with Mr Trump.

A R Modak, Johannesburg