Chinese Conversation – lesson 637
珍妮：你不喜欢我们的服务生？
丽安：喔，她不错啊。我只是好奇。
珍妮：想离开餐厅又不显得太冒犯，最少要给一成。给两成就算是很好的小费了。
丽安：大家为何觉得应该要给小费？服务人员的薪水不是应该够了吗？
珍妮：服务人员靠小费维生。餐厅老板知道那点，所以服务生的薪水很低。
丽安：但是大家为什么要付钱给他们？
珍妮：这是习俗。此外，这能鼓励良好的服务。服务人员知道服务越好赚得越多。
丽安：言之有理。（看账单）八十元的百分之十五是……八加四。十二元！
珍妮：你们这些亚洲人的数学真是厉害
Janie: You didn’t like our server?
Li-an: Oh, she was fine. I was just wondering.
Janie: The lowest you can get away with without being really offensive is ten percent. And twenty percent is considered a good tip.
Li-an: Why do people feel obligated to tip? Shouldn’t a server’s wages be enough?
Janie: Servers depend on tips to survive. Restaurant owners know that, so their wages are low.
Li-an: But why do people pay them?
Janie: It’s a custom. Plus, it encourages good service. Servers know they’ll earn more for better service.
Li-an: That makes sense. [Looks at bill] Fifteen percent of eighty dollars is…eight plus four. Twelve dollars!
Janie: You Asians are so good with math.
(Source: wwenglish.com)