Tipping Point

Have you noticed the proliferation of tip jars? At one time this was largely limited to the summer phenomenon of student employees – especially those working at ice cream shops, but it’s way beyond that now. Perhaps businesses are reluctant to increase wages in a tight economy so they’re conning workers into thinking they will get higher effective wages via the tip jar. Whatever it is, things are starting to get out of hand. You stand in line to get a loaf of fresh French bread, see the register ring up $6.50, and you’re supposed to make a tip? How did this happen? Did someone just decide to turn the little extra penny dishes into tip jars?

I, for one, have actually always like tipping. Besides, money flow is good for the economy. In the past four years we’ve heard a lot about how reviving the economy is dependent upon the consumer. As much as saving is a virtue, the entire economy is dependent upon spreading cash around.

But shouldn’t there be reasonable limits? And besides, who is it that determines the tipper versus the tippee? After all, if you just paid $6.50 for a loaf of bread aren’t you the one who deserves thanks? Isn’t the customer king? Shouldn’t it be: “Here’s some cash in your hand for coming to my store to pay an outrageous amount for a daily staple?” And if someone orders a chocolate martini that rings up in the high teens, shouldn’t it be the establishment’s turn for tipping? Their way of saying, “Here’s some change in your pocket so you’ll want to come back again to pay an unthinkable amount for that funny looking drink.”

I suppose card points or airplane miles are akin to a tip. The same for those rewards receipts boaters get at West Marine. Still, there’s nothing like cold hard cash at the time of the transaction.

So let it start here at Write On The Water. Next time someone tells me I’m doing a good job keeping-up that old wooden sailboat, I’m going tell them that I am pleased I added to their visual experience and then slip them the tip jar. A favorable comment from a reader who enjoyed my book? Tip jar. When someone thanks me for throwing them a dock line? Yup.

The opportunities are many.

So there it is. And by the way, if you enjoyed today’s post, please be sure let me know. I can be reached via my online Pay Pal account, s’il vous plaît. Merci.

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