It’s a good question
“You know the difference between a Canadian and a canoe, eh? A canoe tips.”
I enjoy destroying that myth.
Sharing the wealth and adding a generous tip is a pleasure for me and may improve the day for somebody else. It feels like a gesture of solidarity and support for other hard-working people trying to get the job done. It’s not meant as a reward for exceptional service to be held back if the service is unfriendly or inefficient. There may be a reason they’re not having a good day. You can make it better.
You might argue that management should pay them more so you don’t have to. Paying the minimum wage does seem to add insult to injury. “We’d like to pay you less but we can’t.”
And it is annoying when the payment terminal suggests 18%, 20% or 25% on counter service for a five-dollar coffee from an automated coffee-maker and a stale seven-dollar breakfast sandwich wrapped in plastic. That spoils the pleasure for both of us.
Do you want your own employees working for tips? Probably not. But they should be trained to deliver friendly efficient service as if they are. The whole company benefits when customer service staff create loyal satisfied customers who are happy to pay more for the pleasure of doing business with you. And that allows you to share the wealth by paying them better than the competition and attracting and retaining talented and motivated employees.
Keep on tipping generously.
Be better. Do Better. Be an Enlightened Entrepreneur.
Del Chatterson, your Uncle Ralph
Comments