Posted on 09/28/2003 4:51:27 AM PDT by gunnyg
Tip means To Insure Promptness, or Tips, To Insure Promt Service... Numerous writings regarding the history of "tipping" would indicate that tipping came about centuries ago, and was paid up front to insure prompt service subsequent to you providing a gratuity. Now, the gratuity is paid after the fact; just another aspect of how backasswards things have become.
Gone are the olden days when the innkeeper's daughter was the servant administering to weary travelers at wayside inns. But today, tipping has grown into an institution unto itself, and we are "conditioned" to this with obedience, and without question, no resistence, not so much as a whimper.
In fact, we Tip with extreme loyalty and pride, as we do paying our "taxes"! Anyone who dares voice an opinion contrary to tipping, is immediately attacked by tippers--the majority--therefore, mob rule prevails. Recently, I chanced to post some of my thoughts on the above to a Internet bulletin board, and was lambasted unmercifully as a tightwad, flake, and just plain mean-spirited (where have I heard that b4?).
Some of these irate responses came from enraged waiters, waitresses, etc. (excuse me, "SERVERS") who felt that they were entitled to tips, since their employers paid them below minimum wage and they needed the tips. I'm not sure that is even so and/or legal.
Others stated that they certainly would not take another job at higher pay and have to pay taxes on that pay, ending up w/less in their pockets; whereas otherwise they did not report their total tips, etc. Hmmm...
This topic is not limited to servers, etc. Today, everybody under the sun seems to be an eligible tippee and expects a tip--and big ones too.
If you are inclined to respond/post on this board, please attempt to do so with the big picture in mind, and not personally biased, e,g., as you would if you just happen to be one of the countless tipped/insufficiently tipped servers, taxi-drivers, bellhops, etc., etc. You may respond/post on any or all of those things mentioned above, and/or related information, questions, answers, etc.
Actually, I may have been motivated on this topic after reading an article on the Internet (by a U.S. Marine, moonlighting) who was badmouthing consumers in general for thinking that they should pay only the traditional 15% tip--this arrogant xxxxxxx was sure he had more coming him, and, indeed, was irritated/enraged that some were daring enough, depriving him of his due.
Personally, I am damned sick and tired of "servers" kneeling at my table, referring to me/us as "you guys," and hearing their "sorry bout dat," (which means xxxx you!) And what really pisses me off is when I'm sitting on the end in a booth, and some jerko waiter stands on my outboard foot w/his size 12 gunboats! No, I'm wrong--what really pisses me off is sitting there waiting for my check so I can get the hell outta there, after being pestered to death from the time I was seated with service above and beyond, only for them to disappear when it is my desired time of departure--this is when they show up after you finally catch their attention and wave them down, and they still pressure you to order desert after you ask for your check! Then, if you want change, there's another wait till they come back again.
Don't get me wrong--I am not opposed to tipping because of the above listed grievances--I am opposed to tipping in principle--I work for my pay like most others--and I don't expect/demand a handout. I just thought I would pitch my favorite bitches here while I'm at it, since the opportunity presents itself.
Not that cash or credit card makes any difference. So, you enjoy tipping twice? That's what you're doing if they don't report their earnings. Someone, you and I, have to make up for everyone not paying their fair share.
Um, maybe not part of your equation, but Um, reality.
I have found this to be the case in every situation where you must interact with someone in the service industry. Treat the other person with respect and they will treat you a little better in return.
Auto service, retail, home repairs, you name it - a smile and a pleasant demeanor wins superior service. Um, get it?
The first time I did that was in 1979.
I was working part-time at a bank on Wall street while in college and a friend (who also worked for same bank but in different building) and I used to go for lunch once a week. It was Christmas break and a friend from HS was home for the holidays and I wanted to take her out for lunch. It was my week to treat for the other friend's lunch so we all went together.
As many times as my co-worker friend informed the waitress I was the hostess of the lunch, she absolutely ignored me, to the point where she handed the bill to my male friend.
Funny, she knew I was the one to speak to when she yelled across the room as we were exiting because I had only left a nickel.
It is fun to be nice to someone who deserves it, and there are enough nasty SOBS out there already.
I have worked with "the public" on several occaisons and while most of them are decent, many of them are a pain in the butt and will never be happy no matter what you do.
I was never in a "tipping" industry, but I valued a smile and a "thank you" from a happy customer and I try hard now to be appreciative to people who wait on me.
Tia
However, I do have a suggestion for you.
There was an episode of the tv show "Third Rock from the Sun", where John Lithgow,the head alien, has a rough time with a waitress, similar to gunnyg's. The tip system is explained to him and he returns to the resturant. He puts a stack of 1$ bills on the table and explains to the waitress that the bills represent her tip and he will transfer some to her "tip" stack based on her service. For example she brings hot rolls, he puts some bills in her stack, but she forgets butter, he takes some off. It goes on like that with the waitress seeing her tip grow and shrink "in real time".
Very funny bit. No, I've never tried it myself.
I tip because my first job outta college (when I couldn't find work) was as a waitress. First day on the job... St. Patrick's Day in Savannah in Spanky's on Riverstreet.
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WOW!
Talk about a "baptism by fire"!
Tia
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