A Tip for Tuesday: Tip

Have you ever seen the 1990 movie My Blue Heaven? (If you haven’t, do it tonight. You’re welcome).

In it, Steve Martin plays a small-time New York mobster-turned-informant stuck in the suburbs in Witness Protection, complete with Rick Moranis (in one of his most underrated roles) as his handler and Joan Cusack as the district attorney (and eventually Moranis’ love interest, but I don’t want to spoil it).

While all the film is comedy gold, there was actually a good life lesson I took from the film as well: the concept of tipping. Certainly, we all do it with servers, driver services and valets, but in the film he thanks and tips (either with actual money or thoughtful gifts) almost any type of person who works in the service industry, from cleaning staff to hairdresser.

So, as we all prepare to start our holiday celebrations, consider making a plan to tip all those in your life who are deserving, and maybe even make a list of those who’ve helped you professionally this year and consider sending them a quick, hand-written note of thanks for the impact they may not even know they had.