Tip jars. They’re everywhere. Places from Harmon’s to Café Rio are now officially polluted with their nagging and begging influences.
Tips should only be given to people who are truly a help to their customers, and who put forth an effort in making their experience at that establishment enjoyable and productive.
“But tips jars are now appearing in clothing stores,” said Kylie Steadman, a senior at RHS.
Now it’s understood that many clothing stores are helpful, and the employees there make a huge effort to make their customers comfortable with their purchases.
But some stores are little-to-no help at all. Their job is to sit at the register, and wait to ring up whatever is being purchased. Yet, while sitting there, they bounce back and forth between indirect eye contact and the unusual pickle jar sitting beside them.
The economy is troubling, and maybe that’s what is calling for the tip jars. But employees who are making minimum wage or do not work at a restaurant should keep out of the tip industry.
Robert Klose, of “The Christian Science Monitor”, wrote on it’s website, dated July 5, 2007 that “Tipping used to be confined to service-oriented occupations: waitresses, taxi drivers, doormen. Now it has spread to businesses where I seem to be doing most of the work.”
On occasion, a jar will have justification for its owner, such as “college fund” or “unexpected expenses.” Well, now we all need one of those jars don’t we?
Perhaps my opinions are coming off as too harsh, as too cheap. I should hope not. If the kid who works at Subway can make 10 to 20 extra bucks every day, good for him.
It’s not like the tip jar is anything more than a suggestion. I don’t exactly want to pay any more for something than I should have to. Anytime that I feel pressured into giving a tip, the tip will always be smaller, especially when the employee expects it.
Tips and tip jars should only be given for service rendered. When the service falls short, don’t be afraid to be stingy with your change.