No, despite the title, I’m not being lewd or perverted. of course, the fact i felt the need to clarify that starting out may suggest that there’s a bit of that sprinkled in. But I digress… I should start this post by pointing out that I don’t usually write about topics such as these. For the most part, I keep my posts limited to subjects I’m well-versed in, such as martial arts, Diabetes and Buddhism. I don’t often lend my opinion in such a way but I recently read an article online that got my wheels turning and the topic is so prevalent in the online environment these days, I find myself unable to help myself. So, please bear in mind that my opinion is simply that: my opinion. Let’s not all consider it necessary to overwhelm my comments section. Here we go.
For longer than I’ve been around, people have provided and/or accepted tips for providing goods or services. generally speaking and without buying in to some of the online rumours about what the origins of the word “tips” may be, a gratuity or “tip” is a monetary amount provided above the total cost of a good or service that one has purchased. Traditionally, one would provide a tip in order to thank a staff person or ton recognize the above-average service they may have provided you during your visit. Contrary to what some may believe, a tip or gratuity is not meant, nor was it ever intended to be mandatory or expected. Unfortunately, our modern society has groomed us to believe that it’s okay to expect a tip and in some cases, businesses consider it a part of their employees’ salary.
As I mentioned in the opening paragraph, I recently read an online article about tipping that caught my attention. I unfortunately read it during a break at work and I wasn’t able to save the link and have been unable to relocate it. But the majority of the article focused on the fact that there are certain professions where tipping is not only NOT expected but also considered inappropriate. Certain jobs like doctors, lawyers, trades and medical professionals would be among those. in some cases, trying to offer a tip, even for great service, may be unexpected and awkward. In some other cases, a tip could even be construed as trying to curry favour or a bribe.
In some industries, employers will count a minimum tip percentage as part of the employee’s wage. This means that they’ll pay the employee less and expect members of the public to contribute a tip in order to make up the difference. This is especially prevalent in the Province of Quebec. I’ll always remember back in 2007 when I was living in the Capital Region and went out to a bar on the Quebec side with some friends. I ordered a first round with the expectation of having a few drinks and relaxing with friends. In any other normal environment, a patron would have their drinks, get a bill at the end and provide payment and potentially a tip at the end. On this occasion, the server returned with my drink and told me the price. I told her I’d pay at the end but she clarified that I had to pay as I went. Fair enough. I dug out some cash and paid for my drink. She glared at me and loudly exclaimed the following: “Uh, excuse me! The tip is not included in the price…” And stood there waiting. I was floored…
The worst part of this, was all the patrons staring at me in disbelief as though I was the asshole. I never had someone demand a tip from me before. Actually, I never had someone demand a tip from me, since. it wouldn’t be until after that the woman who would go on to become my ex-wife explained that the server’s salary was reduced and there was an expectation of a minimum tip after every round to make up the difference. She also called me rude and ignorant, which would be why she is now my ex-wife. I mean, besides all the other reasons… Fuck, I’m getting off track, here. But i will point out that between THAT culture and the tax system, there’s also a reason why I’m not living in Quebec.
The obvious solution in these circumstances is to avoid giving your business to places that feel it’s appropriate to pay an employee less and require the patron to pay a mandatory tip to make up part of their salary. Depending on the circumstances and one’s needs, this isn’t always possible. The other issue is that it isn’t always the employees fault and people have a tendency to take it out on them. In some cases, tips almost feel like they’re being demanded, even when they aren’t. A lot of retail locations request a tip on their point-of-sale systems when you’re working through payment. There’s nothing worse than walking the store, picking out and trying on your own clothing and when you walk up to the till to pay, the retail cashier who had nothing to do with you until that moment has a screen that pops up on the payment options, asking you what percentage you’d like to tip. WTF, indeed…
Tip culture has taken North America by storm, and it isn’t a good thing. Where tips were often considered a means of thanking someone or thanking them for exceptional service in an appropriate venue, it’s become an expectation. A social requirement. An obligation on the consumer’s behalf. It can cause unnecessary awkwardness and difficulty in navigating the marketplace. So be assertive in your purchases. Everyone gets their money the same way; by working and earning it. What you do with that money is up to you. You shouldn’t feel pressured to provide a tip, although in some instances it can be considered bad manners to forget to do so. So, make your choice and stand by it. If someone provided you with great customer service and you feel they deserve a tip, do the deed. But if you’re in an environment where a tip may not be appropriate or you got shitty service, always remember that a tip is voluntary. It’s your choice. And you shouldn’t feel bad for making your choice, even if it means NOT leaving as tip. Food for thought… ☯️
The Blogging Buddhist 