It’s getting ridiculous now. Was at the local bowling alley with my sons because it was pouring rain and nowhere to play outside.

Even the goddamned credit card terminal at the counter when you pay for your shoes and games is begging for a tip now.

It’s almost to the point where I am not going to tip anyone anymore.

A grocery store nearby has a coffee bar in it. Coffees good, usually no line or maybe one. I don't order freely stuff, just coffee, thank you.

So now the process is: I order, the cutie hands me a cup, rings it up and the gizmo gives me a choice to 'no tip' or the minimum is 15%. After decision time I take the cup to the pot, fill it myself, collect a lid and a sleeve and go on my way. And of course I get sourpuss looks when I hit the 'no tip'. She's out about 15 cents if she even gets it but appears to feel entitled.

It seems so many credit card machines now ask if you want to tip. I only tip if I had something delivered to my home and they did good, or if I eat inside a restaurant and the server gave good service.

I am not tipping when I pick up food to go or to eat in the restaurant where there is no service beyond handing me my food.

It also irritates me in so many situations even with delivery that they want the tip UP FRONT. To me a tip is based on the service actually given, not what is expected. At least one delivery service allows you to adjust the tip if it wasn’t what you expected.

Back to the OP, it drives me nuts too about the guys standing at credit card machine at the car wash wanting to assist you. I think I can manage selecting a car wash and inserting my card.

A friend reminded me the other day.

We used to dry cars off at a car wash ,back in the early 70's.

One car out of 10 would give each of us a dollar.

Provide a service above and beyond then possibly a tip might be in the realm of possibility..... But to expect / request / or demand a tip is out of line and will not be honored on my end. ............................................. drill sgt.

I roll the car through Quick Quack. Vacuuming and drying is strictly up to me. Don't tip anyone.

As for tipping in restaurants/food establishments (not fast food), I will tip 10% if it's a to go order or if it's served cafeteria style, i.e., no wait staff coming to my table and serving/checking on me. I realize people were there actually cooking my food, so I feel 10% is sufficient. If I'm waited on and receive good/excellent service, I'm a generous tipper.

Cigar lounges, even when they don't bother coming into the humidor to see if you need help, ask for tips. I only tip if the person came in to help. I bring my own lighter and cutter.

When I was a young pup I worked in a grocery store . Bagged groceries and brought them out to the car . A quarter tip was big money . Some of those old ladies would give me a dime .

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:

When I was a young pup I worked in a grocery store . Bagged groceries and brought them out to the car . A quarter tip was big money . Some of those old ladies would give me a dime .

How long ago was that? I remember when a dime would buy a cup of coffee, with refills. That same cup of coffee is more like four bucks today.

A dime would make a local call in a payphone. Not any more; I can't remember the last time that I even saw a payphone.

A dime would buy a candy bar that now goes for over a buck.

Those were the good old days.

quote:

Originally posted by selogic:
When I was a young pup I worked in a grocery store . Bagged groceries and brought them out to the car . A quarter tip was big money . Some of those old ladies would give me a dime .

Publix grocery stores have a no tipping policy. But if you shop on military bases at their commissary, the baggers only wage are the tips. But they also bring the groceries out to your car and load them. It's mostly the kids of Soldiers and retired spouses who do it. Lots of old Korea ladies for some reason.

V-Tail, back at home, I had an old neighbor who would've been about 93-94 this year who always left a $2 tip at the restaurant no matter which restaurant it was or how high the bill was. Bill could be $20 or $50, tip was always $2. My father in law is the same way except it's $5. One time he took us out to dinner at Famous Dave's and the bill was $70 and he left $5 but I ended up giving the kid more off to the side away from the FIL.

quote:

Bill could be $20 or $50, tip was always $2. My father in law is the same way except it's $5. One time he took us out to dinner at Famous Dave's and the bill was $70 and he left $5 but I ended up giving the kid more off to the side away from the FIL.

Sheesh, I had a MIL and an aunt (two different people! ) who did this sort of crap. Wife and I got pretty good at tipping on the side unfortunately.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin1069:
I mean…you are literally living the life of Mr. Pink!

Yep.

Another story: When I first bought my current house (five miles out of town), we had a pizza place in town that delivered. One day I got home late and didn't feel like cooking anything for dinner so I ordered up a pizza. The young gal (early 20s) that delivered it was pleasant enough, but she looked rather dejected when I just paid for the pizza. I noticed this and asked her to have a seat. This is out of the norm for me which is why it sticks out...for some reason I felt the need to speak my mind to her. I explained my position as outlined above and encouraged her to strive for more.

There's a little bit more to the story than that, but today, that "young gal" is a physician completing her residency in family medicine this summer. I saw her recently and she gave me a huge hug and thanked me. I am so proud of her.

If that ain't something....

Wait, what?

You didn't feel like cooking?

You live five miles out of town, i.e. her normal catchment area?

You made her sit through your lecture on the demise of the American work ethic?

You are the reason she went through med school?

Because you wouldn't slip her a couple bucks?

What's the rest of the story? You banged her, made the usual pizza-delivery porno, and made a million bucks?

My tip story:
Last year we went for Sunday brunch,
It's always very crowded there after church.

We got seated quickly and four tables away there were fourteen people eating at a big bunch of tables mashed together.

12 of them were dressed up for church,
No jeans ,bibs or shorts.

The other two adults were very obviously less advantaged.

Twelve of them chatted and laughed, giggled and joked, smiled and discussed.

The other two couldn't shovel and swallow fast enough.

We ate and waited for the check,
Everyone reached for their wallets and purses, except the two under privileged.

All that payed left their tip money on the table.

The two kept eating and when the others were in the parking lot saying their goodbys with hugs and laughter.

The male of the couple went through the hole table picking up the tip money.

I felt like the most fortunate man in the restaurant that day.

I'd never seen anything like that.