Here's a Tip

Seeing as the US is "land of the free" where you can "follow the American Dream" and by "working hard you can achieve anything" I didn't expect to come across so many people wanting something for nothing. Or next to nothing. 

Firstly there are the panhandlers - or beggars more pejoratively - who are everywhere here. They don't even try to be appealing like they do in Oz. No selling the Big Issue, no playing an ethnic instrument (no matter how badly). Nothing. They just stand around rattling a cup. Or have a sign usually saying something like "Trying to buy a ticket to Des Moines. Give money". I would have thought it kinder to help them leave Des Moines, not go there, to be honest. Some of them try a little, I just saw a guy with a sign saying "Need a Hooker, Please Help". Honesty is always the best policy I believe. I have given some money away. Last night there was a friendly wino opening the door at McDonalds and giving directions to the tourists. So I chucked some change in his cup. I mean at least he was being useful. The other good thing is you can throw a lot of change here and it doesn't amount to much, as there are no $1 and $2 coins, but at least it might help them with their next meal (or drink, who am I kidding?).

The other type who want something for nothing are the people in the service industry but their begging is called "tipping". This is beginning to both infuriate me and confuse me. As far as I can understand the whole point of tipping is to reward good service. But the service here is pretty average to be honest and they still want 20% as a tip! If you buy a drink at the bar you are supposed to tip the barman a dollar every time he serves you a drink. EVEN THOUGH THAT IS HIS ONLY REASON TO BE THERE! All he does is turn to the fridge and open a bottle then put it on the bar. Where is the added service in that? On the other hand when I go to a coffee shop and the guy takes the order and works the machine and hands me the coffee, all in all a more complicated procedure, I don't have to tip. If I go to a diner and have a plate of food delivered to the table I tip, if I go to a fast food place and they bring the food over, I don't tip. Who makes these rules up? 

Here's a suggestion, just pay everyone a decent wage, get universal health care and a social security system that works, tax all the billionaires and millionaires in the country a sensible amount to pay for it and you can get rid of most of the beggars and all the tipping. Works in Sweden and sort of works everywhere else.

Now that's a good tip.