I AM...

I am a journalist, not because my degree says so.

I am a reporter, although I’ve never worked for a national news station.

I am an investigator, not only because the truth finds me.

I am a journalist, reporter, and investigator, because as my name jessICAREctor states, I care….To tell the stories of the people and to give…the people a voice.  So, tell me, what’s your story and who are you?

Tipping and the Service Industry

Why do some people think it's okay to leave a bad tip?  They want to go out and enjoy the service, but they don't want to tip what they should tip.

How do you know what to tip and to whom?  I completely understand this...in a world where it seems like everyone wants a tip for doing their job, who do you know who to tip.  

I will help you with this.  You should tip servers, bartenders, massage therapist, esthetician (or any service at the spa), hair stylists, just to name the more popular ones.

Now the baristas at your local coffee shop, you can tip, if your drink is difficult or you're a regular customer and they make your drink perfectly.  Actually, you can tip them a dollar just because.  You would be amazed to a service industry person how much an extra dollar from a person makes.  Just think, if everyone tipped a dollar over what they should, that makes a huge difference in that person's life.

Now for the service industry workers I mentioned earlier, how much should you tip?  People think that 15% is an acceptable amount.  Well, it's not.  You should tip 20% on the total bill.  The only reason not to tip 20% is if the server has a horrible attitude.  Just think when you have a bad day, it doesn't affect YOUR pay.  Remember the person could just be having a bad day...so have a little patience.

Now to those of you who think that anything under 20% is acceptable.  I understand you want to do whatever it is you're going to do, i.e. go to spa, restaurant, get your hair done, etc.  But if you can't afford a proper tip, then you can't afford to get the service.  Don't get the service and think, "Oh this is a lot of money I'm spending," and then decide to skim on the tip to save a few extra dollars.  It's not that person's fault that you are being cheap.  

This is how the people make their money, make their living.  You wouldn't want your boss you skim out a few thousand on you a year, because he/she was being cheap.  And yes, that's how much a service person misses out on a year for people skimming on the tip.

Oh, and if you eat out, and the food doesn't come out just the way you like it....like your steak is cooked wrong, most of the time, it's not the server's fault.  So, don't take it out on them in the tip.

There is no excuse for not tipping well.  If you're using a company credit card, don't use that as an excuse.  You can always add a few dollars of your own money in for the tip.  After all, you're getting the rest of the meal for free...on your company.  If you're with someone else who is paying and you don't know how they are going to tip, excuse yourself to go to the bathroom and slide your server some money.

If the person is extra good, give him/her $5 more...better yet, $10 more, if you can afford it.  There's definitely nothing wrong with over tipping.  Everyone likes to make a little more money, especially in today's recession, when less people are getting services.   

I don't want to sway you from getting services, I just want to make sure when everyone does, they know how to properly tip.  Remember, if you can't tip correctly, then don't go for the service.  You wouldn't want someone to treat you that way, so why would you treat someone else that way?  After all, you're there to have a good time and enjoy yourself.  Leaving a proper tip can only add to the event, especially if you plan on returning there.

One Decision that Changes Your Life

Have you ever taken a moment to think about how one decision can change the rest of your life? I'm not even talking about major decisions like getting married, moving, etc. I'm talking about deciding whether to work out today or if you do, where to stand in the aerobics class.

Today, a Pennsylvania man went into a LA Fitness and opened fire a fitness room in the gym, killing five people and injuring about 15 others. It was reported that he didn't like women and that he had never lived with them.

This got me to thinking about the people that were killed or injured...what made them decide to go there today? Was one of them running late, and she decided to take the place by the door? Was another one self conscious and wanted to stay near the back of the room? These "small" decisions changed the rest of their lives. On the other hand, was there a lady who was new and wanted to be in the front next to the instructor? This choice may have saved her life.

Have you ever thought how one "little" decision can affect your life? I've thought about this before...how leaving late or dropping my keys on the way to the car may have saved me from getting in a car accident or something else.

It's amazing how we take things like this for granted....a car accident, a road closed, traffic...all of these things can actually happen for the best. These things can't helped, so you might as well look at it in the most positive light, like if it didn't happen, something horrible could have happened to you.

I'm sure when those ladies thought about going to the gym this morning, they thought how they needed to lose weight, stay in shape, or look good for some event. They probably never thought that today might be their last day. And if they did, would they spend it at the gym?

My heart goes out to those women and their families. I'm thankful that the women who didn't go to the gym today decided there was something else more important to do...that one decision could've saved their lives. And to the women that went, I'm sorry that one man, one man that had issues of his own, chose to change your life in the way he did. I'm sorry that he took away some of your lives, and I'm sorry he took choices away from you. I'm sorry for all that he will put your family through. I do know, however, you will get through this. It won't be easy, but there are others who have been through a similar situation. Make sure you talk about what happened, you share your feelings with your family and friends, and you get the support you need. In time, you will heal.