To Tip or Not To Tip - That is the Question?

A recent comment from one of my FaceBook Friends in the Wedding/Event Industry, got me thinking. He made a point of sharing his appreciation for a recent gratuity he received at the end of a Wedding Reception.

gra·tu·i·ty
 
1. a gift of money, over and above payment due for service, tip.

Now I do realize that tips/gratuities are given based on the satisfaction of the client for a service provided. In addition, Tips should never be expected, however as a provider of a service I can say they are most definitely appreciated.

I have been in business for three years now, and I can honestly say that only a handful of my clients have actually provided us with a tip at the end of the event. My clients always come over and praise "The wonderful job we did" then typically walk away. I have even had calls the following day thanking us for the incredible job we did, they tell me how extremely happy they were, and how impressed their guests were to take home their photos, even recommend us to their family and friends. Many of these clients did not send us home with a tip. When tips are received in my business, they are automatically divided equally and shared with the team that worked the event. Receiving a tip becomes an unexpected bonus at the end of a job well done validating that the client appreciated our hard work.

I do find it quite interesting, however, that without question, a Banquet Hall makes it very clear upon signing a contract that a 20% gratuity will automatically be added to the final bill. That gratuity is expected whether or not the service was up to the standards of the client, especially since many Banquet Halls require full payment approximately one week prior to their event. Could you imagine the response of a potential client if we, the Photographer, DJ, Florist, Videographer, Band, or any other service provider automatically added a 20% gratuity charge to their contract? Let's face it, if we did that we would be questioned, probably laughed at, and would definitely not get hired.

I look forward to any responses to this post simply out of curiosity. As I have said before although none of us "Expect" a gratuity, I would like to think there must be a better way to let people know how much we really appreciate them, without going to the extreme of placing a "Tip" Jar on our work stations. I am kidding of course!