Disqus - Latest Comments for Darlene Hull

Re: RIP, Dan Fogelberg

Darlene Hull — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 10:56:13 -0000

Wow, this is sad. I discovered Dan Fogelberg through a friend in my first year of university, and have loved his music ever since (esp. "Longer") This is a loss indeed.

Darlene

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

Darlene Hull — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:09:39 -0000

So here's the thing. I usually do tip - on average abou 15%, more if the service was exceptional. But I struggle with this. Here's why.

I think a tip should be for extraordinary service. There are lots of folks out there doing a great job, working hard for minimum wage (like my own sister) at a job where tips are not required, or even allowed.

Then there are jobs - like in a Denny's or some such restaurant - where you're lucky if you get a smile, a nod, or a cup of coffee on time, and you're expected to tip. Or when people clean your rooms in hotels or wherever.

I hate the whole "required tip" thing. It makes me nervous because I often don't know if a tip is expected or not, and I feel awkward. Usually the service is standard, but not over the top, and so I don't even want to tip.

I say people should get paid for the job they do, and tipping should be reserved for exceptional service.

I'll probably get shot for saying so, and I will still tip anyway, but it bugs me.

There. I said it.

Darlene

(PS - I am ashamed, though, that we Christians are the worst tippers. That is sad. I will take your challenge next time 'round)

Re: Investment Series Preview: The “Good Bye and F__k You” Letter

Darlene Hull — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 09:30:07 -0000

This is brilliant. Thanks for posting it. As a Canuck I'd say that while we do often snicker at our Southern Neighbours, there is still plenty of fodder for them, in turn, to rightfully snicker back.

What we need are leaders, not politicians.

Darlene

Re: Being a Work at Home is The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread…Or Is It?

Darlene Hull — Tue, 16 May 2006 08:43:27 -0000

Hi, ladies!

Boy, this topic hits home. I spend a lot of time on the computer, but most of it is wasted time - checking out links that usually have nothing to do with my business, looking to see if I have new messages, etc. If I get the time wasting out of there, I can get my critical business tasks done in about 2 hours a day. If I'm just "poking" I can waste a good 3-4 hours more. This makes me stress out because dinner's late, the house is a mess, and the kids are bored and cranky. In fact my son has been known to say, "Mom, I think it's funny that you run a business for frazzled moms, and yet you're the most frazzled mom I know!" Boy, that hit home! I'm now trying to work from a specific list of tasks for each day to keep me focused, and then I GET OFF THE COMPUTER, shut the door to my office, and do something else.

Re: The Power of a Focused Business Budget

Darlene Hull — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 23:36:53 -0000

I learned the hard way about "desperate purchases" to get a business off the ground. Now I'm careful. Careful about who I listen to and what advice I take. I'm working to make things happen by spending only what is necessary. I have a very tiny budget, and that is now keeping me very focused.

Darlene

Re: “Christians Are the Worst Tippers Ever.”

Darlene Hull — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 19:28:23 -0000

Ok, there's been a BIG misunderstanding here.

1. I do always tip unless I've been treated very badly, but I usually tip about 15%.
2. My issue is not with whether the person deserves the tip or not, it's that certain industries decide that they can underpay their staff and have me pick up the tab. I don't like being "forced" to tip because the restaurant owner is cheap.
3. My issue with "do I tip or don't I" is not with restaurants, but with life: Do I tip the person who opens my car door? The lady who cuts my hair? The cashier at the grocery store? The receptionist who books an appointment? I am often very uncomfortable when I travel, trying to figure out who gets tipped and who doesn't. I don't want to not tip out of ignorance and insult someone unknowingly, or tip when it's not called for and make someone uncomfortable.

My challenge to myself was to increase my tip to 20%.

Hope that clears things up. I'm really not that disgusting - I promise you. I just think
business owners should pay their staff according to the work they require - like most do - and that tips should be saved as a "thank you" to exceptional service. In an ideal world. I realize that this is not where we live right now.