Attitude Coach

Why is gratitude so misunderstood? I recently went to an Italian restaurant to celebrate Mother’s Day. At the end of the meal, I was handed a chip and pin reader by the waiter to pay the bill.

After putting in my card, the chip and pin reader gave me the instruction add gratuity 10% yes or no?

You have to understand that it’s Scotland. Tipping is not the norm, it’s not expected like in Canada or the United States.

There’s no pressure to leave a tip, especially if it’s on a chip and pin reader and nobody knows whether you have given it or not. And because gratuity is not the norm, it’s sometimes overlooked.

The concept of gratitude

Gratuity is a synonym of the word gratitude or being grateful for something. But for me, gratitude is more than just being thankful. Gratitude is so misunderstood.

Basically it’s an attitude, perception, outlook and way of seeing things. Gratitude opens you up to a higher level of consciousness.

And it allows you to see the world differently. Through gratitude, you can experience joy, peace and contentment.

The more you practise gratitude, the better your life will become. And your life doesn’t have to be perfect to practise gratitude.

Here’s a tip to feel gratitude instantly

Instead of going to a restaurant and leaving a 10% tip, take a simple object like a flower. It’s better to pick a natural flower, but it’s also possible to practise this with virtually anything.

Look at the flower, notice how it feels and how it smells. Observe the petals and its natural essence. Meditate on the flower and appreciate its shape and form.

Even in the smallest of things, you can practise gratitude. Your life doesn’t have to be great!

The next time you go into a restaurant, apply gratitude to your whole experience. Recognise the beauty in the meal, the ambience, the people and the surroundings. Taste the meal fully and take your time.

When you do this, notice how your experience of this meal seems different to other meals you’ve had. You may notice with attention to detail, you feel more joy and contentment.

And finally, when you leave a tip, let gratuity remind you to practice gratitude. It will help you experience more peace, joy and optimism.