rose_hedgemond__header.jpgTipping falls under the spectrum of manners and social skills. Whether entertaining guests, family, clients or friends, tipping is more necessary and needed then one may realize. Tipping is a multi-million dollar industry and it is up to you to contribute your part to the economic pie.

Some people feel tipping is just something nice to do. Generally defined, a tip, or gratuity, is a small amount of money given voluntarily as an excellent way to show appreciation or thanks for a provided service. Tipping can be for a variety of services, ranging from dining, hotel accommodation cleaning to transportation services. For many, tipping is an automatic action and even second nature; however, for some individuals tipping is an afterthought, if a thought at all, and not a social action that is considered to be an important one.

Do you know that for many individuals in the hospitality industry tips are their major source of income?  If you’ve ever worked in the hospitality industry – whether waiting tables, bar tending or moving luggage at an airport, for example – you’ve probably depended on tips from customers to make financial ends meet.  

Tipping is not about generosity.

Tipping isn’t even about gratitude for good service. And tipping certainly isn’t about doing what’s right if you experience impeccable service. So perhaps it’s an off day for a worker and maybe you didn’t receive quite the service you believe is befitting a nice size tip, should this be grounds for no tip at all? Many people feel if “less than adequate” service is provided then a “less than adequate” tip is required.

Servers, guides, drivers, concierges and many others service professionals who help make things go a little easier and improve social experiences sometimes are not paid even minimum wage by their employers. Perhaps this is why many establishments now have implemented a pre-set gratuity fee which can range from 12 to 25 percent and is inclusive with your total bill.

The next time you are faced with the opportunity to tip, or not to tip, ask yourself this question – was my service necessary to make my way, or experience, a little easier? You may find that tipping is a worthwhile service after all.

Here’s one tipping app for smartphones and tablets that may help you. Tipping App.