What About Tipping

Opinions by Chris Bunton

I pretty much have an opinion on virtually everything, and as a writer, I want you to read about it.

It’s who I am.

So, here’s my opinion on tipping.

I treat it as helping people. It has nothing to do with their work or quality of work, (unless they totally tick me off) it has to do with who I am as a person.

When I travel I will take a Twenty Dollar Bill or more, and break it into 5’s, and then put them in my pocket. That way I can hand out a tip to anyone who gets a tip. Baggage handlers, drivers, etc.

This is also the money I use to give to people who I run into on the street who need help. My wife says they are magically drawn to me. I think God brings them, because He knows I’ll help them.

I say this as a foundation for what I’m going to say.

When I go out to eat or something similar, I shoot for a twenty percent gratuity.  I want to go the extra mile. I want to help.

My tipping has nothing to do with anyone else, except for me, God and the person getting the tip.

It ticks me off, that our government lets business owners get away with paying employees less than minimum wage because they might get tips. It’s none of the business owners business what I give an employee, outside the transaction of service.

I think employees should be paid better and treated better. If it makes my meal go up in price, then oh well. I will pay it, until I can’t pay it anymore.

Then, I wont eat there any more. If they can’t stay in business, then oh well. Another business will take their place.

I know that seems harsh. I care about both the employee and the owner. I want them both to succeed. I understand that losing business means no jobs, and all of that.

But, why should I be more concerned about a business owner who can’t make ends meet, than I am an employee who can’t make ends meet?

I think both of them are trying to make it in this world.

If people are treated well, they have no reason to rebel. Most humans just want a happy life, with their needs met, and maybe a few extras on occasion. They don’t want to be ruled over and bullied by government, religion, or the Boss.

Anyway, back to tipping. I try to tip to help people. It sucks to be forced to have 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet.

Let me be clear. The problem doesn’t lie in our business owners or workers. It lies in those who control everything.

As I said, my tipping has nothing to do with service, unless they tick me off. Which is rare.

I’ll tell you the story.

I went to lunch with my wife at one of these fancy bistro places. It was the first time we had gone to this local place.

When the waiter came, he gave us menus and took our drink order. Then, he came back to take our food order. 

I began to place the order for our appetizers. And he stopped me, and said.

“The lady should order first.”

Now understand that when we go eat, I typically order the appetizer, then defer to her to order her meal first, then I order mine. Or she might order the appetizer, then her meal then I’ll do mine. We don’t really care about such things between her and I.

Typically, drinks are ordered by whoever is at the table. Because, one of us is usually in the bathroom when they come.

So, anyway this was complete disrespect on the waiters part. There was no need for it. 

He wanted to teach me a lesson in ordering etiquette. So I taught him a lesson in tipping etiquette. He got none.

This was a victory. Because the old me, would have paid him a visit after work. So, I’ve changed a lot over the years.

Go me!

So, that’s my opinion on tipping. Be generous. People need it.

Further Reading:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/woman-refuses-tip-350-7-173439243.html

https://www.yahoo.com/news/customer-shocks-restaurant-staff-leaving-005837721.html

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogger: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

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