Is tipping mandatory?
The bar had a total of three people inside including the bartender, but what did we expect for a Tuesday night. We purchased our drinks for a total of $15. Now everyone tips differently, some people give their tips at the end of the night, others at each occasion on ordering a drink. Well in this case we gave exact change and without leaving had not left a tip yet. About 45 minutes later my friend asks the bartender for just a glass of water. He gives her a trashy look and exclaims the nerve of her to ask for a favor when she never left him a tip. Keep in mind neither of us have ever been in this bar before nor ever seen this man before. We had not left and returned, nor had we been overly demanding. The bartender then goes off for the next 10 minutes spouting on how horrible we are not to tip. Frankly I was stunned. First of all when did tipping become mandatory? The etymology of Tips is from the phrase ‘to ensure proper service’. Clearly this is a voluntary act and one that can be given or withheld at will. It is truly bad form to comment on this as the employee even worse to complain about it. But this really makes you realize how comfortable some people are that tips are going to be mandatory.
There is now a person in virtually every bathroom for clubs and many restaurants handing you a paper towel expecting a tip. The doorman at the hotel who does not call for a taxi but simply opens the door of the next waiting taxi is expecting a tip. The bus driver at the parking lot at the airport who neither helps you with your bags nor provides any other service but drive the bus expects a tip. Even the cashier at the fast food restaurants now have a tip jar. I do not mind providing tips to people who go above and beyond, hell I will happily give tips to people who just do a good job helping me out (waitresses, bartenders, taxi drivers, etc). But how far do we have to go to tip everyone we run into? And if we decide the service is not up to par, nor their attitude, isn’t it both our right and our privilege to show our displeasure by not tipping? Something to think about as the doorman opens the automatic door of the hotel and holds out his hand. Oh and before you think I am just being cheap, most of the world does not follow this habit of tipping including most of Europe and they are rarely accused of being cheap, they just pay a decent salary.
posted by Matthew @ 8:59 PM
1 Comments:
My first question is, why didn't you tip the bartender when you received your drinks ?
It is the culture and the norm in this country to give a tip to the bartender every time an alcoholic drink is dispensed and paid for. That is how it is, and how it always has been for as long as I can remember. I don't know of anyone who tips at the end of the night. Those who tip will do so at the time that the drink it paid for. So I'm not sure of the rationale behind the withholding here. One rebellious person will not change a complete cultural norm, especially one that is, by nature, a kind, generous, and positive thing to do.
There are times when giving a small tip, or none at all, is understandable. Poor service, rude comments, multiple errors - all are situations where one can choose to withhold or reduce the tip amount accordingly. I don't dispute that. However, it is my belief that deliberately withholding a tip for any other reason, especially when the person performing the service did an adequate job, is unnecessarily malicious.
I agree with you there are times when the expectations of a tip are significantly out of line. It is not required or expected to shell out cash to every ice cream shop tip jar. I'll get my own towel in the club bathroom, thank you. The driver of the bus at the airport doesn't necessarily warrant a tip, but he will get one if he helps me load and unload my heavy, awkward bags. Either way, I am aware that it is a simple matter of courtesy for a fellow human being who is working hard to help me out.
Let's face it, being in public service of any kind is difficult work. It amazes me how workers in that industry can find it possible to put on a smile and give courteous and helpful service when faced with the multitude of customers taking out their misplaced frustrations and personal agendas on them. The bartender who berated you out loud will likely not last in that job much longer. A much thicker skin is required for someone in that type of position. But there are many more, unlike him, who face these situations on a daily basis, and who still treat everyone with respect. They deserve to be rewarded for that.
Those who work in the service industry are just like the rest of us; working hard to put food on the table and a roof over their heads. Only a scant few do not perform their duties adequately and with respect; the vast majority are well deserving of the accepted practice of giving a tip. To choose not to do so is one's right, but is also rude, arrogant and disrespectful to that person, that human being on the other side of the counter.
So Matthew, to answer your question, yes, tipping is mandatory. So please do it. If not always, at least when you're with me. Ok ?
Otherwise, feel free to stay at home and pour your own drinks. But that's not as much fun.
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