Tipping Etiquette
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series IV Cycle C
I don't frequent fine restaurants regularly, but occasionally I will visit an establishment that comes recommended with several stars, rather than greasy spoons.
Of course, I know that the final bill represents only part of the cost to me: there's the small matter of the tip.
I can recall the days when a ten percent tip was considered standard for excellent service, but I know that nowadays tipping protocol suggests something closer to fifteen percent. At least that's what I thought.
Then I ran across Hilka Klinkenberg (real person -- not a made-up name) who is the founder of Etiquette International in New York City. She suggests a 15-20 percent tip at a diner, and if you're in a fine restaurant, 20-25 percent!
Fine. But if the service is bad, I reduce the tip, or depart without leaving a tip at all. Right?
Wrong. Hilka says that if the service is not satisfactory I should address the problem immediately before the tip enters the equation. Usually, the wait staff can sort things out.
The wine steward -- naturally -- should be tipped separately and in cash, up to fifteen percent of the bottle's cost, or $2 to $5.
And we should never reduce a tip because of factors that are beyond a server's control.
There you have it. It is now safe for you to go out in public again without the local wait staff whispering behind your back, damaging your magnanimous reputation by suggesting instead that you're a parsimonious, penurious ingrate.
The situation for the Magi is slightly different. They are guests in someone else's home, even if that home is an animal shelter full of bleating animals and foul smells. The frankincense, tactfully offered if not graciously received, no doubt alleviated some of the stench during their visit.
It has always seemed to me that the tableau that is laid out before us suggests that we are called to bring our gifts to Jesus. The fact that he is an infant here, probably less than two years old, suggests to me that our gifts are offered not to the child, but the godhead dwelling in the child. We bring our gifts to Jesus as we would to God, and indeed the action is one and the same.
Of course, fifteen percent will not do either at Chez Henri's or Chez Mangér. Only 100 percent is acceptable. It is, as the apostle says, "Our reasonable service" (Romans 12:1).
Of course, I know that the final bill represents only part of the cost to me: there's the small matter of the tip.
I can recall the days when a ten percent tip was considered standard for excellent service, but I know that nowadays tipping protocol suggests something closer to fifteen percent. At least that's what I thought.
Then I ran across Hilka Klinkenberg (real person -- not a made-up name) who is the founder of Etiquette International in New York City. She suggests a 15-20 percent tip at a diner, and if you're in a fine restaurant, 20-25 percent!
Fine. But if the service is bad, I reduce the tip, or depart without leaving a tip at all. Right?
Wrong. Hilka says that if the service is not satisfactory I should address the problem immediately before the tip enters the equation. Usually, the wait staff can sort things out.
The wine steward -- naturally -- should be tipped separately and in cash, up to fifteen percent of the bottle's cost, or $2 to $5.
And we should never reduce a tip because of factors that are beyond a server's control.
There you have it. It is now safe for you to go out in public again without the local wait staff whispering behind your back, damaging your magnanimous reputation by suggesting instead that you're a parsimonious, penurious ingrate.
The situation for the Magi is slightly different. They are guests in someone else's home, even if that home is an animal shelter full of bleating animals and foul smells. The frankincense, tactfully offered if not graciously received, no doubt alleviated some of the stench during their visit.
It has always seemed to me that the tableau that is laid out before us suggests that we are called to bring our gifts to Jesus. The fact that he is an infant here, probably less than two years old, suggests to me that our gifts are offered not to the child, but the godhead dwelling in the child. We bring our gifts to Jesus as we would to God, and indeed the action is one and the same.
Of course, fifteen percent will not do either at Chez Henri's or Chez Mangér. Only 100 percent is acceptable. It is, as the apostle says, "Our reasonable service" (Romans 12:1).
