Day Ten: Tips

I make good tips.

This is something I have gotten quite proud of over the last few years. When I am at work or at a catering event or even babysitting, I make damn good tips. I once did the math, and I make fifty percent more tips than the rest of my co-workers. Which is not to say that I’m a better worker than them, just that I have a more bubbly personality. I also have the advantage of boobs, a department my two male co-workers are sadly lacking in.

This may seem like a kind of silly thing to be proud of, but I work really hard for my tips. Tips are how my customer’s acknowledge that I have made them happy. Making other people happy makes me happy; even more so when they acknowledge it monetarily. It seems a little material for me to care so much about tips, but anyone who works a minimum wage job knows that tips are sometimes what makes or breaks the bank.

Aside from that, remember my earlier blog about rewards for myself. I try to pay for those rewards with my tips because the money is outside my budget, outside my paycheck. Sometimes I save them up for something I need, like the comforter I got for my boyfriend and my bed. Especially at this season I save them up to buy presents for people.

People don’t really think about tips unless they’re earning them. Ever since I started working for tips at my job, I’ve been keen to over tip at restaurants and coffee shops because I know exactly what those people feel like. For every person who tips, there are ten who don’t. Even when the service is less than stellar, it’s sometimes still nice to tip because it isn’t always your server’s fault. If your food order is wrong, isn’t hot enough or doesn’t taste right, that’s hardly the fault of the person bringing it to you. It’s the cook or the chef. They get paid salary so they don’t have to worry about tips; don’t take out your frustration on the poor girl who had to spend her whole first paycheck on the nice black on black outfit she has to wear as your hostess. 

Here’s a little secret: if you can’t afford to tip, you can’t afford to eat out. Go home and make your own dinner or buy it from the grocery store where the only person who messes it up is you. Guys and girls should always budget tips for dates. Business dinners as well; you look like a massive asshole if you stiff the waitress at dinner with your boss.

Challenge to my Readers:

Next time you’re out, be aware of your tip. Even though most of my readers tip automatically, make your wallet and self aware of it by tipping maybe a dollar more than usual. Or write a nice note of thanks for your server.

Do the right thing and tip the right amount: Ten percent standard, fifteen for good service and twenty for really good service or a cute waitress. At coffee shops, my barista friends say it goes a long way if you just drop the coins from your change into their cup.

If you really can’t tip or you’re in one of those places that includes tip in the charge (Europe,) do the next best thing and use your phone or Ipad or computer to write a short, nice review on FourSquare or Yelp. You would be surprised how much even writing “I love this place” makes my day just a little better.