Tipped Off
November 8, 2007 – 12:32 pmThis morning I took a bus service to the airport.
Yes, a bus. And it took forever, but it was cheaper than a cab, which would have cost me an arm and a leg. The bus only cost me an arm.
On the bus, I saw signs posted like this one all over the place:
Really? I never would have guessed. I didn’t see a line on my ticket that said “gratuity included.” Then again, I wasn’t exactly looking for one. It’s a bus ride to the airport. I don’t think there’s a need for a gratuity.
At the very front of the bus, in the driver’s view, they had the gall to post a sign that read, “Tipping is customary for good service.”
On a BUS? No, it’s not. Fuck you. Tipping is not customary for bus drivers. I don’t tip my MTA driver on the M14 when it goes more than 5 mph. It’s not like you’re a cab driver and you have your own expenses to cover. You’re a bus driver working for a bus company. You get paid a salary. You don’t even pay for gas. “Driving the bus” is in your job description, which your employer hired you to fulfill. You don’t deserve a tip for doing your job.
Tipping is completely out of hand in New York. Of course, tourists are warned of this before they arrive, so when they take a bus from the airport, they think it really is customary to tip a driver. I saw plenty of passengers give the driver a tip. What’s an appropriate tip on a $12 bus ride? Apparently, two bucks, in the eyes of the average passenger. I felt no shame in walking off the bus without leaving a tip.
Lucky for me, that was completely justified. Despite the fact that the driver never asked anyone what terminal they were going to, he berated me for not telling him where I was going, and forced me off the bus at another terminal where I had to take a free shuttle bus - driven by someone else who doesn’t need a tip.
8 Responses
Although I’m against the insane proliferation of tipping, I can think of a reason to tip the Airport Express guy–if he helps you with your luggage, something an ordinary bus driver doesn’t do.
By Sarah on Nov 8, 2007
Two bucks tip per person? That driver must be pulling, what, $40 an hour? I want that job.
By Cherry Ride on Nov 8, 2007
you couldn’t handle that job cherry.
By Mr. Shain on Nov 8, 2007
I tip like crazy, so long as the driver writes me a receipt.
By skinbeatergreg on Nov 8, 2007
I’ll throw the guy a buck if he lugs my bags in and out of the bus.
By Todd on Nov 9, 2007
Sarah and Todd: He didn’t help anyone with their luggage. In fact, someone else stashed the luggage away while people were boarding. Maybe he deserved a tip, but not the driver.
By Chris on Nov 9, 2007
as someone who travels often all I have to say with regards to his mater is… You dont get a gratuity for doing yoir job.
By digital dave on Nov 9, 2007
It’s not just in New York that tipping is out of hand. Everywhere I go lately - Midwest or Southeast - I see tip jars everywhere. The only place that doesn’t have a tip jar is the convenience store in our building that is run by blind people.
By Amy in StL on Nov 14, 2007