Augh!!! This foolishness is getting out of hand. I’m a guy who has made a living by earning tips for hard work. Throughout my career, I have shown up “stage ready” (no, you can’t have a bad day) to do my best, both physically and mentally to insure you enjoy yourself. Changing my personality to suit each different party. Study that menu, learn those beverages, know your wines, understand how to deal with any problems that arise, strive to be the smartest person in the room and apply that to multiple sets of guests a night. Doing my best every day I work to EARN a gratuity. Notice the emphasis on EARN?

I have worked alongside many lazy inattentive servers who feel they deserve 20% just for showing up. These same people complain when their tip reflects their effort (the nerve of those guests!). I once went to a kiosk at a farmer’s market where a man was selling his honey. On his table was a very large tip jar. It seems he wanted people to give him money for turning around, picking up one of his jars off the table behind him and charging you for it. I was gobsmacked!

Do yourself a favor. Only tip someone you feel deserves it. Tip accordingly and DO NOT leave a tip just because someone expects it.

And that’s just commonsense.

your faithful servant

jeff