lagniappe

lagniappe la·gniappe [lan-yap, lan-yap] noun

1. Chiefly Southern Louisiana and Southeast Texas. a small gift given with a purchase to a customer, by way of compliment or for good measure; bonus.

2. a gratuity or tip.

3. an unexpected or indirect benefit.

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I was familiar with this word, but not because of ever hearing it used but rather reading it. I don't remember looking it up, but understanding the meaning of it by the context in which it was used.

Tipping is something that's a sore point with me and I've participated in forums where I've been slammed for how I feel about it. I disagree with those who say a tip is always warranted; I've had servers who were so rude that if it had been in another setting or they had been men, I'd have punched them in the face for speaking as they did. I always thought a tip was a "thank you" for good service. Why thank someone who did a lousy job? Many times I've had a server take my order (sometimes after waiting a long time) and then bring my meal (again, sometimes after waiting a long time) and that will be the last time they come to the table until they bring the check. (and sometimes THAT takes a long time) I'm supposed to actually PAY them for ignoring me? That's not right.

Secondly, who sets the amount of the tip? The standard tip used to be 10%, then it was 15%, then within the course of a few years it's now "supposed" to be 30%. Good grief, to pay nearly a third more of the bill in a gratuity is outrageous.  I know about inflation, the cost-of-living and all that, but the price of eating out has gone up along with everything else.  There used to be a place here in town that served a "blue plate special" for a little over four bucks total. (it's been a long time, but while it wasn't gourmet food, it was tasty and filling)  The place is long gone, but other establishments have been the same type (diner) and their meals are closer to ten dollars.  A 10% tip then was .50 cents (rounding up a little bit) but now I'm supposed to pay at least $3.50 for the tip?  I'm not great at math, but that looks to me like more of a raise than inflation or cost-of-living can account for.

Granted, most servers don't even make minimum wage, but I don't understand why an eating establishment can't just go ahead and pay a decent wage - why are servers exempt from the minimum wage law? That needs to be changed. The argument against that is if servers are paid more, then the cost of your meal goes up. Well, duh....if you're paying 30% extra for the meal, then the cost HAS gone up.   There are places that add a percentage to the ticket for the tip and that's fine if the service is excellent, but otherwise... Plus, there are places that make the servers pool and split their tips and that's annoying.  If I'm tipping, I want to reward MY server, not another table's.

And another thing that annoys me:  while it wouldn't be that much for most places, but if you have a meal for several in a more expensive place, then why is the sales tax figured into the total for the percentage of the tip?  It's not uncommon for a meal for four to cost a hundred bucks and if the sales tax is 8%+, then you're paying $2+ tip on a tax!  Ridiculous!  It's not the extra two dollars, it's the principle.

I'm NOT a cheapskate;  I believe in tipping, but it needs to be more of a reward for good service, not an obligation to pay an exorbitant amount.   Other countries don't have the custom of tipping and I wish the U.S. would do away with it as well.