Mike G:
How are you made to be "uncomfortable."
Do you have any backbone and just say, "no thank you." Nothing wrong with that if that's what you want then people should respect that and let it go at that.
I think part of the problem is that certain people have a difficulty in looking people in the eye and saying so.
Your suggestion about a tip jar is patently unfair to those people who do provide exceptional service and those who don't. You think you are getting such a nuisance issue out of site and out of your way but you fail to understand that leveling the playing field doesn't really distinguish between the people who do care and those who are mailing it in.
Tim B:
Fair enough -- how bout people simply acknowledge we have cheap people on this planet? How bout we understand that people with lots of money that if they part with a grand total of one dollar bill think they are bestowing some act of majestic proportions.
Let me address your other points ...
1). Tips should be rewarded because of exceptional service. I never said people with mediocre or poor customer service should get a tip.
2). If you get the sense that someone is just going through the motions -- why not send a note to management about your feelings? Most places I know encourage such two-way dialogue and want to make improvements.
3). I agree with your comments - frankly if the service totally sucks then give zero -- tips are not automatic and no service provider should make such an assumption. They need to earn it and show it consistently.
4). I hear what you say about visits to private clubs -- but even here -- it's a matter of being serviced properly -- I can remember when I caddied many years ago the caddiemaster saying to me specifically -- "take care of this guy" because he was a valued guest of a member. I made it a point to do so and in most cases the attention / care / details were handled by either the member and/or guest. I don't think people should tip simply out of courtesy -- it's from exceptional service that is above and beyond being just average.
5. I salute you for your desire to provide donations to a Christmas fund.
6. Ditto what you said here -- tipping a caddie should be based on what he/she did when you played that day. I don't doubt that certain caddies mail in the day and don't do anything more than tote a bag and say little of anything consequential that adds to your enjoyment. People should not just apply a standard tip rate to all people because it fails to separate the very good from the average to those who are just mailing it in.
7. Tim, you do get it -- one doesn't have to work in the service industry to understand some element of common sense and decency.
David E:
With all due respect -- what planet do you live on?
People used the sqeegee reference point because of what it symbolizes in the minds of many people. The use of that imagery when compared to what kids are trying to do at most CCFAD's and private clubs is inane -- pure and simple.
It's also a put down because of the slimy and seemy nature of what squeegee people are thought to be by a great many people.
One other thing -- in the event you missed it because Jeff F spelled it out quite nicely several times -- the people you see in such roles at the clubs in question are told by MANAGEMENT THEY NEED TO BE INVOLVED in such actions. It is not optional. Jeff F did state that if anyone wants to decline such services -- instead of running off away from these folks just simply decline the services and leave it go at that.
That wasn't enough for some who then had to broad brush the service industry with range of mindless pejorative comments.
David, nice try in turning things around with your following statement, "From what you write, your objections to them being compared to club cleaners has more to do with your prejudice against squeegee guys than others insensitivity towards the role of the club cleaner."
You've got it backwards friend -- I see squeegee people as a lazy man's way to make a living -- a hustle which is neither helpful nor noble. Those in the customer service industry / hospitality are trying to make your stay / round as meaningful as can be. Clubs provide the service as an element to the time you spend at the club. It's no different than a caddie, locker room buy, the bartender, etc, etc. People can decline tips which is fine -- the problem some of the cheapwads have is in seeing the tight fisted nature of a number of the people who do in fact exist. These same people then institute a no tip rule as a diplomatic smoke screen to prevent those who do tip from IDing those who don't. They then claim it's meant to level the playing field so all members are treated the same -- that's the party line -- the real deal is that because of their own embarrassment in being exposed they opt for a situation that Jeff F has illustrated so well.
Final comment -- get real with your self imposed ignorance that relationships are secured only through money. Not at all -- but people who are treated exceptionally are compensated because people who value such service want to make sure that such individuals are appreciated and money is one means to do that. During Xmas you see many people make it a point to reward those who have provided so much as to make their lives that much easier and enjoyable. Is money the sole motivator? No, it's not. But it does convey an acknowledgement that such actions are appreciated and money does help with the meager amounts they make from their wages alone. I hope my answer furthers your understanding now.
Jordan (aka) Robocop:
I guess Jeff F is wrong too because of how eloquently he spelled things out.
I'm always amazes when people slam me and others who take the same position as I but always have amnesia about the verbal bombs and darts thrown initially by others.
Jordan I am laughing out loud with your out of touch comments, to wit ... "constant rashness in posts gets old and unwanted." Try to do this in your self appointed role as GCA referee -- watch for the initial verbal shove that happens -- like most referees you only see the push back.
Joe H:
Thanks for your keen insight.
Jeff F:
"Insensitive and snobbish" -- that certainly applies to a certain percentage of people here. Not all mind you -- but more than a tiny fraction.