telling someone to go back to school is just plain rude. it's like telling someone to get a haircut. what's the point and really, it's none of your d*mn business.

and like a few others have said, how do you know they don't have more education than YOU?

i just took an airport shuttle to LaGuardia a few days ago and tipped the guy $2 because he was pleasant and helped me with my one suitcase - and more importantly, treated it with care. a tip is a given if they don't throw my stuff around like it's nothing.

We park at the Airport Hilton whenever we fly out of Newark, taking their shuttle to the airport. Always tip the driver $2-$3 if he helps us with our luggage. If he doesn't help with the luggage, he gets nothing, and I get "that stare" from Mrs. Budman. Is that fair -- the "stare" I'm talking about.

I think the whole bruhaha is that some people don't like to tip for services they think they paid for (or other, when is "free" actually free?), that more and more folks have their hands out, and where does it stop? If you have bucks to throw around, fine and dandy, but don't try to make others feel cheap or guilty for trying to safeguard their hard-earned bucks. And yes, I tip for some things (--but again, I ask, why should I tip more for the steak dinner than the pasta dinner, or more for the pricier wine than the glass of house? Both of which I avoid because I'm tired of being gouged...)

Budman, the "stare" is probably because you are wearing "that plaid jacket" again, and you spilled your mug on Mrs Budman when the shuttle hit the speed bump.