Have you ever tipped? If not, what holds you back? And if you do, how much is enough to show your appreciation? Tipping may seem like a small gesture, but for many in customer service, it can make a world of difference. Whether it's a waiter rushing to get your order just right, a receptionist making your stay smooth, or even the guard ensuring your safety, these service providers often rely on tips as a form of acknowledgment for their efforts. However, here's the thing: tipping isn't just about money. It's wines, champagnes, jewellery, thank you cards and notes...you are spoilt for choice. It is more than just loose change-it's a way of saying, "I see the extra mile you went, and I appreciate it." So, how do you decide who to tip, and how much? I tip even after a bad service Dr Grace Githaiga, who is in her 50s says she started tipping after the age of 35 because of her exposure abroad. "I used to travel a lot and in places like the US it is compulsory to tip five-15 percent of the bill an if you do not tip it looks like a crime," she recalls. Dr Githaiga shares that her tipping culture also came from appreciating that waiters or waitresses sometimes earn very little and depend on the tips. So, do you give a flat rate or go with your gut? "Apart from the US where it is prescribed, in the other places that I tip, I just go with my gut and depending on the quality of the service. "So, if a waiter or waitress has served me well-with a smile, is very responsive like my order does not take too long. I always tip but if you did not give me good service, of course the tip is less (Sh100)." However, a number of times, Dr Githaiga notes she has encountered hotel staff who went above and beyond to earn the generous tip. "There is a particular waiter at a Nairobi restaurant who goes beyond the call of duty. "You know, I will ask for the menu, recommendations and he tell us try a particular dish, we won't get disappointed-and then he keeps on checking up on us if we need something else, or if we enjoyed the meal? That one gets exceptional tip. In fact, every time me and my kids go to that restaurant, he notices us. He has become our friend even my kids ask for him. And it is simply does his job well-ile tu roho safi." While some restaurants ensure that their staff are tipped through the main payment accounts, Dr Githaiga, the CEO at KICTANet, says she asks for personal M-Pesa numbers or give cash for tip. Is there a particular time that you tip? "Not really. Either when I'm checking out or paying my bill and I do tip Sh500-Sh1,000, as a sign that I have appreciated the service." Nonetheless, there are hotels which suggest the amount one should tip, and Dr Githaiga says that proposal is not fair. "I do not like that because you may not have enough funds to tip on those suggested amounts. Maybe, they should put a statement like, 'we appreciate tips please give what you think is fair'." To travellers who do not tip, Dr Githaiga advises it is important to appreciate the service and workers as some work under very difficult and hard conditions. "I know there are hotel workers who are not given food, or they cannot eat the food they are serving. So, you go order a nice meal with a great aroma and the waiter/waitresses serve you but however they are not allowed to have a taste." I tip based on how you make me feel Unlike Dr Githaiga, Joys Kimani, 40, recalls how her young 25-year-old self was tipped Sh5 when working in a cybercafe. "I was holding fort for someone at the time and this person came and gave me an extra Sh5 and I remember the excitement of someone going overboard. So, from then on, I made it a habit to appreciate," she says. For her tips, Joys says she gives Sh200 and above, depending on how good the service was. While tips should depend on the willingness of the giver, Joys shares she has been in situation where staff are extra friendly thinking she would leave a tip. Did you give? "No. I pause and refuse to give once I see the person is over demanding. Because it ends up feeling it's my role to give." Though Joys always gives out money as her tip, she shares that there sometimes, she has to be creative in her tipping. "We were in a hotel in Dar es Salaam and then they used to do group distribution of the tip. I felt 'offended' because I tip someone who has been friendly to me not everyone. So, we had to roll it down in a tissue and wrote in a serviette the amount we were giving her." What's the biggest tip you have ever left? "It was between $80 and $100 (Sh10,000-12,000)." I'm curious what did that hotel do? "I went to this hotel, and it was at that time of the month, and I messed up the sheets. So, I had a conversation with them but just because someone went overboard to clean my sheets it was prudent that I tell them thank you." Joys, a human rights defender, determines who gets her tip and who does not depend on how the staff member makes her feel. "If you make me feel happy, appreciated, comfortable, you
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