I was getting gas at a Full Service station, and the woman who was parked next to me, gave the gas attendant $2 as a tip. Is that really a rule to tip the gas station attendant?
2006-09-30 17:54:22 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I used to own a gas station....most people dont tip. If they just gas and clean the windows dont bother. Just be friendly and say hello; a little kindness goes a long way. Now if you have them check your oil and tires I would say maybe...............
2006-09-30 18:05:37 · answer #1 · answered by bulocal 1 · 4⤊ 1⤋
No, it is NOT expected to tip the gas attendant. Not even in New Jersey, where it is illegal to pump your own gas.
If you went to the same full service station every time you got gas and had the same attendant every time, I could see a small Christmas tip, but otherwise, no. It's not like the old days when the attendant would come out and check your oil and main fluids, clean all the glass AND pump the gas. If that ever happened, I might tip, after I picked myself up off the ground, where I fell from the shock!
Just because there is a tip jar, doesn't mean it is expected, it is to be considered for exceptional service ( or just wished for that someone will not know any better).
Save your tipping money for your waiter/waitress, newspaper carrier (especially where there is extreme weather,) hair-cutter (but not the salon owner) etc!
2006-09-30 18:26:14 · answer #2 · answered by kitkat94670 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so.
I've never heard of it. I do believe in tipping for service like a hair cut or a waiter. But I don't tip the guy who changes the oil in my car. So, I'd not tip full service gas attendant unless he went for it, cleaned my windows -- that sort of thing.
2006-09-30 18:04:16 · answer #3 · answered by wrathofkublakhan 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Actually, yes. They are providing a service of convenience to you. Some places don't offer their attendants a fixed salary. Those attendants are working for tips, just like many waitresses.
I live in Alaska and I hate getting out of my car at 35 below 0 to pump gas, so, I show my appreciation to the brave person who stands outside all day, pumping people's gas for the few measly dollars people are willing to part with for a service they weren't willing to perform for themselves!
2006-10-01 07:19:34 · answer #4 · answered by Shadow Dancer 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
There aren't many full service stations left where I live. I didn't know about the tipping business. Back in the "olden days" when there were only full service stations, we did not tip then. If it has changed, that is news to me.
2006-10-01 02:24:14 · answer #5 · answered by Patti C 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Tipping the gas station attendant? OMG - Now I have heard of everything! If you pull into the "full service" option as opposed to the "self service" option, you are ALREADY paying more for getting your gas that way. Look at the price signs. There are 2 different prices, one for self-serve, one for full-serve. You are already being charged more for the convenience. And the price is already plenty high enough.
Seems that every time you turn around these days, somebody new is sticking a tip jar in your face. If they need more income, that is their employer's responsibility. Otherwise, I would recommend that they sharpen up their skills & education so they qualify for a better paying job.
Waiters & Bartenders, yes. They are considered "tipped employees" and those are services that rightfully deserve a tip. They are paid below minimum wages. Not only that, the government takes money out of their paychecks automatically in the form of "allocated tips" whether they actually earn tip income or not. It is also customary to tip hairdressers for their services unless they are the owner of the shop.
But McDonald's & Dairy Queen, & Starbucks, and the numerous other shops that are now begging for tips? No way. They are just doing the job they are paid to do. Looks like one small step above pan-handling to me. I have even seen tip jars at drive-thru windows. I wonder if the owners and managers of those businesses are aware that their employees are soliciting tips from the customers on top of what the customers are already paying? Self-service from a counter or if you order carry-out does not warrant a tip unless they go far & beyond the ordinary level of service for you. Besides, if you look at your bill carefully, you will see that they usually tack on an additional "carry out" or "to go" fee already. Even pizza delivery usually already has a service fee built in on each pizza they deliver, whether you tip them or not. Ask how much the pizza is, and how much the "delivery" charge is and you will see that is true. Room service in hotels also adds gratuity built in to the bill. It might not be itemized as such, but there is an additional charge to the price of the food already on your bill.
There are those who would argue that the employee then has the right to mix up your order or give it to you cold or late if they do not receive extra money from you for your counter or carry-out order. If they cannot perform their job correctly, that would justify reporting it to the management or owner. It's presumptious to assume they are entitled to tips or to provide low level service for not getting tips.
To answer your question, there is no "rule" to tip the gas station attendants. It's not like you fill up your tank every day or even get the same worker each time. Anyways, even if you did, can he possibly fill up your gas tank any faster than the pump will allow? Can he fill up more cars at the same time than he has gas pumps? No, so it really won't make any difference. In fact, I think if people would stop throwing extra money at them, it might stop them from expecting extra on top of what we are already paying for these goods & services. Unless you are Bill Gates with an unlimited supply of money, do you really want to pay 15-20% extra on top of the price of everything else you buy?
What's next? Tip the Walmart cashier? The bank teller? The drycleaner? The salesclerk at the mall? The school teachers? Where does it ever end? OK - I can see holiday bonuses or the occassional small gift, perhaps, but pay extra every time you go someplace and pay the regular prices for the food or service they are paid to provide? That's called doing their job. It is the establishment's responsibility to pay their employees, not the public's. Sure, be courteous & respectful to all employees, but now a tip is expected for everyone with a tip jar or their hand out? I say ignore it, or expect to see even more of them in the future. There are far too many low-paying jobs out there for us to subsidize them all !
2006-09-30 21:56:52 · answer #6 · answered by julie j 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. Gas station attendants do not merit tips. The IRS does not add to their income and expect them to pay tax on the expected tip income.
I♥♫→mia☼☺†
2006-09-30 18:48:28 · answer #7 · answered by mia2kl2002 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
People with the handicap sign hanging from their rear view mirror can honk 2 short times to get service. With that service being done, it is a polite gesture to tip, but as usual, tips are not necessary.
2006-09-30 18:01:52 · answer #8 · answered by Answerer 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's not required and some stations have rules against tipping the attendants but I'm sure it's appreciated.
2006-09-30 19:42:17 · answer #9 · answered by cgspitfire 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No---A)gas is already expensive enough B)they earn an hourly wage not a tip wage C) It isn't your job to compensate their income.
2006-09-30 18:16:10 · answer #10 · answered by leviathia 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