General Rules about Tipping? Do you tip the person who fixes your fridge?

[Mike 03]

I'm woefully ignorant when it comes to proper tipping etiquette beyond the obvious: waiters, waitresses, concierge, etc... Some people I would have assumed you would tip (like delivery people) I've discovered cannot accept tips.

I have a local appliance repairman coming next week to repair my refrigerator and I am just wondering if it is appropriate to tip him?

Have you ever accidentally offended someone by asking them if you should/could tip them? I once got a very cool reaction when I casually asked a courier if he accepted tips.

Are there some occupations you should absolutely never tip? Or another way to phrase it: Is it ever rude (or demeaning) to tip?

(ON EDIT: added "or demeaning")

[NewJeffCT]

1. I don't think you tip the appliance repairman

I've never heard of a delivery person not accepting a tip - is this a food delivery person (pizza/chinese/other)?

[Crazy Dave]

2. My appliance repairman is a 74 year old multi-millionaire

100% true.

I don't think he would even take a tip. He had to make two trips to fix my refrigerator a few months ago and I even offered to pay a little more for his extra gas. He wouldn't take it and I even made a mistake on my check amount while we were BS'ing and later when I found out I had shorted him he would not accept the extra few dollars I owed him.

[kentauros]

6. We need to clone that guy

and spread him around ;)

[Crazy Dave]

8. He is one of a kind

He has beach rental properties worth millions that he keeps because he has rented to the same people for 20 years plus. People rent a beach house for a week or two. He built and operated about a dozen nursing homes but has sold all but one. He mentioned other investments and properties he has but I can't remember the specifics. His appliance repair business has been around for so many years that he doesn't want to quit or close it due to customers he has had for over 50 years. He said he doesn't want to hire anybody, he and his son are the only two employees and they go out on calls. Within five minutes he knew what was wrong, did a bypass that was a quick fix then came back the next day with the part to complete the job. All less than $175 and I got a few dollars discount for writing the check wrong.

[smoochpooch]

3. I would offer him a soda or water. I think very few people would get offended by a tip, but it's

unnecessary in this case IMHO.

[pacalo]

4. We just had the plumber here & I think his bill was large enough to forego a tip.

I most always ask the repairman if they'd care for something to drink, though.

[Lisa0825]

5. I often consider whether the person owns the company or is an employee...

For instance, I had a major plumbing job here a couple years ago - all the attic and wall plumbing was replaced. It was early summer and already very hot to be in the attic all day. The owner of the plumbing company came to do the evaluation and estimate the previous day, and drew up the plans. Two employees came to do the installation. There were supposed to be three, but one called in sick. I know plumbers make pretty decent money, but what about the employees? I don't really know. But all I know if those two guys worked their ASSES off in the heat and got the whole job done so that I wouldn't have to call in to work the next day. I tipped them each $20. They damn well earned it.

So I don't necessarily always tip repair people, but I definitely do when they go above an beyond and are employees of a company.

[pitohui]

7. it isn't demeaning to tip or to ask if you do it w. the right attitude

i don't tip repairmen, the repairmen i have used have either been the business owner or his relatives, ha ha, so i assume they are all getting a cut of the sale/installation

i travel the world and it is impossible to learn everything about tipping in every country, i have found it best to just ask, politely, as in, i'll say something like, "i work in vegas, and it is considered polite to thank a person by offering them a tip. would it be OK if i tipped you?" some people say no, they don't accept tips, some say yeah great thanks! but they can tell i don't mean to put myself
on a higher pedastal or to hurt their feelings so they are not offended

i don't know the courier who was offended but he might have thought you were testing him, for instance, post office delivery dudes are no longer allowed to accept tips around here, seems stupid but apparently it's "bribery" to tip them

if you accidentally hurt someone all you can do is say "i'm sorry" & move on, a gracious person will accept that you were just trying to be nice

[sammytko]

9. We offer tips to everyone.

some take it, some don't. We'll usually say - Here, have lunch on us. That makes it seem like it is not really a tip

We always offer different types of soft drinks and bottled water.