Today, I'm thinking again about one of my biggest pet peeves: TIPPING
I was talking with a friend who just got a tattoo and asked me how much do I TIP the artist. Do you even need to? Hmmm. That's a fair question although the answer, at least in my country, is quite simple: if someone does something for you, you tip. If not, you can do as you like.
Let's look at some examples:
1. Tattoo artists
I tip based on actual price of the tattoo, discount that I feel I have received - for example one tattoo that I calculated at 250$ came at 150$ so of course, I tip a lot here - quality of work, difficulty of work and weather the artist works for a shop or has his own shop - I tip less when she owns the shop because she keeps most of the tattoo money. Finally, I tip based on how much I like them :)
Sue me,I'm only human!
But if you find a good, reliable and interesting tattoo artist, tipping big can be a bridge to a good relationship.Not mandatory but a way to show appreciation and have priority for future works! That's cool too.
2. Baristas
I do love my carefully brewed flat whites, my exquisite cortados, my just right foam on a caffee latte. All these take a lot of skill, attention to details and experience both with the actual coffee used - that can be very mercurial and change profile by the day - and the hardware.
In the light of all this, the difference between a coffee that changes your day and one that is just "meh" rests on seconds, grams and a few Celsius degrees here and there. I respect all that and always tip my barista.
Also, I go to the same shops every time so knowing that I respect their craft and tip well gives me a lot of bonuses down the line. I think I'm breaking even on tips for coffee to be honest :)
3. Any kind of delivery
While this is something that falls under THE rule of services provided + I do delivery and know how important tips are, I do have on exception. I do not tip big box delivery services like DHL, FedEX. I don't really have a reason for that, but if you come by car to my house, I'll leave a tip only if what I need to pay is not round like 1$ for 99$ order. There is nothing really logical here...but I guess I perceive the effort as low although driving in this traffic is hectic.
What I do try is to always have a water or coke ready in the summer for the delivery guy.
Might need to try to be more mindful and leave a tip here too.
4. Barbers
I mean, this man holds my beard in his hands. I tip before I get on the chair!!
On a serious note, nobody deserves it more. Not tipping a barber is a crime against common sense.
5. Home nurses/babysitters
This is one that I am not sure. Tipping seems to be uncommon because, you are actually employing these people so you've already agreed a price for the service. I heard friends that tip the babysitter though so who knows?
6. Taxi drivers/uber drivers
I never tip uber drivers. I just don't feel the need but I notice you could chose to tip from the app. The problem is that you must chose to tip every driver, and I'd like to tip per-person basis when it comes to uber.
For taxis, in my country, there's really some sort of forced-tipping in action. "Sorry, man, I don't have change!!" when you give 15 for a 12 ride. The bastards! I hate taxi drivers but yeah, tipping happens with them.
7. Sport massage/ masssage/ spa tratments
I have very little experience with this, but I would not tip for a premium service like a spa-day. I guess I feel that they are already well compensated. On the other hand, being treated like a king might entice me to give a little extra. For sport massages or recovery I think it's not necessary as it's mostly a medical service and who tips for that?!
As we can see, tipping is very bizzare thing. There are a lot of articles about the general injustice of the tipping culture and how including tipping in your bill wherever you are is the fairer way. Might be...people use tipping as a note for the service.
"you did good!! 5 stars and 10$"
"You sucked! no money for you!!"
That seems fair to some, deeply unfair for some others.
Also, there's a big difference in what is expected of you. In EasternEurope tipping is expected..in UK, I was an oddity! [But they still took the money so what do you know?!]
You mileage may vary but if you think it's ok to tip, please TIP.
It means a lot.