THE DO-NOT-TIP
ZONES
Teachers
Cash from individual students or
parents is typically not allowed,
but check with the school for
guidelines on a class gift, like a
gift card to a restaurant or spa,
says Boyd. Also ask about rules
on value. In Massachusetts, for
instance, public employees can’t
accept gifts worth over $50.
Medical professionals
(nurses, doctors,
therapists)
Many are prohibited from accept-
ing money and gifts. Show your
appreciation verbally, or write
a heartfelt card to express what
their care meant to you.
Package-delivery people
No need to tip when they drop off
your package. There’s only one
situation in which you might: “If
it’s regularly the same person and
you see that person often, I think
it’s a nice gesture to tip something
around the holidays,” says Graf.
Camp counselors
and sports coaches
Joining with the other parents to
give one big gift—like a personal-
ized jersey or trophy—is a perfectly
acceptable gesture at the end of
the season. Just make sure that
every player’s or camper’s parents
are asked to contribute and that it’s
clear the gift is from everyone.
Employees
Giving cash is inappropriate in
a workplace, says Boyd. Thank
employees for their hard work
with a small present or a gift card.
TIPPING DILEMMAS
You’re not satisfied
with the service.
Maybe your stylist cut a few more
inches than you asked for or your
server brought out the wrong
entrée (twice). Speak up—but
don’t stiff them on a tip. “Let them
know you’re not happy, but remem-
ber that anybody can make a mis-
take,” says Boyd. It’s fine to tip less
than you normally would, even as
little as 10 percent (but no less).
The waiter is hovering
over the iPad.
It’s OK to ask for a little privacy
before you punch in any numbers.
“Just say, ‘Thank you. I’ll give it
back to you shortly,’ ” says Boyd.
A restaurant is no-tipping.
Pay in compliments. Ask to see a
manager and share what you loved
most about your server. In the
service industry, repeated positive
feedback can often lead to prefer-
able shifts or a promotion into
management.
The person you’re
with tips poorly.
The sad truth is that not everyone
is a fair tipper. Speak up with a
“I’m happy to contribute a little
extra to the tip—our waiter was so
on top of it.” If speaking up isn’t
an option (you’re with your boss,
say) and you want to make sure
your server gets paid fairly, excuse
yourself to the restroom and dis-
creetly hand the server your cash.
BALANCE
90 REAL SIMPLE NOVEMBER 2019
