Do you tip at an airport business class/lounge?

[Anonymous]

At an airline lounge recently, there was a large sign advertising guacamole made to order. A surly man then scooped what you wanted into a dish, stirred it and spooned it on a plate with a handful of chips. The whole process took about 60 seconds (already mashed avocados, already cut tomatoes, already grilled corn). There was a tip jar there, but I ignored it. He looked annoyed the whole time I was there (not just as I was leaving), so I don’t think his attitude was because I didn’t tip.

Would you have tipped?

[Anonymous]

Most people don’t carry cash.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't have eaten that unhygienic crap
I do tip bartenders a dollar or two.

[Anonymous]

How is made to order guacamole unhygienic crap? The ingredients don’t look like crap and I don’t understand what is unhygienic about it.

[Anonymous]

Not for that kind of service, no. I would tip a dollar or two for good service.

Most people don’t carry cash.

That has zero relevance to whether tipping is proper in a given situation.

[Anonymous]

There shouldn't be a tip jar.

[Anonymous]

I do and it's always appreciated. I believe that's because most people don't, but I'm basing that on an eye test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not for that kind of service, no. I would tip a dollar or two for good service.

Most people don’t carry cash.

That has zero relevance to whether tipping is proper in a given situation.

Not having cash is 100% relevant to tipping in this situation. Are you too low class to frequent airport lounges!? Everything is included so you’re not taking out a credit card or phobe to pay for anything. Thus how would you expect the OP to tip without cash?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do and it's always appreciated. I believe that's because most people don't, but I'm basing that on an eye test.

Is that your basis for tipping: you do when others won’t?

[Anonymous]

Thus how would you expect the OP to tip without cash?

If tipping is expected in a particular place, then one should carry cash when travelling to that place.

The question here is if tipping is expected.

Also, airports often have people who expect tips, for example those who work at curbside bag checks.

As an aside, I would say that it is a personal safety risk to leave the house without carrying some cash, even if one prefers to not pay in cash as a matter of course, but that is a separate discussion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Thus how would you expect the OP to tip without cash?

If tipping is expected in a particular place, then one should carry cash when travelling to that place.

The question here is if tipping is expected.

Also, airports often have people who expect tips, for example those who work at curbside bag checks.

As an aside, I would say that it is a personal safety risk to leave the house without carrying some cash, even if one prefers to not pay in cash as a matter of course, but that is a separate discussion.

Please tell me when in the last 5 years you needed cash when you didn’t know ahead you would need it and you were in danger because you didn’t have it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do and it's always appreciated. I believe that's because most people don't, but I'm basing that on an eye test.

Is that your basis for tipping: you do when others won’t?

I'm trying to make the OP feel better.

I don't think it's expected in airport lounges. Also forgot to mention the obvious which is that lounges are typically hubs for international travelers and most cultures don't have tipping as a norm. I wouldn't go out of my way to grab cash for a lounge, but I typically carry small bills while traveling for baggage assistance, taxis, and to avoid credit card fraud in some sketchy international terminals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Thus how would you expect the OP to tip without cash?

If tipping is expected in a particular place, then one should carry cash when travelling to that place.

The question here is if tipping is expected.

Also, airports often have people who expect tips, for example those who work at curbside bag checks.

As an aside, I would say that it is a personal safety risk to leave the house without carrying some cash, even if one prefers to not pay in cash as a matter of course, but that is a separate discussion.

Please tell me when in the last 5 years you needed cash when you didn’t know ahead you would need it and you were in danger because you didn’t have it.

PP here and there are countries that won't accept US credit cards outside of US establishments such as hotels. Cash is king in a number of places.

[Anonymous]

In the US or in countries where tipping is common (often lower income countries), I tip if I have cash. I rarely have cash, though, especially in other countries.

[Anonymous]

I always make sure to carry some small bills for tips. It's not hard.