A Tipping Point

I believe in tipping people who provide me with an “extra” service. A bellhop who carries my bags, a valet (not that I ever use valet), a waiter who continually comes to my table to serve my needs and meet my requests- these are all valid opportunities to tip. I’m not opposed. I could indeed carry my own bags, or park my own car, or eat some place where I can serve myself. In these instances, I am tipping someone to do something for me.

I’ve always thought of myself as a relatively generous tipper. To me, a tip is a gesture of gratitude- a “reward” of sorts for going beyond the standard duty. That’s why I’m confused about the sudden expectation to tip anyone who’s working. I’m talking about the tip jars on the counter at Moe’s, at Baja, at any given coffee house. Am I missing something? These are places where we are at the counter getting our own food/drink. No one is coming to our table. If we need something, we have to get up and get it. Why are we tipping these people to do their jobs (prepare our food/drink)? Isn’t that the purpose of a paycheck? We don’t tip the cook at a restaurant. But, there the tip jars sit, beckoning our change at the register- exposing us to shame if we don’t contribute. We somehow feel like we give those friendly faces the shaft if we don’t tip them. What will the people in line behind us think if we don’t? Cheapskate. Once again, guilt prevails and we are manipulated into acting without considering the reasoning. We have to live with being a cheapskate or a sucker. Which will you choose?