On a trip to the USA I was once pursued from a restaurant because I had mistakenly not given the correct amount of tip. It was humiliating and, I have to say, frightening. The waiter was a big fella.
I have always wrestled a bit with tipping. I actually don't like it, not because I am mean but because I think people should be paid properly rather than relying on tips. Also, I wonder what exactly we are tipping. If a tip was given for extraordinary service then that would be fine, but what about for ordinary service?
But whatever the case I was horrified, as many were, a few years back about the scandal of the lost tips. Restaurants were effectively leaving space for a tip on the credit card slip and then not handing it on to staff. This really was low and a lot of household-name chains got a bloody nose and promised to reform. Quite right too.
But I am sorry to report that the practice is alive and well and perhaps we Christians can do something about it. I have been in Oxford on holiday for a week. I spent most of the time nosing round Blackwells, the famous bookshop. At other points we went out for meals – usually at well-known chains. Each time when it came to pay the bill I asked the waiter if they got the tip if I put it on the card. Each time they told me no. These were well-known chains that really should know better. The whole thing made me really angry.
I have wondered about whether I should name and shame the establishments here. But I decided no. The practice is simply so widespread that it seems they are mainly all at it. I used to run a business and so did my parents. We always paid people fairly – incidentally we also paid men and women exactly the same for the same job. I have no idea how these companies are getting away with it, but I think the reason why is our lack of curiosity. If we don't ask the question we won't get the answer.
So here is my suggestion to get rid of this sharp practice. If you and your family are going out to eat and you intend to leave a tip, ask the waiting staff if they receive the money. If they say no, leave cash. If they say they can't tell you, it means they are frightened and can't say no. Leave cash. If things don't get better let's start naming the companies who are exploiting workers.
There are many injustices in the world and many worse than this. But it is the tiny injustices that eat away at a right and just society. I want to keep asking questions, to do what I can with my money to make things a bit better for those who serve us.
Rev Steve Morris is the parish priest of St Cuthbert's North Wembley. Before being a priest he was a writer and ran a brand agency. In the 1980s he tried to become a pop star. Follow him on Twitter @SteveMorris214
