• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

am i a cheapass?

W

wasssup

Diamond Member
Yesterday on my way back from lunch I decided to fill my gas up. So I parked the car, shut the engine, filled the gas, and wtf the car wouldn't start? There's a mechanic inside, dude was pretty cool. Anyway, we push the car into the garage, we pop the hood, and he plays with the battery cable for like 5 seconds and the car has power again -- it was apparently a loose cable.

I thank him and ask him how much I owe him, he says it's cool and I don't owe him anything. I ended up giving him $5 and say thanks. While my coworkers say they wouldn't have paid him anything, my sister said I was a cheapass for giving him only $5.

What do you guys think? 🙂
 
I wouldn't have given him $5 at all. you're definitely not a cheapass; if a random person was walking by and saw your car and helped you find the cable, would you have given him anything?
 
A twenty spot would have made his day, $5 probably made him go meh, or hate you for thinking he's worth so little.

Edit: When tipping on occasions such as this it's a good rule of thumb to "slip a $20", if you can float it of course. If you're poor just say "thanks for helping a poor guy out." and be on your merry way.

Just look at it this way, you got the treatment a hot blond chick with a nice rack would have gotten.
 
Originally posted by: wasssup
Yesterday on my way back from lunch I decided to fill my gas up. So I parked the car, shut the engine, filled the gas, and wtf the car wouldn't start? There's a mechanic inside, dude was pretty cool. Anyway, we push the car into the garage, we pop the hood, and he plays with the battery cable for like 5 seconds and the car has power again -- it was apparently a loose cable.

I thank him and ask him how much I owe him, he says it's cool and I don't owe him anything. I ended up giving him $5 and say thanks. While my coworkers say they wouldn't have paid him anything, my sister said I was a cheapass for giving him only $5.

What do you guys think? 🙂
Click to expand...

I think it is cool that you paid him. I dont think you are a cheap ass.
 
Originally posted by: iamme
i don't think you're a cheapass.

i do think your sister's a gold digger.





lol, j/k 😛
Click to expand...



Hey, I ain't sayin' she's a gold digger, but you don't see her messin' with "iamme's" avatar....wait, that doesn't rhyme....
 
Originally posted by: Aflac
I wouldn't have given him $5 at all. you're definitely not a cheapass; if a random person was walking by and saw your car and helped you find the cable, would you have given him anything?
Click to expand...

He wasn't a random person. He was a mechanic. It's his profession. It's how he makes a living. And he was at work on work hours presumably. A random person wouldn't be as likely to be able to figure out the problem as a mechanic would because they probably don't have the same expertise. It was the right thing to do to offer to pay him. If he charged you fine. He was charitable not to. At that point you could have said thanks and walked away. You chose to give him $5 for his effort. Now he can buy a cup of coffee at starbucks. But hey, it's better than nothing.
 
I saw an old couple stalled on the road within the last week when I was visiting my friend in my hometown. I'm crazy about cars, so I diagnosed it as a loose battery cable within a matter of two minutes, and they were off on their way. They didn't offer any money, and I didn't think anything of it. I grew up in a town where such generosity is normal. In the city where I live right now, this is a very rare thing, and nobody understands the concept of generosity.
 
Originally posted by: ahurtt
Originally posted by: Aflac
I wouldn't have given him $5 at all. you're definitely not a cheapass; if a random person was walking by and saw your car and helped you find the cable, would you have given him anything?
Click to expand...

He wasn't a random person. He was a mechanic. It's his profession. It's how he makes a living. And he was at work on work hours presumably. A random person wouldn't be as likely to be able to figure out the problem as a mechanic would because they probably don't have the same expertise. It was the right thing to do to offer to pay him. If he charged you fine. He was charitable not to. At that point you could have said thanks and walked away. You chose to give him $5 for his effort. Now he can buy a cup of coffee at starbucks. But hey, it's better than nothing.
Click to expand...

No self-respecting mechanic I know bothers to waste his money at Starbucks. You can eat at a Chinese buffet for lunch with what some people pay for a cup of hot colored sugar water. I can only say this having been a geek for so many years: Computer geeks will never understand mechanics.
 
Originally posted by: j00fek
20$ would have been better, but atleast you gave somthing 😀
Click to expand...

i dunno

if i helped someone out and they didn't give me anything i'd be happy, but if they gave me pocket change then i'd be a little insulted
 
I woulda said $10 or nothing.
$5 is the lowest you can give, which kinda makes you seem guilty and not appreciative.
But $5 for at most 5 mins of work (pushing + fiddling) is $60/hr, which is pretty damned good 😉
 
You are looking at it wrong. 100% wrong.

If you go back to that mechanic and use his services next time you have a problem, then you are a good person. If not, you are rude to snub the person who helped you out when you needed him. Next time you get car problems, if you go to someone else that may be a few bucks cheaper, then you are a cheapass.

