Tipping

[susandennis]

I'm not a fan of tipping. I love countries who don't do it. But we do and it's always a dilemma. Except sometimes.

Last Sunday, I was waiting for a package from Amazon. It was early and I didn't want to go downstairs and dig through a pile of packages to find mine because I really wasn't even dressed yet. (I have in my Amazon instructions to bring all packages to my door and DO NOT LEAVE THEM DOWNSTAIRS - but they rarely pay attention to the instructions.)

I saw the delivery guy come in on the front door cam. I waited until he dumped them by the package locker in the garage. But he didn't appear on that cam. So I went out into the hallway - grabbing a $5 as I went* - and there he was. With my package and he was mad. Not at me. But not happy at something. I thanked him profusely for bringing the stuff up here and gave him the $5 bill. He literally did not know how to respond. He stuttered "I'm sorry, I'm just in a bad mood." I told him he should take the money and get himself a donut or something else to brighten his mood. And off he went.

*I have never ever before tipped a regular Amazon delivery guy. IF they do a spectacular job, I'll sometimes add some more tip to the Amazon Fresh deliverers because it's very easy to do. But, I've never even thought about tipping the regular guy. I was just so happy not to have to go downstairs.

Today I had three large boxes - one really heavy - coming. I saw that a delivery guy came in and waited to see him on the package cam but no... so out into the hall and nobody. I was just getting ready to close the door when I heard "wait, Susan, I have your stuff, I just need to log it." It was the same guy! "Oh, thanks so much for bringing it up here!!" "well, I remembered your kindness last Sunday." He got another $5.

It's totally worth it to me. I appreciate being able to show him how much I appreciate his extra efforts. But rarely have I ever been able to see the results of my tipping like this!

Oh! They just announced the West Seattle bridge is opening September 18!! Yahoo!! This neighborhood is huge and has huge and easy shopping and restaurants and the pool at the gym. They closed it 2.5 years ago because it was broken. It's been a long time. The people who live there must feel like they are getting out of prison.

Whew.

Ok, time to put together the cat tree. (The new litter box has already been assembled and tested by Biggie. He's ok with it.)

Comments

[desdemonaspace]

I am a big tipper - 20-25%. I waitressed my way through college and KNOW that waiters\waitresses depend upon tips. I even tip (although not as well) for so-so service. Maybe they're having a bad night.

I also like to reverse the belief: "Oh, look, here's a table full of senior citizens. They're probably lousy tippers."

This would be an expensive habit if I went out a lot, but I don't.

[loganberrybunny]

This is something that often catches out visitors from the UK. Over here, by law, tips don't count towards minimum wage, so until we learn the true situation in the US, 20-25% looks like a massive tip. I wonder whether it catches American visitors to Britain out in the opposite direction? If you offer 25% over here people will think you're a millionaire!

[susandennis]

YES. My father was a notorious over tipper. Anytime they left the country, my Mom had to reel him in. I do remember traveling with him in New Zealand. We took to calling him Mr. Moneybags.

[desdemonaspace]

When I travel, I try to tip according to the customs of the country I am in.

[loganberrybunny]

Oh gosh, New Zealand! I've never been, but as I understand it NZ is one of the least "tippy" English-speaking countries. I don't think it's even the norm to tip taxi drivers there.

[susandennis]

Nope. They tip NOBODY. and, if you do, they think you are weird or American. It's actually the easiest way they have of telling Americans from Canadians!

[desdemonaspace]

Here waiters are paid way under the minimum wage. It was years ago that I waitressed (the 1970s! I am old.) I hope that that's changed, and that now they're paid a liveable wage.

I am so not a millionaire, but when I go out to eat (once in a blue moon) I like to tip generously. I have nothing but contempt for rich tightwads, for whom not tipping or tipping poorly is just one of their little economies.

[loganberrybunny]

Oh sure, if I visited the US and went out to eat I wouldn't skimp on tips. But it is a different situation over here because of the minimum wage law taking account of them. For that reason, if someone goes really extreme with tipping (like 50% or something) it can sometimes even be taken as rude, since British culture doesn't tend to like ostentatious shows of how well off you are. (In a similar way, it's really rude here to ask someone how much they earn, unless you know them extremely well.)

[desdemonaspace]

I prefer the British system to ours. In fact, I'd like to live there, as the US has turned into Cuckoo-Banana Land.

[sleepybadger]

How lovely that you got the same delivery guy and he was so nice! I agree, rarely do you get to see the results of tipping like that!

[cdayzee]

What a bright spot in that Amazon delivery guy's bad day you were! And the bonus for you is getting your items delivered to your door as requested :)

It comes back in aces.

[opakele]

Gypsy worked as a bar tender for many years. She has educated me on tipping.

She says as she signs a bill with a generous tip, 'Tips are what these people work for. I know it is what pays the bills.'

I can afford a little extra and do.

It comes back in aces.