Apparently Tipping Actually is a City in China?
Please check your spelling
Anyone who has ever worked as a server in any capacity is familiar with the custom once known as “tipping.”
I have seen signs posted behind bars and on various tip jars stating that “Tipping is NOT a city in China,” to remind customers that the servers really appreciate it when they are given a tip for good service.
I’m now back in the “service” business, moonlighting as a driver for Uber, Lyft, and Door Dash, and have experienced a general lack of gratuities for most of my rides, even though I bend over backwards to be nice and polite and keep my vehicle immaculately clean for my customers.
I’m thinking maybe people don’t realize that drivers depend on tips to add to their earnings because the pay for the rides isn’t very good for the time spent in many cases, unless there is some kind of promotion going on. I read some comments by drivers that said that one of the app companies used to pay drivers up to 80% of what the client paid, but now it’s down to around 50%. So tips are now counted on by drivers to have what could be deemed a successful night out driving.
Case in point, I picked up some ladies in downtown Dallas during the wee hours of the morning a few days ago and they asked me if I could take them through the McDonald’s drive through because they were hungry. I said “sure,” thinking that if I were in their shoes I would appreciate it if a driver did this for me and I would definitely be tipping them extra (I always tip something) for the courtesy they provided. I thought surely they would tip me at least a little bit for this extra special addition to their ride.
They didn’t. Not even a dollar. In fact, that whole night I didn’t receive one tip from any of the 6 clients I provided rides for. Isn’t it common courtesy to tip a driver for their efforts? I know that when my wife and I travel we always tip generously when we use a rideshare service. I also tip generously at eating establishments because I know they are underpaid and if they provide good service I reward them with some extra cash.
As a karaoke host I never expect tips, but it sure is nice and makes me feel good when, at the end of the night, there is a little extra cash in the jar because it makes me think people appreciated the service I (and my friend Z) provided. I always tip my bartender and waitress at the end of the night because I see how hard they worked to keep our customers happy and to keep them coming back to the shows.
Last Wednesday, one of my dear karaoke friends came up to the mike stand and before she started singing held up the tip jar and reminded the audience to tip me and to tip the wait staff. I might mention tipping a few times a night, but sometimes forget to say anything about giving the servers a gratuity. I never tell people to tip me, but I do assume (I guess erroneously) that people will be tipping for the services provided, especially bartenders, waitresses, and drivers. By the way, I made more in tips that karaoke night than I have in the 10 times I have driven for rideshare and food deliveries. Thanks, Jen!
I have had two clients tip $20 during my driving experience. Those were very pleasant surprises! But, for the most part the tips just haven’t been there in the 50 or so times I have accepted assignments to deliver people and food to their destinations. I’m thinking maybe I should get a sign, but I think some people might see it as rude… Maybe something like “Tips are appreciated,” or “Please help out retired teacher trying to make up for the money he’s no longer making”?
I looked up the Chinese city “Tipping,” just to see if I was right and that it’s not an Asian city. I found out that people have been spelling it wrong if that’s their intention. It’s spelled “Taiping.” So please, if you can spare a dime, throw it towards your service people. Most of us count on it to bolster an anemic income stream and it is MUCH appreciated!
