More Thoughts on Tipping

Posted by: Monica Gagnier on June 19

Having lived in New York City for 23 years, I’ve learned the power of tips (particularly those paid in advance, which some might call bribes) to open doors. Of course, patronizing the same establishment for 20 years also will get you a table for eight on a Friday night when you haven’t made a reservation.

I’ve previously blogged about how tipping seems to be going out of style in California’s Coachella Valley. Now, I’m starting to think it may not ever have been in fashion here. What makes me say that?

Today, after getting my car washed in Palm Springs with a discount coupon given to repeat customers, I discovered that my car battery was dead. I pointed this out to man who had just hand-dried my car and whom I had tipped $3. He motioned to me to wait a minute and then reappeared a few minutes later with jumper cables.

After he jump-started my car, I went inside and asked the cashier to break a $10 so I could give the attendant another tip. When the cashier remarked, “Didn’t I already give you change?” I explained what happened and that I wanted to tip the employee who had been kind enough to help me.

“There’s absolutely no need to do that,” she said. “That’s not necessary.”

I just smiled, walked away, and handed my savior $5. Good service should be rewarded, if you ask me.

By New York standards, I got a bargain. I avoided having to wait an hour for AAA to come jump-start me or the need to call a gas station and pay considerably more than $5.