The Tipping Argument

In this day and age when we work harder than ever, and carefully review all our expenses to be certain that our hard earned dollars are spent wisely, (to insure that our quality of life does not diminish), we often find ourselves a at quandary when time comes to reward those who work in the service industry. The question that arises each time the billing cycle comes around as to how much to tip is the subject of this paper, particularly where such practice pertains to the newspaper delivery service.

This question and many more have crossed our minds as long as we can remember. As a little boy I remember looking over the final bill we had incurred at a local restaurant, and could not help but to notice that the waiter received extra money from my father. When I asked him about it he explained to me that one “must always reward those who toil on jobs that make your life easier.” Of course he then went on to explain about the amount, and so on, and so forth.

Later on, as I pondered on the answer he had given gave me I realized that I never saw him give mother any money after supper, or after anything for that matter; “That”, he replied, “is because your mother and I share in all that we have, and contribute in-kind to each-others efforts. Rather than tipping we give one another gifts that show our appreciation”.

Years would go by before the practice would come back into my life when, as a teenager I would deliver papers at a High-rise building in Arlington Virginia. Early each morning I would ride my bike to the building, and with a key provided by the door man I would stop the elevator every other floor, while I walked the corridors and delivered the Washing Post to my customers.

In those days debit was non-existent, and credit payments were rare; most if not all of my customers paid by either check or cash, and since collections were done at the door, there was a feeling of having a personal relationship with all of my customers. Occasionally I would puncture a tire on my bike, or bent a wheel rim on a pothole I did not see, but other than that, expenses were low and much of the receipts, (other than the wholesale cost of the paper itself), were mine to keep; the icing on the cake were the tips, and the notes of encouragement I received with the payments. Not too bad for a fourteen year old.