Day Spa and tipping

[MeredithMan]

I am a believer that, as a general rule, the tips should be based on quality of service provided. There are, however, a couple of things to consider:

1) Some establishments, (I've seen this printed on many restaurant menus, for example), will automatically include an 18% gratuity if the bill is over a certain amount. You can debate whether this is right or wrong, but it seems fairly prevalent.

2) An early post in this string referred to "tip jars being everywhere...even ice cream shops". Who mostly works in ice cream shops? HS and College kids. They can use the money. My 18 year old daughter has worked in a frozen yogurt shop for the last few years, earning money for her college bills, ($50K per year, all in). The employees there are paid LESS than minimum wage, as the assumption by the owner, (and this is a national chain), is that they will make up the difference in tips. I can't tell you how many times I have seen the little league team come in and the coach springs for $70 in Fro Yo, and then totally stiffs the kids working there, even though they were served by smiling 18 year old girls. Really? How can anyone be so **** cheap! And it's not just the teams, it's also Mr & Mrs Smythe-Smythe, who have the fancy car and dripping in diamonds that stiff the kids too.

My daughter's fro-yo work has given me a better appreciation for service workers, I must admit. They are paid peanuts. As long as they are not lazy and surly, give 'em a good tip!

MM