Posted On: Saturday - April 15th 2023 5:40PM MST
In Topics: Music
I referred to the 1970s country singer Johnny Paycheck with a link in the previous post. That got me thinking of some good country music from the time. This is a Waylon song, but Willie helps him out on it in my favorite versions. In this version, instead of switching off vocals within the verses, they switch off verse by verse.
I don't think we've featured Waylon Jennings here since very early on, with Are You Sure Hank Done it this Way?.
I noticed that 60% of this week's 5 posts (not counting this one) were just personal anecdotes with commentary. They are, after all, easier and quicker to write. Next week will be pretty busy for me too, but I'll get in those posts on that UK Kung Flu business, inflation and tipping, maybe that solar radiation v man-dissipated energy calculation, a movie review, and whatever stupidity just walks by, just asking to be Shanghaied and put on display. Good Sunday to you all! Thanks for reading and writing in.
Comments:
Moderator
Tuesday - April 18th 2023 11:56AM MST
PS: Mr. Hail, you bring up a lot of good points that need to be in the post. Rather than the large-scale corruption that involves this "throwing money around", in my mind I see this on a smaller scale. I'll write what I mean in the post - or more than one, I don't know.
What I don't have is good data on people's tipping and the changes over the years. It's not that I even made an effort to find it, but because I don't think any survey data on it will be worth beans. (Maybe some long-time employee in the food/beverage industry might know something, but apples-to-applebees, heh, comparisons may be difficult.)
What I don't have is good data on people's tipping and the changes over the years. It's not that I even made an effort to find it, but because I don't think any survey data on it will be worth beans. (Maybe some long-time employee in the food/beverage industry might know something, but apples-to-applebees, heh, comparisons may be difficult.)
Hail
Tuesday - April 18th 2023 8:22AM MST
PS
There is something that feels dishonest about some of the expansionist tipping regime (Tipping Inflation), that makes me think of the Third World Bribery phenomenon where getting anything done tends to require greasing the wheels with cash here and there.
Actually, I think that is the core of the classic criticism of Tipping when the phenomenon first emerged around the turn of the 19th/20th centuries (?), with its critics saying it was basically immoral --- which tends to be the opposite of how we like to think of it.
.
- Malaysia's mega-embezzlement scandal and Tipping theory -
In the news the past few years has been one of the biggest money-embezzlement scandals in world history, out of Malaysia, in which a gang of well-connected people personally pocketed many billions of dollars of state funds.
he missing billions became a puzzle in Malaysia for years (the "1MDB" scandal), until the prime minister himself was exposed as having been one of those pilfering the money, along with a handful of others. Malaysia was a one-party state with nuisance other parties, similar to California's anti-white majority-coalition. Even so, the part could not stop the anger and voters booted the embezzler out of office and replaced him with a 93-year-old critic.
One of the other Malaysian mega-embezzlers financed some Hollywood movies, it's now been revealed, which is why Leonardo DiCaprio was hauled into court recently to testify what he knew of the man. DiCaprio said the wealthy Malaysian financier (actually embezzler of public money) would spend up to tens of thousands of dollars on entertainment a night, that in addition to all the wheel-greasing and financing he was doing. The Malaysian went out of his way to pay extra to and for all those around him, it seems with a similar philosophy as the critics' version of tipping in his mind: Make good things happen by paying a lot of extra money (the "grease the wheels" philosophy in practice). In the Malaysian mega-embezzler's case, it was tied to overt corruption; in the hardcore-Tipping-critics' case, they'd say the principle looks disturbingly similar in practice, even when the original source of the funds is honestly obtained.
There is something that feels dishonest about some of the expansionist tipping regime (Tipping Inflation), that makes me think of the Third World Bribery phenomenon where getting anything done tends to require greasing the wheels with cash here and there.
Actually, I think that is the core of the classic criticism of Tipping when the phenomenon first emerged around the turn of the 19th/20th centuries (?), with its critics saying it was basically immoral --- which tends to be the opposite of how we like to think of it.
.
- Malaysia's mega-embezzlement scandal and Tipping theory -
In the news the past few years has been one of the biggest money-embezzlement scandals in world history, out of Malaysia, in which a gang of well-connected people personally pocketed many billions of dollars of state funds.
he missing billions became a puzzle in Malaysia for years (the "1MDB" scandal), until the prime minister himself was exposed as having been one of those pilfering the money, along with a handful of others. Malaysia was a one-party state with nuisance other parties, similar to California's anti-white majority-coalition. Even so, the part could not stop the anger and voters booted the embezzler out of office and replaced him with a 93-year-old critic.
