TIPPING. Not Just A City in China
In my opinion, always. To an extent. Particularly because we have these boards, and the street rate in Baltimore is much lower than I have ever seen in many other citys in the US, and I think it partly (or largely) because we basically figure out how much we are going to pay in advance on these boards. Yes, you can get FS for $40 with no tip. And the more that becomes the norm, the more likely it is that the "service norm" will get tired, lame-assed, angry providors that rush us through because they already know how much they are going to get, have no incentive to do better, and are already looking for their next trick.
This IS a service industry. Perhaps the purest and definitely the oldest service industry in history. My negotiation with the girl ALWAYS mentions a "possible" tip,"if the service is good". The time I withold a tip, I tell her that I am witholding it and I tell her why (usually 'cause she tried to rush me).
A happy providor is a good providor. And it doesn't really matter if they are happy 'cause they like you or they are having fun, or because they feel they are getting well compensated for good service, or because they are anticipating a nice bonus at the end. The reverse is also true. If a providor feels they are being nickled and dimed, or taken advantage of, your service will be crappy.
Just my 2 cents.
Faust
[QUOTE=Klove48; 1334893]I'm pretty much playing the "Devils Advicate" with my comments, but I would like some feedback.
I have been on the hunt off and on for over a decade and a half. The one thing that really bothers me is when a SW request a tip for services that was negoiated before they were performed. I understand the some extraordinary circumstances require extra fees, but if the terms are agreed upon why should any more $$ be required. I am not a cheap skate, I tip very generously for some services like in a resturaunt where the waiter / waitress is working for someone else; but in this case the tuition is paid directly to the provider. I travel abroad alot and $$ is not even given until everything is done, unlike here were $$ is request up front and if your not familiar with the SW it can be a crapshoot. I guess that is part of the adventure with this sport but is sure is not a good feeling. I think that good services should be expected from the jump and not treated as a reward. Can someone else give their opinion on this subject.[/QUOTE]