Originally Posted by
AA_CPA
It's tacky to be generous when someone goes out of their way to help you? Someone who doesn't get paid a fortune, and always has to wear a smile, no matter what might be happening in their lives? OK, then.
If I were to tip everyone that goes out of their way and who isn't earning a fortune, I'd be broke. A few days ago I bought a train ticket, and the man behind the counter suggested a different routing from the one I thought I wanted; it turned out to be faster and cheaper. Should I have tipped him? Or was he just doing his job in a friendly manner? One of my children's teachers recently also went out of her way to help her on a project. Should I have slipped her some money? She doesn't earn a fortune.
I tip in restaurants and taxis, mostly because it would be socially awkward not to unless there was a complete service failure, but I would much prefer it if (especially in the US) a normal living wage would be paid to waitstaff so that I don't have to make up their salary.