I can't say gifting is something good or bad. But we have found ourselves living in an era of people painting the good ones as bad, and the bad ones are painting themselves as good. Everyone is under the shadow of uncertainty, fear, and agony. We find ourselves living in a world where when you give you might get tagged as an evil person for that.
I was in a conversation with my bro some time ago. He said he can't even give out to people as he wishes anymore because of the way people get to abuse charity. If someone asks for money to feed instead of giving such a person money he would prefer to buy them food. People’s kindness has been kinda taken for granted.
Tipping in Nigeria is a voluntary obligation. You can't be forced to tip when you don’t want to. Though it's seen as a form of spreading love and sharing with others, it is still not mandatory.
I remembered a time last year when some of our neighbors' kids visited us. They came along with a book and in the book, there was a list of things they asked people to gift them. Immediately after seeing me they stretched the list towards me and asked me to tick on anyone I feel I can promise them.
In the list, there are different items like mathematical sets, chocolate, money, books, pens, and many others. I smiled after glancing through. Then I asked them not to tick on any, I tipped them some amount and then asked them to use the list for others that will promise them. They were so happy.
So when you tip people it's just out of your own will. Tipping is still one nice thing you can do for people around you. One thing I realized about tipping people is that it brightens up their mood and makes them feel alive again.
Sometimes, we might think those who are rich enough and don't need to be tipped are the ones to be tipping people. But it's not the way we thought it was. Many times those who are in a position to be tipping people also need to be tipped too. It's not always about what they got tipped or gifted but the feeling and affection that they have been loved no matter the little amount of tip that came their way.
I have received different tips from people voluntarily and I knew how happy I felt at the point of receiving them. The ones that I received unexpectedly are the ones that got me overwhelmed with happiness. There was a time I received a call from a friend of mine, he just called to wish me a happy Sallah celebration. Then the next thing I got from him was a credit alert. He asked me to manage it for the celebration.
At that point in time it was like the money was a lifesaver. It came at the right time and really settled my bills. I was so happy and appreciative of it. I have in mind to do as much tipping as I can too. Just to make people around me feel the happiness and joy that comes from it.
This is my response to the HIVE LEARNERS weekly prompt in hive learners community for the Week 139 Edition 3 and the topic to be discussed is WHEN SHOULD I TIP
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