I feel as though there was a day when everybody at one point had to work in a restaurant or some area of the service industry. Whether it be someone delivering pizza as their first high school job or waiting tables as a way to pay their way through college, people knew the value of tipping. But now there is a disconnect with this younger generation, those in middle school and high school, which is resulting in poor tip etiquette.
My parents are wonderful examples of good tippers. They never go out to eat if they cannot afford to leave a 20% tip for their server. This seems to be a trend within their age range 50-65 and their children’s generation.
However, there is a new generation on the rise that seems to be even more entitled and rude than its predecessors.
You see, I work my way through school delivering pizza and make fairly good money doing so. I will never complain about my job because it is the easiest job in the world. But what I will complain about is when I witness children not being taught how to tip their drivers.
In the delivery business, there are two types of people we jovially claim are notorious for poor tip etiquette, teachers and children. Teachers and tipping is for a different blog post entirely though.
Why are children so bad at tipping?
I remember when I was young I always knew how much to tip delivery drivers. My mom would be in the back bedroom when the doorbell rang and I would answer, ask how much the bill was, and grab the correct amount from her purse. Tip included. It was a very simple thing that I was taught from a young age. Others in my age range tend to be the same way, knowing the value of a tip from childhood.
So the problem is not with the children but with their parents who failed to teach them that lesson, and I think that should change.
So parents, if you are reading this, please do not assume that your kids know how to tip correctly, take some time aside and explain to them that service industry workers don’t make the minimum wage that other industry’s do because tips are expected.
And kids, if for some reason you found your way to my blog and for some reason are still reading it, ask your parents what it means to tip. I’m sure they would be happy to tell you.
Until next time! Eligir la vida!