Real Answers for Life’s Money Challenges
My parents are in their 80s.
But I was recently mortified when they mentioned that they never tip the drivers.
I have several friends who are driving to make ends meet right now, and they rely on tips.
My parents refuse because they say the delivery fees are already too high as it is.
My parents have always been stingy on tipping.
They think 15% for great service when you dine in at a restaurant is plenty.
I know how hard it will be to get them to change, but I feel strongly about this.
Should I drop it or keep pushing here?
That applies whether youre dining in or having food delivered.
It doesnt justify not tipping your driver.
You dont say how you responded when your parents told you they dont tip or whether an argument ensued.
People generally dont respond well to being called cheapskates.
If they just started using Uber Eats, they may be a little shell-shocked by all those exorbitant fees.
(And Im only calling out Uber Eats because thats the service you mention by name.
Everything Im going to say pertains to food delivery apps across the board.)
Perhaps they mistakenly think that all those charges are lining the drivers pocket.
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Because drivers dont make an hourly minimum wage, theyrely on tips.
Unfortunately, a lot of drivers will tell you that non-tippers are common.
Perhaps some of these customers are simply confused about how drivers are paid or whether tipping is the norm.
But tipping has taken on a new level of importance during the pandemic.
Now, were asking drivers to risk their health so we can stay safe at home.
This is a time to be as generous as you could afford to be.
Beyond that, youre not going to make a difference.
I have a hunch that your feelings on this matter reflect a broader disagreement with your parents.
If you feel strongly that that needs to change, youre hopefully tipping more generously these days.
Unfortunately, theres only so much you’re able to do on this one.
Youre not going to fix the broader structural issues of the economy by making your parents into better tippers.
Hopefully, though, your parents will surprise you.
Youre not asking them to drastically change their habits.
Youre just making the case for tacking on a few extra bucks for the driver.
In the meantime, keep tipping generously knowing that youre helping make up for all those non-tippers out there.
Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior editor at The Penny Hoarder.
Send your tricky money questions to[email protected].
