As I pulled into the parking garage, I noticed a sign that read “gratuities are not required.” I was about to leave without tipping the attendant, but then I wondered if I should reconsider. After all, the attendant had helped me find a spot and even walked me to the entrance. In many cases, tipping is a way to show appreciation for good service. However, in this situation, the sign seemed to indicate that it was not expected.
I decided to ask the attendant directly, hoping to get a clearer understanding of the situation. “Excuse me,” I said, “I noticed the sign that says gratuities are not required. But I’m not sure if I should still tip you.” The attendant smiled and replied, “It’s completely up to you. We appreciate the extra help, but we don’t expect it.” I thought about this for a moment, considering the attendant’s words. On one hand, I didn’t want to feel obligated to tip if it wasn’t expected. On the other hand, I wanted to show my appreciation for the good service I had received.
In the end, I decided to tip the attendant a small amount, feeling that it was a way to show my gratitude without feeling obligated. The attendant thanked me and smiled, seeming to appreciate the gesture. I left the parking garage feeling satisfied with my decision, knowing that I had shown my appreciation in a way that felt right to me.
Disclaimer: Article originally covered here https://www.nj.com/advice/2024/09/miss-manners-should-i-tip-the-parking-attendant-even-though-ive-been-told-gratuities-are-not-required.html