Dear Jido,
I’ve always tipped waiters, hairdressers, food delivery drivers, and manicurists, of course, understanding that most of these positions do not pay very well and the person is likely living off tips more than salary.
Within the last year or so, however, I have been told in several different ways, some not very subtle, that I should also be tipping the cable company technician who comes out to correct static on the line, the HVAC technician who gives my system an annual checkup, the appliance repair person who fixed my dryer, and, most recently, the plumber who came out to unclog a bathroom sink.
In all of those circumstances, I paid the company in question a significant fee for the service, and the person they sent out was in a company vehicle, wearing a company uniform. I assume they are making a decent salary.
Are we supposed to be tipping everyone who provides any service now? How can I determine who is supposed to be tipped and how much they should get? What if I cannot afford to tip, say, an appliance technician after I’ve already paid his company over $300 for the work he did?
Do I need to explain that I can’t afford to tip them, especially when they are standing around after the job, making small talk, obviously waiting for something from me?
Signed,
A Fed-Up Tipper
Dear Not-a-Penny,
What! Tip the plumber? You gotta be kidding.
What are tips for? To Insure Prompt Service. If the plumber didn’t come right away, you would probably just find someone else.
Consider this: What’s the average minimum wage across America? About $15 per hour. What’s the minimum wage for a job that receives tips?
The Federal Minimum Wage for tipped workers is $2.13 per hour. If that’s all he’s making, I wouldn’t use him.
You are correct. Not everyone should be tipped. But, even if he’s a skilled worker but he did something “over the top” for you, you still might want to give him/her something “for them.” You wouldn’t be setting a precedent and you would actually feel good about it.
But what should you do when they just hang around waiting for a tip?
As you walk to the front door you could say something like, “Well, we’re all done here. I’ll be sure to tell the boss you did a great job. Thank you. See ya.”
If they don’t get the hint, you could add, “Do you need me to help you bring your stuff to your car”?
If they STILL don’t get the hint, you could do what a lot of people do when they’re in a situation they want to get away from. Make sure you’re carrying your cell phone in your hand (which you’re probably doing anyway). Then quickly, put the phone to your ear and say. “Oh, hi, yeh, just a minute.” Tell the tip-seeker, “I gotta take this call. Thanks for everything. Bye.”
If they still, still, still don’t get the hint, hang up and call a cop.
Jido