Discounts v. Tips v. Rates

The barber gets tipped because in the general structure of tipping hair folks get tipped. Originally Posted by John Bull

So you only tip when other people tell you you're supposed to tip?

The service providers give is highly intimate, for sure. But is it any more intimate than a doc poking around your insides or a lawyer poking around in your secrets?

Do you shave your privates before going to see the doctor? Do you shower, shave and brush your teeth prior to your meeting with your lawyer? I'm guessing, no.

My point is this. With doctors, lawyers, and even barbers, there is no such thing as YMMV. Or, at least, there shouldn't be. Either your doctor or lawyer is good, or she isn't. You are not likely to be treated differently based on a myriad of secondary factors. But in hobbying, where you are going to be treated differently based on a whole host of secondary factors - not the least of which is the mood of the provider 30 seconds prior to her opening the door for me - when i'm treated exceptionally, i think that should be rewarded beyond the standard rate for the standard service.

Let me ask; have you ever benefited from extra time from a provider? If so, have you ever received any "freebies" from your doctor or lawyer?

Providers are not the same as doctors or lawyers. Or rather, maybe yours are, but mine aren't.

What ever happened to random acts of kindness? Originally Posted by Ansley

They still exist. I'm not much of a tipper. Oh, I tip for the normal stuff...valet, waiters and waitresses, delivery folks, etc...but not much else.

Throwing money around always seemed a little crass. I do give gifts...but they are not tips. I'm not giving the gift because some gal gave me a special twist that really rang my bell. I'm giving the gift because I just wanted to do something special for the gal...and if I do it is very rarely money. I prefer to give some "thing". The only reason I can think of giving money was to facilitate her buying some "thing" that I want her to have, and giving her the cash to do so was the easiest way I knew. But when I gave the cash it came with the string attached that she was to go get herself that "thing".

A tip is kind of earned or expected. A gift is just that...a gift. You can't earn it. You're not entitled to it. It is bestowed because the giver choose to do so. The joy of giving the gift is the giver's joy alone. The joy of recieving the gift is the recievers.

What ever happened to random acts of kindness? Originally Posted by Ansley

I know that random acts of kindness go on all the time. I was just trying to say that I took SRonly's action as just that. A kind gesture. No more, no less. Why analyze every little thing that is done out of kindness. Accept it, say thank you, and enjoy it.

I tended bar for over 15 years. It was a very rare occasion that women tipped well. I liked having women sit at my bar though. They would attract men and that brought the better tips. Originally Posted by Ansley

I am with you!!! women are the worst tippers ..

I worked in a bar back in the mid 90's never got a tip from a woman in fact most tried worm there way past the cover charge...

one of my long time friends was a Waiter/Bar Tender for 15 years and he said the best tippers were Businessmen!!!

It has been my experience in the past that when I tipped s provider it made no difference once so ever to the provider. In fact she came to start asking for money when we weren't together. I tipped considerably well in the past but very rarely do I tip Noe even when I want to. I've had a provider not to long ago make the comment that she thought she deserved a tip. Even after a session that was no different than any others. I was very put off by that.

My point is this. With doctors, lawyers, and even barbers, there is no such thing as YMMV. Or, at least, there shouldn't be. Either your doctor or lawyer is good, or she isn't. You are not likely to be treated differently based on a myriad of secondary factors. Originally Posted by Doove

Any professional can be a YMMV. I've dealt with enough so-so attorneys to make me puke. Too bad there isn't an attorney review site on the same vein that we have. There are okay docs, good ones and great ones.

Let me ask; have you ever benefited from extra time from a provider? If so, have you ever received any "freebies" from your doctor or lawyer? Originally Posted by Doove

I must be in an alternate universe.

An attorney I recommend to others, has done a bunch of free work and is always willing to answer questions (biz related or not). But that could certainly be an exception. And when I had a biz related issue, he and another partner gave some solid advice and thoughts. Never asked for a dime, even when I asked "what do I owe you?" [in the name of disclosure, I gave both of them a bottle of Dom. And they aren't even cute. ]

Providers are not the same as doctors or lawyers. Or rather, maybe yours are, but mine aren't. Originally Posted by Doove

Providers are dealing with our egos, our psyche, and keep us legally hidden from the real world. I'd said they are on a higher plain than docs or lawyers. Ok, well, I always feel much better after seeing a provider, too.

So you only tip when other people tell you you're supposed to tip?



Do you shave your privates before going to see the doctor? Do you shower, shave and brush your teeth prior to your meeting with your lawyer? I'm guessing, no.

