Reader: I worked in the service industry, but eventually had to grow up

Last week, Josiah Hesse and Amber Taufen faced off in a point/counterpoint on tipping, and readers have continued the debate...

By Patricia Calhoun

September 4, 2012

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Last week, Josiah Hesse and Amber Taufen faced off in a point/counterpoint on tipping, and readers have continued the debate.

Here's the view from Philo99:

Nothing makes me laugh more than people who say "because you never worked in the service industry" Ha, yes I did work in the service industry, it was the easiest and most fun I've ever had working, but eventually I had to grow up and get a real job, where I have to show up every day and finish the day sober.

I'll tip 10% if the service is great. I would tip more if I felt my tip was going to the right people. A waiter or waitress has never made a great meal for me, that is done by the chefs and line cooks in the back. A server does nothing to make my meal better but plenty of incompetent ones have made my meal worse.

If you want to tip 20% for a great meal take a walk into the kitchen and tip the people responsible.

Do you tip? When, why...and how much? Post your thoughts below, or join the tipping conversation already under way here.

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Patricia Calhoun is editor-in-chief of Westword, the alt-weekly she co-founded in September 1977. She’s been inducted into the Colorado Press Association Hall of Fame, the Association of Alternative Newsmedia Hall of Fame and the Colorado Restaurant Association Hall of Fame. She’s also received dozens of local, state and national awards for writing, including first place for feature writing and first place for column writing with the Society of Professional Journalists. Patricia is a weekly commentator on Colorado Inside Out, PBS 12's public affairs roundtable, which has won two Emmys.

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