Walton: What’s your tipping point? Rules have changed

At the friendly neighborhood market where we buy our groceries, a sign by the door reminds us of a firm policy at the place: “No Tipping.” The message it conveys seems somehow counterintuitive. If ever there were folks who earned a tip, it is the young people who help customers get their cart of groceries out to the parking lot and loaded into their cars.

Since many if not most of the store’s customers are older and need the help, these kids could probably use more than a sincere “thank you.”

Even so, the message is appreciated, largely because it eliminates the awkward confusion that so often occurs when it is time to pay for services rendered. One hopes that the young man or woman pushing my honey-baked ham across the parking lot is already adequately compensated for working up a sweat