Keep The Change

By Daniel Ricciardi

      "Norms are the specific cultural expectations for how to behave in a given situation."

In today’s society, we have tons of social norms.  Whether the norm is to text message, or tipping at a restaurant, it is part of who we are as a culture.  For example, every person under at least thirty years of age know how to text.  Norms are the way we are, the way we live, and what makes us what we are today. One norm I am going to breakdown is tipping at a restaurant.

Have you ever eaten at a restaurant and didn’t leave a tip?  Have you ever just paid the exact amount on the bill without giving any more or any less?  In today’s society, when you go out to a restaurant, majority of the time, you leave a tip without even thinking.  Tipping in a restaurant has become the proper thing to do.  Obviously there have been times where we barely leave anything because of bad service.  There has also been a time when you may have given a little extra, due to the kindness of the service. Tips are greatly appreciated, especially in our society.  Not every society tips in restaurants.  Many other countries have different cultural traditions, and they just respect the food.  In the United States, and in our society, we tip at restaurants.

I have been working in a restaurant for close to four years now.  I work hard, and it pays for some of my college. At my job, we make sure we go above and beyond to make sure that every customer is completely satisfied with their meal, and their service.  The better the service is, being honest, the more tips we make.  As customers, we have to remember that the people taking care of us at the restaurant, also has to earn a living.  There were times when tipping wasn’t “automatic”.  Instead, people would only tip when they wanted to.  Now, it is proper etiquette to tip.  Naturally in certain places, tips will be higher than others, but it is the thought that makes it special. 

We cannot forget the times when we tipped because we wanted to, not because it was implied.  As a restaurant employee, nothing makes me feel better about myself than when someone hands me a side-tip.  Sure, that person knows that I receive a percentage at the end of the night.  The person realizes that I went above and beyond for their every need, and felt I deserved a little extra.  I am trying not to sound money hungry, but as a society, we have to tip accordingly.  If the service is bad, we could leave a small tip, and vice versa.  Tipping is optional, but implied, yet very important to the workers.  Restaurant workers make nearly no salary, because the tip outs that they receive at the end of the night.  Social Norms covers so many things, that it is a very broad topic.  We as customers must learn to appreciate what people in restaurants do, and tip out of respect, and thankfulness.  Do you tip at restaurants?  If so, what percentage do you use?  Does anyone work or have worked in a restaurant? If so, back this norm up.