HOW IT MADE ME FEEL

I can remember the very first time I tipped someone, it wasn't a lot, I think 200 naira, but the guy was so happy and I was too just seeing his facial expression. I'm not much of a tipper, and I hate it when someone is trying to cajole me for a tip. I feel it's something I should think of and if I wanted to you wouldn't need to cajole me. Except though I was in a good mood and was feeling generous. But then again, I'm not much of a tipper. I think it's majorly because I do not go out often. Recently my sister does the groceries and if I manage to go, it's probably to get the things she forgot to get so I just dash in and out, hardly smiling. Getting me to tip though is really easy, you just need to be able to make me laugh in real life (It's not as easy as it sounds).

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I think I can remember all the places I've tipped people and that's because I did that with the feeling that they deserved it. Not to sound awkward, but you're being paid to do the things you do, so I'm not mandated to tip you. But I remember some months ago when I went to a local joint for lunch, I wasn't even having much, which was the main reason I went there. That was when I saw a lady who was just helping the owner of the shop sell. She was so hilarious, I can't remember exactly what she said, but I can remember her last statement was “ Has anyone made you smile today?” This got me especially because I was having a quarrel with my partner which got me moody the whole day until she made me laugh.

I noticed she also wanted to get some snacks, so I decided to use the last money I had to get her some snacks. This shows that I didn't tip her because it was a must, she got that tip because of how she made me feel which brings me to talk about customer service. My love language is naturally an act of service, so yeah I'm kinda hard to please, but if you can succeed in making me happy, it stays with me for life. I feel people whose job is to serve people whether as a customer service rep or a security personnel need to understand that serving people requires one to first love the job and secondly try to make their customers feel loved and appreciated. This is what makes tipping come naturally. But sitting at a spot doing the job you are being paid for and expecting a tip… that's a no no for me.

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I see it as your employer pays you to serve the organization, people tip you for serving them well. So you're not just doing your job, you're creating relationships with people. In my company we have about three customer service personnels, but there's one the customers are very fond of because of how she serves them. Sometimes she calls them just to check up and to ask about their welfare. Not expecting anything in turn, she does it saying it's part of her job because if the customer is happy chances are that they will come back. And for that she gets tips way more than her salary at the end of the month. I understand that there can be some really annoying customers, but the idea for tipping is making people feel loved and wanted… just to note, they might be having a rough day, and your kind gesture made them forget for 5 minutes.

THIS IS MY RESPONSE TO HIVE LEARNER'S PROMPT FOR WEEK 139 EPISODE 3