One of the other Malaysian mega-embezzlers financed some Hollywood movies, it's now been revealed, which is why Leonardo DiCaprio was hauled into court recently to testify what he knew of the man. DiCaprio said the wealthy Malaysian financier (actually embezzler of public money) would spend up to tens of thousands of dollars on entertainment a night, that in addition to all the wheel-greasing and financing he was doing. The Malaysian went out of his way to pay extra to and for all those around him, it seems with a similar philosophy as the critics' version of tipping in his mind: Make good things happen by paying a lot of extra money (the "grease the wheels" philosophy in practice). In the Malaysian mega-embezzler's case, it was tied to overt corruption; in the hardcore-Tipping-critics' case, they'd say the principle looks disturbingly similar in practice, even when the original source of the funds is honestly obtained.
Hail
Tuesday - April 18th 2023 8:08AM MST
PS
Moderator says: "Are you sure that the software calculates the tip on top of tax and everything?"
As the topic had come up here, I paid close attention to this on this occasion. At the place I was at, the "15% suggested tip" did turn out to be on the "pre-tip grand-total," not the listed base-price. It was enough to make the "15%" into more like 18%.
Moderator says: "Are you sure that the software calculates the tip on top of tax and everything?"
As the topic had come up here, I paid close attention to this on this occasion. At the place I was at, the "15% suggested tip" did turn out to be on the "pre-tip grand-total," not the listed base-price. It was enough to make the "15%" into more like 18%.
Hail
Tuesday - April 18th 2023 8:02AM MST
PS
Adam Smith says: "'$20,000 of such goods and services per year...' Wow! You must get out much more than I do!"
Oh, that sum is a lot more than I spend on "tipped goods(?)/services" per year. I intended to make an easy-math example; should have used $10,000 but probably used 20k because had already used $20 in the other example.
A family with multiple members living under both Bidenflation and an expansionist tipping regime (with potential normalization of things like gas stations asking tips for self-service gas; substantial expansion of tipping-expectation has already occurred in my experience or observation), a number like $20,000/family may not be so hard to fathom in the 2020s.
Adam Smith says: "'$20,000 of such goods and services per year...' Wow! You must get out much more than I do!"
Oh, that sum is a lot more than I spend on "tipped goods(?)/services" per year. I intended to make an easy-math example; should have used $10,000 but probably used 20k because had already used $20 in the other example.
A family with multiple members living under both Bidenflation and an expansionist tipping regime (with potential normalization of things like gas stations asking tips for self-service gas; substantial expansion of tipping-expectation has already occurred in my experience or observation), a number like $20,000/family may not be so hard to fathom in the 2020s.
Moderator
Tuesday - April 18th 2023 5:38AM MST
PS: "Well, I blame it on things like the decline in IQ, work ethic, conscientiousness, and even ability. Affirmative action is also largely to blame for this overall degradation. When things are in decline, as they are now, people just do not try as hard, and in many cases they might even get taken advantage of for doing so."
Right, I agree completely. AA, though unConstitutional, unfair, and plain wrong, was something that could be worked around when it was 5-10% token employees that could be helped, put up with at least, or promoted the hell out of there, haha. With the wokeness (the AA on 'roids part being just a part of wokeness), the numbers are larger. The demographics in America no longer allow for a very sizable majority of competent White men to be around in the workplace. Even the White guys won't try as hard, as you say, because it's frustrating when you get nothing out of being that way.
There's still one guy at the local parts store - of the chain I like most - who knows his stuff, but he is the commercial salesman as his main job. He'll help when he's not busy though. I wrote in one of the posts a couple of years back, that one time I just flat-out asked, "hey, is there a White guy here I can get help from?" No, it didn't go viral, and nobody even seemed to be offended.
Right, I agree completely. AA, though unConstitutional, unfair, and plain wrong, was something that could be worked around when it was 5-10% token employees that could be helped, put up with at least, or promoted the hell out of there, haha. With the wokeness (the AA on 'roids part being just a part of wokeness), the numbers are larger. The demographics in America no longer allow for a very sizable majority of competent White men to be around in the workplace. Even the White guys won't try as hard, as you say, because it's frustrating when you get nothing out of being that way.
There's still one guy at the local parts store - of the chain I like most - who knows his stuff, but he is the commercial salesman as his main job. He'll help when he's not busy though. I wrote in one of the posts a couple of years back, that one time I just flat-out asked, "hey, is there a White guy here I can get help from?" No, it didn't go viral, and nobody even seemed to be offended.
