Gratuities and Gratitude
I was on an airplane recently, standing in the back of the plane, waiting for the 28 rows in front of me to exit. I happened to be next to the rear galley, where I engaged in a conversation with one of the flight attendants. She was remarking about a particularly rude passenger when she made the general comment "I don't understand why people can't take the time to thank the flight attendants when they leave the plane."
The more I reflected on her comment, the more I disagreed. If the plane had crashed and the attendant kept me safe, I would certainly thank her. Or, if she had gone out of her way to help me with a unique problem during the flight. Otherwise, the only thing she did during the flight was her job. She did the safety briefing, passed out little beverage cups (which were limited to water, coffee or orange juice), and rapidly collected the trash in a model of efficiency that maximized her ass time for the rest of the flight.
I wanted to ask her if she ever took a prescription pain reliever. I work for a pharmaceutical manufacturer, and put in 60 hour weeks to guarantee a supply of prescription pain relievers. I wonder why she didn't thank me for doing my job. Without me, she might have pain that can't be treated. I volunteer as an emergency responder in her community, yet I don't ever recall her thanking me for that service. Without me, her safety might be compromised. I bust my ass at work and pour my soul into make a good product. I can't ever remember someone coming up to me and thanking me for my contribution.
During the same trip, I saw a paper cup taped to the side of the cash register at a TCBY counter with a "Tips" sign fabricated behind the cup. Why would I tip the airport TCBY employee? This particular counter handled breakfast - coffee and donuts. It was a self-serve donut rack, and a pour-your-own coffee service. So, the net extent of the employee's service was to pull a Styrofoam cup from a stack, hand it to me, and take my money. AND THEY EXPECT A TIP? "Thank you for not damaging the cup as you expertly removed it from the stack - here's a buck." Give me a break. The next time you're at a pharmacy, leave a dollar or two for me as a tip for my good work at the factory.
The bottom line is that we have become an entitlement society. We expect to reap benefits - tips or thank-yous - for minimal effort. Get over yourselves, people. You have to work - it is a basic requirement of society. Tips, thank-yous, and other expressions of gratitude are mine to give. And I choose to give them when someone goes beyond the basic requirements and does a lot more than what was expected. So, if I don't get all appreciative the next time you do exactly what you're paid to do, deal with it.
(If you enjoyed the prose, tips are appreciated - all major credit cards are accepted).
The more I reflected on her comment, the more I disagreed. If the plane had crashed and the attendant kept me safe, I would certainly thank her. Or, if she had gone out of her way to help me with a unique problem during the flight. Otherwise, the only thing she did during the flight was her job. She did the safety briefing, passed out little beverage cups (which were limited to water, coffee or orange juice), and rapidly collected the trash in a model of efficiency that maximized her ass time for the rest of the flight.
I wanted to ask her if she ever took a prescription pain reliever. I work for a pharmaceutical manufacturer, and put in 60 hour weeks to guarantee a supply of prescription pain relievers. I wonder why she didn't thank me for doing my job. Without me, she might have pain that can't be treated. I volunteer as an emergency responder in her community, yet I don't ever recall her thanking me for that service. Without me, her safety might be compromised. I bust my ass at work and pour my soul into make a good product. I can't ever remember someone coming up to me and thanking me for my contribution.
During the same trip, I saw a paper cup taped to the side of the cash register at a TCBY counter with a "Tips" sign fabricated behind the cup. Why would I tip the airport TCBY employee? This particular counter handled breakfast - coffee and donuts. It was a self-serve donut rack, and a pour-your-own coffee service. So, the net extent of the employee's service was to pull a Styrofoam cup from a stack, hand it to me, and take my money. AND THEY EXPECT A TIP? "Thank you for not damaging the cup as you expertly removed it from the stack - here's a buck." Give me a break. The next time you're at a pharmacy, leave a dollar or two for me as a tip for my good work at the factory.
The bottom line is that we have become an entitlement society. We expect to reap benefits - tips or thank-yous - for minimal effort. Get over yourselves, people. You have to work - it is a basic requirement of society. Tips, thank-yous, and other expressions of gratitude are mine to give. And I choose to give them when someone goes beyond the basic requirements and does a lot more than what was expected. So, if I don't get all appreciative the next time you do exactly what you're paid to do, deal with it.
(If you enjoyed the prose, tips are appreciated - all major credit cards are accepted).
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