The tip is meaningless compared to that. Just think of it as a 5 minute commercial to get your business. Heck, I bet he now gets business from your friends/family that you tell this story to.
 
Originally posted by: kevinthenerd
Originally posted by: ahurtt
Originally posted by: Aflac
I wouldn't have given him $5 at all. you're definitely not a cheapass; if a random person was walking by and saw your car and helped you find the cable, would you have given him anything?
Click to expand...

He wasn't a random person. He was a mechanic. It's his profession. It's how he makes a living. And he was at work on work hours presumably. A random person wouldn't be as likely to be able to figure out the problem as a mechanic would because they probably don't have the same expertise. It was the right thing to do to offer to pay him. If he charged you fine. He was charitable not to. At that point you could have said thanks and walked away. You chose to give him $5 for his effort. Now he can buy a cup of coffee at starbucks. But hey, it's better than nothing.
Click to expand...

No self-respecting mechanic I know bothers to waste his money at Starbucks. You can eat at a Chinese buffet for lunch with what some people pay for a cup of hot colored sugar water. I can only say this having been a geek for so many years: Computer geeks will never understand mechanics.
Click to expand...

Have you ever heard the saying "that and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee?" That was why I chose the Starbucks example. Anyway, my point was that if the OP wanted to offer to pay him, he should have offered whatever the mechanic would have had to charge him if his boss had been standing there. Mechanic refused to take money. OP offers him $5. That says, "Here's what I think you, your time, training, and profession are worth." It would have been better to either just say "thanks for your kindness" and go on your way, or insist that the mechanic bill you the regular going rate for the work he did. I realize the OP was trying to be nice and $5 is better than $0. But in a way it is also kind of like looking down your nose at somebody you consider inferior. . .or at least some people take it this way. Like I'm sure we've all heard the stories about snotty waiters handing cheap customer's tips back to them. It's the same kinda thing. A little insulting. If you were being genuine, you'd either insist he charge you the market rate, or like I said, after offering to pay and he refused, you thank him kindly and remember his deed and next time you are able to help somebody in a jam, you do so. But whatever. . .he's $5 richer now for a minutes worth of work so, there are bigger things in the world to worry about really.
 
I don't think you're a cheapass for giving him $5. Sure it isn't what it used to be, but I think it's a good way of showing gratitude for him fixing your problem.
 
Originally posted by: wasssup
Yesterday on my way back from lunch I decided to fill my gas up. So I parked the car, shut the engine, filled the gas, and wtf the car wouldn't start? There's a mechanic inside, dude was pretty cool. Anyway, we push the car into the garage, we pop the hood, and he plays with the battery cable for like 5 seconds and the car has power again -- it was apparently a loose cable.

I thank him and ask him how much I owe him, he says it's cool and I don't owe him anything. I ended up giving him $5 and say thanks. While my coworkers say they wouldn't have paid him anything, my sister said I was a cheapass for giving him only $5.

What do you guys think? 🙂
Click to expand...


your sister is a judgemental bitch did you know that
 
Originally posted by: wasssup
Yesterday on my way back from lunch I decided to fill my gas up. So I parked the car, shut the engine, filled the gas, and wtf the car wouldn't start? There's a mechanic inside, dude was pretty cool. Anyway, we push the car into the garage, we pop the hood, and he plays with the battery cable for like 5 seconds and the car has power again -- it was apparently a loose cable.

I thank him and ask him how much I owe him, he says it's cool and I don't owe him anything. I ended up giving him $5 and say thanks. While my coworkers say they wouldn't have paid him anything, my sister said I was a cheapass for giving him only $5.

What do you guys think? 🙂
Click to expand...

id say you were generous, considering it was just a loose cable and he didnt ask for anything anyway.
 
As long as he can at least get one :beer: for it its fine...
EDIT: On the other hand...if he fixed your Porsche, you are a cheap ass... 😛
 
He said no charge and you tipped him anyways. No big deal. Good for you. Your sister needs to get a job, so that she can appreciate money.
 
Originally posted by: Aflac
I wouldn't have given him $5 at all. you're definitely not a cheapass; if a random person was walking by and saw your car and helped you find the cable, would you have given him anything?
Click to expand...

+
 
Originally posted by: MisterJackson
A twenty spot would have made his day, $5 probably made him go meh, or hate you for thinking he's worth so little.

Edit: When tipping on occasions such as this it's a good rule of thumb to "slip a $20", if you can float it of course. If you're poor just say "thanks for helping a poor guy out." and be on your merry way.

Just look at it this way, you got the treatment a hot blond chick with a nice rack would have gotten.
Click to expand...

I am betting you are from the East Coast, huh? Where nothing is free, and you have to tip for everything. I have even heard it is customary to tip for opening a door for someone. :roll: That is called Southern Hospitality and is extremely common down here.

I remember opening the door for a lady at the airport once. She was highly insulted, saying she could open the door for herself. 😕 I open the door for anyone who is behind me. It was obvious she was from New York from her accent.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top