Moderator
Tuesday - April 18th 2023 5:31AM MST
PS: So there's no confusion (or possibly even tricky business by a bus boy or what have you), I write "Table" or "on the table" in the space for the tip amount.
I've given 100% or more, but that's for very small items. By more, I mean infinity even, as I'd gone to this fancy place another time and they didn't have the only thing I would have wanted, a chocolate croissant. I was only down there to be sociable anyway, as I'd had a more health breakfast. I left the guy 2 bucks, because, well, he was still working, bringing over a water, etc....
I've given 100% or more, but that's for very small items. By more, I mean infinity even, as I'd gone to this fancy place another time and they didn't have the only thing I would have wanted, a chocolate croissant. I was only down there to be sociable anyway, as I'd had a more health breakfast. I left the guy 2 bucks, because, well, he was still working, bringing over a water, etc....
The Alarmist
Tuesday - April 18th 2023 4:07AM MST
PS
My European wife asked why I always tip in cash, and quickly grasped the value. I refuse to budge from 15%, unless the service is exceptional, but no server (waitperson?) ever complained when I drew a line through the tip line if I use a card to pay (I rarely do) and simply left 15% cash on the table.
My European wife asked why I always tip in cash, and quickly grasped the value. I refuse to budge from 15%, unless the service is exceptional, but no server (waitperson?) ever complained when I drew a line through the tip line if I use a card to pay (I rarely do) and simply left 15% cash on the table.
Moderator
Monday - April 17th 2023 6:01PM MST
PS: Can I retract part of my comment @ 2:51PM? (Yeah, I know I CAN do it, but that wouldn't be right.) Sorry, I don't know what I was thinking of with the tips on top of tax thing. Of course, we all calculate the tip on the total. I may have had the thing about not tipping on the alcohol part of the bill. (That was something I didn't get either and never took to heart.)
Anyway, on that part, NEVERMIND.
Anyway, on that part, NEVERMIND.
Moderator
Monday - April 17th 2023 2:58PM MST
PS: Adam, my mechanic friend goes through the same thing. He is completely off of Rock-auto.com, a very useable comprehensive parts web site that you probably have already used or at least know.
Here's the deal that time. The part, a cooling fan, for either a Mercedes or BMS had much cheesier (cheap and thinner metal) conductors in it's plug-in receptacle. Things got hot, I think he told me, and it was not going to be good. Therefore, he sent it back, and they sent another. That one was the same, as this was NOT a manufacturing defect but a design defect on this aftermarket part. Well, they only send one replacement, and then they're done with that.
He sent the 2nd one back and then disputed the charge on his cc. I forget the end of that, but he is done ordering a thing from them. Besides the word-of-mouth, as in getting me to order from them - probably a couple of dozen times already, he must spend $25,000 maybe 50 grand there a year!
They have ZERO customer service people that one can actually talk to.
I'll write more on your main point, that things are getting shoddier, in a comment later. Gotta go. I'll try to get another post up tonight. There must be 10 on deck.
Here's the deal that time. The part, a cooling fan, for either a Mercedes or BMS had much cheesier (cheap and thinner metal) conductors in it's plug-in receptacle. Things got hot, I think he told me, and it was not going to be good. Therefore, he sent it back, and they sent another. That one was the same, as this was NOT a manufacturing defect but a design defect on this aftermarket part. Well, they only send one replacement, and then they're done with that.
He sent the 2nd one back and then disputed the charge on his cc. I forget the end of that, but he is done ordering a thing from them. Besides the word-of-mouth, as in getting me to order from them - probably a couple of dozen times already, he must spend $25,000 maybe 50 grand there a year!
They have ZERO customer service people that one can actually talk to.
I'll write more on your main point, that things are getting shoddier, in a comment later. Gotta go. I'll try to get another post up tonight. There must be 10 on deck.
Moderator
Monday - April 17th 2023 2:51PM MST
PS: Mr. Hail, no, that was not something I'd thought about wrt tip inflation, but it sure ought to be in the post. Are you sure that the software calculates the tip on top of tax and everything?
It's not like I haven't paid attention, but I don't do this sort of thing much. If anything, such as one fancy coffee/gourmet shop that I very occasionally go to due to friends' wishes, I pay with a card, put 0 tip, and let her - the cashier that I'm paying a cash tip, which I do (or already did).
For that pizza a month or so ago, I told them that I'm just not used to tipping cashiers. I never have - it doesn't make that much sense to me. Therefore, I couldn't seen any calculation other than 0 x the pizza.
I have been generous to a couple of Lyft guys, and the people in Florida I wrote about, with a little more on that regarding CC fees too. (That was a very unexpected >10%! fee that I only saw when I got home.)
