Lately I've noticed that my recent posts seem to evolve around recipes mostly. Well, not this one! Today I want to address a topic that has been bothering me lately; Facebook! Need I say more? I know for many of us, its a great way to keep in contact with friends and see what they are up to as well as a way to network. But, at the same time, I'm sure it is safe to say that Facebook has created some tension amongst your close friends or relatives at times or even rubbed you the wrong way when one of your "friends" has divulged way too much information about a private topic. It poses the question: What happend to the days where ladies acted like ladies and where intimate details of your private life were shared over a cup of coffee with a close girl friend or left in the bedroom with your husband where it belongs?! It seems as though now days no topic off limits or too personal to share with your closest 500 friends. Really????
Showing posts with label Etiquette. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Etiquette. Show all posts
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Here's a Tip!
Did you hear about the time when Johnny Depp left a very generous tip for that Chicago restaurant waiter? It was reportedly $4,000 to be exact! Ahhhh...to be rich and famous. How nice would it be to have that kind of money at your disposal. Well, obviously most of us can't go around town dropping that kind of cash, but when you do receive good service, what kind of a tipper do you consider yourself to be?
Actually, it was just a couple of weeks ago when I got into this discussion with my brother-in-law after having my hair done. I'm a little embarrassed to admit, that I under-tipped the gal who did my hair at the salon. I paid a total of $65 for the services I received, but only tip her $5, figuring that it seemed reasonable at the time. Then I got into a discussion about it with my brother-in-law, who teased me relentlessly (what's new?) and jokingly called me a miser! My first reaction: Me, a miser? I always thought I was generous, but when I did a quick calculation in my head, I realized that I hadn't even give her 10%! OOPS! Perhaps it was the fumes from the hair coloring solution that affected my brain and its ability to do math. Who knows? The good news is that I have a chance to redeem myself in December when I see her for my next appointment. But, since I do not want to make the same monetary mistake again, I decided to do some research so that I can be better prepared when it comes time to leave a tip in the future.
It's important to understand when it is necessary to tip and how much we should tip in certain situations. So, I went to my good ol' etiquette standby, Emily Post, for some guidance on the topic. Below is a list of services and tip amounts that Emily Post suggests. Some tips for tipping, so to speak.
| RESTAURANTS: | |
| Wait service (sit down) | 15-20% pre-tax |
| Wait service (buffet) | 10% |
| Host | No obligation $10-$20 on occasion, if you are a regular patron |
| Take Out | No obligation 0-10% if the person went above normal service |
| Bartender | $1 per drink or 15-20% of tab |
| Tipping jars | No obligation tip occasionally if you are a regular or if the person went above normal service |
| Restroom Attendant | $0.50-$3, depending on service |
| Valet | $2-$5 |
| TRAVEL: | |
| Skycap | $2 first bag, $1 per additional bag |
| Doorman | $1-$2 for carrying luggage $1-$2 for hailing cab $1-$4 beyond the call of duty |
| Bellhop | $2 first bag, $1 per additional bag |
| Housekeeper | $2-$5 per day, left daily |
| Concierge | $5 for tickets or reservations, $10 if hard to get; no need to tip for answering questions |
| Taxi driver | 15% plus an extra $1-$2 if helped with bags |
| SALON/SPA: | |
| Hair Dresser | 15-20%, ask to be split among those who served you |
| Manicurist | 15-20% |
| Facial, waxing, massage | 15-20% |
Now of course, in my opinion, there are a few instances where tipping is not necessary and many experts would agree. Some of these instances include tip jars at the coffee house, donut house, sandwich shop, etc...
Aside from taking your order, these type of places do not normally seat and wait on you, so tipping is really not necessary. That being said, if you are feeling rich, generous or just high on life, then by all means, go ahead, there's nothing stopping you from leaving a tip at such an establishment, so long as it is allowed. Tipping in such instances, while not required, is fine, especially if it is someone that provides you with exceptional service or who waits on you on a regular basis (as mentioned in the above tip chart). If that's the case, then leaving a little something extra once in a while would be considered a nice gesture.
The other instance where no tip is necessary, is when you receive bad service. I don't think I need to go into a thorough explanation of this one. If someone is in the service industry and tips are customary, then they should strive to provide satisfactory service. Enough said.
Other than the above mentioned instances, it is always good to tip those who work in industries where tipping is the norm. Remember: people in the service industry, especially waiters & waitresses, usually make only minimum wage and are working for the tips and not so much the take home pay check. So, if you receive good service, show your appreciation and leave a good tip.
THIS WEEK'S THOUGHTFUL MISSION
If you receive good service somewhere, give the service person a little something extra than you normally would. Make up for a time, when you may have under-tipped in the past.
You'll Be a Better Person For It!
The Fading Formality of the Thank-You Note
Merci, Grazie, Gracias, Arigato, Mahalo, Thank You -
Such a simple statement and so many ways to say it, yet often times we fail to express it when someone has done a nice favor for us.
This day and age with the busy, Go-Go-Go & get-things-done lifestyle combined with technological advancements such as email and text messaging, the formality of a practice, such as sending a thank-you note, has begun to fade. Gone are the days when we'd take the time to jot down a quick thank-you for the aunt who mailed us a birthday gift or for the friend who played hostess to us over the three-day weekend. The thank-you note has become more of a wedding/shower follow-up only and nothing more, if even that. Seen by many as an old-fashioned practice that is out-dated or too much effort. But is it really? And what is the difference between a thank-you email and sending a thank-you note or card?
Well, for starters it is much more personal. It shows the recipient that you really appreciate what they did for you. So much so that you were willing to take the time out of your busy schedule to write them a note, expressing your gratitude. And secondly, many people won't admit it, but actually expect a thank-you note, especially those from the older generation; a time before email, when thank-you notes were not just a nice thought, but proper social protocol.
Besides, it really doesn't have to take much time at all. Less than one minute is all you need to write a quick thank you. Start by saying how appreciative you are and that it was so thoughtful of them to do______ (fill in the blank) or give you_______. Then, simply end the note saying something personal, like they're such a good friend or that you had a wonderful time during your stay with them. Then sign off and drop it in the mail. Takes mere seconds, but it is so much more personal and heartfelt for someone to receive a handwritten note.
Emily Post suggest that thank-you's should generally be sent within one week of the event or gifting. However, you don't need to feel that you have to send everyone a thank-you for every little thing. Could you imagine the writer's cramp we'd all have!
Most etiquette gurus agree, as a general rule of thumb, if you go to someone's home for a party, you do not need to send them a thank-you. Expressing your enjoyment upon leaving the party is sufficient in this instance. On the other hand, if you stay as a guest at a friend's house for one night or longer, you should definitely follow up your visit with a thank-you note.
Another topic associated with thank-you's is gift giving. If someone gives you a gift in person and you open it in front of them and say thank-you, then you do not need to follow up with a note. However, it is usually a good idea if someone mails you a special gift and, it is downright expected for wedding or shower gifts.
Since we all know how it feels to receive a special thank-you note/card from an appreciative recipient, don't you think that it is safe to assume that most people like to receive a thank-you note for a noteworthy deed? Let's revive this thoughtful custom and take action.
THIS WEEK'S THOUGHTFUL MISSION:
If someone has done something nice for you recently send them a thank-you note this week. Even if it was over a month ago (a little late by Emily Post's standards, but we'll let it slide). In my book, it is never too late to express your gratitude. So grab that paper and pen and send someone a thank-you today.
You'll be a better person for it!
And remember, saying thank-you is something that never goes out of style!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)