Another word about tipping

I don't usually delete comments on my blog because most people make positive contributions to the discourse. One of the comments on my TT could be interpreted as insensitive to those who work in the service industry, so it's gone.

It's important to remember that most folks who work in the service industry pay income tax based on receiving tips. So if a customer is cheap or mean or ignorant and refuses to tip for good service, the worker is actually losing money.

Let's take a good look at who these people are. (This information is from the 2000 Census, so it's more than 5 years old.)

90% of hairstylists and cosmetologists (mani/pedi) are female, avg. salary $16,172

74% of restaurant, lounge and coffee shop servers are female, avg. salary $14,612

87% of maids and housekeeping staff are female, avg. salary $13,832

These people -- many of whom are working mothers -- are struggling to make ends meet. They do honest and very hard work. The way our system is set up, they depend on your tips.

If tipping offends you, your issue is with the custom and not with the person delivering the service. I agree that tipping can be confusing (hence my TT) and a pain in the ass. It would be nice if managers/owners in the hospitality industry paid their workers more in salary, or perhaps if their unions were stronger advocates, so tips wouldn't be vital.

Naturally, anyone who receives bad service (and of course it happens) shouldn't tip. But don't just dismiss/demean tipping. It's essential to those who work to serve us.

Of course we all have a right to our opinions. But since this is One Gal's Musings and I am The Gal Herself, I get the last word.