I think we are getting to the root of Druff’s lifelong experience with bad service. He operates from the perception that his tip is an act of generosity toward the worker (who he feels often doesn’t need it).
Tipping is done to reward and encourage good service as well as develop relationships. You do it for you, not them. This is independent of how much that guy earns. $100k for instance.

Originally Posted by
Dan Druff
Tipping of barbers occurs because many barbers rent their stations where they , and otherwise make relatively little money
But tipping the barber who owns the place is stupid, for obvious reasons. Unfortunately, it's now expected, so you're looked at like an asshole if you don't.
I offered my small example of giving my mechanic a gift card on the console when I left the car.
Maybe mechanics make $70-80k a year. I haven’t thought about it. The reality is that like almost everyone else his day is probably a grind. Car after car. His interest in doing his best and maybe a little extra is gonna wax and wane.
But it’s MY car. I want a relationship between him and me. I want him to give a particular fuck about my car and me. I will reward you if you look out for me. That has value to me and I will pay for it. I tip for selfish reasons. I don’t give a fuck how much he earns.
People do not think about their hourly wage. Ahh, it’s 11am I just made another $35. People perform in a motivated way for reasons behind wage. The barber sees endless heads. Feet get tired and I imagine it’s no thrill. How inspired will he be when you show up? Does he expect you are a special customer based on previous experience?
If the barber treats you special that day.. is particularly cheerful and suggests something different to improve your appearance is that not worth extra? You walk out feeling and looking great. Maybe you even had a good time.
A well paid mechanic, barber or a shop owner are people too. They have human frailties.
Tipping is for my benefit not his. It’s a fucking bribe. Pretend to give a particular shit about me.
Perhaps you can’t afford to tip. It’s a burden and stressful to your pocket. You resent it. I get it. Not everyone gets the same level of service. Too bad for you.
Maybe a tip is a bribe.
Sparten, check this out. We hold corporate outings. We had some land and facilities that sat idle sometimes during the summer. The outings bring in nice added revenue. So the weather the other day is humid and hot as hell. The experience for the customer would have been better on a cooler day.
The event manager picks up the his cell phone and calls an ice cream truck. “How fast can you get down here? I have a lot of potential customers for you.” I am watching him while he makes this spontaneous call.
So the ice cream truck arrives lickety -split (lol) and the guy is killing it and has a long line. At the end the ice cream guy walks over to the event manager and stuffs some money in my event manager’s pocket. I ask, “what was that about?”
My event manager says, “those guys are Greek”. Now I’m completely lost. Event mgr says, “that’s the Greek culture.” Little bit of a kickback or a “tip”. You and those ice cream guy’s KNOW he’s gonna get another call.
Everybody wins in that transaction.
I never thought about it but my guy’s last name ends in “itzs”. He has to tell me, “sanlmar, I’m Greek”. Palm to forehead.
My boy fucking kills corporate outings. If we didn’t have 300 days of winter we’d all be rich. Wheeler dealer of the first order.