Say you're at a car wash, one of the places where a real, live person towel-dries your car by hand when you're through the automated part. Say you intend to tip that person a buck, as is customary. After you roll down your window and hand the kid the dollar, he thanks you profusely. It is at this point that you look over at what you've handed the kid and realize you didn't give him a single, but rather a higher bill.
What do you do? Do you ask for it back? Let him keep the inadvertently generous tip? Ask for change? Would you let him keep it if it were a $5? A $10? A $20?
I witnessed this exact thing happen earlier this afternoon at my local car wash. I'll tell you what the man in the actual situation did, but first I'm curious as to what others would do in the same scenario...
8 comments:
I'd just give him the bill and then be pissed at myself for years...
If i were the driver, i'd smile and say "your welcome. it's a pleasure to see a young man take pride in his work." and hope that the giant tip would inspire him to do just that. sucks for my budget, but it was my mistake.
if i were the kid, i'd offer the bill back to the driver, "oops. You gave me a $20." if the driver really meant to tip me that well, he'll tell me to keep it. if not, he'll appreciate my honesty and tact in giving him the graceful opportunity to tip what he intended.
teresa
I would leave it. I would try to feel good about myself for doing something nice, even if I hadn't intended it.
It will be interesting to see what actually occured.
I'd whack myself over the head later for not paying attention to what I was doing, but I'd not say anything to him. He's probably working for about nothing, and that most likely just made his day...
Unless it was a $50 or a $100, I would just let it go. Obviously, I'm not broke or I wouldn't be getting my car washed in the first place. (Actually, I AM broke, thus haven't washed my car in over a year.) I'm sure he can use it.
If it was a 5, I would let it go.
a 10 or a 20, I would probably say "Oops, I meant to ask you for change back. And I would ask for change but probably leave a higher tip, 5 instead of a single dollar.
I would let it slide if it were a $5 or $10. Anything higher and I would have to politely say something and then tip him more than a buck.
I can't wait to read what the man did. I hope he wasn't rude! Those people work hard for their money and appreciate the tips!
Thanks for stopping by my blog yesterday :) I agree with the others, it depends on how much the bill was I guess.
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