Sarah Harbut. Fearless Writer.

This blog topic is another cut from my book. There is a whole chapter in the book that discusses my recent career journey. Personal grocery shopping was a huge part of that journey for a couple years. That job helped pay our household bills and keep a roof over our heads. While I am relieved to not have to do that type of work anymore, I have immense repect for anyone that does. I also know the struggle that comes with delivery jobs and the uncomfortable issue of tipping, especially in this economy. 

This section was me advocating for personal shoppers and delivery drivers everywhere. It got too lengthy and out of place for the book, but it was important to find a place for it somewhere. 

 

Part 1

 

People who deliver goods and supplies are motivated hustlers. Most of them have more than one job. Shopping is usually a side hustle for people to make extra money or even compensate for the salary they earn from another job. They are sacrificing their time so you can save yours. They are skipping family time, household chores, or self-care to bring home supplemental income. Please respect and acknowledge the hustle.

 Please respect their time and efforts because they respect yours. They understand it is hard to do grocery shopping with all the other daily responsibilities. Just remember the day-to-day hustle and bustle is not exclusive to your life.

The people who make deliveries provide convenience and ease for others. Those provisions deserve compensation. Time and money are both resources. Money is replenishable; time is not.

I'm sure every person on the planet understands how mundane and time-consuming grocery shopping can be. It is not an exciting pastime for most people. If someone does this dreaded task for you, don't they deserve a tip?

I understand times are hard for many people, not just those delivering groceries or fast food. I am an able-bodied person, capable of driving to the store and shopping for my food and necessities. If I cannot afford a tip, I pick up my groceries myself.

Please tip those who get out in the crazy crowds and heavy traffic. Tip the people who do the mundane tasks so you can finally cut your grass or clean your house. Tip the people using their gas to bring you groceries so you can binge-watch your favorite show.

Tip the people who sustain wear and tear on their vehicle to provide a service to you. Tip the people who go to the store on Friday nights, Saturday afternoons, or Christmas Eve because you can't or don't want to.

And I get it; we live in a world where everyone wants a tip. The people making your sub, ice cream cone, or pizza have a jar or a line on the receipt to add a tip. Tip those people as you feel led. But if someone is delivering something to you, they should receive some gratuity.

 

Part 2

 

 

I've had heated discussions on this topic, not with customers but with other people in the community. It seems showing gratuity is a sensitive subject for a lot of people. I don't know why. It should be a no-brainer. I've heard plenty of excuses and reasons not to tip. The one I most despise is, 'You chose this job. Get a different one if you don't like it.'

Do we tell teachers to get a different job when they have unruly students? Do we tell nurses to get a different job when they are exhausted from double shifts because of staff shortages? Do we tell police officers to get a different job because the job is too dangerous and unpredictable? 

We understand that teachers, nurses, police officers, and several other occupations provide invaluable services. We need them, no matter how challenging their job is. And we need delivery people, fast food employees, and servers too. If the pandemic taught us anything, its hospitality workers are just as valuable as anyone in the community.

Another excuse I loathe is, 'Better yourself so you don't have to do that kind of work.' I would love for those people to define 'bettering yourself.' Value is not found only in what a person does for a living. We are so much more than our jobs.  I've 'bettered' myself, which has nothing to do with where I work.

Maybe someone enjoys being a server at their favorite restaurant. A person may need the flexibility a delivery job can provide because they can't afford childcare and must work around their spouse's schedule.

Someone may already have a job requiring a college degree, and this is their second or third job. Maybe a second job is required to make ends meet, or maybe they want to pay off debt or save for a family vacation.

 Or they may be trying to work their way through college. That person may want to avoid incurring student loan debt, so they aren't able to go back to school to get a different job.

We need to stop judging people by the tiny part of their life we can see. We usually have no idea what anyone else goes through. We need to stop valuing people solely on their occupation. We need to stop being selfish and start thinking about others, not just ourselves.

