Has anyone ever noticed how everything in Lebanon requires a tip?
1. The Gas Station You stop at the pump for gas. The gas station attendant squeegees your car’s windshield. You tip him.
2. The Car Wash You go to the car wash, and suddenly five attendants are scrubbing, drying, and buffing your car. You scratch your head as you hand each of them a tip.
3. The Water Supplier Your house water tank depletes and you call a water truck to replenish it. You tip the supplier.
4. Taxi Drivers You take a taxi from point A to point B. You pay your fare and tip the driver.
5. Hair Salons You visit the salon to have your hair coiffed. You tip the apprentice to wash it, and you tip the hair stylist for not singing it with the straightening iron.
6. Supermarket You buy groceries from the supermarket, and the bag boy insists on toting your bags to your car. You tip him.
7. The Concierge Your concierge rushes to your side when he sees you unloading the groceries from the car. He helps you carry them to your doorstep. You tip him.
8. Cashiers You order a cup of coffee from your favorite coffee shop. The coffee’s already overpriced, but the cashier gently nudges the glass jar filled with singles in your direction. You can’t help but tip him.
9. Delivery Guys You order a meal to your home or office. You tip the delivery boy.
10. The Hookah Lounge You go to your local shisha cafe for arguileh and some nibbles. You tip your waiter and you tip the boy tending to your shisha coals. Then you tip the valet parker on your way out.
11. Valet Parking You visit a restaurant, cafe, pub, lounge, cinema, mall, shopping center, sporting club, mountain resort, place of worship even. If there’s no posted parking fee, you can bank on the fact that you have a valet parker to tip.
12. Clerics You get engaged and your cleric blesses the engagement rings. You tip him.
13. Religious Centers You book a church/mosque/religious center wherein to exchange your marriage vows. Guess who’ll be expecting a tip?
I think I need a budget just for tipping.
Danielle Issa is a food blogger in Lebanon. You can find her on Twitter, and be sure to check out her blog, Beirutista.