Idk, when I was a server I made $2.15 per hour. Hairdressers get a percentage of what the service costs. The rest goes to the salon. They don’t own it, so they pay for the privilege.

That’s what I’m saying. It’s nonsensical for workers as well.

Let’s require employers to pay their employees an adequate wage, regardless of the service they offer (so no special rules for restaurants, ect), and charge the consumer’s an amount that adequately covers the labor costs. If its a situation like a hair salon where the stylist is technically an independent contractor, charge the customer an amount that covers their rent.

Then the worker can be assured they are going to be able to make their rent, regardless of the whims of their customers, and employers will be held accountable for charging the try cost of doing business and providing for their employees.

“Now, sure, if you tipped very generously, in excess of 20% all year”

BINGO, Kate. Perhaps cheapness is waiting until Christmas to be generous.

When I was travelling every week and would drop off my suitcase then the rental car I would tip the doorman a fiver for grabbing all of my stuff from the car, bringing it inside, and organizing my mail and packages before I walked back home. If one of the building guys comes up an fixes something, tip. Last year one of them managed my mail while I was away for a long time, big ass tip. I’m not sure if others in my building only give yearly tips.

I’ve mentioned before that my mom lives in a fancy gated community in Florida. Tips are forbidden. As in any person who accepts a tip can be fired immediately. Tips lead to unequal treatment so people who work there get paid a decent salary but no tips. On occasion my mother has been known to send pizza as a thank you or sneak them some donuts. I have to say, everyone I’ve met who works there is delightful. One time my folks rolled up to the valet station, they noticed a flat and they just put the spare on right there (it’s stuff like that that prompts pizza).

All things lead to if your service provider doesn’t feel like you’re a client worth keeping, they don’t have to do so. Tipping helps with that decision.

On the subject of tipping what do you Gus think about sending lunch in to the folks at doggy day care? They take great care of our boy (probably 1-5 times a month varying with our schedules) and we tip here and there throughout the year but it’s hard since there’s a rotating staff and we don’t know everyone. Is lunch a good sub for individual tips in a case like this?

Haha. Lunch is good, but I’d just tip cash, cost of a week or whatever (pro-rated if you use it more occasionally). When in doubt, cash is always right.