Should You Still Tip for Bad Service? A Heated Debate Between Small Business Owners

In this episode of The Art of Reading the Room, Gerard and Sara dive into one of the most controversial topics in business and life: When do you reward bad service, and when do you walk away?

From tipping debates to frustrating experiences with vendors, this candid conversation explores the hidden emotional and financial toll of dealing with unreliable people — and the surprising lessons that come with paying someone just to leave.

We share real stories about trusting the wrong people, navigating work relationships with integrity, and the hard decisions every small business owner faces.

Topics Covered:

1. When tipping becomes emotional — ethics vs. customer service
2. What to do when vendors lie, underperform, or overcharge
3. How to exit work relationships without burning bridges
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