It's not like I haven't paid attention, but I don't do this sort of thing much. If anything, such as one fancy coffee/gourmet shop that I very occasionally go to due to friends' wishes, I pay with a card, put 0 tip, and let her - the cashier that I'm paying a cash tip, which I do (or already did).
For that pizza a month or so ago, I told them that I'm just not used to tipping cashiers. I never have - it doesn't make that much sense to me. Therefore, I couldn't seen any calculation other than 0 x the pizza.
I have been generous to a couple of Lyft guys, and the people in Florida I wrote about, with a little more on that regarding CC fees too. (That was a very unexpected >10%! fee that I only saw when I got home.)
Adam Smith
Monday - April 17th 2023 12:48PM MST
PS: Good afternoon, Mr. Hail,
Many thanks for your kind words last Thursday. 🙂
It seems that the tipping custom will be another casualty of the culture war (or whatever you'd like to call it); yet another sacrifice on the altar of dieversity.
"If tipping rates have gone up, wouldn't we expect service-quality to go up on aggregate?"
I would expect the quality of goods and services to continue to increase over time, if we lived in a Whiter, more high trust society. Under the current paradigm, the quality of goods and services are in a general state of decline even in situations where there is no tipping involved.
For example, I went to the parts store a little while ago to pick up a CV axle intermediate shaft for a 2005 Dodge Dakota. Unfortunately, it was missing it's lock rings and rubber seal. I have another one on the way. (I could have had my customer's truck back together by now if not for this delay. Might not even finish it today. Can't bring the next project in until I put the wheel back on the truck and get it off the lift.) It might be here soon(?), but who knows if it will have it's rings and seal.(?) I guess we'll find out.
"What explains this?" Well, I blame it on things like the decline in IQ, work ethic, conscientiousness, and even ability. Affirmative action is also largely to blame for this overall degradation. When things are in decline, as they are now, people just do not try as hard, and in many cases they might even get taken advantage of for doing so.
(What is this tipping screen you mention? I have not yet seen one of these. Is there a place to insert cash?)
I agree. Traditionally the tip was calculated before tax. For those who found math difficult they could just double the tax (7% where I live, 8% where I grew up) to help calculate the 15% tip.
"$20,000 of such goods and services per year..."
Wow! You must get out much more than I do!
Anyway... Got to call the parts store.
Happy Monday, Mr. Hail!
☮
Many thanks for your kind words last Thursday. 🙂
It seems that the tipping custom will be another casualty of the culture war (or whatever you'd like to call it); yet another sacrifice on the altar of dieversity.
"If tipping rates have gone up, wouldn't we expect service-quality to go up on aggregate?"
I would expect the quality of goods and services to continue to increase over time, if we lived in a Whiter, more high trust society. Under the current paradigm, the quality of goods and services are in a general state of decline even in situations where there is no tipping involved.
For example, I went to the parts store a little while ago to pick up a CV axle intermediate shaft for a 2005 Dodge Dakota. Unfortunately, it was missing it's lock rings and rubber seal. I have another one on the way. (I could have had my customer's truck back together by now if not for this delay. Might not even finish it today. Can't bring the next project in until I put the wheel back on the truck and get it off the lift.) It might be here soon(?), but who knows if it will have it's rings and seal.(?) I guess we'll find out.
"What explains this?" Well, I blame it on things like the decline in IQ, work ethic, conscientiousness, and even ability. Affirmative action is also largely to blame for this overall degradation. When things are in decline, as they are now, people just do not try as hard, and in many cases they might even get taken advantage of for doing so.
(What is this tipping screen you mention? I have not yet seen one of these. Is there a place to insert cash?)
I agree. Traditionally the tip was calculated before tax. For those who found math difficult they could just double the tax (7% where I live, 8% where I grew up) to help calculate the 15% tip.
"$20,000 of such goods and services per year..."
Wow! You must get out much more than I do!
Anyway... Got to call the parts store.
Happy Monday, Mr. Hail!
☮
Hail
Monday - April 17th 2023 10:47AM MST
PS
RE: the upcoming Peak Stupidity commentary on Tipping Inflation
I noticed, this weekend, that the Tipping Recommendation screen at these places often calculate tip-percentages based on after-tax, after any service-fee prices. That itself is a subtle form of Tipping Inflation. "Tipping" was traditionally done on the base-price, before tax or any other fees.
Here is a common scenario:
A product or service is listed at $20. That price seems like a good price to you, and you're not thinking too much about it. Taxes add 10%. A mandatory service-fee adds a flat $3 fee to the total.
