Is Our Tipping Culture Out of Control?
Has tipping culture gotten out of control? We discussed tipping culture and tipping fatigue in 2024.
Are we tipping too much? 💸
Are we choosing a new era of etiquette over affordability? The Hip community is discussing tipping culture fatigue in 2024!
What is tipping fatigue?
Tipping fatigue is the tiredness consumers feel about the increasing demand for additional digital or cash payments on goods and services.
Since the pandemic, the presence of tipping has drastically increased and become much more common, resulting in tipping fatigue. Our new tipping culture has many of us questioning if this is even sustainable for our wallets with recent inflation. Additionally, is it even appropriate?
Here’s what a few of our Hip Sidekicks think about today’s tipping culture:
“I’m committed to tipping 20% for excellent service at a restaurant where I receive personal attention, but I find the tipping culture excessive in situations such as fast food or takeout, where minimal service is provided beyond fulfilling basic job responsibilities. Unfortunately, I don’t foresee this new culture changing. I think restaurant owners should compensate their employees adequately, eliminating the need for tips in these situations. Being expected to tip for self-service food orders puts me in an uncomfortable position, especially when someone is hovering over an iPad and visibly waiting for my decision on a simple coffee order.”– Sara
“I always tip more than I should because I’ve been a server and barista and that was where most of my money came from AND it is a very stressful job. I honestly think companies need to pay people in the service industry a higher wage. Then, they wouldn’t need to depend on tips. BUT, the whole take-out tip thing…nope. I used to out of guilt, but I don’t anymore. I just say no on the iPad, grab my bag, and get the heck out of there as quickly as possible. 😂” – Jessica B.
Our biggest issue with tipping culture in 2024 is still on food delivery or takeout services:
“I get really frustrated with eateries where you order your food at the counter and then you’re prompted to add a tip when you pay. I think it’s so bizarre since you haven’t received your food or any kind of service yet. Tipping is about service so if I have an issue with my food or the service and I’ve already tipped it really doesn’t make sense to me.” – Collin, Hip CEO & founder
“I think my biggest gripe about tipping is meal delivery services defaulting to a 20% tip and sometimes calculated AFTER all the extra fees and charges. After working in the service industry for most of my life, 20% would be acceptable for a full-service sit-down meal. These servers make a really low hourly wage and depend on tips to make a reasonable income. However, to pay someone the same percentage to pick it up and deliver it to me is bonkers. I will say, I’ve always tipped on coffee (usually the leftover change or a little more) and I don’t think that’s a new thing.” – Nicole
Overall, we’re happy to give gratuity if we’ve been provided a service, but we’d rather not tip just to tip…
“I’m a generous tipper but now even places where you stand in line and wait for your food want a tip. The workers do not work on tips like traditional servers, so it’s crazy to me to tip when they are being paid to just hand me my food. When I go to Miami every year, the city automatically adds on a tip at restaurants as there’s some sort of law. I can’t remember the percentage.” – Angela
“Where extra service is being provided and the person providing it could make or break your experience, I’m happy to tip. The iPad tip expectation just because you’re behind a counter is getting kind of ridiculous…and this is coming from someone who bartends occasionally with said iPad situations 😅. So, here’s my POV from behind the iPad!
At the bar I work at, if I’m giving beer recommendations, pouring various samples, giving treats to your dog (it’s very dog-friendly there), I’ll admit, I do expect a tip. Doesn’t have to be crazy, but I am making an effort to provide a good experience. But, if someone is grabbing a canned beer from one of our fridges, or they’re taking it to-go, to me, I haven’t added any extra service and just am ringing them up.
