With all the recent talk about tipping bartenders, I thought I might pose a question to you guys that came up while I was at work today (are you guys sick of my work stories yet?) I feel a little shameful to admit that it has to do with.... the best way to word something.
At my job (a salon & spa), we can't add tips onto bills paid with a credit card, tip must be cash or a check. Since I started working there, I've been asked more times than I can count "Can I add the tip on there??" and am often met with annoyance when I tell them no, they can't. Many clients say "Ugh, I wish I knew that ahead of time. Where's the nearest ATM?" A lot of people just don't carry cash, including myself, so I ALWAYS make it a point to say to new clients on the phone "We accept all major credit cards, cash, and check as payment for services. If you would like to leave gratuity, please know that tips can only be left in cash or a check written directly to your service provider." I can't help it that the other customer service reps don't say that, but I'm thinking that it's time I should. We've had a recent influx of new clients, and I always feel bad when cashing someone out that they weren't told in advance that tips have to be in cash/check.
Does it seem assuming to the point of rudeness that I would inform a new client on how to tip? I just want to avoid being a pain in the ass to them when they're checking out and they realize they have no way of tipping unless they go make a walk to a nearby bank and swallow the $2 ATM fee. My inclination is to think of the guests' needs first, and I genuinely feel that they should not be made to feel uncomfortable on the spot because they can't leave a tip.