Tipping on the road.

I've always been an excellent tipper when we ate out. Usually 15% even for mediocre service. Double that if they're really good. Doesn't take much to keep me happy just keep my glass full. There's been a few times it was really lousy and I left nothing. Food servers have a hectic job and only get paid about a $1 an hour. Tip money is literally their bread and butter.

As far as tipping the people who clean showers I haven't ever done that. Those people get minimum wage. I don't tip anyone that gets a wage like that. I know it's just minimum wage they're making but I don't feel sorry for them. I worked jobs for minimum wage and never expected nor got a tip from anyone. That was over twenty years ago when I was a teenager doing entry level work.

If someone wants to be tipped well for excellent service they ought to get a job at a high end restaurant where people pluck down a couple or even several hundred dollars on a meal then do a great job serving those people - go above and beyond - money will follow. Don't bother with Waffle House where the average ticket is about $10. Cleaning showers in a truck stop? I mean I know its a job and somebody has to do it but looking for tips there? I'd be finding another job.

 

I do tip a buck to shower crew unless I'm out of cash. But as Driver Driver said, lots of them do a crappy job. But that's management's fault. A couple times I asked the crew how many showers they clean in a day, I've heard up to 60 or 80, that would mean a $300.00 / week bonus right ? ( probably double their salary ). But lots of drivers don't tip, and leave #### all over everything. You know, the kind of scum that pour piss out in the lot for us to walk through. So I give the pilot - TA - loves people the props for putting up with abusive jerks.

 

Not necessarily.
One has nothing to do with the other.

 

Tipping in the trucking industry carries a lot more weight then it did in the past. It is definitely one of the few positive things that has come out of the industry being flooded with eastern euro’s and Hispanic population. Traditionally those countries are not accustomed to tipping, or not tipping to our percentages. I’m not referring to waiters and waitresses, I’ve noticed a big bump in service in anything truck related. Truck washes, Pm services, tire guys, yard jockeys, aluminum polishers, etc. I would venture a guess and say that most drivers on this forum and on the road in general do not tip on any of the things I listed. This was common practice in the industry just like tipping your waitress. On a positive note when you tip for these services I’ve noticed you get your money’s worth.

 

OK. So who do I not tip? Perhaps, I should tip forklift loaders too...but then why not to tip toll collectors, there is still a few left. According to your wise statement, I should tip everybody coming my way, my pockets filled with singles all the time like I am in a titty bar.

 

Doesn't sound like you tip any of the truck related things I listed. Why would you? Most don't. Again, that's my point it was a common thing to tip people who work on your truck. And yes, it's ok to tip a forklift operator.

 

I'm not saying you tip everyone all the time. But read between the lines. $10 will usually get you extra stuff from the mechanic, or get you things bumped off the bill from the tire guy. Tip the tech 10-20$ on a bigger job and they pull an hour off the labor bill. Well worth it with how high labor costs are at any shop.

 

If I open up a crowd funder thing will you all send me tips?