The Downbeat Surface of Tipping - Case Study Example

The Case Against Tipping In his article, Michael Lewis voices his bold view opposing obligatory gratuity or tipping. The points out the downbeat surface of tipping. The main argument seems to go like this: (1) Growing appeals for gratuities are disturbing and taxing. (2) Tipping must be inhibited. The focal point of the article highlights the negativity of tipping in the present times. While many people believe that tipping is a way of ensuring continued good service (Obringer), Lewis finds the growing appeals for tips as disturbing. The author's opening statement (1) is valid only on undue practice of gratuity. His premise is arguable considering that he failed to substantiate the real value of gratuity as being completely lost. He overlooks that argument as he himself gives the benefit of the doubt that some people really tip out of generosity. That tipping must be ignored (2) would significantly affect employees who rely on this extra source of income to alleviate themselves of poverty which is not improved by their meager salary. Although there are undeniably benefits and advantages of gratuity on server and patron alike, he dismisses that tipping puts the economy in an unfavorable baksheesh shape. In this point he is correct, taking into account that the government is losing an estimated $7 to $10 billion of earnings in tips that go unreported (Snyder). Moreover, there is the possibility that aside from cabs and restaurants, other sectors of the society will adapt this practice. Lewis suggests that reticence or silence on the matter may worsen the issue in the future. He concludes that standing up against the unwarranted custom may be advantageous. That the essence of gratuity has vanished in the modern times is most compelling. Now, waiters and waitresses believe that it is their right to be tipped (Shaw). Nowadays, tipping is expected even if the quality of service is not significantly worthy of an extra favor coming from the customer. Although Lewis also explicate that tipping is an aristocratic conceit, what really prompts a tip seems to be missing. It is very much logical that the workers are but rendering the service that they are already salaried to do. What was once a tradition of the customer's demonstration of sincere generosity is crudely replaced by a superfluous inconvenience to the patron as it becomes obligatory. Instead of this act of kindness being unreservedly awarded by the customer, the patron is pressured to tip. Although not punishable by law, not tipping is prejudiced as rudeness when it is not even compulsion, in the first place. Even undertipping instigate discrimination in society. Ironically, in other nations like Japan, the custom of tipping is regarded as impolite and a slap in the face to the server. Customary tipping must be avoided. It is an optional act and it must be non-compulsory in this democratic times. The times have surely changed this act of appreciation to an obligatory burden. It should be kept in mind that gratuity is simply a form of generosity or token of appreciation for a noteworthy act of service; a monetary recognition rendered to a deserving employee. Employees should perform their duties without demanding or being expectant of the extra favor. In the same manner, their service is not supposed to be dependent on the tip they are receiving. Good service motivates a tip and must not be the other way around. The supposed symbiotic relationship between employee and customer must be guarded so as not to turn into a parasitic one. Patrons must not be compelled to tip when they feel that it is unnecessary or undeserved. But the advantages of tipping-in the truest sense of the practice-must equally be taken into consideration. We must not discount the benefits of practicing gratuity. In one way it promotes both sides valuing the role of the other in each other's subsistence. In the case of employees desperately relying on tips, that dilemma can be cured by the management itself by giving its employees a fair salary that they deserve and should instead present a reasonable service charge instead of augmenting the deficiency through tips. The Consequences of "Carnage as Entertainment" John Ellis posted in this article various cases involving minors in shootouts. He states that violence depicted on television affects the actions of these children. His main argument seems to go like this: (1) There is correlation between violence depicted in the media and the violence in American life. (2) Violent behavior is also incited by the idea of earning a reputation. While it is true that there is linkage between violence in television and violence in society particularly in the United States, the author failed to consider other channels by which violence is promoted. Websites and mature computer games also play a significant role in violence. In (2), his claim is unsubstantiated and speculative. But it is true that television networks compete with each other to get the exclusive right of the instant celebrity's story. News at it is, news broadcast display violence as well and contributing to the chain of violence depicted in media. That media's great influence particularly in children's emotion and behavior is undeniable. What worsens the issue is the fact that children have their own entertainment equipment. According to the Annenberg Public Policy Center, 57 percent of kids aged 8 to 16 have TVs in their bedrooms, and 39 per cent have gaming equipment (Media Awareness). It is pertinent to assess how children process media content and what effect that processing experience has on their thoughts, feelings, and actions (Impact). Violence is even evident in cartoons that very young children can freely watch. Researchers observed that the children who watched the violent cartoon were much more likely to hit other children and break toys (Media Awareness). Exposure to media violence heightens the level of violent behavior among minors. But because it is virtually impossible to totally eliminate the demonstration violence in media, it is now the responsibility of the immediate family and the society to instill the necessary values and morals to shelter the children from the harsh realities and gradually train them on how to react and handle the inevitable depiction of violence in the surroundings. Works Cited Lewis, Michael. "The Case Against Tipping" The New York Times Magazine 21 September 1997 Obringer, Lee Ann. "How Tipping Works" How Stuff Works 20 June 2006 Shaw, Steven A. "Tipped Off" The New York Times 10 August 2005. 20 June 2006 Snyder, Lynn. "No Tips, Please" Washington Free Press 22 June 2006 Ellis, John. "The Consequences of "Carnage as Entertainment" " Boston Globe 19 May 1998 "Violence in Media Entertainment" Media Awareness Network http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/violence/violence_entertainment.cfm "The Impact of Entertainment Media Violence on Children and Families" Iowa State University, University Extension Read More