There you are, the customer, having seen the $20 base-price, not thinking too hard about numbers, and of cheerful goodwill to all. A screen prompts you to "tip." It gives you a 15% option and higher options. How much is the "15%"? It would seem like it'd be $3.00 ($20*.15). Actually it is suggesting you add $3.75, a 15% on the grand total after tax and fees ($20+$2+$3=25; $25*.15). Not looking too closely, you press the 15% button.
The final grand-grand total you pay, on the $20-listed thing, is $27.75. That after choosing the "15% tip" button while someone glares at you. The $3.60 actually-extracted "tip" is --19%-- when compared to be the base-price (the $3.75 extracted-tip over the $20 listed-base-price = 18.75%), not the --15%-- you thought you were paying.
If a family is paying for $20,000 of such goods and services per year, and subject to this method of tip-extraction each time, it's a $750-loss in the wash--without the person perhaps even being aware of it, because by custom tipping is not something you do these kinds of calculations about at all.
This is not the main aspect of Tipping Inflation I expect you're thinking to write about, but it is symbolic of the way the whole system is treated by businesses today.
RE: the upcoming Peak Stupidity commentary on Tipping Inflation
I noticed, this weekend, that the Tipping Recommendation screen at these places often calculate tip-percentages based on after-tax, after any service-fee prices. That itself is a subtle form of Tipping Inflation. "Tipping" was traditionally done on the base-price, before tax or any other fees.
Here is a common scenario:
A product or service is listed at $20. That price seems like a good price to you, and you're not thinking too much about it. Taxes add 10%. A mandatory service-fee adds a flat $3 fee to the total.
There you are, the customer, having seen the $20 base-price, not thinking too hard about numbers, and of cheerful goodwill to all. A screen prompts you to "tip." It gives you a 15% option and higher options. How much is the "15%"? It would seem like it'd be $3.00 ($20*.15). Actually it is suggesting you add $3.75, a 15% on the grand total after tax and fees ($20+$2+$3=25; $25*.15). Not looking too closely, you press the 15% button.
The final grand-grand total you pay, on the $20-listed thing, is $27.75. That after choosing the "15% tip" button while someone glares at you. The $3.60 actually-extracted "tip" is --19%-- when compared to be the base-price (the $3.75 extracted-tip over the $20 listed-base-price = 18.75%), not the --15%-- you thought you were paying.
If a family is paying for $20,000 of such goods and services per year, and subject to this method of tip-extraction each time, it's a $750-loss in the wash--without the person perhaps even being aware of it, because by custom tipping is not something you do these kinds of calculations about at all.
This is not the main aspect of Tipping Inflation I expect you're thinking to write about, but it is symbolic of the way the whole system is treated by businesses today.
Moderator
Sunday - April 16th 2023 10:35AM MST
PS: I'm glad you guys appreciate these. Thanks! My wife doesn't want to hear it all. She gets to anyway, though, sometimes.
Yes, Cullman, Alabama is within the White Belt there.
Yes, Cullman, Alabama is within the White Belt there.
SafeNow
Sunday - April 16th 2023 9:00AM MST
PS
I agree, Alarmist, personal anecdotes here are great…like a good pub. Personal anecdotes are not only engaging, but often, are telling - - a lesson about some aspect of life. Joseph Conrad has a short story, “The Tale,” in which a wife says to her husband, “Tell me a tale.” Now there’s a great wife! (of course she has heard most of them before, but is happy to hear them again). Thanks for the country music, Mr. Moderator If I move to Cullman, Alabama or some other 90%-Trump-voting place, this gives me a head start on appreciating the music.
I agree, Alarmist, personal anecdotes here are great…like a good pub. Personal anecdotes are not only engaging, but often, are telling - - a lesson about some aspect of life. Joseph Conrad has a short story, “The Tale,” in which a wife says to her husband, “Tell me a tale.” Now there’s a great wife! (of course she has heard most of them before, but is happy to hear them again). Thanks for the country music, Mr. Moderator If I move to Cullman, Alabama or some other 90%-Trump-voting place, this gives me a head start on appreciating the music.
The Alarmist
Sunday - April 16th 2023 4:11AM MST
PS
It’s the personal anecdotes that make PS what it is 😉
🕉
It’s the personal anecdotes that make PS what it is 😉
🕉
Here is one tipping datum for your list:
New York Times neo-con columnist David 'Shalom' Brooks recently had a column on Tipping. Brooks argued that everyone should "generally" give a 30% tip for services satisfactorily performed.