Tipping “forward”- The simplest way to get great service!

An alarming 90% of us reading this article have different points of view when it comes to tipping our servers or delivery boys or waiters. Our tipping etiquettes differ - many of us weirdly awkward about it while some do it very graciously. In general, we are programmed to follow pre-set methods/policies/rules and for tipping there isn’t really one.

So when did tipping really start? Tip ( To Insure Promptitude) started out at European coffee houses in the 1800s ,where patrons would leave some money to signal the need for prompt service. Through the years, this became a practice that we know today and didn’t remain restricted to restaurants. And more importantly, it became an act of gratitude. Today, tipping is a way to say thanks for being prompt & its an act of appreciation post a meal, post a salon treatment, post an eventful day at a tourist destination, post receiving a food delivery at home. In short, the occasions of tipping expanded beyond just food establishments. And here is the real catch – we are conditioned to tip post service.

And we have never questioned this behavior about us – or let me say, almost never.

The idea of forward tipping came to me in the most unexpected way. I was traveling back home from work in a taxi and the drop point is one of the busiest roads of South Mumbai. So no taxi really get the chance to even slow down – let alone get the time to drop & take cash for the ride. To avoid the potential noisy honking & save the drama-I rounded up and paid the fare before the ride. It was a practical fix, I thought. He was initially puzzled but elated as he sheepishly took the cash. Voila! I saw him transform instantly- no whining about the destination, no chewing pan, no silly questions about which route to take. It was a smooth ride for me and a delightful experience for him throughout. I could see the joy on his face when I asked him to keep the change. I have been tipping forward since – not just to local cab drivers but also at salons, to hired cab drivers for work trips. In fact, ridesharing apps and food delivery apps give us the option to tip before-hand. And each time I have experienced superior service & care

Here’s my take on why I get such incredible service by tipping forward:

• It breaks their monotonous routine, making them more conscious about their actions towards us
• It bestows instant trust on them – making them entirely responsible for not letting us down
• It makes them want to instantly reciprocate back with the best they can give

And so if you find yourself wanting to try a new restaurant, a new salon or even if you are traveling in a new city in a hired cab or simply taking the next autorickshaw or a ridesharing cab after a long day -try this and write in about your experience in the comments below.

You might yet have a poor or average experience despite tipping forward, but these instances will surely be drowned in the superlative other experiences you might have. So go for it ! And before we sign off- one more “tip”- take a few seconds to ask & address her/him by their name.

Cheers to enjoying simple, unparalleled service wherever you go !