Some other bartenders say that we’re also providing glassware and cleaning up after them, but that’s what we’re paid to do by the bar, not the customer. In those low experience impact situations, I usually say, “Click through at the bottom so you can grab your receipt.” In my opinion, doing this takes the pressure off as they’re basically being told not to tip. Initially, I would just click the “No thanks” button for them, but I’ve had people not like that, because oddly enough, there are people out there who do want to tip anyway.” – Emily
We’d also love more transparency regarding wages in the service industry…
“Above all else, these workers should be paid more so tips aren’t required. It should be a treat for them and truly a way to commend their efforts. This wild new tipping culture seems to only really “benefit” or add to fast food and self-service type places. I feel as though waiting staff and places that have always needed tips to make it, aren’t gaining from this wild new culture. They are the people who really are working for and deserve the tips, so I wish they could.
I am the type to tip 20% and more at most restaurants, even with average service for me the 20% is minimum. But being asked to tip every single time I pay for anything is getting insane. I do appreciate the opportunity at times to tip if I’m ordering something or shopping and the person is being helpful. To me, they’re delivering a service. If a person is providing a service or expertise or even just being extremely kind and helpful, I’m happy to tip!
Where it gets uncomfortable is when it’s none of the above and you’re prompted to tip just because you’re paying. I also think the current interface adds pressure. If we could get an option to tip without it seeming like the expectation, it would be fine. I would also love more transparency on how much of these “tips” workers are actually receiving.” – Monica, Hip2Save
Today’s tipping culture has made some of us more comfortable with just saying no:
“By now I’m kinda used to the iPads asking for an optional extra tip and I’m comfortable opting out. LOL. It’s becoming a bit much in my opinion. I just hope employees are actually getting the tips. We went to a large venue concert buying drinks and the cashier actually said, ‘Oh, don’t tip we don’t actually receive them.’ That is so wrong!” – Lina
Tipping has gone beyond just good service.
Although many countries don’t tip, it’s been a common standard in America to tip for many services, from the salon to dining out. However, lately we’re prompted to tip much more regularly and on far more than just our restaurant bill. Sadly, last year it was reported that more than half of high-income consumers are now living paycheck to paycheck. 😳
What’s worse, the presence of digital payment systems is creating an even bigger shift in our country’s norms. Long are the days we can throw a few bucks in a tip jar. Now, digital kiosks set high tipping expectations while employees linger over our fingertips. A recent study by Pew Research Center showed 72% of American adults feel they are expected to tip at more places than they were just five years ago. Only a third of those people felt it was clear to know when or how much they should tip.
Even worse, it’s costing consumers significantly more during difficult times – even on simple items like a coffee to go. It’s no wonder many consumers are feeling tapped out. And more importantly, can we even afford to continue tipping like this with rising prices?
Over the years, tipping has allowed many businesses to bypass paying their employees minimum wage. Some even pay under $3 per hour. This is one reason tipping is such a talked about topic in the U.S. However, our new tipping culture enables tips for employees who are making at least the minimum wage (or more). Consumers regularly face the pressure and uncertainty of how much to tip and in scenarios they would have never thought of tipping for before.
According to one consumer, the key to beating tipping fatigue is to get comfortable saying “no”:
“The trick is to feel comfortable pushing ‘no tip’. After you’ve done it a few times it becomes easier. I do tip when there has been great service. But ordering a coffee or a burger in line is hardly a reason to tip anyone 20 or 30% on top of your order so I don’t do it. You can protect yourself and protect your money, by just doing what feels right for yourself. Don’t be afraid to just say no.” – Steve
The reality is that it’s not about who deserves tips but rather how our tipping culture distracts from the true costs of goods and services.
So when is enough, enough? According to money experts, one important factor is to know how much employees are making. This can help you determine the appropriate gratuity amount…if at all. It’s common practice in the U.S. to tip at restaurants and bars where workers are earning far less than minimum wage…
…But, should you tip for takeout? Or in situations where it requires little to zero effort on the employee’s end?
Nowadays, digital kiosks almost always set a standard 20% tip, even in workplaces making a fair wage. This new tipping culture is no longer based on exceptional services provided (if it requires one at all). Rather, it’s setting an entirely new expectation.
