The Tradition of Tipping
The hospitality industry – and any other industry which counts tips as part of their income – might be interested to know the origins and customs of tipping. Always good to know should anybody ask.
The deepest roots of the custom of tipping are elusive. The evidence points to tipping going back to the age of the Romans, or at least the invention of money.
There’s a broad range of etymologies for the term “tipping”. The most basic point of origin is the Latin word ‘stips’, which simply means a gift. The Middle English scholars lay claim to Geoffrey Chaucer, who used the term “to tip” to mean simply “to give”, as in “tip us a kiss!” or “tip me five pounds until pay day.” The actual phrase also appears as “tip me that cheate” (give me that thing), in the “Beadle of Bridewell” by Samuel Rowlands in 1610.
The charming story we all have probably heard is that “TIP” was an acronym for “To Insure Promptness”. Back to the 18th century, the story goes that patrons would drop a few (audible) pence into a box bearing the label “to ensure promptness” as a measure to encourage a greater display of vigor on the part of the generally listless attendants. But it is more likely that this story is another urban legend, or what we call a “backronym”, an amusing acronym story made up to explain a word which wasn’t originally an acronym at all.
Tipping spread from England to colonial America, but after the American revolution it was temporarily frowned upon as a left-over custom from the British class system. After all, if one only tips one’s inferiors, well, – ahem! – there are no ‘inferiors’ in the Brave New World we created, right? The culture shrugged this off after a few years and the custom of tipping resumed to what it is today. When it comes to mixing politics with day-to-day commerce, even the Communist countries have not entirely succeeded in eliminating the practice of tipping.
Another apocryphal story has it that a California restaurant had a sign on the door “Please do not insult our staff by tipping!” but inside, there on the counter was a jar by the cash register clearly labeled “Insults”.
These days, of course, everybody from taxi drivers to somaliers depends on tips for a substantial part of their income. If customers didn’t tip, presumably the staff would expect to be paid more, and restaurant bills and taxi fares would consequently be higher. The fifteen percent standard is mostly a question of what the market will bear. In New York, the figure these days is twenty percent, and if you have lived in New York, you know why. And European restaurants generally add a ten percent gratuity to the bill.
If your restaurant has a policy of adding a percentage to the bill as a gratuity, it is expected that you have a sign somewhere in the general vicinity of the cash box stating this fact. Also, many restaurants have a policy of the waitstaff pooling their tips on a pot, which gets divided evenly amongst them at the end of each shift. Still other restaurants ask that non-tipped employees such as cooks and janitors receive a percentage of tips as well. In Brazil, a simple service charge is added to the bill and split among the staff, and that’s that. Whatever your custom, try to feel out the staff to see what they prefer, and then get the policy in writing and include it with new employee orientation.
Positions outside the restaurant trade have more recently picked up the tipping custom. Bellhops, taxi drivers, and even barbers variously accept tips. But in some countries, the police expect a small gratuity! This is not the same thing as corruption – well, not quite. Police officers and other civil servants in third-world economies openly solicit tips, gifts and dubious fees using any of a set of local euphemisms. For example, a traffic policeman in Mexico might ask a commuter to buy him a “refresco”, which is a soft drink, while a Nigerian officer might expect “a little something for the weekend.”. This is less about graft and corruption and more about the shockingly low wages these professions receive in these countries. A visitor from elsewhere will usually not be “hit up” for a gratuity, but you never know.
Tipping is more widely supported amongst the civil servants in third world countries. For instance, a dog license application might be accompanied by a minor tip “for their trouble”.
Back in the US, the state regulations on declaring taxes on tips varies by the state. But an interesting fact worth noting is that most state jurisdictions make a distinction between “voluntary tipping” and “expected tipping”. For example, a tip at a restaurant, while not required, is for the most part expected. Giving a dollar to a barista for making a latte is not expected, and is therefore a “voluntary tip” that in most jurisdictions does not need to be claimed to the IRS.
