Who to Tip???
I have never tipped an electrician, plumber or locksmith and most people I know wouldn’t either. But- what about my painter- a person who submitted a bid for the job- should that person be tipped? If so how much? What about a development’s contractor doing punch list work?
I have never tipped an electrician, plumber or locksmith and most people I know wouldn’t either. But- what about my painter- a person who submitted a bid for the job- should that person be tipped? If so how much? What about a development’s contractor doing punch list work?
Wow – I think of myself as a good tipper (cabbies, waiters, bellhops, and especially motel maids), but would never have thought to tip a mechanic/painter/plumber/etc. I figure they’re professionals doing their job, they’re getting paid real money (unlike, say, a lot of waitstaff, where tips figure prominently) and unless they do something heroic/miraculous/above/beyond, no way.
FWIW, In my art-world person, I was working as the assistant to the director of a gallery and was asked to deliver a piece of art to somebody’s fancy apartment. The guy who received it tipped me $20 or $40 or something, and while I thanked him (though I was kind of in shock – if I’d thought about it more I might have refused) I was also a little pissed; felt demeaning and ‘you’re not a professional’.
Branching out a little bit, I learned a couple of years ago that many of the other customers tip, and tip big, the mechanics where I get my car serviced. It had never occurred to me. Although I haven’t changed my ways, it crosses my mind every time I’d there (a euphemism for I am now self-conscious) and if it is near the end of the year, I think maybe I should drop off a case of wine and let the owner divvy it up. Car mechanics?
I’m with Donatella…
Most obnoxious tip jar signs I see regularly: Think Coffee on Mercer in the Village, and Pilar Cuban Eatery on Classon.
Never the owner or solo contractor. I have tipped the Roto-Rooter employee who did a great job opening a clog where previous plumbers had failed (he took his time and didn’t give up.) I’ll tip the guy from the AAA who comes to change a flat or the guy at the garage who actually fixes the tire. Not likely to tip an employee of a contractor unless there is a special effort.
It’s “Whom to tip???”
Brooklyn native Steve Buschemi didn’t tip as Mr. Pink, but has evolved into quite a good tipper as Nucky Thompson. Make sure you tip your bartender, the next drink is always stronger and get’s to you faster. My fiance’ tipped the Verizon Fios guy once, yeah, the guy who’s making great money. I was not pleased.
Really only when a tradesperson does something outstanding. Otherwise, I figure they are charging me what they think their work is worth. However I have given the occasional gift (incl cash at the holidays) to our carpenter/handyman who is constantly fixing things for us at all hours and who we really love.
oh, I didn’t mention beauticians…hair people and nail people. I tip them.
So, you’ll tip the painter but not the plumber, electrician etc. Why stop being cheap now? If you have a contractor in the house and like Brooklyn Plumber said, if it’s not the owner, tip the guy(or gal) if they did a good job for you and you were pleased with the service. Also a phone call to the owner to praise their work is a good thing too.
At the very least offer to buy them lunch if they’re there at that time.
I always tip and offer lunch(if it’s that time). I was a worker bee at one time and a tip was always appreciated. A tip meant I really made the customer happy with MY work.