The most aggravating things about being a driver 31. People who ignore the importance of tips. I've heard this from customers and store managers alike. There are some people who marginalize and downplay the significance of tips for the drivers. I can't tell you how annoying it is to hear people say things like the driver is already paid and should be happy to drive their personal car for a total pay of minimum wage. They act like tips are only a gift on the side. Tips are vital for the driver. The tips are the only reason we deliver. They are the only financial incentive we have. Without tipping, we would have the same wage as an employee who stays inside the store. If I wanted minimum wage, I'd stay indoors where there is no bad weather, traffic risk, lack of security cameras, and you don't wear down your car. Delivery demands greater pay. That's why there is tipping. Some stores pay their drivers less than minimum wage, but the law forces the store to compensate if there are not enough tips. There is essentially no difference. Whether minimum wage is hourly pay or with some tips added, nobody wants to drive their car for minimum wage. It's not worth it. Don't think of tips as something extra. I want to blow up when I hear someone refer to tips as extra. Although tipping is optional for customers, it is necessary money for drivers. Tips are the lifeblood of the driver. Tips are wages. Tips are as important to drivers as your paycheck is to you. Drivers ought to feel entitled to tips. When they perform their job well, without a problem, they should receive proper acknowledgement. The driver earned it. Wanting to get paid for your work is not greed. It sickens me to hear people think you're greedy for wanting tips. They have not thought things out. Wanting more than the typical amount of tips would be greedy. I want the tips I'm supposed to have. Just because tipping is optional for customers does not mean the customer made the right decision. I've had it up to here with insensitive remarks that a stiff was justified simply because the customer had a choice. They made the wrong choice! They should have done the right thing and acknowledge the service. Tipping is not kindness or generosity. Above normal tips fit into that category. Tipping is payment for services rendered. This is a matter of common courtesy. Please respond in kind to the value of service extended to you. If you want to be generous, you're welcome to tip more than usual. The driver is thankful either way even with nominal tips. Insensitive and unthoughtful comments, from people who don't understand what it's like to need tips to earn a living, are hurtful especially since it takes time to hammer the concept into their thick skulls. It seems most people are locked into a singular mindset of a lump sum paycheck at the end of the week. They don't think of employee pay as equally valuable if it was received a little bit at a time, instead. Never underestimate the importance of tips to a tipped employee. Last updated: June 17, 2011