Many Romanians say they think twice before tipping delivery people or those who expect to receive additional money for various services, even when the tip is only a few lei.
Tipping has a long tradition in the culture of the Romanian people, even if the term “tip” was adopted from the Balkans several centuries ago. Along with the tip, many Romanians also took over the doubts about giving it.
In the United States of America, one of the countries known for a strong tipping culture, recent research shows that most Americans are accustomed to leaving tips in restaurants, barbershops, food deliveries, purchasing drinks in bars, and taxi and transportation services.
For most people, tipping is primarily a form of appreciation for service quality. Many Americans say they are being asked to tip more frequently than in the past, according to research. The same thing is observed by many Romanians, according to their experiences. Some have shared on social media that they have given up tipping altogether, for reasons unrelated to their financial situation.
Romanians outraged that they have to tip
Some claim that delivery charges have increased and are not willing to pay additional costs.
“I order food almost every day, from 2018 until now, through apps, and never once has a courier commented that I didn’t leave a tip. Until 2-3 years ago, I used to leave 4-5 lei, but considering that all kinds of fees appeared, my generosity kind of disappeared. After all, they also get paid for each delivery. If they are not satisfied with the wages, they should turn to another field”says a customer.
Other Romanians blame the couriers for the decision to give up tipping.
“One time I didn’t have enough money for a tip. After the courier gave me the food, I thanked him, and he mumbled something I didn’t understand, followed by: “we’re tired of thanks””he complains, in a message published on the Reddit platform.
Another Romanian told how he took revenge on a foreign courier for “daring” to ask him for a tip.
“He asked me: ‘No tips?’, with a face like a beggar in the tram. I closed the door in his face and gave him a star”, he said.
Another reported, in turn, that he was the victim of a deliveryman’s sarcasm.
“I accidentally put an extra lei in a pizza order. The next day I woke up with a lei in the mailbox. Another time I ordered about 73 lei and gave 75 lei, because I didn’t have change. I thanked him, let me close the door and he said, ironically: “Wait, I’ll give you the rest”. When I told him that I didn’t need it and closed the door, knocked again, shouting: “How can you not need?” he specified.
Tipping is a way for patrons to transfer part of the costs to consumers, believes another Romanian, unhappy that he has to pay additional amounts to suppliers.
“He’s getting paid, I don’t have to feel bad. That’s why I never tip,” adds the customer.
Some Romanians say that they tip only those who bring them heavy parcels, and leave nothing for envelopes or food, because they believe that the deliverers do not make a special effort.
Others say they only reward couriers when they come faster or when they are kind. If they don’t say “thank you” or expect a tip from the start, they won’t be rewarded, says another Romanian. Another person reported asking the courier to leave his bag of food outside the door after he told him he had no change.
A delivery man’s motto: don’t expect a tip
Some trade and service employees claim that they have noticed that they cannot rely on the tip left by Romanians. In Romania there is no well-developed tipping culture, concludes a young woman.
“My husband used to deliver food, and now he does ridesharing (no transportation). Tipping is almost non-existent — not in the sense that he doesn’t make hundreds of lei, but in the sense that there were weekends when he didn’t even collect 50 lei in total. His car is always clean, has a very good rating, and usually includes 50 coins for the rest.” she told this.
Another Romanian says he is an occasional e-bike deliveryman and he also felt the lack of generosity from customers.
“In general, I make around 50-70 lei in three hours, including a tip, if anyone is curious. Personally, I don’t expect a tip, I don’t need it, but I expect you to have fixed money for cash payments. I have nowhere to give everyone 3, 4, 6 lei as change”, he states.
The courier noticed that people who order expensive food from restaurants rarely leave a tip, while those who order fast food usually tip around 5 lei. Those who order more than three pizzas almost always leave more than 5 lei, being a bit more generous, he believes.
“I think that if you don’t expect anything, you won’t be upset when you get the ‘fix’ and you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you get anything extra.” concludes the deliveryman.
