Tipping is NOT a Town in China

Until nine months ago, I had never held a job where I received tips. I take that back. Twenty plus years ago, for fourteen months, my family had three paper routes. Every other week, we would get our earnings statement showing the payments by our more than 100 customers. Occasionally, there would be a 'tip to the carrier' included on the report. Woo Hoo!  A $5 gratuity could seriously change your outlook on the day.... (because everyone knows "money talks" and a tip literally shouts appreciation).  I'm not sure I had ever tipped my paper carrier (prior to being one) other than at Christmas, but I assure you, I certainly did so thereafter.

Most of us would associate tipping with restaurants, salons, spas, valets, and food delivery. Oh yes... and cab drivers. People would never get out of a taxi without adding a monetary 'thank you' to their fare. If they did, they had better hope their luggage wasn't in the trunk. Yet most passengers who partake of 'ride shares' tend to have the paper carrier mentality. My guess would be maybe 15 to 20% of those I transport, leave a tip. I've had days when my tips add up to zero.

Ride Share apps make leaving a tip easy. Just like there's a gratuity line on your paper credit card receipt, when a ride is over, passengers can rate their driver (up to 5 stars) and tip them with a touch of their finger. Some riders will give a cash tip, which I consider "me money". In MFL, DH and I got weekly allowance envelopes for spending money. After I lost my job, our allowance envelopes went by the wayside. While all tips left on the RS apps go toward our household budget, a cash tip goes toward simple pleasures... a pedicure, lunch with friends, or in DH's world, a round of golf.

Who would you suppose tips most often? In my experience, limited as it has been - it is those who depend on tips in their own livelihoods. Servers, hair stylists, and of course, other RS drivers. It's not a blanket statement but the odds are greatly improved when dropping off a barista than a consultant. It amazes me that most business travelers, who are likely on an expense account, RS their entire week 'tip free'. Corporations should be proud of their cost conscious employees because they certainly look out for the company's bottom line. 

I once had a young passenger needing a ride to fill out paperwork for her first job (in a fast food restaurant). As we neared the destination, she realized she was to have gone to the company's office location rather than the restaurant itself. She didn't have the address. We stopped, we googled, she tried to make calls. We eventually located the address and as I victoriously dropped her off - she handed me a folded dollar bill "For your extra time and help."  I felt as though I had just received 'the widow's mite' from the Bible story. 

Don't get me wrong, I have received some generous tips from my riders, for which I am grateful - but I've also learned a couple things. People who tip usually don't tell you they are going to. People who tell you they're going to... generally do not. "I can tip you on my app, right?"  Yes, you can but will you? Or... "I have the tip app on my phone!" Yes, Einstein... everyone has the tip app on their phone. Another scenario I've encountered frequently is when in the course of the conversation, my age comes up. I've told DH if the passenger comments  "I can't believe you are 64" or "You look amazing for your age" the 15-20% chance of a tip has now been reduced to 1%. That random comment of kindness (flattery) should suffice, right?

There are of course, flaws to my perspective. I drive primarily in daytime hours, Monday through Friday. This region is not a large metropolitan one, though many of my riders are from those places. When I do drive nights or weekends, I find the clientele is more apt to tip. If you take anything from this post, I hope it is a self-check of your own inclination on tipping. Never justify the amount you have paid for something as being 'more than adequate'... go ahead and part with a couple dollars. Except for jobs where workers are taxed a certain percentage of their sales, it's not the amount you leave, as much as the act itself. Rant over. Oh, and don't forget your paper carrier!