My point is this. With doctors, lawyers, and even barbers, there is no such thing as YMMV. Or, at least, there shouldn't be. Either your doctor or lawyer is good, or she isn't. You are not likely to be treated differently based on a myriad of secondary factors. But in hobbying, where you are going to be treated differently based on a whole host of secondary factors - not the least of which is the mood of the provider 30 seconds prior to her opening the door for me - when i'm treated exceptionally, i think that should be rewarded beyond the standard rate for the standard service.

Let me ask; have you ever benefited from extra time from a provider? If so, have you ever received any "freebies" from your doctor or lawyer?

Providers are not the same as doctors or lawyers. Or rather, maybe yours are, but mine aren't. Originally Posted by Doove

I get the provider gives of herself more intimately than other service providers.

But, there clearly is a YMMV with a Barber, Dr, Lawyer & most other professions. You've never gotten a bad haircut or left the Dr on a day when she clearly just wasn't there or asked if you had questions but rushed you? Ever waited in the Dr.'s Office for hours waiting your turn? THat's part of the overall experience and late providers is one of the biggest complaints us guys have. (Asking facetiously) should I tip on the rare occasion the Dr. has me in & out in half an hour?

Yes, I have gotten freebies and extra time from Doctors (lawyers not so much). Come to think of it hairstylists as well.

Now what I want to know is how many providers do "pro bono" work or agencies that encourage its associates to do pro bono work as a certain % of their billable hours

It has been my experience in the past that when I tipped s provider it made no difference once so ever to the provider. In fact she came to start asking for money when we weren't together. I tipped considerably well in the past but very rarely do I tip Noe even when I want to. I've had a provider not to long ago make the comment that she thought she deserved a tip. Even after a session that was no different than any others. I was very put off by that. Originally Posted by Eccie Addict

This applies to many professions, but some people will see an overly generous patron as a mark and take advantage.

Now what I want to know is how many providers do "pro bono" work Originally Posted by atlcomedy

I'd be willing to be a recipient of such an offering

I have heard of a "pro bono" session for a regular client for a birthday or some other significant occasion. Urban myth? reality? That I don't know.

Any professional can be a YMMV. I've dealt with enough so-so attorneys to make me puke. Originally Posted by SR Only

And were these attorneys so-so only for you? Or were they just so-so attorneys? The former is a case of YMMV. The latter is not.

But, there clearly is a YMMV with a Barber, Dr, Lawyer & most other professions. You've never gotten a bad haircut or left the Dr on a day when she clearly just wasn't there or asked if you had questions but rushed you? Ever waited in the Dr.'s Office for hours waiting your turn? THat's part of the overall experience and late providers is one of the biggest complaints us guys have. (Asking facetiously) should I tip on the rare occasion the Dr. has me in & out in half an hour? Originally Posted by atlcomedy

You're so missing the point. The examples you give are not cases of YMMV. If i wait in the Dr's office for hours, then everyone who has an appointment after me is going to wait for hours too. If i got a bad haircut, then anyone who walked in looking like me asking for the same type of haircut was going to get a bad hair cut. Those aren't cases of YMMV, those are cases of bad luck.

Hell, i'd bet even Charles has the same experiences with his doctors and lawyers that everyone else has with his doctors and lawyers. See my point?

But ok, i'll give in to your persuasions and never ever tip again. Satisfied now?

And were these attorneys so-so only for you? Or were they just so-so attorneys? The former is a case of YMMV. The latter is not. Originally Posted by Doove

Attorneys who were representing me and my clients and attorneys involved with other peers who hosed what should have been simple processes (I am try to be a little vague on this, sorry).

But that being said there are other attorneys who do great work get the job done (and not create more billable).

Come on ... think fast ... which is more honest ... the last attorney you saw, or the last provider you saw?

Which one has better odds of a satisfactory result for the client?

No way , i have never and I mean NEVER seen a woman leave a great tip. Originally Posted by macksback

By the time I was 21, I had served more meals and drinks than I will ever indulge in and I tip well, always, unless I receive rude or poor service.

Since when is tipping a gender thing? It's about showing appreciation. Servers are paid below minimum wage unless union, so a 15-20% tip is expected. If you can't afford to tip, don't go out. IMO

As far as this biz goes: I never expect tips and certainly don't ask for them. I am well compensated and much appreciative of the kind, generous gentlemen who fuel my lifestyle.

May I offer a big Thanks! to anyone in this thread trying to convince others to stop tipping providers. Share your opinion by all means, but trying to convince people to be less generous? When it isn't coming out of your pocket?

Don't want to tip? Don't tip.