Tipping
I’ve noticed a bit of a trend and it worries me. It seems the expectation of tips, a gratuity to added to the price of a purchase, is expanding.
First, let me disclose my general approach to tipping. At a restaurant, if the service is adequate, I’ll add about 15% to the check. If the service is exceptional, I’ll add 20%, or considerably more if it is truly outstanding (which is a lot of fun, by the way, but happens all too seldom).
If the service is substandard, I will leave an extra 5-10% depending on the level. If the service terrible, I’ll either leave nothing or will round up to the nearest dollar, leaving only small change… to accentuate the level of my dissatisfaction.
And, if the service is downright rude, I’ll also speak to the manager. Anyone who runs a business deserves to get honest feedback about a problem… and simply not tipping doesn’t accomplish that (all too often, it them becomes a complaint from the wait staff about the rude patron who did not tip… and no indication as to WHY no tip was left).
So, I was picking up some food at a DRIVE-THROUGH window the other day. It is a local establishment, not a national chain. It is not a cheapie place either… the food is very good and their prices are a little above average… a good value, to be sure, but not the least expensive. It is not a formal restaurant… it has inside seating but it looks more like a fast food restaurant inside… and is operated that way, you go up to a counter to place your order.
Anyway, I phoned ahead to place my order and was just picking it up at the window. Beneath that window was a sign that said “Tips are appreciated. Thanks!”. It was printed nicely on a regular size paper, laminated, and attached to the building beneath the window. You can’t miss it. And it bothered me.
First, what additional service is being provided in return for that expected tip? So, what is the justification for asking?
Second, any time someone overtly asks for a tip, it puts pressure on the customer. Now, this doesn’t bother me at all… I don’t find it difficult to say NO when it is the right answer. But I know there are some people who will buckle under the pressure and “go along” with things even when they begrudge the other party for putting them in such a position.
Similarly, I have seen tip jars in some fast food restaurants, convenience stores, and other establishments where it just doesn’t make any sense to me. I’m guessing that sometimes, an employee will put these up without management’s knowledge (unlike my example above, where management absolutely HAD to be aware of the situation).
I think this bothers me so much because it indicates an ENTITLEMENT attitude by these people. They think they DESERVE something extra… without any real effort on their part. They EXPECT you to pay extra.
And, when you don’t meet THEIR expectations, you become the bad guy. It creates a false sense of reality and the person with this mentality gets it reinforced, more often than not. A sad, sick, self-perpetuating circumstance.
