Tipping: Bad for Cows, Good for ... Just About Everyone

When I go out to eat, or I'm at a bar, or I take a cab ride, I always remember to tip.

However, how much should I tip at these places? Should I tip on every drink I purchase? What if the cabbie almost drove me into oblivion at 93 mph? If I'm tipping a terrible waiter out of sympathy, shouldn't I tip the charismatic cashier/bagger duo who made my trip to Kroger something to remember?

These are all questions that circulate my mind before and after I go out.

Recently, Drew Brees ran into this sort of issue as well when he tipped $3 on a takeout meal. People ripped on him for being a greedy bastard, but I feel he would have been justified in not tipping at all. Think about it: how often do you tip someone who hands you your take out food? Who does that money even go to? The chefs prepared it and bagged it ... this person was simply handing it over. In my honest opinion, they deserved no tip in this transaction.

But then, I start to think about the people we don't tip for doing a phenomenal job. Think about the mail carriers who wander the streets no matter the temperature or condition just to get you your bills. Think about the baggers at grocery stores who not only bag your stuff, but also clean the bathrooms, carry in loads of carts and deal with any mess in the store.

The list of tip-worthy occupations could go on forever. There are people out there whose jobs go unnoticed and unappreciated. We just sort of expect it to happen and for them to do it with a smile on their face.

(A great list for rules and whatnot can be found here: http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/10/12/basic-tips-on-tipping-how-much-and-to-whom/)

If you're ever at home, ask the mail carrier if they want a drink of something opened, as to assure you're not poisoning them. Or, if you ever feel inclined, tip the cashier who sold you the $250 winning lottery ticket. It will make there day.

Now, back to people whose income is supplemented by tips; the people making under minimum wage.

Whenever I go out (the people always shout) to eat, I tell myself I will tip at least $2.50 no matter the final price. If it cost $1, they're getting $2.50. If the bill is higher, I keep a rule of thumb to make it at least 17.5%.

If you've got a good paying job and you're contemplating on a $4 or $5 tip, shame on you. Take that extra dollar out and give it to someone who needs it more than you. The amount they appreciate it will be greater than how much you miss it.

Probably a lot more going on in his life than just waiting tables.

On one occasion, I was out with a group of friends at a Mexican restaurant and the waiter was having a devil of a time. He dropped a water. Forgot a side. Didn't refill the free chips. You could tell on his face that he was roughing it that day. My friends banded together and decided to boycott tipping this dude. They couldn't empathize with his struggle.

Luckily, I had a friend sitting next to me who thought the same way as I, and we decided to pool our money to cover the table's tip and then an extra $5 or so. We wrote a note that said: We all have off days. Keep your head up." I hope that message found him well.

When it comes to bars, I never know how to tip. If I'm getting a drink that requires no preparation, I will not tip. If I get two, I will throw in a $1. If it's a rough drink, I'll throw $2 down. After all, these people are gonna have to deal with drunken fools all night.

However, I have noticed bartenders who will charge people, who they think are drunk, an extra dollar and take it as a tip. This has happened to me when I was sober. Needless to say, I caught it, called her out and decided not to tip because of the discrepancy.

Also, don't forget to tip at least $1 at a buffet. I know these waiters/waitresses are rather low maintenance in terms of waiting on your table, but they are still there and they remove your plates every time you go up and refill your drink. It doesn't happen by magic. Many times, these waiters aren't even expecting a tip, so go ahead and brighten their day.

I wanted to end this self-righteous rant with a story I was told by my girlfriend's brother. His wife was working at a Chinese buffet in middle-America. Due to circumstances with her employer, she was only making tips. There was no sort of consistent income. The only thing she got was a place to sleep in return.

During a 12-hour shift, she received 50 cents.

Enough unsympathetic human beings saw that her job was not worth throwing down a dollar for. Because of this, I will always tip buffets. I will always tip restaurants.

Who knows what that person is going through, but one things is for certain: they are their to serve you, so kick a little something back.

It's just the tip.