Thursday, May 10, 2012

Mr. Pink

Consulting is rad because when you're in between projects it's perfectly acceptable to watch Reservoir Dogs at 9am on a Wednesday.

Nice Guy Eddie: C'mon, throw in a buck!
Mr. Pink : Uh-uh, I don't tip.
Nice Guy Eddie : You don't tip?
Mr. Pink : Nah, I don't believe in it.
Nice Guy Eddie : You don't believe in tipping?
Mr. Blue : You know what these chicks make? 
Mr. Pink : I don't tip because society says I have to. All right, if someone deserves a tip, if they really put forth an effort, I'll give them something a little something extra. But this tipping automatically, it's for the birds. As far as I'm concerned, they're just doing their job.
Mr. Blue : Hey, our girl was nice.
Mr. Pink : She was okay. She wasn't anything special.

I don't usually identify with Tarantino characters (apart from Beatrix Kiddo) but Mr. Pink is spot on. I tip. I tip all of the time. Yet in Liberia, I wonder why. Yesterday I read this, though, and reconsidered my alliance with Mr. Pink:

"Let's get down to basics. The official, lawful and totally outdated, statutory minimum wage is US 25 cents per hour for a 48 hour week - or US $2.00 per day. Most of the hotels, restaurants and bars who focus on young expatriate customers invariably do pay 25 cents per hour. There is no sick pay. No holiday entitlement. No job security. And no union. Think about that - 25 cents per hour for the waiter who serves you while you are paying US $18 for the meal and drinks."

Damn. I'd be surly as hell, too. Spitefully withholding my dollar doesn't seem so clever anymore.

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