If you don’t have a lot of cash for a tip, do you tip nothing?

I never tip nothing – Unless whatever I got was completely shitty.

And if the cash I’m carrying isn’t at least 15%, I throw in a hug.

No complaints so far.

@JLoon Well sh*t, who’d complain about a hug from you?! Even I wouldn’t and I’m hetero!

I pretty much try to anticipate those situations as much as possible and make sure I do have ready cash. Before I took my recent trip, I went to the bank and got twenty $5 bills and twenty singles, and it was by no means too much. I figured that into my trip expenses, but I underestimated and had to replenish my supply.

In one day (traveling home), I went through $80 in tips. It was a very complicated day, with changed gates and wheelchairs and hair-raising connections. One airport employee used her insider knowledge to spare me a TSA ordeal. I gave her $20.

If I had only $1, I guess I would give it along with a sincere apology, although I can see your friend’s reasoning.

@smudges – I’mma tip you for that! ;D

In Canada it was considered rude or an insult to leave a penny as a tip.

Also in America leaving a “we don’t believe In your lifestyle ” message on a phoney $20 was bad too.

I always tip. I even give money to homeless people when I can, if I’m not at a light with someone behind me wanting to drive up my ass. Not worth getting myself or someone else injured.

Here in the US it’s thought of as sending a message if you tip a penny. It says, “No, I didn’t forget to tip you, and your service was terrible.” I learned that when I was a waitress.

As to the question, I would give what I had and apologize. If they’re a regular – like a pizza delivery person – I’d give them more the next time and remind them.

I’m not normally in a position to tip people but if I was and didn’t have the money I think I would try to do something nice for them. @JLoon I’ll (((HUG))) you anytime ;)

On occasion, I’ve given nothing if I had only large bills, and on other occasions, I’ve gone out of my way to find the person later on in the day or in the night (like if they’re working in the hotel where I am staying) and given them a tip when I had a more appropriate amount to give them.

I carry between $75 and $150 in singles, fives, tens and twenties. Beginning of pandemic I’d order food at local restaurants on the phone for pick-up . .. they’d ask for a name and I’d answer , “five dollar Bill !”

Always left at least a a $5 tip. . . . .

What about someone who is extremely tight on money and wants to give something?

When I worked in a salon some customers would leave the tips on their credit card or in cash at the register and when the hairdresser was finished for the day we would total their tips and give them the money in cash. Never once did one of the employees complain or closely scrutinize how much an individual customer tipped them.

I too load up on singles and fives when I travel. Once in a while I’m in a situation I don’t have tip money when I wish I did. I’ve done what @jca2 said, and tip later if I’m able to, and I explain I didn’t have the money at the time.

As far as the shuttle, if I only had a single I’d fold it twice and thank the driver and tell them how much I appreciate their safe driving if they drove in a manner that I felt confortable. I’ve even been known to call the company if I was very happy.

I tip sometimes but I don’t like doing it. It feels as though I am monetising human kindness. One thing I like about China is that no one ever tips there.

Since I almost always pay either by card or contactless, I always round it up to somewhere between 10% to 20%.
If I know beforehand of a delivery being made to me I make sure to have €5 cash on hand.

(Answer deleted. I didn’t read the question correctly.)

I am not in the service industry but I have heard people who are (working) in the service industry say they were insulted to be handed a dollar or two for their service. I am not sure what the answer is, in that case, if it’s actually better to not hand them anything or to hand them a dollar (if that’s the denomination that you have) but they’d be insulted.

@jca2 My exboyfriend was a waiter and he used to say things like that. First let me say that I think waiters should be tipped well. Generally, I think if someone cannot afford a decent tip eating out, they shouldn’t eat at that restaurant, but I can understand when circumstances put a person in a restaurant not of their choice.

Here’s what I thought about what my exboyfriend when he said it; I think he thought it made him sound rich. He would spend money as soon as he got it, and even said things like, “a dollar is nothing,” and this was back when a dollar bought a gallon of gas and regular minimum wage (not waiter wage) was $3.35 an hour. He was making $100 a day, much of which was tax free.

I can see complaining about a low tip; maybe it is a statement about doing a lot of work and it wasn’t worth the pay. To say they would rather get nothing is something else. Plus, they have some big tippers and some low tippers, and it tends to balance out. None of my staff when we owned the repair business ever complained about tips no matter how low. Most customers didn’t tip.

The penny example is obnoxious, but I wasn’t even thinking of that, I would never leave a penny.

Other parts of the service industry make more than waiters per hour, so I see waiters differently than other services, but I still think most service people are underpaid and undervalued, so I like to tip even when it is not expected. An extra $5, $10, or $20 for me isn’t much when I am paying for some sort of service that is hundreds, but it is a lot for them.

Before going out, I consider that I will pay $1 per person minimum as a tip. I would at least leave all of my change as a tip.

Before the pandemic my wife and I would go to local steakhouse once a month, they only have 40 seats. They only serve boneless rib-eye, the steaks start out at 8 ounces and go up 2 ounces at a cut.
Not a cheap place I always tipped them 20 %to 25 % and the staff recognized us and we got excellent service.

TIPS – - – - to insure prompt service !

I am not real concerned with tipping, even though I usually do. However, if I don’t have cash, I cannot tip. If the tip is connected with a credit card purchase it’s an easy fix. Would I let the fact that I have no cash to tip keep me from making the purchase? No. People who embarrassed by such an occasion could keep a few $5 gift cards in their wallet. I don’t even know for sure such a thing exists.

@SnipSnip Great idea! I try to keep some money tucked away in my wallet but always end up spending it before using it for a tip. The gift card idea is perfect!

I don’t go anywhere where I would need to tip someone in cash. I grew up poor and have never used a valet or bellhop. I carry my own bags and drive (and park) where I need to go. I tip my hairdresser (at my annual appointment) on my credit card. I don’t carry cash. I honestly cannot relate to this question, but apparently I need to think about it more. Thanks for asking!

@Cupcake A lot of the time it’s just a nice thing and not expected.

For waiters it’s of course expected and a substantial part of their income.