 |
I read somewhere that you are supposed to tip everyone that does you a service. If this were true, that would mean tipping the person who slices your cold cuts, the salesperson who leads you half way through the store to help you find an item, the person who bags your groceries, etc.
Does that mean I would have to tip the boy who mows my lawn, my cleaning lady, and the mail carrier? Are you supposed to tip the carpet cleaners, any service repairman, or the men who deliver your furniture? We live in a small town, so does tipping apply to a small town the way it does to a larger one? Please tell me exactly who is supposed to be tipped and exactly how much. Wouldn't this mean that we would have to carry a lot of dollars around?
If taken literally, "everyone that does you a service" would mean everyone and anyone in business. Tipping originated in the 18th century. The acronym for TIPS is "to insure proper service."
Today there are two kinds of tipping. Influential tipping is given to show your appreciation for extra service or for a favor. This would be appropriate for a maitre d', concierge, hotel maid, or furniture movers. The second is a thank you tip given to a person who has performed a service for you. Waiters, bellmen, porters, skycaps, taxi drivers, hairdressers, manicurists, and shoe shiners are in this category. Many of these people rely on tips to supplement their income.
At airports only skycaps and porters for special services are to be tipped. The guideline is one to three dollars per suitcase or box, and five dollars for wheelchair (airlines call it "courtesy chair") service. Flight attendants are not tipped, except for charter flights.
Tipping in small towns may differ because of the level of service. For instance, in a modest restaurant there are usually fewer people to tip. The general rule is 15% of the bill. Fifty cents to one dollar for the coat person. One to two dollars for valet parkers. In a finer restaurant with more servers it gets more complicated. The general rule is now 20% of the bill. $1-2 for coat clerk. $1-3 for valet parkers.
In restaurants where you have received poor service you may leave a smaller tip, but it would be nice to explain why. Poor service in any business should be reported to management. You are doing a favor for future customers.
Another form of tipping is a holiday present or gift of money, but it is a very personal thing. To express your thanks it is appropriate but not required to acknowledge those who have served you such as the newspaper carrier, mail carrier, garbage collectors, gardener, babysitter, maid, etc.
The bottom line is that you may offer a tip to anyone you wish. Have dollars on hand to be prepared, but the BEST tip is to show respect for a person's job by being kind. A word of thanks or a letter of commendation enlightens anyone's employment. I consistently commend people, and I encourage my readers to do the same. "Thanks for making my lunch" is one of my favorite transactions at a fast food restaurant.
« Back
|
|
 |
