Bitcoin Forum

Personally I wouldn't expect it myself, so I don't do it. The proper way should be to offer a bounty, but noone should expect tips if it isn't mentioned. Perhaps in the future if tipping becomes commonplace people will come to implicitly expect them though.

Also we could imagine IRL scenarios. For example, if someone asks for directions, they could also ask for a public key to tip you if they make it to their destination safely. If tipping becomes common enough, those who don't ask for the key may get crappy directions due to their rudeness.

Impolite? I've never heard of an expectation to pay someone for talking to you (edit: Okay, lawyers.... :P). Not saying there aren't examples of when it's a good idea, and I've done it before. Don't think anyone should be expected to pay for information, though.

Agreed. Things like directions and time of day are basic human interactions which we all reciprocate eventually. When I give directions (I live in NYC, happens a lot), I feel good about helping someone out, which is enough of a tip for me.

However, let's say you went to a theater performance, and one cast member was amazing and really stood out. Maybe the playbill has a donation QR next to each cast member. Micro-tipping in that case would be appropriate. Or maybe a little extra specifically for the cook at a restaurant, or the pool guy, or the plumber, or the car mechanic.

Every once and again I use Paltalk to get help in the PC help rooms. There are helpful folks there 24/7 to help you in real time. That would be a great place for such tipping.

Several times i've offered to give bitcoins, unsolicited, to people that provided some helpful post or blog. Something like: "Your post was extremely useful to me. Please reply with a Bitcoin address for a tip. Find out more about Bitcoin at..." Sometimes it has worked, othertimes I've not heard anything.