Freelance writer for over eleven years.
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Ideal Gifts For Your Ukraine Lady
Women all over the world enjoy getting a gift, but especially Ukraine ladies. If you are going to Ukraine, you should never forget to bring presents to show your loving and caring attitude towards a Ukraine lady. The way she accepts it indicates her feelings towards you.
It doesn’t have to be anything very expensive, but your present shouldn’t look cheap either. No matter what you give her, you shouldn’t forget about the flowers that should accompany the present. A Ukraine lady is a romantic and they expect romance from any foreigner they meet.
Ukrainian men tend to consider flowers unnecessary in the dating process. They feel that if they love and understand each other then romantic gestures are pointless. Flowers in particular are considered by the Ukrainian men to be a complete waste of money. That is why giving flowers to a Ukraine lady is held in deep regard by the woman and considered to be an absolute delight. It makes them feel like a real Ukraine lady. It isn’t even that important what type of flowers you give her, it is just important that you make the gesture.
If you feel that giving flowers is just not enough, then you could consider giving her a souvenir from your country. It is always a conversation starter, and exciting for a Ukraine lady to have something from another country. Many of the Ukraine ladies have never been abroad and find that having a little piece of your country means that you care for them deeply.
Be careful never to ask her what she wants as a present beforehand because most likely she will tell you that she doesn’t know. Either that or she will tell you that she wants nothing, and then is disappointed when you show up holding nothing. Be wise, and plan on giving her something small that she can cherish.
Use the hints that a Ukraine lady gives you in her letters to you. For example, if she says that she is studying English then perhaps you can give her a great American English classic. For a Ukrainian lady that may be interested in art you can give her a beautifully framed picture of your country or a popular art piece. For a stylish Ukraine lady you may consider giving her a fashionable handkerchief or scarf.
If you are absolutely sure of her tastes then you can present your Ukraine lady with a perfume that she loves. It is a very personal gift and although it may be hard to choose her particular scent, it is a great gift to show her what she means to you. Good perfumes are very expensive in Ukraine, even more so then in the United States, so Ukraine ladies find it almost impossible to buy a high quality perfume.
Thus, they have to use fakes, so when you give her the real thing, she will be thrilled and honored. Some of the popular choices are Nina Ricci, Kenzo, or D&G. A good perfume is also an ideal present for the mother of a Ukraine lady. Don’t forget that bringing something for her parents will also help to make a good first impression.
Most Ukraine ladies agree that the best present of all is your love and sincerity, but a little something that you and your Ukraine lady can share can only enhance her love for you. A memorable and important present that you can give her on the second date could be a photo album with only pictures of the two of you in them. If you take the pictures on the first date and then put together the album, it will show that you care deeply for her, and that she matters in your life. It is often the little romantic gestures that you make that wins over her heart.
Whatever gift you decide to give, it will be appreciated no matter what it is. After all, it is the thought that counts.
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No Run Of The Mill Worker
Fred was a 65 year old mill worker. He was nearing retirement and was looking forward to relaxing and just taking life easy. He had worked at the mill for over 30 years.
He had seen workers come and go. He was a very regimented individual who rarely strayed away from his daily routine. Everyone knew him as the trusted elder of the organization. Many trusted his judgment and sought his advice.
He had grown up during some of the darker economic times. He knew the value of a dollar. Although he could afford better, he lived off the very minimum.
He lived in a small one bedroom house with very few modern extras. He had never owned a television. He used the radio as his main form of entertainment. He just preferred the audio to all the modern video age.
Rumor had it that Fred had been saving his money since he began working in the mill. It was strong rumor that he kept his money somewhere in his house because he feared banks. He never really talked about it much, but everyone at the mill knew that he had no wife or children and spent very little money.
He was still very happy and seemed to be content with his work and friends from around town. The rumor of his money caught the ears of two petty thieves who also worked in the mill.
