for our trip to points north. You’d think that after a hundred times or so it wouldn’t be a big thing, but I am so excited about this vacation, I can hardly wait. Nearly twenty years worth of traveling back and forth from San Diego to Seattle should be boring by now, but there is always something new to see, especially when we drive up the coast. Well maybe the fact that we might look at some property this time; the fact that I get to see everyone this time around, with no real schedule. Today though, I will begin to make a couple of reservations for the trip up. We plan to stop for the first overnight in Morro Bay, the second in Half Moon Bay and have dinner with , continue on through the Anderson Valley and tour a couple of wineries suggested by my sister, and then on to the Oregon coast for a night or two before heading on to Seattle. We will be there a week and then turn south, stopping to see my sister-in-law and her family and then head back home.
Today is also the day the people come to deal with the sub-terranian termites. We have everything cleared from the outside of the house, so that they can drill and treat the problem. They should be here anytime now.
On Saturday I needed to go to the mall, and while I was there, I realized that the tell tale signs of a migraine headache were appearing. With a little panic, I took three advil and looked for a water fountain to wash them down with before heading to the car. If you’ve never had one, there is a panic that washes over you in a kind of dreaded anticipation, and I felt like I had to get home now, before I couldn’t see or drive or? I made it out to the car and home, where I napped some, and was kind of a wreck for the evening. The reason I mention this is because in one of the kiosks at the mall, one where there is a guy making keys ( colored, patterned, fancy keys ),( I noticed this on my way back to my car) there was on his counter of all things that caught my eye — a Tip Jar! I thought of this off and on for the rest of the day. A tip jar – for someone making a key. The more I think about it, the more absurd it seems. There are tip jars nearly everywhere here. Starbucks, Cold Stone, and I think even 7-eleven! Now don’t get me wrong, I think waitresses and waiters deserve tips, and some service industry people such as beauticians and the like. But a guy that makes a copy of a key?? Or someone who scoops you an ice cream? I also got to thinking that they must ‘seed’ the tip jar, to encourage people to give out of guilt ( Richard says that of course they do). I wonder if these same folks tip like they hope everyone else does.
Now the Terminex men are here, and for the next three hours I get to listen to them drill at one foot intervals around the whole house. This should make for a great afternoon. Then I get to write them a big check.
Well, so begins my week. I will do a little sewing, ( Richard needs a new pair of pj’s), and make a long overdue pair of sweats for my sister. Finish upholstering an ottoman for my neighbor, and with any luck sew myself a new skirt or two.
Considering I was a waitress for 10 years, trust me when I say that they do “seed” jars like that with bills only to encourage other bills. Even waitresses try to empty their change tips into their purse regularly during their shift so customers won’t hear the jingle while they walk and subconsciously think leaving change as a tip is OK. It works too!
I used to go to the Cold Stone on a semi-regular basis. I would leave a tip, and I would get a bigger scoop. You know, when you get a “Gotta Have It” and it dwarfs the cup? That’s why. And they wouldn’t charge for all of the extra crap. Just some of it.
I see your point though. It works on a case by case basis. And it helps to be somewhat regular. Works at coffee joints, ice cream, sandwich shops… for larger portions. Or extra crap. But a key guy? Nothing gained there. Especially when the original idea for a tip was for more prompt service. Tell you what, how bout’ no tip and take some extra time on the key!!
I wonder if these same folks tip like they hope everyone else does.
Well, I’m still in that the restaurant industry, and most of the people I know in it tend to tip very well (~20%), which never fails to amuse me. It’s like this little bit of money just goes around and around in the same group of people- waiter A gets some, and uses it to tip waiter B, who uses it to tip Barista C, who uses it to tip waiter A…