To Tip Or Not To Tip, That Is The Question

Driving a car can sometimes be a hazardous occupation. Whether you come out in the morning to a dead battery, a flat tire or get stuck in the ditch during a

snowstorm, it’s a terrible feeling to be stranded. You call a tow truck and within a short time, your car is back on the road. Many people often wonder if a motorist should tip a tow truck driver for their services. It is a good question and opinions on the subject can vary greatly, depending on whom you ask.

Here are some helpful things to keep in mind when it comes to deciding whether to tip a tow truck driver.

How Stuck Were You?

Calling out a tow truck to jump start a car in your driveway on a bright summer day is a lot different than having to be pulled out of a ditch on a freezing, snow covered night. The amount of work on the part of the tow truck driver is going to be a lot more labor intensive in the winter ditch scenario than the driveway battery rescue. In addition, tow truck drivers often put their own safety at risk to help stranded motorists, so when it comes to tipping, this should be taken into consideration as well.

Turning Your Frown Upside Down  

How was the driver’s personality? Was he polite, friendly and courteous or did he just grunt and grumble under his breath while helping you? Having an winning personality can go a long way in any profession and having a great service experience with a tow truck driver can make an otherwise unpleasant day go a lot better. People appreciate being appreciated, so if a driver goes out of his way to make you feel good, let him know with a little cash!

Ok, But How Much Should You Tip Then?

Because tow truck drivers do not come first to mind as it relates to professions that receive tips ((think restaurant servers), there is no set standard regarding this matter. The generally accepted amount to tip a server is 15-20% of the bill, but should this guideline be applied to tow truck drivers? Probably not, but at least this social norm could be used as a starting point. If you can afford it, maybe a tip of $5-$10 is appropriate in most tow truck service scenarios. However, you should never feel obligated to tip a tow truck service person if it will be a financial burden for you to do so.

So what did you decide..?

Sitting in a broken down car can be a lonely proposition, as it tends to bring about feelings of helplessness. When the tow truck arrives, it is a most welcome sight and can mean the difference between getting on with your day or being stuck on the side of the road. Tipping is a way of expressing appreciation for the work that someone has done on our behalf. If a tow truck driver helped you turn a bad day into a good one, a small tip will go a long way. Your one act of kindness will motivate the driver to help the next stranded motorists even more.