While most of the other people were good hardworking and decent. They were the exception to the rule. These two were vagrants who the mill owners had given a chance to prove themselves. They knew Fred, but Fred kept his distance.
He always felt they were up to no good. He believed that the mill owners would come to their senses one day and get rid of them. The vagrants heard the rumors about Fred and his money on a daily basis.
Soon they could not resist their old ways anymore. They had to know if the stories about Fred were true. They decided to rob Fred of his savings. They figured they would leave work early one day, break into Freds house, take his money and quickly make their way out of town.
One day when the lunch whistle blew they left for Freds house. They had no intention of ever returning to the mill. The two arrived at Freds house. They crawled into a side window.
Little did they know that Fred was in the house sound asleep. He had taken off for the day because of illness. They moved through the house searching for Freds hidden treasure. The racket startled Fred. He came out to see what was going on.
He saw the two and immediately recognized them. He said, what are you doing here? They panicked and grabbed Fred. Counting on nobody being home, neither had any weapons.
Fred struggled to get free but they were too powerful. They demanded to know where he kept the money. He said what money? They did not like his answer, so they proceeded to rough him up. They questioned him and beat him for several minutes.
They were frustrated and were about to hit him again, when they heard a car pull up. It was one of the mill owners. He made it a habit to check on Fred when he did not show for work.
At that moment, the crooks panicked and ran out the back door. The mill owner saw them running and rushed into the house were he found Fred lying on the floor all bruised up. He drove Fred to the Hospital.
The mill owner called the Sheriff and reported the crime. The two criminals were shortly apprehended on a road outside of town. Fred agrees that he was caught off guard and is thankful that things were not worst.
It turns out that he had over $300,000.00 hidden beneath some bricks in his front room floor. After several hours of trying, the mill owner and the Sheriff convinced a reluctant Fred to put his money in the bank for safe keeping.
Keeping large amounts of cash around the house can be dangerous. Be aware of who is listening to your conversations and always be prepared to defend yourself if necessary.
Johnny A. Jenkins, Distribution Director of Repeller Technology,provides self-defense, safety and hidden surveillance equipment, tips and advice to fit most situations. Make your surroundings safer for you and loved ones today
at: http://www.repellertechnology.com
Business Owners Versus Thieves End In A Tie
Martha and Greg owned the local corner grocery store in a small town. They knew most of their customers by name. Most of them were decent folks who made an honest living. The store was starting to struggle financially. It was not because they did not have enough customers. It was due to loss from local teenagers, who frequently took items from the store without paying.
Martha and Greg knew they were taking items without paying but they could never prove it. They feared they might have to close the store if something was not done. They knew most of the kids by face. The teenagers were never threatening but they did take lots of stuff. The loss was increasing and beginning to take a toll on the stores bottom line.
Martha and Greg did not really want to send a bunch of local teenagers to jail. Besides, they theorized that the kids parents were some of their regular customers. These people were not only customers but also their neighbors. They pondered about how to solve this problem. They did not want to alienate the customers by making accusations without proof. Yet if they did nothing there would be no customers and no store.
Martha and Greg knew that if they could show the parents what their kids were up too, they could stop them. These parents would not tolerate such nonsense. They had worked a lifetime to build their good reputations. They also took this sort of thing very serious. If shown the right proof they would strike change into their kids.
Martha and Greg were a small operation. They could not afford sophisticated equipment at the time without further damaging their bottom line. Furthermore, a system to cover the entire store was out of the question. They decided to try the least expensive method first.
They devised a simple plan to stop them. Martha and Greg decided to place all the most popular theft items in one area. They would keep an eye on them while they worked.
Surely they would catch one and make an association with the rest. They would finally have the evidence they needed. They knew that the thieves would eventually return to take some items. They soon found that they were too busy with the customers to watch the items. In fact their plan backfired. Since they had placed all the items together, the thieves found it easier to steal even more.
Martha and Greg were determined not to let a few misguided teenagers run them out of business. They had grown up with most of the folks in the town. They knew their neighbors would support them in their effort to turn the teens around. They also figured the teenagers did not realize what they were doing to them.
