Alan S wrote:
> On 15 Sep 2005 05:30:46 -0700, "oconnell@slr.orl.lmco.com"
> wrote:
>
> >> Just my opinion, but the whole tipping thing seems to me to be a cop out
> >> on behalf of the employers, not only are they apparently paying their
> >> staff less than they should, they are shunting the responsibilities of
> >> supervision and standards onto the customer
> >
> > I'm not really sure why folks object to being able to pay for
> >service directly and want a middle man to include it in the
> >cost of the product. In the former, you get some say in how
> >much you will pay. In the latter, you pay for it whether the
> >service was good or not.
>
> Don't forget to tip the avionics tech next time you fly; and
> the engine fitters, and the airframe mechanics, and the
> check-in guy, and the baggage handler, and the guy in the
> tractor that pushes the plane out, and the air traffic
> controllers and the...
>
> They all provide a service.
However, the nature of that service is neither individual,
nor observable by a single receipient.
> Maybe there's a better way - wait - a revolutionary idea -
> why don't we get the airlines to pay them fair wages and
> cover those costs with the price of tickets! Darn - that
> doesn't seem to work over there either lately:-(
'Zactly. In a large majority of the jobs in which
employees wages come predominately from tips, if the system
were converted to a pure salary system, the worker would
see a reduction in wages.
> When I'm in foreign countries I'll continue to respect the
> local customs when possible. No matter how quaint the
> customs are in your country - like tipping for absolutely
> everything, a custom which, if I remember correctly, was
> initiated by the Aristocracy when paying for menial services
> by those of the great unwashed that weren't bound to their
> service.
The history of tipping is surely odd, and it is in
no way homogeneous. But as you suggest, some of the alternatives
aren't exactly desireable either. The nature of business is
to drive down the cost of labor as much as possible. The
consumer on the other had usually isn't so focused and has
other priorities. As such, tipping tends to work well for
services which are directly observable, and comprehensible.
To some extent, I wish dental hygenists worked on a tip
based system. They might be a tad more careful with the
ole dental pick. The behavior of some flight attendents
might change if they worked on such a basis as well.
> Those serfs should have been damn grateful for
> getting a few pence instead of a damn good thrashing.
> You may find this interesting - as the rest of the world let
> the practice die, it developed in the US:
> http://ideas.repec.org/cgi-bin/get_doc.pl?urn=RePEc:wpa:wuwpeh:0309001&url=http://econwpa.wustl.edu:8089/eps/eh/papers/0309/0309001.pdf
> from
> http://econwpa.wustl.edu/eprints/eh/papers/0309/0309001.abs
>
> "The custom of tipping spread quickly throughout Europe,
> especially in areas that had a servant class. Tips were not
> given in the United States until after the Civil War,
> however, possibly because the country did not have a servant
> class. Instead, the waiter and the coachman in the United
> States regarded themselves as employees and were not
> interested in tips. European travelers wrote about their
> amazement finding that they are not expected to tip in
> America."
>
> How times change.
Yes, because of a variety of factors, folks found out
they could make more money working for tips, than for
wages.
> Incidentally, I worked in one of the few industries out here
> that accepted tips (until the US influence invaded our
> hotels and restaurants) but rounding up to the next buck was
> the usual in my cab - when I was lucky. And, when I compared
> notes at the taxi rank, I got more tips than the average
> cabbie. I did get occasional tips from personal customers
> or for special service, but I must admit I loved picking up
> Americans from the airport - a week's worth of tips in one
> fare.
So you can understand how such a system would become popular.
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