Tipping the Limo driver.

Q. I drive a limo.  I'm new to the business and would like to know when receiving a tip is it a hand off while getting the tip
then a hand shake?  Hand off only?  Hands not touching hands?  Is there a protocol for receiving and giving a tip?

Thanks for your help. 

Kevin C.

A.  Great question....one I have not been asked before.  The tip will come
 to you the majority of times from the passenger's right hand to your
 right hand.  If your left hand is free, put the tip in your left hand
 immediately, so that if your passenger extends his hand you can then
 extend yours for a handshake.  If he does not, it is perfectly acceptable for you to
 extend yours first.  Regardless of who initiates the handshake, your tip
 will be in the left hand freeing the right for shaking.  Just going by
 my own experience tipping...not that I've taken many limos...often there
 is not an opportunity to shake hands...and that is ok too...of course
 a thank you for the tip is required.

Q. I am a CEO of a large human services agency. We have a non-smoking policy in our buildings, but we do have a smoking area outside away from the door. Several employees are abusing the privilege to take smoke breaks, and other employees are complaining. The smokers have been told indirectly through a memo to limit breaks, but it seems they are out there too much. How can I sensitively encourage them not to take so many smoking breaks during the day, and how can I curb their habit at the workplace? Thanks for your response.

A. Asking some smokers to limit smoking breaks is like asking a child to limit the number of M&M’s they take out of a bowl? What does that mean?
It’s your job to set policy objectively regarding breaks for all employees, not to worry about curbing anyone’s habits or addictions.

Your employees don’t smoke in your buildings because you have a written non-smoking policy. You now need a written break policy. Don’t distinguish between smokers and non-smokers. For example: Your employees may be given a one or two ten-minute break in the morning and then the same in the afternoon. How they choose to spend their time will be up to them. Smokers can smoke. Non-smokers can just enjoy the great outdoors.

Why Didn't I Get the Job?

Q. I've been unemployed for 6 months. On a recent interview at a company with a business casual dress code the hiring manager told me I was overdressed. I wore a nice pant suit; nothing outstanding and I told her I could dress casually. I did not get the job and I left with the feeling I intimidated her.

A. Whenever an individual is not offered a job after an interview, I recommend she ask why he was not offered the position. Perhaps the reason is something she could and should change. If it is something she can't change, for example, she lacks a necessary skill, then she shouldn't dwell on it and move on to the next opportunity.

So I suggest you give the woman a call and ask her if she will tell you why you did not get the job. Don't mention you suspect you may have intimidated her. Sometimes the chemistry is just not right and if you did get the job you would not be happy there anyway.