Tipping Attitudes

Tipping.

So good old Facebook had a group with a debate about tipping and how much. This is something we do, almost evry time we go out. I’ve previously done an article here on this subject.

If we’re having say just a drink, we’ll leave the change if it’s coins and often drop another 1 or 2 Euros in too. For food, we tend to go to 10%, which we leave in cash, even if we pay the bill by card.

Anyway, back to social media, and there were some really interesting comments and some quite thoughtless ones.

WTF does this mean though? ” The staff get paid correctly here. So you don’t need to tip!!”

“There’s no tipping culture in Spain.”

Correct. There’s also no culture of applauding the pilot when the plane lands, yet people still do it when they appreciate something.

The point isn’t whether tipping is mandatory. It isn’t.

The point is recognising good service when someone goes above and beyond. A tip isn’t a wage subsidy. It’s a simple way of saying, “Thanks, you did a good job.”

I’ve never understood the mentality of people who seem actively offended by somebody else leaving a few euros on the table.

Nobody is forcing you to tip.

Nobody is adding it to your bill.

Nobody is demanding 20%.

If your waiter was rude, inattentive, or simply did the bare minimum, leave nothing. That’s your choice.

But if someone looked after you, made your evening better, remembered your order, sorted out a problem, squeezed you in when the restaurant was full, or simply delivered excellent service with a smile, what’s wrong with showing a bit of appreciation?

The real irony is that many of the same people complaining about tipping think nothing of spending €10 on a gin and tonic, yet suddenly become guardians of Spanish culture when it comes to leaving €2 for someone who worked hard.

A tip isn’t an obligation.

It’s a thank you.

And saying thank you has never ruined a country.

I was stunned to see comments like these :

“I never tip. And they don’t expect it. Never had an issue. This isn’t America”

“If we pay by card we never tip and its not expected. Please don’t make spain like the US!“

And the most moronic was:

” There’s no tipping culture here in Spain!! So why make it difficult for the rest of us? After a few years it’ll become expected and then it’ll be worse! The staff get paid correctly here. So you don’t need to tip!!“

I mean seriously…..