Do you tip?

Interesting article today in the Detroit News. Apparently Pro Bowl receiver Roy Williams doesn't tip anyone. And this coming from a multi-millionaire who can afford to give money away. Now I don't claim to be the worlds best tipper...but I give 15% for what I consider bad service up to 30% for great service. I have left 100% tip on rare occasions, but these have less to do with the service and more to do with the person. I mean if it appears that they need the money, then I will just leave a $20 bill. You just never know what they need to buy...diapers, food, school clothes or what it will go for, school trips, lunch money, or doctor visits. I like to think that I am doing my little part. I mean these workers are making 2.50 per hour and have to put up with a lot BS from customers. But then again they have to do their job and if that means being nice to people and wering a smile and being professional that so be it. That is their job. But they work for tips. What I can't stand, but still tip them, are taxi drivers, hotel doormen, luggage handlers, furniture deliver persons, or those places that have those tip canisters at the cash register like Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, or Subway. I will usually give them a dollar per bag or dollar per coffee or sandwich. But still it's like they are begging for it. Do cops get tips? How about the ambulance driver, or firefighter? Those are the ones who should be getting tips.


Here's the article, enjoy!

Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Special deliveries: Williams works for Pizza Hut to make up for frugal past
Tim Twentyman / The Detroit News
DEARBORN HEIGHTS -- Detroit Lions receiver Roy Williams is a self-confessed cheapskate.

Dating at McDonald's. Splurging on Red Lobster. And forget tipping the pizza delivery guy -- that's just a faux pas.

That's until Williams found out what it's like to be on the wrong end of a no-tip customer.

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Williams spent Tuesday afternoon as a honorary Pizza Hut delivery man for a restaurant in Dearborn Heights. Williams took on the job after receiving national attention -- and a challenge from Pizza Hut president Scott Bergren -- for comments he made in a WDFN 1130 interview last month.

Williams was asked about his frugal nature and said: "I am cheap. I'm a cheap date. Get you some McDonald's, with some cheese on it, and I'm just really cheap, man."

Later he was asked about tipping the pizza guy, Williams said: "There's no such thing as a tip. But I'm really polite and I say, 'Thank you sir.' The pizza man knows, when he comes to my address, he's coming for free."

The comments prompted a challenge by Bergen. Bergen wrote that if Williams agreed to be a delivery driver for Pizza Hut for one day, Pizza Hut would forgive Williams' past tipping transgressions.

Not one to back down from a challenge, Williams donned the red-and-black Pizza Hut jacket and took to the streets. In addition to donating his tips to the World Food Organization, he donated $5,000, which Pizza Hut is matching.

"I get to be in someone else's shoes for a couple hours and see how they work," he said. "See how it is for those guys and girls to do their job delivering pizzas and see if they get tips, if they don't get tips, and how much it is."

Williams' first stop was Tiffany Marchyok's house. Tuesday is pizza night at the Marchyok house. Always a plain pepperoni, but never delivered by an NFL Pro Bowler.

"Quite a surprise," she said. "He was very polite and very gracious to take pictures with the kids."

Marchyok was prepared to give a $6 tip, but when Williams said the pizza was free the money went back in her pocket.

"I'm standing in the rain with no tip and no money in my pocket," Williams said. "I said the pizza was free and I stood there ... you know how the driver still stands there waiting for a tip a little bit, I stood there and no tip. I learned that you have to say 'I need a tip.' "

Williams gave away another pie at the next house. Again no tip.

"I'm starting to respect these guys," he joked.

If Tuesday doesn't change Williams' no-tipping ways, a conversation he had with a delivery guy at a red light a couple of weeks ago might. He asked the guy what a person should tip. The guy told him $3, $4, maybe $5.

Williams tipped a pizza guy $7 last week.

"I have turned over a new leaf," he said.