QF First Class Lounge at LAX-To tip or not tip? Dilemma

Last week when i was there, few americans asked me (after seeing me not tip), if it was normal not to tip in "australia". Weirdly, i had not thought of the lounge still being in america, i obviously was on my australian mindset within that lounge. I felt ashamed that i had not been tipping all this time. Is there a suggestion about this from official channels?

Nobody tips me when I do my job? Americans have been amazingly brainwashed around tipping. Employers laughing all the way to the bank as you pay their staff salary as well as the service or product you're purchasing. Anyone who tip's as an obligation needs their head read.

No. I don’t carry cash and I won’t pay someone’s salary

There is no expectation to tip in the lounge as staff is paid a higher wage is what I understand.

Tip? Hell no. I saw that the other day when I dined at an Italian Restaurant in Chadstone. The eftpos machine gave me the option to tip 5%, 10%, 15% or 20% on top of the 10% surcharge. I happily selected the “No Tip” option.

My understanding is that lounge staff are paid a reasonable wage to offset tipping

No need to tip in any lounge in the US (including QF lounges) unless you are purchasing something (which isn't uncommon in Admirals Clubs, United Clubs etc where top level drinks are not free).

You can tip maybe the shower staff if they go really over and above, but do not feel obliged or required to tip them.

I have seen the bar staff getting tipped in the lounge, but that is probably force of habit rather than policy. I also have the understanding that they get higher wages to offset Australians who are infamously bad tippers who often decide to force their opinion on a broader socio-economic problem by punishing an individual's livelihood.

Unlike your comment which is not forcing your opinion on anyone?

I hate tipping. Tipping is a pain. But it is incredibly unfair on someone earning minimum wage- who relies on tips- when visiting Australians get on their high horse about how they shouldn't have to do it.

Probably not a popular opinion here, but my stand is to tip if it is customary in the countries you are visiting. I tip generously where tipping is normal. Tipping won't break your bank, and if you can afford it, why not share the joy?

Prior to COVID, but I haven't been there since the Qantas business lounge had a sign up no tipping. The first lounge didn't have a sign. Alaska lounges say no tipping required on their website.

My concern is that this is now spreading here in Australia. At several restaurants I frequent in Sydney the old credit card machine screen had the basic price displayed ready to swipe with a tab "add tip", i.e. you had to opt-in. Now the waiter presents a page showing 10% 20% tip. OK, there's also a "No Thanks", but it's now become opt-out which is slightly embarrassing with a waiter alongside. Are restaurants going the way of the U.S. and trying to make staff costs variable rather than fixed or is this just another surcharge along with credit card fees and weekend supplements?

It's a good discussion and quite fair - to tip or not tip in the QF First Lounge.

I was in there this week, and four weeks earlier. I think the service we receive is very good. Yes, the staff are paid above minimum wage in CA (which is better than much of the US), but, it's not a big ask to leave something small. Being waited on at the table really is a treat when compared to SYD. As to the shower, I do this too - not a major.

...and one thing on our ranting about tipping. We (Australians) need to recognise when we leave our shores the laws of the land and our customs don't (and shouldn't) follow us. When you're in the USA ask a local, 'What's fair & reasonable', that's always been my first step. Cheers!

There is the small issue of having change to tip and in what currency. I don’t carry cash around these days, and certainly not in a lounge when I’m leaving a country.