I am a real person. I've driven on treacherous roads and trudged through the snow-and ice-covered driveways and walkways with countless bags of groceries, to never receive a tip. I'll admit, I'm a little bitter. I also want to advocate for all the real people who have similar experiences.

In a world where we can order anything and have it arrive at our doorstep without ever leaving the couch, we forget real people are doing chores and running errands for us.

To the people that tip, your gratitude never goes unnoticed. You make up for the people who don't tip. Your generosity speaks volumes. Some people may not understand, but a tip is a nod of appreciation. A tip conveys the messages, 'I see you,' 'I see your hustle,' and 'Your effort does not go unnoticed.' It's always more than a tip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I'm going through the final edits of my book, I'm cutting some parts, which makes me sad. I'm not ready to send my omitted sections to the dreaded digital trash can, so I decided to share them here. You'll get a glimpse of my writing style and I get to share works that I am not ready to let go of. 

 

 

We constantly hear that we should stay connected in the digital world. We are prompted to download numerous apps so we can connect with friends, potential employers and organizations. And if you are trying to promote yourself or a product through social media, the expected amount of connection and digital reach becomes slightly overwhelming. I think it is just as important to stay grounded, with real connections, IRL.

Such an odd abbreviation, one that we never imagined would be necessary before the rise of the internet. But here we are, at a time when staying grounded in real life is just as crucial as staying digitally connected. Authentic relatiosnhips are more vital than metrics. Remember to put down your phone and engage with the people around you.  This train of thought prompted this section for my book, but it just didn't flow with the story, so it found a new home here

 

 

The combination of social media and the worldwide pandemic has created this weird world where no one wants to talk to each other. Likes, comments, and follows have become more valued than human interaction. We were not created to live in solitude. Our souls crave human interaction and face-to-face connection.

Sure, getting a break from people and having time to yourself is nice. I'm an introvert; I frequently need to recharge my social battery. I could improve my social skills as well. I can send someone a charismatic email or text, but I may be awkward during a face-to-face meeting.

 One of the easiest ways we can be more social is to move away from a screen and interact with people in real life.

People can be anything they want online; they can be deceitful and mask their identity, or they can conceal the state of their emotions or mental health. Social media shows only glimpses of someone's life. We get to see the highlight reel, but the lowlights are rarely shared for everyone to see. I understand everything isn't for the world to know. We should not put everything on social media. But everyone should have trusted individuals that they can talk to when their lowlight reel seems to be on repeat.

Social media has this incredible potential for positive connections, but it can also cause people to become disconnected and lose touch with reality.  Talking to someone in person or even hearing their voice over the phone helps us to ground us.

I have made some great connections with people online and through social media. It is not all bad; I'm not saying you can't have a meaningful digital connection with someone. But we must also connect with people in the same room, building, or community.

 

There is no fear in love.

You will find real love meant just for you

A love unconditional and true

A man who is patient and kind

Someone who expresses love not with his fists

but with his mind

A love that gives you a constant glow

Causing you to believe you are worth the effort

Love that doesn't feel like a desert

A love that fills pages

Stories written for the ages

You will have the family you only dreamed of in the past

You will be married for fifty years or more

And your grandchildren will see a love that lasts

Love wins.

 

 

 

 

 

The full poem will be included in 'Less Fear More Fire'

 Self-worth is not determined by your occupation.

Value is not determined by your work location.

The joy you bring to others has little to do with your wage.

Your job or career will be a few words in your story,

It's not the whole book, not even a whole page.

All the incredible things that make you 'you.'

Can never be discovered by the question, 'What do you do?'

What you do from nine to five

Is not the only way you thrive.

A job title is nothing more than a name,

It is a spark, not your whole flame.

Jobs will come and go, that is fine.

Just continue to let your light shine.

Your heart, your smile…

that drive, that style…

To this world you have so much to give.

Life is not only about making a living,

Make sure you live.

You are a loved. You matter.

Maybe those facts do not fit on a resume list.

Perhaps you were created for such a time as this.

 

Sarah Harbut