So I am in the service industry and we go to a lot of houses… Not very often but sometimes when doing a job for someone, they will offer to buy us lunch or coffee, etc… How often do you except when someone is offering? Yesterday my father turned down a $100 tip from someone… but this person was not wealthy by any means he was an average Joe working a 9 to 5 job, and his house was in a mess and you could tell he was just barely making it by… what do you do?
I am kind of on the opposite side. I’m generally the client with people coming to my house. I generally do tip any trades people, if they do good work. I’ve never had it turned down. But, I tip the crew, not the “owner”. Mainly because it is so hard to find anyone who does decent work. Also, on the first day of the job, I ask the crew leader what day do they want lunch? I usually bbq a huge stack of ribs for the crew. I’ve never had that turned down. If it’s middle of summer and outdoor work I’ll make sure there’s a cooler full of ice and gatorade available.
Respect. I always pass any tips to whoever was helping me (I am the owner). I’f in solo I’ll take tips from obviously wealthy people, but normal people get the “I charged you what I wanted, I don’t need any more.”