Hence why many consumers feel tipping fatigue and are starting to put their foot down:
“If I pick up my own pizza or order food at a fast food place, you don’t get a tip. All you did was hand me the food. That’s what I gave you the money for in the first place.” – Marty
Statistics are showing that inflation is driving Americans to tip less now that we’re post-pandemic. Yahoo even stated:
“As consumers, we should remember that we are in control. We choose when, where, and how much to tip. While tipping is a social norm, no one should feel pressured to tip more than the standard percentage, if at all. If a business is prompting you with a tip percentage higher than you are comfortable with, you can always enter a custom amount that you feel is appropriate instead. We can send a message that we won’t be pushed or guilted into tipping.”
I personally couldn’t agree more! 🙌🏼
So what are your thoughts on our current tipping culture in 2024? Are you feeling tipping fatigue like many of us?
Here’s what we think you should be tipping on everything…yes, everything.
Tipping is voluntary. I only tip in sit-down restaurants and haircuts when great service is provided. Nothing else!
I understand that is dependent on quality of service but you do realize that waiters get paid less than minimum before tips so tip money is essential to a decent earning
Thatās true that wait staff get paid based on the expectation theyāll receive tips in some states, but itās not true in all states.
The reader stated she tips at sit down restaurants, which is where waiters work. Most waiters do make a good living based on tips, without tips they would no doubt need to find another job.
This is not true. They make at LEAST federal minimum wage. If they have one table in an hour and they tip $2 and fed min wage is $7.25, the restaurant has to pay them the other $5.25 for that hour (if they don’t make it up in tips for the rest of the evening). If they worked a 7 hour shift they at minimum will walk out with a gross $50.75 whether it’s all tips or the restaurant had to supplement. This is a common misconception.
it varies by state I know Arizona tips below but california doesn’t
I do not tip at most places. I tip of course for sit down restaurants and deliveries. I do not tip for pick up because idk who gets the tips (cooks, cashier, owner idk)..
I go to a tanning salon and they recently put a tip jar out, interesting concept. I understand they clean the beds we get into. But at what point is it just their job.
I own a small cleaning business and do not get tipped often nor do my girls. We get the standard tips but I canāt say anyone has gone above and beyond to tip and weāre doing shitty work sometimes. But the cashier at the yogurt store ringing up your food doing nothing needs a tip. Mmhmm make it make sense. LOL love this article!
Yes
My question is when you buy food at a counter do the cashiers share the tips with the cooks
When I was a waitress and we had a takeout order, the tip would be on the credit card slip of whoever cashed them out, but a percentage of all the server tips went to the kitchen (cooks, dishwashers, bussers, hostess etc) at the end of the night, so it ended up being spread around. Most often, takeout tips were very small though.
My teenage son works as an expeditor at a somewhat upscale restaurant which can be very stressful. He does not get a share of tips even though he prepares and plates the side dishes, salads and desserts. His hourly rate is not very good either and he talks about how the waiters make a killing in tips.
My sister used to work as a waitress at skyline chili which has a somewhat small menu and is basically fast food so people come and go quickly. She said she made more at the end of the night from waitressing than the manager of the restaurant did.
I tip according to how many people are in my group and the service I get. I do not believe on tipping 20% or more of the total price. It shouldnāt matter if I order a $10 meal or a $50 meal..Iām getting the same service either way so I never understood why it is suppose to depend on the food total.
no cooks never get tips. they are paid very well.
I worked an ice cream parlor in a club on base overseas. If I got a tip I had to share it with the kitchen staff that was on the other end of the building that had nothing to do with the ice cream parlor. LOL But then again we had taxes taken out of our checks and the owner kept it. Since he was German and his club was on a military base he didn’t have to pay taxes to the German’s or the American’s. When I tried to get my taxes back since I was working overseas both the German government and JAQ told me that since taxes were not paid in I couldn’t get them back. LOL I quit. The owner did tell me that he didn’t understand why I was upset. He took very little taxes from me because I had a child and he knew I needed it. LOL People!
I donāt have a problem tipping when the service is good. But, tips have become expected in this society, even when the service is lacking. I went to a restaurant last week and the service was not good. As we were leaving, I handed the waitress $10 even though I didnāt think she earned or even deserved the $10. It was 15% of the total bill. As I thanked her, she just looked at the $10 and said absolutely nothing, not even a thank you back. Girl, this is why your tips are not what you except. I really should have asked for it back. Ungratefulā¦
Great article. I whole heartedly agree and I am tired of being asked to tip at places that simply hand me my food. Why do they get the same tip a server at a sit down restaurant works do hard for?
because the togo demand is so high now. togo get 2.13 hour as well as servers. they have to answer the phone put all togo orders together. do all the prep for all togo and catering orders. you guys just don’t get it. restaurant are relaying on the servers and togo bartender and host to all tip share. nobody wants to pay any more. then you have to claim 20 percent of all SALES at the end of the night. you can make good money in tips but by the time you tip everyone out by your sales your tips are crap. not fair that all the restaurant have to tip out all the other departments in the restaurant.
I did that Instacart deal for my mother in law who lives in a city 3 hours away for Motherās Day and got the very same Costco deal, 2 dozen roses and the truffles. I tipped in advance but found out later that yellow roses were delivered instead of the red ones I ordered. I wish I could have had the opportunity to find out how the shopper did before I tipped.
Lol, it’s definitely the shoppers fault that Costco was out of red roses ššš
The Instacart app allows the shopper to contact you if they are out of a product and I watched my phone the entire time, and I was never contacted to approve a replacement, which was why I expected it to be as I had ordered.
Why the snarky response to her? Laughing at Sheri because she was disappointed the roses were not what she expected? Seems very unkind.
Agreed – and how do we even know Costco was out of red roses? That’s one possible explanation, but with no communication from the shopper, we don’t know what really happened.
With instacart you can decrease and increase the tip for I think up to 24 hours after delivery
I whole heartily agree with Collin and I appreciate her saying that she doesn’t tip to simply be handed her food over the counter. Neither do I!! And I’ve always been a generous tipper. But that being said I am tired of being expected to leave a tip when I don’t feel like it was earned for zero service rendered. I am so glad this is being talked about because I know a lot of people feel the same. ā¤
seriously you think people just hand you your food. not at all we work our butts off and you want to completely be rude about tipping. I think everyone in the whole world should work in a tip based restaurant then maybe you could understand. wow!!!
But don’t you get paid an hourly rate at or above minimum wage? If so, then you are already getting paid to “work your butt off.”
It’s one thing if you go above and beyond or if you only make server wages where you depend on tips to make up your income. But … if you’re making a standard hourly rate, that IS your pay.
honestly, this is SUCH a great article. I’m so tired of everywhere you go, there’s a tip jar. As previously mentioned, if you’re getting takeout, why am I tipping you for handing me a bag or a pizza or a coffee? Just no. We just got back from a cruise and did a couples massage. They automatically added a $50 tip to our tab (which we were charged in advance) . When it was over, they said “if you’d like to add anything more, please feel free to do so”. because the cost of the massage and the $50 tip wasn’t enough? NO. And then there is Walmart+. Free delivery….. so okay, that was awesome. Until you see that they automatically add in like a 20% tip. SO why am I paying for Walmart+ service then? I could still have it delivered by Instacart and pay a tip on delivery. If it’s free delivery, it should be free delivery. Walmart should pay a bonus on delivery so the customer doesn’t have to do that. ( I know there are some that will disagree, and that’s okay, this is just my opinion on the whole “free delivery”.) We aren’t made of money, so I do all my grocery as “pick up” for Walmart to avoid that whole thing. it’s adds up. it’s getting to the point where it feels like you’re getting “tip shamed” everywhere you go. We went and got bagels ( to go)….. a bag of bagels. And there’s a thing on the ipad for a tip. For putting bagels in a bag? Really? and the cashier actually said “please feel free to add a tip”. Are you kidding me ? I run payroll for a 50,000 team member company….. we never ask for tips ! it’s our job. and the company should be paying a living wage and not rely on customers to not only buy their product, but then pay the salary of their employees.
