To Insure Prompt Service
"OH GOD! ONLY A DOLLAR!" (growl of disgust, back turns)Half an hour earlier, somwhere in Gotham...
After the hectic holidays, I decided to give myself a present today: a mani/pedi at a local nail salons. Just $19.99 gives hands and feet a nice little treat...and gives me a moment to relax and forget the frenzied environs of New York.
I slid off my shoes and sank into the chair, propping my tired feet up on the little post. I could only imagine the thoughts running through my nail technician's mind as she removed the worn out polish...but, hey, I am sure she has seen feet in worse shape than mine. And at least my toes are cute (well, they are since the surgery. But that's another story).
This is great and so overdue, I thought to myself. Callouses, be gone! In a few moments, my toes are going to be in tip-top shape. And then ole boy won't know what hit him when he gives me that foot rub later. Ima just sit back and....HEY! IS SHE DONE ALREADY?!!
I opened my eyes to see the aforementioned nail technician slipping my tootises into the little paper slippers and bending over to grab my bag and shoes, which she would soon drop at her station. My daydream interrupted, I followed her, sat down and held out my hands to complete my day's beauty. Before finishing my manicure - and as customary in most nail salons - she handed me the bill, so that I could pay ahead and thereby sidestep - no pun intended - any immediate chances of ruining her handiwork. I complied, leaving her a small tip. After all, the service wasn't remarkable so no need to get carried away with the gratuity, right?
Well, my theory takes us to the beginning of today's entry ..as well as the title of it, which is the acronym TIPS. When I was growing up, my dad told me that TIPS stands for To Insure Prompt Service. I would like to put a little 2K6/7 twist on it and say the P should be revised to Proper Service. Proper service means more than just set out the silverware with a thud, throw the eggs and bread into the same plastic bag or, in my case, slap on a coat of polish over toes that were barely buffed, filed or shaped. Proper service could mean taking a little extra time with that pumice stone - or even asking me if there are any particular points on my feet that need special attention. If you go by my version of the TIPS acronym, I think that my dollar tip was more than sufficient. No doubt the little roach that crawled along my chair as I got my pedicure would agree...
And so it seems that my take on TIPS puts me in a dilemma quite often in the city. It can be really expensive to make it here as the song goes: for some workers, tips are a big boost to a small check. All apologies to Goldilocks and her three bears, but I think tips are similar to porridge: you want to make sure it isn't too little or too much -- but just right. Friends and family who used to work in the service industries often comment that they remember the bad ole days and therefore, try to put a little somethin' extra when paying the check.
But I don't believe in rewarding substandard service. So, should I explain what it is that I like, want or need? Perhaps, but in some places, isn't the service standard in question pretty, well... standard? Maybe I should have told the woman today what I expected from a pedicure - that way, we both would have been happy, me with my feet and she with her tip. Something to think about as I scout my next nail salon. 'Cause she probably told her colleagues about my cheapskate tip ways and now I am persona non grata at their establishment.
So for all the people who saw me walking in the cold & windy weather today with my coat, hat, scarf - and flip flops...I wasn't crazy. I was just trying not to ruin my pedicure.
And make the most of that dollar.
posted by Miss E @ 7:39 PM
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