A TIP

I've heard that the word TIP supposedly is derived from the phrase "to insure promptness" though I couldn't guarantee that its a fact. I think its interesting that we have this social requirement to give extra money to people who we already are paying to do something.

Lets limit this discussion to eating establishments. I understand that food service workers get paid little and depend on tips to get by but realize that it doesn't work that way in every society. When I have traveled abroad, I was often advised that tipping is not expected or that it is normal to give no more than to round up to the next highest dollar.

In the USA, we give 15-20% to our restaurant server. That means that the person who delivers dinner for two at a nice restaurant, say a $100 check, gets about $18 for doing her job. The person who delivers dinner for two at a moderate restaurant, say a $40 check, gets only $8 for doing her job though the work is equivalent. The person who delivers you two $5 meals at a fast food place we give nothing. Something doesn't seem fair about all this.

If we really wanted to insure promptness, we would tip before the meal - not afterwards. When going to a place that one frequents, it is common to give extra large tips to impress and insure good service the next time. That makes some sense. When we are at a place to which we will probably never return, there is no logic in going to extremes unless you are a philanthropist.

I don't see any way to change the system. Maybe some day a restaurant owner will put up a sign that says, "We pay our employees a living wage and you are not expected to tip!" I don't expect that to ever happen.
:D