Growing up under disciplinarian parents, I never grasped the concept of tipping. To me, it seemed unethical, unnecessary and downright wrong. My parents instilled in me the importance of honesty, hard work and earning rewards through merit. However, reality soon hit hard, challenging my perceptions.
During my final year in university, I encountered a harsh lesson. Despite submitting my thesis on time, my result wasn't processed for Senate approval. Fellow students received congratulations on their completion, while I wasn't. I was confused and concerned, I rushed to the department to inquire.
A student hinted that I needed to "appreciate" the Faculty secretary. I was appalled, wondering if bribery had become an accepted norm. Reluctantly, I offered a gift, and miraculously, my result was processed. This experience left a sour taste.
This incident mirrored my father's ordeal. After retiring, he eagerly awaited government benefits. Upon discovering his name omitted from the beneficiaries' list, we sought assistance. An elderly woman advised us to "grease the wheels" with a 10% tip. We refused at first but hunger was teaching us the lesson. However, we reluctantly complied, feeling coerced.
These incidents exposed me to the harsh realities of corruption and the expectation of bribery. My disciplinarian upbringing hadn't prepared me for this. I've learned to navigate these challenges, but the moral implications linger. Now, I question the fairness of systems where favors and bribes dictate outcomes. Has our society lost sight of integrity? Are honesty and hard work no longer enough?
These experiences have taught me resilience, adaptability and the importance of understanding cultural nuances. In fact, it has really helped me in my business. My business entail working with several truck drivers. So, I do tip them regularly to have my goods delivered to the customers, if not I would see no driver and they would prefer to be working for my competitors who understand the tipping culture.
Nevertheless, I still yearn for a world where meritocracy prevails.
All photos were taken by me.