Tipping is a matter of social custom and typically is a "third-party" transaction. As a matter of social custom, you never "tip" an owner. You would pay a restaurant for your meal, and tip the waiter; pay a hotel for your lodging, but tip the porter; pay a hair salon for your cut, but tip the stylist. That is what I mean by "third party." Custom also has it that it is granted to a manual laborer who is low-wage. In this instance, your electrician may or may not be self-employed, but is hardly ever low wage. Therefore, in most circumstances, you do not tip. The penalty for failing to tip is a breach of etiquette; conversly if you tip the laborer, you are telling them that they are low-wage and that the labor was manual, not professional, which also might be a breach of etiquette.

 

In this case, therefore, I agree with your wife.

For me it is a gut feeling -- did they go above and beyond their job description to make my experience a little better? Barber? Always. Valet? Always BEFORE they take off in my car (I've heard too many horror stories about how they treat cars that don't tip / plus, why not tip in advance for someone else driving the 2nd most valuable thing you possess?). Heck, I bought pizzas for the guys at a garage that worked on my last car when it needed some work done because they got it done early (plus washed it outside and vaccuumed the inside at no charge).

 

I would never (never say never, but probably never) tip someone that is working a register or a counter unless their service was exemplary and I received more than I bargained for. I've never been to a Starbucks, but I can't imagine tipping someone making my coffee (not a coffee drinker).

 

I guess that is where I was going with the question. Why tip a delivery person making $6, $7, or even more an hour but not tip a check out person at say Wal-Mart for instances that is making the same or less?

Hearsay, I don't think he was an electrician, I think he was a custom A/V installer.

 

In your case, about the perceived "breach of etiquette," I'd be shocked if anyone you are offering a gratuity to would ever be insulted. Now they may be insulted at the size of the offer, but I doubt they'd find it offensive. If they say "no thanks" than at least they know that you appreciated the exemplary service that they provided.

I guess that is where I was going with the question. Why tip a delivery person making $6, $7, or even more an hour but not tip a check out person at say Wal-Mart for instances that is making the same or less?

 

My opinion? I had to come to them and I doubt they are doing anything for me "above and beyond" their job description. Now if it is my wife, with my son, and the checkout person helped her wheel the cart out to her car, I can promise you she'd tip the person.

Where was my tip?:irked:

Where was my mind, when I made that choice?

Tipping is a matter of social custom and typically is a "third-party" transaction. As a matter of social custom, you never "tip" an owner. You would pay a restaurant for your meal, and tip the waiter; pay a hotel for your lodging, but tip the porter; pay a hair salon for your cut, but tip the stylist. That is what I mean by "third party." Custom also has it that it is granted to a manual laborer who is low-wage. In this instance, your electrician may or may not be self-employed, but is hardly ever low wage. Therefore, in most circumstances, you do not tip. The penalty for failing to tip is a breach of etiquette; conversly if you tip the laborer, you are telling them that they are low-wage and that the labor was manual, not professional, which also might be a breach of etiquette.

 

In this case, therefore, I agree with your wife.

Very good explanation. This is what I thinking more or less but couldn't put it into words.

Hearsay, I don't think he was an electrician, I think he was a custom A/V installer.

 

In your case, about the perceived "breach of etiquette," I'd be shocked if anyone you are offering a gratuity to would ever be insulted. Now they may be insulted at the size of the offer, but I doubt they'd find it offensive. If they say "no thanks" than at least they know that you appreciated the exemplary service that they provided.

 

Agreed.

Hearsay, I don't think he was an electrician, I think he was a custom A/V installer.

That was it.

Do you all tip at a Valet?

 

Because I've met a lot of people who do not...:lol:

Do you all tip at a Valet?

 

Because I've met a lot of people who do not...:lol:

A lot a Valet places have signs that even say 'no tipping' but then of course there are also places where the Valet's earnings come solely from the tips. Either way I never use valet parking so I guess it doesn't really matter for me.

Some good Karma never hurts. I tip very well all the time because I had a job where I got tips.

I'd say if you felt in your heart he?she deserved it, then there's no harm. But like you'd mentioned, it has to be a little to good bit above and beyond what they're expected to do. If they were just nice and a good rep, maybe call and give them some good feedback and let them know that company has a good employee. I'd say it all depends on the situation.

Where was my mind, when I made that choice?

 

:laugh: