We now live in a world where it has become basically an unwritten law that you tip for all personal services.
Although I might be slightly biased because I am a server, I am not a big fan of people who think tipping is an option.
Servers, hairstylists and others in the costumer service industry rely on those tips to pay their way through life, because the hourly wage does not make ends meet.
However, if the service that was requested doesn't meet your expectations or is nothing more than average, then I can understand why you would leave little or no tip. Therefore, the arguments presented here are in regards to small tips that are given to above-average or extraordinary service.
High schoolers: If they are not with their parents, I do not like dealing with them. They are probably the most difficult to deal with, for they come in big groups and run around the restaurant like they are at Chuck E. Cheese's. Then they hang out for an hour, and I'm lucky if I get 25 cents, even when my service is flawless. If my children ever left a 25-cent tip, I would lock them in the basement for a day.
Smokers: Unlike the high schoolers, smokers are not all bad people. Yet, smokers have this little thing called an addiction. My theory is no matter how good the service is, the smoker originally puts so much money out for a tip, then second-guesses his or her generosity and takes back $3 to buy another pack of cigarettes.
I wish I could take some of those "Stay 30 feet away from the building" signs and put them in front of every service industry.
Compliment payers: Nothing in the world gives you confidence at work more than when your tables let you know that you made their night with the service you gave. Some tables even drop so many compliments that you feel just on top of the world.
When the table leaves, you walk over to the table expecting to bank, only to find less than a 5 percent tip. Seriously, compliments don't pay the bills - but if they did, I would be a rich man.
Cheap people: The best description for this type of tipper is best described by Steve Buscemi's character in the opening scene of "Reservoir Dogs." He refuses to throw in $1 strictly because he doesn't believe in tipping.
This type of person knows before they even walk in that they will tip much less than what is expected. Sometimes, I wish these people would leave me the information of where they work, so I can visit them and screw up their days. But, in all honesty, I don't even want to see them again.
Still, there really are good people out there who appreciate the hard work that costumer service employees "bring to the table," just as there are exceptions to the types of people listed above - such as those who give good tips and smoke or compliment well.
Yet, what people need to understand is that for some people, these jobs are careers, and they rely on each tip to pay the bills.
I also know there are exceptional reasons why some don't tip well. Like college students: If these people could tip better, they probably would, but not all are fortunate enough to show the gratitude they would like to.
However, and this goes for students as well, if you don't have enough money to leave a great tip, just make sure that you're respectful to the people who make you their number one priority.
Write to Jim at
jmvandy@bsu.edu
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