Originally Posted by Brad B.
Tipping is how you show your appreciation for a service provided. Yes, detailing does seem to fall in a similar category as those you mentioned. There is a distinct difference, however. Lawyers, mechanics, handy men and plumbers provide a service that you need and can and do charge accordingly. Detailing is an optional service.
As the owner/operator of my business I already receive all the money for a detail. Employees, however, are paid by the hour and detailing can be very boring and seemingly thankless. It isn`t about the money the tip contains, it`s the recognition and appreciation that it represents that can make a persons day.
Those who view a tip as just money completely miss the point of a tip in the first place and, at risk of offending some, tend to be self centerd. Try handing a $5 bill to the person next time you get your oil changed and pay attention to their reaction. You`ll feel good about making someone`s day a little brighter and you`ll have a better understanding of what a gratuity or tip means.
As for industries where tipping is the norm, remember that tips are their income. In many states servers and bartenders are still paid $2.13/hour. They are taxed by the government based upon their sales, whether they receive a tip or not because it is expected they will receive it and must share their tips based upon their sales. When you don`t tip, they literally just paid to wait on you. It looks like they are making a lot of money when you are in the restaurant at 7:00pm on a Friday, but you don`t see them at 3:00 on Tuesday when they are making almost nothing. There must be enough servers on in case it gets busy. It evens out. The cost of dining out would go up and service would decline if restaurants had to pay a flat wage.
(Stepping down off my soap box.)
Bookmarks