Let’s Tip The Scales, Shall We?

So, this will be a straight up opinion-based post, with no illusions of referencing Diabetes, martial arts or Buddhism in any way, shape or form, so please feel free to click your back button or forego reading the post, if you feel that the content may offend you or trigger you in some way. I need to be clear that I don’t argue in my comments section and while I value everyone’s opinion and welcome it, the contents below reflect only my own, personal opinion and I’ll be the first to admit that THAT doesn’t mean I’m right; it’s simply my view. If you’re prepared to take a step in the exploratory arena and actually read something to elicit some thought, please carry on. Just clarify, today’s post will be a rant on tipping, tipping culture and proper etiquette within the modern retail and restaurant industry. Tread carefully at your own risk…

First of all, let’s start by looking at what “tipping” actually involves. I the modern sense, tipping is when you’ve enjoyed a meal or solicited the services of a business or restaurant. At the conclusion of the transaction, customers can provide a gratuity or consideration on top of the total cost, which is meant to go directly to the person who served you. This is referred to as a “tip.” In Canada, this trend was dragged over in the early 20th Century by European settlers as a gesture to show appreciation for a job well done or service well provided. For most of us, this is still how we think of a tip and the reason behind why we provide one. But somewhere over the past couple of decades, there seems to have been a growing trend where tipping is not only expected but many businesses are starting to dictate to customers just how much they should tip? Or is it a recent trend…?

Tipping is said to have originated in medieval Europe. Ironically, tipping was considered an important consideration for low-wage or enslaved servants who didn’t make enough money to support their families. Sound vaguely familiar? It should; this is a prominent argument among the restaurant industry that servers and support staff need tips to supplement their low salaries in order to make ends meet. As the argument goes, many argue that it isn’t their responsibility to supply additional funds to employees because their employers don’t pay them enough. It should be the employer’s responsibility to provide a livable wage that allows staff to make a living while providing service to customers. Many argue that, if you aren’t making enough, then just go get a job where you make more. While I’m a big fan of this concept and I’ve lived my life doing just that, there are two problems with this concept as a general rule: 1) You never know the circumstances of someone’s life that may make it an obligation to work the job they’re in, and 2) Many higher paying jobs often require training, education or certifications that depend on the employee paying for them out-of-pocket.

In North America, tipping became a controversial issue in the 19th Century as gratuities and considerations were often given to low-wage employees and immigrants to supplement their lack of money. It isn’t until the 1930’s that it became a common practice in retail circles. But the practice of tipping has always been controversial, with a significant divide between the ones who believe if you can’t tip, don’t go out and the ones who believe that they should only have to pay for their meal and nothing more. It can be a difficult and awkward discussion, when the two parties collide. Personally, I fall somewhere on the middle; I don’t believe I NEED to pay anything more than what my bill’s total sits at. But if the person serving me provides excellent service and I enjoyed my experience, I have no issues in providing a tip. It’s the ones who demand or expect a tip, regardless of service, that irk me. Especially at a retail location where I walked the floor, found my own garments, tried them on and walked up to the till and find a tip option on the debit machine. Really??? What the fuck am I tipping you for? Standing behind the counter on your phone while you WAITED for me to walk up…? But I digress…

So, when is it appropriate to tip and how much is reasonable? Well, you’ll find plenty of references online related to a “standard percentage,” but don’t let that fool you. In reality, there is no standard amount. A customer should always tip based on the amount they feel is appropriate, commensurate with the service they received. If a restaurant or business gives you attitude over the amount? Guess what? That plays into the overall service and as a customer, that’s likely a location you should return to. I once read a story about how a restaurant banned a customer because they didn’t tip their server. When the manager spoke to the customer, they said they couldn’t afford a tip, so the manager told them that if they couldn’t afford to tip, maybe they should have simply eaten at home. Really??? Have we fallen so far low as a society that a business would prefer to lose the sale from a customer than accept that even if they don’t have EXTRA money to tip, they still contributed money to that business that not only ensures it can retain staff but continues to operate?

I miss the old days when I was a kid and my grandparents would take me out for a treat at a local coffee shop. After eating my treat and my grandfather had his coffee, I’d see him slip a few coins to the server or leave it on the table. A polite thank you would always be exchanged by both sides. No awkwardness, no attitude regarding the amount; just gratitude that a customer decided to provide a little something extra for the good service they received. This is the environment the world needs to return to. Businesses having a sign on their door that says “If you can’t afford to tip, please don’t enter our restaurant,” or “mandatory tipping of 20% or more” may have become the norm but may soon find themselves shutting their doors. In a society of continued inflation and price increases, people will start moving away and revolting against businesses that make tipping mandatory or an expectation, as opposed to simply paying their staff a livable wage. I know for myself, if an employee goes out of their way to provide good service, I have no issues giving a tip. If they give me attitude or sneer at the amount I leave, or even demand how much I leave, which has happened, they’ll likely find themselves on the receiving end of some choice words. Food for thought, that you don’t have to tip for… ☯️