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To Insure Prompt Service

As an enticement for good service, tipping developed in the tea gardens of England. Small, locked, wooden boxes were placed on the tables throughout the garden. Inscribed on each were the letters T.I.P.S., which stood for To Insure Prompt Service. If a guest wished the waiter to hurry (and to ensure that the tea arrived hot from the often-distant kitchen, he dropped a coin into the box upon being seated.

Americans traveling abroad to Europe witnessed tipping and brought the custom back with them to “show off” or prove their elevated education and class. A movement against tipping began in the late 1890s as many Americans believed that tipping went against the country’s ideals and allowed a clear servile class that would be financially dependent on a higher class. The movement failed.

Must you contribute to every tip jar? To me, a tip jar is a voluntary thank-you for something perhaps over and beyond what is expected. Examples of this include always giving me extra sprinkles on my ice cream, or simply making me feel welcome. Always being happy when you work in any customer service field is a great feat. When a person fulfills only the minimum job duties, I feel no shame in not putting money in a tip jar.

It is important to know that if you are trying to reward an individual for good counter service, money placed in a tip jar is shared among employees. If you want to tip one employee, give him the tip directly.

Should you tip at a buffet? At a buffet, tipping 10 percent of the bill is customary. But as with tipping in general, stick to the formula only if the waiter is attentive, appearing promptly when you need him. If he provides extra-good service, then you could tip him more. But if he neglects to refill your water glass or is missing in action when you’re ready for the check, feel free to give less.

What do you do when you receive bad service? Express your dissatisfaction by speaking to the manager. If you receive poor service, don’t leave without providing a tip. Believe me, a $1 tip will be noticed much more than no tip, since your server may think you just forgot. But keep in mind that the server didn’t cook your meal for you, so don’t punish him or her if the poor service was the kitchen’s fault.

Watch for the gratuity that is automatically added. If you’re with a large party — six or more people — be sure to check your bill just in case. A 15 percent to 20 percent gratuity often automatically is charged. If the tip is included, the breakdown of the bill will read “gratuity” or “service charge,” which means that a tip is already included. As always, if you feel you did not receive 15-percent service, inform the management before paying your bill and have it adjusted to the adequate amount.

For waiters at sit-down restaurants, bartenders, barbers/hairdressers/attendants at beauty salons, taxi drivers, tour guides and food delivery folks, the tip should be calculated as a percentage of your total bill as follows: 10 percent usually means you aren’t totally happy, 15 percent usually means all was acceptable, 20 percent is for excellent service, and more than 20 percent is for outstanding. The standard is still 15 percent to 20 percent in most communities.

Judi Hendrickson of Wheeling is the co-author with Dr. Jeanne Finstein of “Walking Pleasant Valley.” She teaches etiquette and presents programs on Tea Time Traditions, the History and Etiquette of Tea and Wedding Traditions.

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