Regular no longer tipping :(

There's not much to discuss so I'll just vent. I have a regular that sees me once or twice a week, and she is one of my very, very few regulars that tips $20. I work at a chiropractic clinic so tips are rare and usually quite small. The ones that tip me $20 are seriously appreciated, especially because money is tight right now.

But the past 3 or so visits, she's given me no tip at all. And I don't want to say anything about it because it might be that she's struggling too. I get that. But I also wonder if I've done something wrong. I don't know what I could be doing that would cause her to keep coming back and keep referring her coworkers to me but make her not want to tip, but you never know. Some people are weird.

Anyway...I'm just a little disappointed. I always looked forward to that extra $20 because I could add it to my "treat fund". Meaning in either used it for yarn, coffee, or in a pinch between paydays it could be my lunch money. All my tips go in this fund because the clinic only allows cash or venmo.

So, yeah. Just sad. I hope she's doing OK and is maybe just forgetful and I haven't slighted her somehow.

Edit to address some things in the comments:

  1. Not everyone can or wants to go into private practice. I tried for a year and had to close due to literally no business. Im a massage therapist, not an advertiser. Im not good at marketing and I can't afford to pay someone to do it for me.

  2. It would be great if we could be seen as a legitimate medical profession and get paid like doctors do. Until that happens though I'm going to need to keep my tips. Its not like I'm begging every client to tip me, they are just aware that we accept tips if they want to give them.

  3. I cannot just "get another job". This was the best paying location that offered me employment. I barely got any interviews as it was and this is an UPGRADE from my previous job with better pay and a more flexible schedule.

  4. Im not judging her but some of you seem to think that I am. She can do what she wants with her money and I'm not entitled to a tip, but I am a human with emotions and I'm allowed to be disappointed that someone who usually tips well is no longer tipping.