Tipping is a bonus not an obligation

This weekend while dining out with my husband, Ed, we started talking (laughing actually) about a day-trip we had taken to Manhattan with my daughter and her boyfriend last year.

We'd been sightseeing for several hours when we spotted a TGI Fridays and agreed that sodas and dessert were in order. The waitress tossed menus our direction and slammed paper napkin wrapped silverware in the middle of the table. She was snippy, rude and impatient. Unfortunately, for her, the snippier she got the funnier we found it.

Upon a quick glance at the menu we discovered a simple cup of tea was $4 and that the rest of the menu fare was equally inflated. Yes, it is NYC but........ really?!?!?! This seemed to fuel our silly mood. The waitress was not amused at our laughter. She caught us snapping a photo of our bill and demanded to know why, asked if something were wrong and would we like to speak with the manager. We assured her there was no problem.

We couldn't tell her the reason we took a photo of the bill was to remember the circled area on it where she dared suggest the tip she felt she deserved. There were options for 'good', 'great' or 'exceptional' service with dollar amounts in increasing value. We instead chose to tip her in accordance with her demeanor.

Waitressing is a fine art. I know this because I waited tables the summer between my junior/senior year of high school many, MANY moons ago. It's hard work, physically and mentally and the pay stinks.

Tipping is a bonus for a job well done. It is optional. Is it just me or do you find it in poor taste to dictate a reward for doing your job?

Oh and, by the way, the waitress we had last weekend in Hershey screwed up our order and was still tipped 20%. The reason, you may ask, is simple. She was pleasant, she smiled and she didn't assume or expect one. In short, we liked her.