The Tipping Point
Even the dog wants a tip.
What, exactly, was the tipping point?
When did everyone start putting out a tip jar? I don’t know about you, but it seems like I went to bed one night a few years ago and woke up the next morning to a well-orchestrated plot: the tip jar had become pervasive.
And not only that. The tip had become obligatory.
“What’s the fare?” I asked a taxi driver in Old San Juan a few months back. “Uh, $22 to your apartment, $2 for each piece of luggage, and the tip.”
I laughed.
He didn’t.
Back in the day, a tip was an almost wholly American custom in which a satisfied client receiving a personalized service displayed his or her appreciation for excellent service by offering 10% of the total bill as a gratuity to the person providing the service. The employee hoped for it, but didn’t expect it, and worked for it.
Suddenly, the tip has become universal. I can confirm that the tip took a trip South of the Border. Here in Mexico City, the man with the portable taco stand up the street has placed a grease stained pink plastic pig next to the bucket of cilantro and basket of limes. Around the pig’s neck? A hand-lettered sign that says “Hungry: Feed Me.” I’d take a photo and post it here if I weren’t so afraid the taco vendor would ask me for a tip.
It doesn’t seem to matter much whether the client is satisfied anymore. It definitely doesn’t matter whether the service is exceptional, and–in spite of the preceding points–the standard tip somehow doubled to 20%.
I’m not opposed to anyone making an extra dime or dollar. In fact, I’m actually a really good tipper. I’ve done my turn waiting tables, so I’ve got some serious empathy for people in service. But I’ve got a big problem with people who aren’t really providing a service beyond that which their jobs expects and pays them to perform.
Maybe I’ve got it all wrong, though. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, right? I’m heading to the cafe now, where I’ll set up a tip jar next to my computer. Feel free to tip me.
What tipping practices have you encountered in your travels? And what’s your opinion about pervasive tipping? Sound off below!
Tip Dog Photo: boxchain
Musician’s Tip Photo: Orbitgal
July 13th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
I can’t stand the rise in tip jars. I don’t mind tipping for an actual service (I too was once in the service industry.) But here everyone has a tip jar- starbucks, my local sub shop, 7-11. Why should I tip you for doing your job? No one tips me for doing mine.
I don’t feel people should be tipped for just doing their job.
July 13th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Tipping seems to vary a lot though I do feel that it is another American habit which is starting to invade the world. Tipping is rare in Australia (my country) and Asia.
Some one once told me that the word “tip” comes from “to give unexpectedly” and in some cases, that doesn’t appear to be the nature of a tip.
Having said that, I am happy to tip for efforts beyond someone’s normal job but not simply for someone to do their job.
One positive habit that I have seen is for tip-jars to be donation jars for local charities. One example locally is for a plastic labrador to be on a counter for donations to the group which trains guide dogs for the blind.
July 13th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
tipping left an awful taste in my mouth once. a friend and i went for a week to disney world. we spent every last bleeding dollar that we had, and forgot to save a few bucks to tip the luggage handlers. the day they packed us in the shuttle van, one of the baggage handlers said “we hope you enjoyed your stay in the magic kingdom! and thanks for abusing- i mean USING- our services!” i felt awful, and disney world has forever seemed snobby to me…
i tip well on all occasions, but i shouldnt be expected and/or a guilt issue. not ever.
July 14th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Matt, Mark, and Sarah-
July 14th, 2008 at 9:24 am
I’m so glad I’m not alone in my frustration!
Mark- I recently read that tipping is frowned upon in Japan– it’s actually considered an insult. Maybe we should move to Japan!!
Sarah- I recently watched a documentary, “Confessions of a Superhero,” about the people who dress up as superheroes and work in Hollywood– they live off tips and are not afraid to pull the Disney baggage handler’s move! I think that employee orientations and trainings should definitely involve a unit on trips.
July 15th, 2008 at 4:09 am
Tips are such a sticky subject. I worked as a waitress for years and I know how much they mean to service industry people. On the other hand, I too am turned off by the explosion of tip jars. You’re not doing anything out of the ordinary by handing me my grande mocha frappuccino. Plus, the idea of a tip jar just seems like begging for money. Yuck.
July 18th, 2008 at 7:31 am
So true - things have really changed. On my first trip to Mexico City in 1963 (way before you were born), we were told to tip often, but not a lot. There were no tip jars and the service was fantastic. On my trip to Costa Rica this year I didn’t see any tip jars and restaurant personel seemed really surprised to be tipped. Service was wonderful. Seems tip jars lead to poor service.
September 7th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
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