I recently came back from a trip to Miami Beach that was embarrassingly expensive and ridiculous on so many levels– but that story or at least part of it deserves a post of its own… and it will happen in due time. Anyways, back to the real topic of this post …

Between my regular womanly maintenance activities and the trip itself, I came to the realization that I spend an insane amount of money just tipping people on services they were already being compensated for!!! For the most part, I really don’t mind and I make an effort to be generous because:

  1. I value good service
  2. I understand we all have bills to pay & mouths to feed
  3. I can afford it… so no big deal!!!

All that being said, the buck has to stop somewhere!

So let’s recap…

  • The hair stylist: Non-negotiable expense. Whoever/whatever helps me look my best CONSISTENTLY can have my money!! Priceless.
  • The nail artist & pedicurist: Everything needs to be on point. It’s the small details that count… and attention should be rewarded.
  • The waxing lady: Sometimes, it’s not only about what’s visible… but also what needs to be made invisible. And quite honestly, I can handle the fact that she may need some extra compensation for the awkward exposures she suffers. LOL.
  • The hotel valet parking guy: Forget that I have driven 40 mins from the airport to the hotel. Now that I have arrived at my destination, I am just too tired or impatient to take 5 minutes & park the car myself (hint of sarcasm).
  • The bellman: What can I say, a girl’s got luggage!!! NEXT…
  • The poolside breakfast waiter: I know it’s a breakfast buffet… but I like my eggs freshly made, extra soft scrambled & cheesy
  • The beach attendant: Well, the cabana has to be adjusted so the breeze can properly flow through it… and God forbids someone with those highly sought-after skills be unrewarded (another hint of sarcasm)
  • The lunch AND dinner waiting staff: Well, once again, I like what I like, the way I like it… So substitutions & special requests are always in order for me. Plus hasn’t tipping the restaurant staff become a requirement anyway, with certain rules and regulations (and dangers!!!)
  • Last but not least, the bartender: No explanations required.

We shall pass on all the above…

Now it’s 1AM… I am in the club, looking good, fresh, clean, well-fed and hydrated, getting my groove on, chillin’ with my homies and enjoying the scene… Well… At some point or another, I am gonna need to take a break from the madness and seek refuge in the ladies’ room to:

  1. Answer a nature call…
  2. Check my hair, makeup, outfit…
  3. Discuss something with one of my girls. You know how it goes!!

In all 3 cases, privacy and discretion are key. BUT, for the past several weeks… in South Beach and in Austin alike, I have been shocked to find my bathroom experience disturbed by the presence of… DA BATHROOM LADY!!! Actually, to be fair, it’s not so much the bathroom lady herself that bothers me, but more the idea that I have to tip her for satisfying some of the basic needs a human being has.

Don’t get me wrong…. I am moooore than willing to part from my hard-earned money… But in return, I would ask that I receive something of VALUE . Granted, a clean bathroom is definitely high on the list. So, if the bathroom lady’s duties include making sure the toilet seats are clean, the floor is dry and unobstructed, the bathroom is not clogged up then that’s wonderful…If the bathroom lady has gum, perfumes, candies, cigarettes, hair brushes etc… Anything that may satisfy a need I have at that particular time then hey, that’s great too…

BUT… If your sole purpose is to put soap in my hands that I could have reached out and dispensed myself or hand me paper towels that I could have pulled out myself then I have an issue… And don’t even get me started on establishments where the soap and towels are purposely removed so that you have no other option but to get it from the attendant…. OHHH HELL NAAAW, we got some real beef now!! I understand this is your hustle & I mean no disrespect to you lady, but this is making me angry inside. Because regardless of what little you did, now I feel morally obligated to monetarily recognize your gesture. And if for a reason or another I cannot GIFT you $1 or $2 or $3, now I feel like a douche. AND THAT AIN’T COOL!!!!

What if I left my purse at the table or with a friend? What if I don’t carry cash? What if I am broke?…. Am I not entitled to use the facilities of an establishment I am financially supporting in other ways? Have the ladies’ room become an extra or a privilege? Should I not wash my hands (I would never resort to this option but I have seen some chicks do it… bathroom lady or not!! lol)

On the real though… It feels like we have come to the point where service people feel like they deserve to be paid for something that is either: already part of the job/service provided or totally unrequested. Is that fair?

PS: Shout out to the bald-headed bathroom lady at Six Lounge with a tattoo on her scalp that reads : “What, Bitch??“, pumping up each and every chick that walks up with there with some kind of model/actress/nickname and a “Walk that runway, girl” greeting… $2 for an ego boost, now that’s probably an excellent deal for some folks!!! LOL. So stay on your grind, lady…[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]