The True Value of Tips in the Service Industry

Bing AI

In countries like Venezuela, when it comes to tipping, it is sometimes included in the bill, depending on the establishment.

Some restaurants add a 10% service charge as an extra payment or tip for the waiter, and they simply include this in the bill. This way, the waiter does not receive any extra money.

The problem with this is that most of the time, the money does not go to the waiters or is not a profit for them because the total amount from this 10% is divided equally among all the waiters.

This is not beneficial for the person receiving the tip because some people receive more tips than others, and this is basically what their job is about: earning a larger amount of income from tips. So, when the work or reward is divided among everyone, it is not distributed in a way that corresponds to what each person has earned.

I believe that tips should be voluntary and should represent the gratitude for the service received.

Bing AI

It should not be compulsory because the art of working with the public, of customer service, is very delicate and involves many factors such as appearance, good treatment, and friendliness.

These are the qualities that make receiving a tip as a token of appreciation possible.

Of course, those who represent the establishment, such as waiters, messengers, or receptionists, are the face or image of that place or hotel chain, and therefore they need to provide good service to the public.

The satisfied customers who leave after a meal or activity at that place, or after receiving service there, will give a tip as a token of appreciation. So, it is important to understand that tips should be an added value and not something compulsory.

It is unfortunate that here, in countries like this, in Venezuela, some establishments, out of greed and the ambition of the owners, include the tip value directly in the bill.

This simply harms the person who is supposed to receive the tip.

Bing AI

I have seen, for example, how different friends who work as valet parking attendants in various nightspots, restaurants, and nightclubs earn much more than an engineer or any other person with a formal job.

But it is because they have a job that represents the image of the establishment. In the case of my friend John, who is a valet parking attendant, he has to park cars properly, open doors for customers and ladies, help them get out of the vehicle, treat gentlemen well, and he adds an extra touch by having a small spray with cologne and spraying the vehicle when delivering it.

When customers get out of the vehicle, he sprays them with a rose-scented freshener, and this leaves a good impression, a pleasant impression on his clients.

Generally, when they see the good treatment and education he provides, because he even places a small mat on the ground for the ladies to step on when getting out of the car or vehicle, these details build customer service and lead to him receiving a good tip.

This is what I think about tips for today's topic.