by Zanna Vaida

Created on: February 17, 2010

The Tipping in Restaurants Shouldn't Be Banned

I want to admit: I don't always leave tips. First, my reasons for not awarding a restaurant employee is based on my personal observations of services I receive.  Second, I think about production workers who work for temporary services for minimum wage and nobody gives them a tip.  Third, it's a personal preference to give or not to give.

Recently, I decided to discover a new restaurant in my community.  Because the restaurant was opened recently with a big competitor just around the block, the seats  to be opened.  I've been passing this new establishment with a catchy Arabic name just across a popular Catholic Church, for many times.  This time I decided to stop and visit to experience and discover new food and service.   I didn't leave a tip before I left, but I said I will visit again.  It was my choice and decision.

I wasn't sure if my waiter that day was an owner, a manager, or a part time helper.  I'll try to find out next time.  I wanted to see the reaction and appreciation to me as a new customer.  All I could see that the person who prepared food was happy to see somebody new walking into his astablishment and purchasing-paying for products he prepares.  He was kind and talkative.  He didn't leave me without attention and asked approapriate quesions by, at the same time, gave and respected my privacy. "What was on the person mind after I left my seat and the person didn't discover a tip?  Should I care?" I asked myself while departing from my new discovery.

After a few days, I decided to stop again.  This time a left a tip because I felt that a person was working hard to keep his new buisness going.  I felt that my few dollars were my investment not only in the new community establishment, but also in our relationship.  I understand what does it maen to take a risk and start a new business.  I also understand how hard it is to keep the business going, especially with a successful competitor around the block.

I give the new restaurant owner a credit for taking a high risk in order to earn his living money.  It's not easy.  This is why I think the tipping in restaurants shouldn't be banned.  It's a personal choice: to give or not to give.  Do we have a federal or a state law that mandates tipping?  Why isn't it promoted?

Learn more about this author, Zanna Vaida.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.