Truckstop Showers....

The other day, I was on my first solo run. I stopped for my first shower alone. When I was taking a shower, it occurred to me that maybe I was supposed to leave a tip for the shower attendant. These people work very hard to give us clean showers. I am guessing they probably don't get paid much. We tip hotel room cleaners, waitresses and waiters, valets, etc. So, I took the two dollars that I had and put it on the counter before I walked out. The lady cleaning the showers that day was in the hall and wished me a happy day. Later, I saw her again when I was walking around and she had a big smile and thanked me. It was evident that the tip had made her day a little brighter.

Is it customary to tip the shower attendants? If it isn't, I think it should be. I talked with my wife about it. She agreed that I should leave a tip. We have a very tight budget but she said that it was the correct thing to do. Maybe, it will make the shower just a bit cleaner for the person after you. Thoughts?

Classy move Wine Taster .

Nothing wrong with showing some appreciation for someone in the retail service industry . I can't imagine truck stop janitorial staff are making anything over minimum wage . You did what most respectable consumers would have done. I would not put money on it that is it a common occurrence though for most truck stop employees .

~S~

Well it would seem impossible to criticize such a generous and thoughtful act. It's very commendable.

For me personally it's always been tough to draw the line and decide who deserves tips and who doesn't. Obviously waiters and waitresses count on tips as a sizable portion of their income and that's a well-established and well understood system. It also works very well. You should earn more if you do a better job.

But outside of well established systems it seems difficult to decide who you should tip and who you shouldn't. This country has a massive base of workers that make less than a living wage but work very hard at what they do. A huge portion of them deserve more than their salary for what they do. And yet you'd really find it difficult trying to tip every low wage worker that contributes to the products and services you're using.

If I knew someone's salary depended heavily upon tips like a waiter or waitress I would certainly give them good tips. I'm not sure if that applies to sanitation workers or not.

Wine Taster,

YOU DID GREAT!!!

I have a very simple tipping policy....If I have money that I can donate...then I have money to tip with...I tip for good service...but that can also be expanded to mean that even if my service was not great...if the serving staff was over run and did the best they can...they still get a tip. I have waited tables...A waitress is usually at the mercy of how good the cook does....how well the dish washer keeps the tables cleaned...how well the hostess does her job seating clients... So yeah...I tip when ever I can to whoever I can, who is working at what I foresee as a low pay job. If God has blessed me with funds, I'm sure He expects me to pay it forward.

Well it would seem impossible to criticize such a generous and thoughtful act. It's very commendable.

If I knew someone's salary depended heavily upon tips like a waiter or waitress I would certainly give them good tips. I'm not sure if that applies to sanitation workers or not.

ANYONE that provides a service to you, could/should be tipped, IF they have provided a service which exceeds that, which has been expected of them. Keeping the showers in a truck stop clean and sanitary for the FUNGUS AMONGUS, certainly deserves a tip!

As Schism said,

Classy move Wine Taster

Yes that's a very classy move and as you saw it did make a difference in their day... Ken

I always leave a couple of bucks and if I dont have that I leave the change in my pocket. It never hurts to help brighten someones day

I always leave a couple of bucks and if I dont have that I leave the change in my pocket. It never hurts to help brighten someones day

Bart, that's a great idea. I hate sitting on my change while I'm driving and it always ends up in a cup holder or on the floor or somewhere else that isn't its place. Everything in my truck has it's place and if it's not there it upsets me. I've asked the cashiers at truck stops if they make more than a regar cashier at a gas station since they have about 10000 other duties and have to deal with truck drivers . They don't even get free coffee or soda. WE get free coffee and soda for crying out loud. Without these truck stop employees, the life we have chosen would be almost unlivable. I'm gonna try to remember that from now on.

I agree its a thoughtful gesture. Let me preface my comments with this so the flaming may be kept to a minimum. I always tip 25% for waiters and waitresses if the drink glass is kept full and my meal is what I expected. As Brett said, its part of the deal for folks who do these jobs. I have worked in a bar so I know how the system works.

That being said, its not in the deal for anyone else but strippers. While I agree these are low wage jobs, its clear up front how much one will earn and that doesn't include tips. I personally dont expect a tip for doing a job I agreed to do for an agreed upon wage. Im not saying you shouldnt do it or that I wouldnt do it, im saying its a personal choice and shouldnt be routine or expected.

My point is, I dont think I should be given a tip for doing a good job and taking pride in what I do, no matter if its getting toilet paper to Walmart on time or cleaning a bathroom. If its my job, of course the bathroom should be clean and the toilet paper should be on time and I dont need a pat on the back.

Ok, flame away