More and more businesses and services have their hands in the tip jar these days. I realize tipping is part of our culture and that not leaving a gratuity would brand me as an ungrateful tightwad. But a new aggressiveness about the tradition annoys me.
Additionally, the history of the practice reveals many inequities. Time magazine has an excellent online article on the subject that you can read at https://time.com/6962665/tipping-labor-issue-kim-kelly/. It was well worth my time.
The only point the article misses is something I’ll call “Manager Meddling,” and it’s happened to me three times recently in local establishments (who will remain anonymous on purpose). In each case, the manager or owner of the establishment has pretty much informed me what the expected tip is. It’s usually with an air of unquestioned authority too.
All three times, the amount was twenty percent of my bill. In establishment number one, the person at the cash register said, “And is a 20 percent tip all right?” In number two, the manager said, “It’s customary for our clients to tip 20 percent; did you want to add that to your credit card.” And number three said, “Our standard gratuity for that service is 20 percent.”
I have tipped 20 percent long before it became the standard, but I resent being told –almost commanded – to do so. I’ve toyed with various responses the next time this happens to me, but I haven’t considered which one is the most effective.
Is it, “I wasn’t aware that a business set the amount for a tip. I thought it was the client’s prerogative.” Or is it, “Twenty percent? I normally tip more; but if you say so, then 20 percent is fine.” Or maybe I should just let my feet do the talking.