When I was in high school and college, I worked a series of low-paying, grueling services jobs that paid very little.
In college, I worked part-time in the restaurant of a friend of one of my instructors.
I took out garbage, moved around inventory, helped keep the kitchen clean, and helped keep the dining area clean too.
The owner of the restaurant paid me directly out of his own pocket, as I sympathy I guess to a struggling college student.
The position didn’t pay a lot of money.
I used to complain about that a lot until I saw how the inner economics of the dining industry worked.
Back then, I didn’t realize that that some people only worked for tips. Or, made so little money that receiving tips made all the difference in the world when it comes to their pay.
I’ve been a tour guide, furniture mover, and housekeeping cleaner in a hotel when I was young. No one told me I was eligible tips (and I am a bit aghast no one paid me any – I worked hard).
I am not praising the pay system of the service industry in general. It is what it is after all.
What I am saying is that we have all been in low-paying jobs at one time or another.
If you have never worked in a low-paying job before in your life, well, there is no telling what the future holds.
We usually meet the same people going up in life that we meet on the way down. Sometimes we exchange social statuses with them as well.
You don’t have to break the bank leaving a tip either.
Gratuity Etiquette
How much should you tip? You can tip anywhere between 15% to 20% of the overall bill.
If you wanted, you could tip just $1. That is much better than tipping nothing.
I am not suggesting that you tip for bad service or for dealing with rude employees either. You can talk to a manager and contribute to a general tip jar when applicable.
Still, there is no reason not to tip people who make your life easier.
Like you valet, hairdresser, barber, masseuse, bartender, car washer, bartender, and so on.
My specialty is about writing about saving money. Again, You don’t have to pay more than a $1 for a tip.
My point is that you may never know when you might be serving in such a service job yourself.
A $1 tip may make all the difference in the world to someone working in a grueling service job more out of need than want.
I can attest to that, because I’ve been there. And I hope I never find myself in that position again.
People don’t tip.
Read More
THESE LOW-SALARY JOBS HAVE GREAT RETIREMENT BENEFITS
JOB OPTIONS FOR RETIREES RETURNING TO THE JOB MARKET
LOOKING FOR A NEW JOB? GET THAT CREDIT SCORE UP
Allen Francis was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years with no money, no financial literacy, and no responsibility when he had money. To him, the phrase “personal finance,” contains the power that anyone has to grow their own wealth. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including focusing on your needs instead of your wants, asking for help when you need it, saving and investing in your own small business.