Expecting a tip?

I was reading another blog where the subject was those damn bastards who don't know how much to tip. What I'd like to say is those damn business owners who don't pay their staff a living wage! But if you think about it, its always the consumers who pay for everything in the end. Its just a matter of how its wrapped. Personally, I'd like it to be wrapped in the overall price so that I don't have to give extra money for buying something.

I mean, if it would help... point me to the kitchen and I'll pick up my own plate. Bus my own table, too. I draw the line at washing the dishes, though. I don't even do that at home. And how many dishwashers get any tips? That's a real question. Do the servers share their tips with the workers behind the scenes? What about the people who clean up after hours. Do they get any tips? Do they get paid a living wage? Somehow I don't think so.

I guess its the cost of living... or at least it could be used as a argument... but an average tip was 5%, then 7%, then ...well, now its up to a MINIMUM of 15% and a lot of tips are 20%. 5% of a $2 bill and 5% of a $20 bill are too different amounts and shouldn't it compensate for the cost of living? I'm just saying.

One of the commenters on the 'tipping blog entry' worked in fast-foods and talked about tips. WTF? Am I really expected to tip someone who turns away from the cash register and picks up a bag and hands it to me? Am I really dense? Don't answer that. If I'm honest with myself, I already know the answer.

I read a magazine article once on tipping. OHMYGAWD.... you are "suppose to" tip EVERYONE. EVERYONE people!!! By the time I got to the end of the list I was almost expecting to read that I should be tipping the people I pass on the sidewalks. I mean if a doorman opens a door for me (when I can open my own door, thankyouverymuch) and I'm suppose to tip him, then why should I not expect to tip those people who 'let me pass' unaccosted. If I go out on my porch, who do I tip?? Who started this crap? I want to string them up. And I'd also like to string up the greedy business owners who are too cheap to pay the staff a decent wage. I want my so called tip to be included in the price of what I'm paying for... I don't want to feel like I have to pay extra.

Now having said this, let me insert this disclaimer. I am assuming that service people get paid minimum wage... I am assuming they are not exempt from this requirement. If this is not the case, then... never mind. Assuming waiters/tresses get minimum wages, what about all those minimum wage earners who are not in a position to be tipped? What about those folks, huh?

I have a true story about a GREAT tip. Fortunately, it wasn't mine. A flakey friend was staying with me during a visit. She worked in the service industry so was very conscious about tipping. She ordered a pizza to be delivered. When it arrived, she gave the driver a bill and told him to "Keep the change." He looked a little stunned and then said 'thank you' in a very sincere manner. He left with a big smile on his face. She thought she had given him a $20 bill for an $18 pizza. Turned out she gave him a $50 bill. Afterwards we both hoped she was 'doing God's work'. Well, it was all we could think of to take the pain away.

So... do you leave tips at Starbucks when you've just paid $4.65 for a cup of coffee? Do you tip at McDonald's. Do you tip at a buffet when you serve yourself...and get the runs afterwards?

All I know is that I'm sure I've been one of those bastards on several occasions, but I plead ignorance. Now I know for sure that I can't afford to go any where. I'm not even sure about going to the mail box in the rain to pick up my junk mail. Should I leave a tip in there for the postal worker?