Hillary Clinton might not want my advice--in truth, her best interests aren’t exactly my biggest motivator--so I’ll just address this advice to all the candidates and use her as an example.

We really don’t like it when the fortunate--that’s all y’all--prove to be stingy. It best we imagine that you are thoughtless and rude; at worst we think you’re just a jerk.

Look, I know that you probably have handlers to take care of bills and such, but their actions are a reflection on you. Tell them to remember to tip. Tell them to remember to put you in a good light. You are collecting a bigger paycheck than most of us, you are taking millions of dollars in donations (well, some of you would like to be taking millions of dollars in donations) from us, and leaving no tip isn’t what you might call endearing.

In early October, Sen. Hillary Clinton’s ‘Middle Class Express’ made a pit stop at the Maid Rite diner in Marshalltown, Iowa.

The New York senator, joined by local political luminaries Christie Vilsack and Ruth Harkin, enjoyed a famous loose meat sandwich and attempted to hand caucus cards to the Iowans inside.

Clinton also spoke to one of the diner’s waitresses, Anita Esterday. It was her first day on the job and she and Clinton shared a short exchange. Esterday, who has three jobs and works 12 hour shifts, said to Clinton “both of my sons have worked since they were 14 years old”; Clinton told her, “I’m proud of you.”

But, according to Esterday, that’s where Clinton’s gratitude ended as the campaign crew left with nary a gratuity for any of the hard working Maid-Riters.

“I mean, nobody got left a tip that day,” Esterday said in an interview with NPR after a visit by Senator Clinton.

This is serious stuff. Not tipping can lose you votes as quick as a $400 haircut (and, apparently, quicker than taking questionable donations from someone named Hsu). So, here is the rule:

Just sayin’.

Read the story here.

Update: More for the record, it appears that Hillary didn’t stiff the waitress.

Turns out, however, that the campaign paid $157 for the meals and left a $100 tip. Campaign spokesman Phil Singer said he doesn’t know what happened to the money, but Maid-Rite manager Brad Crawford confirmed to FOX News that the bill and tip were paid. He wouldn’t say the check’s amount.

Crawford’s wife then added all the workers, including Esterday, received their tips, and the members of the Clinton camp even helped out the workers while they were there.

“I think things got misconstrued ... everybody who came in was polite,” Mrs. Crawford said.

Which, that’s a damned fine tip. I applaud.

Read the story.