Perhaps it is just me.
Perhaps it is not.
But I think tipping has gotten out of hand.
It seem that everywhere I go, I am faced with signs like this.
Let’s get one thing straight before I proceed, I am NOT cheap. I do tip, but there are some instances where I don’t think I should, or need to tip.
Here are some examples of what I do when it comes to tipping. I am curious as to what others do so please tell me in comments.
1. At a coffee shop where I’ve walked to the counter and ordered and picked up my own drink, I don’t tip. What service did they provide me? Sure they made my drink, but, isn’t that their job?
2. At a local restaurant. Again, I order at the counter and pick up my order, yet they have a HUGE tip jar at the register. I don’t tip.
3. Waiters. For okay service I leave about 15% and save the 20% for exceptional service. For poor service, well that is debatable. I don’t want the waiter to think I’m cheap, or forgot to tip. What I want is for them to know they were crappy. If I’m leaving a small tip (having made sure the poor service was because of the waiter and not something that was beyond their control) I’ll include a note explaining why.
4. Housekeeper at a hotel. I’ve never left anything, especially since I tend to not get my sheets or towels changed during a visit. I guess if I did get them changed I’d leave something. Hmmm, what about $5? Is that appropriate?
5. My hair stylist. This one is tough. She owns her own chair, so what she is charging me goes all to her. At first I wasn’t sure what to do, but then I decided $5 wouldn’t break me, so I tack that on. What about you?
6. My newspaper delivery guy. For a while our paper was thrown at the end of driveway. I called and asked for it to be on my front porch. He complied. I appreciate that extra service and each Christmas send him a check/tip.
So, I’m curious, who do you tip? And how much?
That hairdresser is doing my hair… Scary! I give 20%. The girl that washes my hair? That’s a harder sell for me… but the girls at my salon are all apprentices just starting out, so I give $3-5.
Caitlin MidAtlantic recently posted..Ballerina Princess Balloon Bash: The Planning
True, she could be vengeful, but my hairdresser is pretty nice. And actually, after I wrote this post, I realized I probably tip around $10.
aprentices do not get paid and work twice as hard to prove themselves, is this a reason to tip lower? be reasonably respectful.
i don’t ever tip at coffee places or carry-out–for the reasons you gave. there was no additional service; they were doing their job. Hairdresser I give a little more too, but I love her and it’s more because she’s my friend :) this makes me think of when I was studying abroad a decade ago. i was always so nervous about european tipping. my friend and i were constantly looking it up in our guide books because everywhere was different and we were not out to make enemies on the road :) I wonder what your international readers would say?
sarah @sundayspill recently posted..#ippp–the other side of me
The tipping game can get you for sure! The hairstylist is the hardest b/c I think some expect 15-20% like at a restaurant…I mean I know some people tip like $20 and that’s already after spending over $100. Call me cheap but I think that is crazy!
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