No really, don't tip me!

[bhskittykatt]

Not sucky, so not sure where to put this, but...

We are sold out. Most of the town is, as well. All the state park campgrounds within a 50 mile radius are sold out as well.

A man looking for a room asked if I could call ahead to other motels on the strip to see if they had any vacancies. I knew many who didn't, but there were a few I was uncertain of, so I obliged and called them.

None of the good ones had any rooms left. I'd received word from a CW earlier that <shithole> still had rooms left, so as a last resort, I gave them a ring. Sure enough, they had a bit of everything.

Reluctantly, I gave the man the info. I mean, <shithole> is a real shithole.

The man thanked me for calling around and gave me $5. I tried to hand it back, but he insisted I keep him.

So he paid me $5 to send him to a poorly managed cesspool. My ethics say this is just wrong.

[BuffySummers]

Some people just tip - that's what they were taught. My grandpa (of blessed memory) used to tip everybody, too.

It would be worse customer service to insist on not being tipped, and making the guy feel embarassed or hurt, so you're morally clear on that level. If you still feel funny, use the cash to buy donuts for your coworkers, or drop it in a charity box, or buy a bum a sandwich.

As far as the shithole is concerned, at least you tried. He can choose not to stay there if it's particularly infested this time of year. . .

[Teskeria]

He wasn't tipping you for sending him to a cesspool. He was tipping you for taking the time to make calls, that weren't really your job to make, in order to help him find a room. Therefore, you have no cause to feel bad about taking it when he insisted, esp since you made it clear that you didn't expect a tip.

[thatcrazyredhead]

He wasn't tipping you for sending him to a cesspool. He was tipping you for taking the time to make calls, that weren't really your job to make, in order to help him find a room. Therefore, you have no cause to feel bad about taking it when he insisted, esp since you made it clear that you didn't expect a tip.

I agree with Teskeria.

It would never even occur to me to ask an employee at a hotel to call other hotels to find me a room. That's my job as the person who needs a hotel room. But then I'm a planner and make reservations several months in advance to avoid that kind of thing being necessary in the first place.