Office Diaries

An insider's guide to success in the workplace

Gender Differences in Tipping

Why such a huge difference?

I had a fascinating conversation yesterday about the differences in how men and women tip. It was in the context of restroom attendants in a gym, which meant we had two groups separated by gender right off the bat. What I learned was that the guy working the men's room can easily make more than his pay in tips - that is, up to $100.00 a day, sometimes more. On the other hand, the woman in the ladies' room might make two dollars a day - on a good day. This, I couldn't believe and am dying to know what other people think.  I do also know that this was not a one-off, but consistently a pattern throughout this organization.  So, it wasn't the fact that there is a difference.  One could expect that.  Rather, it was how extreme they were that shocked me.  Theories? Answers? Insights? Anyone?

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Donna Flagg is the author of Surviving Dreaded Conversations.

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