Yesterday (Saturday) I dropped my keys in the main hallway of my apartment building, right next to the mailboxes. I thought I'd just bend over and pick them up but apparently there was a hole in the floor and they fell into it, making them unreachable. I immediately called my landlord asking for help and he very quickly let me know that they fell into the downstairs dance studio (which is closed on Saturdays) and that he would send someone over to help. Shortly afterwards someone came by to open the door downstairs and was able to pick up the keys from behind a closet somewhere. The whole thing was very efficient and I sent a "Thank you" text to the landlord.

Now here's where things got messy. The landlord replied with:

Landlord: "I sure hope you gave him a big $20 tip"

I didn't reply because I didn't think a tip was warranted and also didn't want to get into an argument. It wouldn't be the first time I had issues with this guy and talking has never solved them.

4 hours later I get another text. I'll post the rest of our text conversation verbatim:

Landlord: "I just talked to bob who said you did not offer a nice tip. I am more than shocked you called on sat for a non emergency event. Two people went out of their way to accomodate you. Saving you big bucks replacing keys and car fabs and you stiff him. I am more than embarrassed. Hope you feel comfortable making good to Bob. I know he wont jump to your aid in the future."

Me: "I appreciate what he did for us and wasnt aware that a tip is customary in this instance. However there also shouldn't be a hole in the hallway where items can fall in, dont you think? I'll certainly think twice next time to ask fro help now that I know im expected to tip your employees"

Landlord: "There never is a need to tip my staff but when they go out of their way to help you for something stupid you did it would only be a very nice generous thing to do regardless of whom they worked for. That is the reasonable thing to do. A little generosity and appreciation goes a long way in life."

Landlord: "Bob the guy is a pain in the ass" (this wasn't meant for me lol)

Me: "Thats very rude"

Landlord: "Agreed it is rude not to tip a quality provider. It tells a lot about the character of an individual"

And that's it. Please tell me, am I the asshole for not tipping?

(BTW I've had many problems with this landlord before but I'm keeping the discussion solely focused on this one. I don't want any bias to influence the verdict here.)