I work at the airport as a skycap. My co-worker is black. He always claims to get tips twice as big as I do.?

Question

Is it because he's black? Professionalism has nothing to do with it. He either lies to make himself feel better about himself or he's telling the truth. Why would you tip a black guy twice as much as a white guy? Is it supposed to ease your conscience for all the bad things you thought or said about black people? This irks the crap out of me! P.S. A Skycap is basically a bellboy that works at the airport.

Answer 1

I know this will sound stereotypical, but I've found that when it comes to those in the "serving the public" field, I tend to find black men more friendly & likable than white men. However, I find this doesn't apply to black women vs. white women.

OR

Because the majority of people you come in contact with working at the airport are on the wealthier side & therefore are less likely to have lived or experienced a middle/working to lower class lifestlye & also less likely to have had much contact with black people in day to day life. Therefore, they tend to be a bit racist in that they are already expecting you, the white guy, to do a better job. Their expectations for the black guy are lower so when he does a good job they are shocked & feel he deserves a better tip.

OR
It has nothing to do with race. Is he older? Maybe people assume he has children & therefore needs the tips more.

Answer 2

He's probably lying.
Either that or he's extremely friendly and personable.
Professionalism is not enough. You've got to go the extra mile and get your customer to LIKE you.

Too many people in business don't understand this. Your job is not to do A,B and C. But to work to the contentment of those people PAYING YOU.

I finally learned this lesson myself when I owned a business. When I started getting lip from some of the college age kids - even the very good workers, I thought "why am I paying for grief?"
I can pay someone else to do the same job without the grief.

These are the facts of life.

Answer 3

I think it's might just be because he works harder than you do. Just because he's black doesn't mean anything!! So what he's a different skin color than you? Now if your boss was black, then we might have a problem, because he would be treating you unfairly. Or he could be lying to you about getting bigger tips. Next time he says something to you ask to see the proof. If he is telling the truth watch him and act the same way he does. Copy him, that way you'll get the same amount of tips as he does.

Answer 4

Reasons:
* He's lying to make you feel bad and make you hesitant so he can swoop in on more tips while you're feeling bad.
* He has a way of looking over the crowd and picking out those most likely to tip bigger. Those with tons of suitcases and small children always need help
* I used to look for a skycap to do nothing but get me in front of the 60 minute line for cabs. Why is it that skycaps can move people to the front of the cab line? It cost me $5 but well worth the 60 seconds it took him.
* He may look more approachable than you. Subtle things like a more pleasant expression on his face; smarter looking uniform; an air of expectation that people will pick him.

Answer 5

I've always tipped the same, no matter what. The tip for a skycap is supposed to depend first on the number of pieces of luggage, second on the promptness and attitude of the skycap. I'd go for "lying to make himself feel better" (or you worse?). Let it go -- some people as just that way!

Answer 6

He could be less than honest. And remember when you are working to be as kind as possible. When ever working in customer services you always need to be very friendly, do your work with a smile on your face and make eye contact. Using your best manners. He is probably just telling you a lie. I would not allow this to get under my skin. Just do the best job you can do and be the best you can be. God bless

Answer 7

I hate to tell you this, but people love to tell whoppers. They love to brag and pretend. Pay no attention to what your co-worker says, he only wants to seem important. I hate liars, and they are everywhere. Just be nice to people-- be kind and courteous-- smile at them and say something pleasant --everyone likes to be treated special. Do that and you will get tips--and maybe even a better job.

Answer 8

Well he may be telling the truth or just lieing about. If he says that then just clarify that his bragging is annoying you thats what i would do after all when i was waitressing with my cousin she would tell me that she gets bigger tips than me but that wasn't true she just wanted to make me jealous so tell him how it makes you feel.

Answer 9

MAYBE THE BLK GUY GETS A BIGGER TIP THEN YOU BECAUSE HE IS NOT RACIST. YOU ARE VERY RACIST WHAT DOES COLOR HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING. WHITE PEOPLE ARE NO BETTER THEN BLACK PEOPLE JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE WHITE DOESN'T MAKE YOU SUPERIOR.BESIDES IF YOU WERE THAT SUPERIOR YOU WOULDN'T BE A AIRPORT BELL BOY.LITTLE BOY THE WORLD HAS CHANGED THERE IS NO LONGER SLAVERY OR DEGRADING PEOPLE OF OTHER RACES.YOU ARE STILL A LITTLE BOY AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF GROWING UP TO DO AND A LOT TO LEARN

Answer 10

it's very possible that they think he is worse off than you. he wouldn't necessarily have to be black, but any minority (ask around to other folks you work with who are minorities and see what they say); my husband used to work at a tip-based job and noticed those kinds of things as well. hey, just remember, any tip is more than you should really expect--nobody HAS to tip you! (just tell that dude to keep his bragging to himself!)