Dallas Blog

Gratuity, as defined by The American Heritage� Dictionary of the English Language, is "A favor or gift, usually in the form of money, given in return for service." Princeton University's WordNet 2.0 says gratuity is "n 1: a relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter) [syn: tip, pourboire, baksheesh, bakshish, bakshis, backsheesh] 2: an award (as for meritorious service) given without claim or obligation."

The notion that a tip should be a percentage of the sales is ridiculous in my opinion. If I have a package delivered by mail order, I don't tip the postman or UPS guy based on how much I spent on the package he delivers. As defined above, it should be based on the quality of service or level of appreciation. I am both an outstanding tipper and a crappy tipper by the standards set forth.

I think the whole practice of tipping has gotten out of hand. The IRS has had a lot to do with the corruption of the semi-informal system we practice today by taxing tips and assuming that reported tips are a lie and so on and so forth. But more than that, employers have grown to expect that patrons are a part of the payroll system and the minimum wage legislators have reinforced the notion even further.

I don't tip to impress anyone either. If I want to impress someone with food, I will cook it myself. (I get very good reviews.) Spending money is hardly an act that requires skill or tallent and misplaced generosity is simply wasteful.

The indicated website only serves to encourage the current problem. Instead, unhappy tipped workers should find another job where the pay is more predictable and reliable. If there comes a time when it's hard to hire a waiter, then the laws of supply and demand will indicate that a raise in pay is warranted in some way or the IRS needs to keep their assumptions to themselves and let gratuity go untaxed as it should be. (Or that we need more illegal immigrants.)

Either change the way the "tip" works, or change the name to what it presently is: "A Service Fee" and make it obligatory.