Did you tip because it was expected? Was the amount based on the service you got or wanted to get? What are your thoughts on tipping culture in general? ( If you live in a place where tipping is not the norm, we probably already know your thoughts).
I always give a $10 gratuity to my Smoke Guy. The first couple times he tried to refuse to take a tip because he figured he was just doing his job. But I think if I called it a gratuity he would have been more open to. I think it shows appreciation for good service better than the word tip. Cheers!
The last person I tipped was my barber (back in 2013 or 2014 - when I had hair). I tipped him $1 (all I could afford at the time) for a job well done.
Tipping is Ok, but ONLY if it is deserved (meaning going beyond just doing the job one was hired to do). Back when I was a newspaper carrier, I enjoyed getting tips ... but I didn't expect it. I gave the same service to each and every customer - whether they tipped me or not.
Tipping should NEVER be expected or forced on the customer. It is up to the establishment to pay their workers a decent wage.
If someone doesn't do anything to deserve a tip (e.g. the person at a fast food window, a store clerk), they should not get one.
If I could afford to eat out, I would refuse to patronize any restaurant that required mandatory tipping. I worked hard to earn my money... so should your employees! It's called work ethic!
I don't understand why a person would work for just tips (or below minimum wage + tips). If the employer refuses to pay a decent wage (without tips), don't work for them.
I was a union employee so we all knew what everyone made. As with many unions, the slackers got paid the same - even though they did no work (next to impossible to fire a union member). As the manager I had to take on their work load - even though most of them made more than I did.
No one should have to live off of tips. No customer should be forced to tip (no customer likes to feel awkward or taken advantage of). Employees should have to pay their employees at least minimum wage or they shouldn't be in business.