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Do you tip your tailor?

contaygious

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I am going to pick up a 3 piece suit, 2 jackets, and 2 shirts on Saturday that my tailor has made for me. I've had 3 fittings on each and the experience has been really good. Am I expected to tip or is my guaranteed future patronage enough? If I am, what percentage is reasonable? What do you think?
 

Sator

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I don't think a tailor should be treated like a waiter or a shoe-shine boy. It's better to give him a gift and give his business card to colleagues, friends and relatives.
 

contaygious

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Thanks! That saves me a pretty penny then
smile.gif
.
 

jefferyd

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Originally Posted by Sator

My shirtmaker got given a Rolex watch.


You do know that I make a mean shirt?
 

Sator

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Alas, I have no Rolex watches to give away - to myself, let alone anyone else.

However, some people just have too much money. One tailor told me how after making him a vicuña sports coat, the client just handed him his credit card like a blank cheque, and said "charge me whatever you want". He charged $5000.
 

Modernist

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Well, on two occasions I've given them a bottle of good wine each, "to drink to my health" (we use that phrase a lot in such occasions here. It's less formal in greek than its translation). As a sign of appreciation of our relationship. But tipping, I believe that that would be almost wrong...
 

TheGreek

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Always, but then again I tip everyone from the gas attendant, Dunkin Donuts girl who makes my coffee the way I like it, to my dry cleaner, lunch delivery boy, etc.
Im very picky when it comes to everything, so its well worth tipping to make sure everything comes out just right.
 

GBR

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No!
The concept of tipping is entirely alien.
 

nordicstyle

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Originally Posted by contaygious
I am going to pick up a 3 piece suit, 2 jackets, and 2 shirts on Saturday that my tailor has made for me. I've had 3 fittings on each and the experience has been really good. Am I expected to tip or is my guaranteed future patronage enough? If I am, what percentage is reasonable? What do you think?

If anything you should be getting a discount, not giving him a tip.
 

trex

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Originally Posted by Sator
I don't think a tailor should be treated like a waiter or a shoe-shine boy. It's better to give him a gift and give his business card to colleagues, friends and relatives.

+ 1
 

Gus

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I've never even thought about tipping my tailor. I guess my best "tip" has been to refer customers to him on a regular basis. I also tell him to take his time, if I'm not in a rush.
 

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