They certainly did not realize what they were doing to the other people in the neighborhood.
They were probably just like other children. They stole things to impress friends. They also probably knew there was a pretty good chance they would not be caught. Martha and Greg knew they had to be inconspicuous with their efforts to stop the kids.
One day a man was passing through town. He stopped in the store. A conversation started between Martha, Greg and the stranger. Martha and Greg told the man the kind of problem they were having. It turns out the man was a private detective.
He told Martha and Greg how he had dealt with similar situations. He said that he had been hired on numerous occasions to catch petty thieves. According to him the best way to do it is with hidden surveillance.
The man talked on. When he was about to leave, he said by the way I will send you a copy of the video I took of you. Martha and Greg said what video?
The man explained the video I took of you with the camera in my tie. In his line of work he could never be too careful, so he always wore some sort of hidden surveillance device. Martha and Greg had found the solution.
Sometimes situations arise where images may be required to prove your point. Perpetrators will not act if they know you are watching. In order to collect the evidence you need you must be inconspicuous.
Johnny A. Jenkins, Distribution Director of Repeller Technology,provides self-defense, safety and hidden surveillance equipment, tips and advice to fit most situations. Make your surroundings safer for you and loved ones today
at: http://www.repellertechnology.com
Star Player Get Low Grade On Temper
Beth is a professor at mid sized university in the southeast. The school has extremely high standards. All of the faculty and students pride themselves on great academic achievements. Graduates of the college have gone on to do great things.
In fact, if you were a graduate in good standing you were guaranteed to be a first employment prospect with some of the best corporations in the country. Everyone knew the expectations and worked hard to keep them. Jimmy was a senior at the university.
He was one of Beths students. He was a laid back southern boy whose main interest was football. He was an average student who did just enough schoolwork to make a passing grade. Some of the other students wondered how he had lasted in such a prestigious school.
Jimmy was also a star on the university football team. In the past, football players received special attention especially if they were stars. Sometimes the coaches would talk to the teachers and get them extra time to do their work. Many times the coaches would assist them with their work.
It was all to help keep them on the team. Even with the extra attention, Jimmy usually only passed by a slim margin. In order to preserve its academic standards the school instituted a new policy. No student would be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities if they did not meet a certain grade standard.
The coaches were furious. They knew they would loose some star players. Nevertheless those were the rules. If they were to remain employed at the university they had to abide. Jimmy was starting to get worried.
He knew he had a good chance at being drafted by a professional football team. He just needed to get enough game time in his senior year. He thought, man this school is going to ruin it for me. All the coaches tried to help Jimmy with his schoolwork.
Some of the students even loaned a hand. It was not enough. Jimmys old habits were hard to break. When Jimmys grades were reported he barely passed everything except Beths class. He failed it miserably. He knew he would be stripped from the team. He was furious.
Without taking time to find out his options. He went charging into Beths office. He slammed the report on her desk. He said, see what you did me. You are not going to get away with it. Beth was a little nervous. Jimmy grabbed her by both shoulders and started shaking her.
Just then one of the coaches walked in. He broke Jimmy away from Beth. Beth was disturbed by the incident but was not seriously hurt. College security arrived and took Jimmy into custody. He was eventually arrested and charged with assault.
Some people will not put forth the extra effort required to succeed. When they fail will blame others. Standards are enforced for a reason. If anyone is allowed to break them they are meaningless. When people do fail they should take the time to figure out what went wrong. Instead many jump to conclusions.
If something of value is at stake they may become violent. They may see you as the cause of their problem. If the situation gets out of control you must be prepared to defend yourself if necessary.
Johnny A. Jenkins, Distribution Director of Repeller Technology,provides self-defense, safety and hidden surveillance equipment, tips and advice to fit most situations. Make your surroundings safer for you and loved ones today
at: http://www.repellertechnology.com