Aimee works as a hairdresser, and in that line of work tips are very good. For example, some days she can come back with €40-€50, and once in a blue moon she might make nothing in tips, and the average is somewhere around €15-€20.
Each week, she kind of earns the money she pays in tax, back in tips, which is really good for her.
The last time we went through her change box was back in May and we essentially compiled everything into bags to bring to the bank.
So, in just four short months the box built back up again, so she decided to count, and bag it. Apart from the coins, she also has a bunch of notes.
Essentially everything she makes in tips gets put away until it's ready to be counted and deposited.
She managed to get exactly €100 in 2's, and 5 Rand too for some reason.
I thought tour guiding would be decent for tips, but I've only gotten one tip this summer from people. They were really happy with the tour I gave them and gave me €10.
That was the highlight of my month, and I still think about it. I thought the woman was reaching out to shake my hand, and then I felt the note. I did ask if she was sure and was taken aback by it, but she insisted.
I tend to go above and beyond with tourists, answering questions to the best of my knowledge, and if there's something I don't know I go and look it up and speak with them after they finish, if I see them. Researching stuff I don't know is more for me too, because I don't like getting asked something I don't know about.
But, yeah, I assumed it would be a decent job for tips, but it really isn't. That's most likely down to the fact that a lot of people are kind of struggling financially, and can't afford to give money away which is understandable.
I know America has a big tipping culture, where people kind of have to survive on their tips, in certain jobs. But, over here everyone is paid at least a minimum wage, so it's a bit different.
While tipping isn't encouraged the same way over here, it is kind of seen as a gesture, to let the person know that they did a great job, or that you were really happy with the service, more so than being mandatory, or done unconsciously. If someone is giving someone something here, it has been thought about, and I think it means much more, and also says much more.
Actually, I Have A Story About This
So, a few years ago, me, my dad, and my sister went up to Harvey Normans, who are an electronics/ furniture shop. They're fairly well known over here.
He was looking to upgrade his entertainment setup when he got a new rental.
New TV, Soundbar, a stand. He wanted the works basically.
We were looking around, going through the TVs, I recommended LG, because they're, IMO, one of the best makes, and I really like my one.
No sales reps were around, so we waited. Everything was picked, and all we needed was a guy to come over so we could tell him what we wanted.
Then another customer comes in, and is looking around. He's a guy in his late 30's wearing a shirt, and my dad on the other hand was wearing a band t-shirt and shorts. (I think that's an important detail.)
A sales rep rushes out, and kind of excuses himself as he rushes passed us and to the other customer. We had been there for about 15-20 minutes, and this new customer had been there for about 2.
We wait a few more minutes, and the more I stand there, the more pissed off I get. We're not far from the two other people, and the guy seems to just be looking at stuff, uncertain.
I tell my dad, lets go. He kind of shushes me. He's fairly easy going and patient. I am as well, but the more I thought about it, the more annoyed I got. The guy literally rushed past my dad, who was dressed a bit scruffy, for some other guy who clearly seemed like he was worth more of a sale. It just kind of made my blood boil as the two of them stood away from us talking, the rep obviously sitting in the break room until he noticed this new guy looking at the TVs, and the fact he literally said "excuse me," so he could get passed us, and to the other guy."
Then, after another minute, I just told my dad not to spend his money here. The rep gets a commission for sales, and I said I wouldn't give him a penny after that. It was rude. I wasn't saying this stuff loudly, I was just making my point, and my dad relented and we left.
Went to Power City, another Electricals store, which was literally 2 minutes walk away. Went in, instantly got seen to, by a sound, typical down to earth Dub. It's kind of hard to describe the sort of person, but he was just a middle aged talkative, sound lad. Instantly pointed at my dads t-shirt and they started off talking about music, and then got onto talk about TVs and blah blah blah.
Anyway, the guy ended up sorting him out with a mad deal. A large bundle, which would have been close to €1,000, but since he was buying it all together, he knocked off something like €150.
He pays, and we're waiting for the stuff to come out, and my dad asks if I had any cash. I only had a €20, and handed it over.
He went straight back to the salesman, and when he got back he told us that he'd given it to him to get himself a few pints, and kind of explained what had just happened in Harvey's. The guy was completely taken aback, refused to take it, and when he did he had nothing to say but thank you, and he was really grateful.
That's what I mean about tipping here. In certain lines of work it doesn't happen, but when it does, it really means something, and there's a reason for it.
Anyway, back to the post.
The bags have to be filled to the exact amount of the corresponding number.
I'm relatively cashless now, and have been for a good while, but when I was using cash all the time, I had a rule.
Every bit of change I came in with, went into a jar, and when the jar got full, I'd bag them, but them aside, and fill it again.
I done this religiously for a good while, and I eventually cashed in all of my change and bought all the parts to build my PC. I had some left over which I used for other things. I kind of miss having change to be honest, because it adds up, and a lot faster than you'd think.
The final count is €160, and a bunch of loose change.
This, and the accumulated notes she has received are going down to the bank today, and will most likely end up in a savings vault on Revo until she figures out what she wants to buy herself.
