Tip You, Tip Me, Tip Everyone in the World

The origins of tipping are racist. Freed slaves were given the opportunity to serve and their salary depended on tips exclusively. There are times when gratuities are merited. It has gotten out of hand.

With the pandemic removing Tip Jars where people who don't like carrying loose change dropped it in the jar; many businesses have a screen where a tip is suggested. For people doing their jobs. I stopped patronizing one restaurant because a cashier harrumphed when I left no tip for counter service.

He came off as entitled. I recall nothing else from his service and it hindered the experience. Patronage should be enough. At a sit down restaurant there is a performance and time for brief exchanges.

As always, if you receive good service and don't tip, you are the problem. You are welcome to leave something for the employees. It now happens at Starbucks. The tip screen comes up. As if a drink that is mostly hot water is not expensive enough, they want a surcharge for their employees.

Ultimately, this causes me to go to less restaurants with counter service. The employees at a coffee shop do as much as employees in movie theaters who give popcorn to customers. I have received nice service from these low paid employees. They don't expect tips.

In my years delivering flowers, tips were appreciated. They were uncommon and I made an hourly wage not based on gratuities. Some tipped, most didn't and it was alright. I was owed nothing.

One driver suggested placing a folded dollar bill on the clipboard to plant the seed that gratuities were accepted. That seemed desperate to me. If you can't get it on your own merits you don't deserve it.

Fruit baskets could be light as a feather or stiff as a board. Delivering one to an older man in a smaller apartment- the kitchen counter was fairly close to the front door.

This fruit basket had pineapple among other heavy fruits. I offered to place it on the counter. He could have carried it. This was what seemed like the right thing to do in the moment and he pulled out his wallet.

Had he not, we still had a nice exchange and it was a good delivery. It seems like everyone expects to be tipped. A connection bought a pair of shoes and a tip screen came up. Evidently those salesmen don't work on commission.

This is not GoFundMe. Companies need to pay their employees more. They cannot expect customers to cover for what they should pay. It is an option. If someone gives you side eye for not tipping, that is not indicative of repeat business.

Never forget, tips are a ballot. It says "This service was so good I would like to have comparable service again." It is my pleasure to have a good experience. Not everyone deserves a gratuity.

Some noted bartenders receive tips for doing little. Pouring beers is one part of it. There is service, camaraderie, and a performance. As a Bar Back I received a portion of the tips. I never felt like that was necessary although it was not turned down.

Tip if you want. If you feel a tip is not necessary it should not count against you at the counter or self service. Always use your judgment and don't feel obligated to pay everyone in your line of sight.