The walmart + allows you to change or remove the tip when you checkout– it’s not obligatory. I think it defaults to the 10% button, but it’s simple to just to hit “no tip” or “custom amount” or whatever
I never tip to be handed food over-the-counter. I always tip very well if I am using a luxury service (uber eats, door dash, instacart). Are the markups on everything and fees annoying? Yes. Do the drivers get any of that? No (~$2). If you don’t like it go get in the car and pick it up/shop for yourself.
amen
Amen. I still shop the old fashioned way. I hate using pick up except at Walgreens because we do not get receipts anymore.
Forgive my ignorance, but I don’t know much about how the delivery drivers are paid. I’m guessing they aren’t paid by the hour or by the number of deliveries made?
On DoorDash the base pay in my area is $2.75 no matter how many miles I have to drive. I hardly ever accept DoorDash orders because they are always low pay and high miles. Uber eats pays the best in my area. Until these services start paying better we fully rely on tips. We are also independent contractors using our own cars and gas.
DoorDash also added a pay by time option but it is not as good as it sounds. You are paid so
much per hour of time you are on orders, so if an order takes 5 minutes to pick up and deliver and the driver has made next to nothing.
I tip at full service restaurants and some delivery guys (Iām in a second floor condo), no one else. It doesnāt bother me one bit to say no. I think most of us realize that wait staff at restaurants are paid a low wage that is made up by tips. I worked as waiter years ago and made great money. The tips were amazing. And if someone didnāt tip I didnāt care.
I donāt understand why the app is showing that there are comments on posts, and then when you click on them, it says no comments found??
Oh bummer! SO sorry for the issues. I still find the comments listed on each post when checking the app. Maybe check for the update or delete and reinstall. Hoping that might do the trick for you! š¤ā¤ļø
I ran an update yesterday. Sadly Iāve never had any app that has as many problems or crashes as Iāve had with this app. And I love using it too which makes it frustrating. Even now, I canāt see my own comment without using the website.
That does sound frustrating. Sorry again that this is happening for you in the app. What type of device are you using? I’ll be sure to pass this along to the team to look into. ā¤ļø
Hello again! I did speak with the team. Weāre actually working behind the scenes on the new iOS app that fixes this issue and makes the app even better. We should be launching in the next couple weeks! š
I do have an iPhone, so Iām looking forward to the update!! Besides not being able to see comments, it often just gets stuck scrolling down the deals, and wonāt let me get past whatever point it gets stuck at, or it shows me the same deals in duplicate, back to back in the list. I also have trouble opening the very first deal in the list. So many things make it cumbersome, so glad to see an iOS fix soon! Thanks for the response!!
You’re most welcome! Thank YOU for all of this helpful feedback! Good to know what features are not currently working well for you. I’ll share this with the team too! š„°š
This is happening to me too. I deleted the app and checked for updates (there were none) but it still does not show any comments on the app.
Oh no! SO very sorry about that, SS.ā¤ļø I do see comments in the app on my phone. What type of device are you using? I’ll be sure to share this with the team so that we can work on a fix for this! š
Just an update for you, SS! I’ve passed this feedback along and it appears we are currently working on the new iOS app that fixes this issue and makes the app even better. This should be available in the next couple of weeks! š¤ā¤ļø
Absolutely yes
Its time to push your employers to page you the proper wage instead of barking on the wrong tree (the consumers).
Preach!
People can buy to go from groceries and dont have to tip. These people also answers calls, prep whats to be cooked, cooks.prepares orders, hands them over to customer etc. They get paid at least minimum wage. Time for servers to push for laws to get at least min wage
Employers are required by law to make up the difference if the base pay + tips don’t come out to at least minimum wage. I was a server in a state where base pay (at least at the time) was required to be minimum wage or more to start with and it was a good living!
they don’t ever do that in Texas. lmao. if you goto work for 5 hours and make $10 and your sales are $500 then you just lost money and not one restaurant is going to pay you minimum wage because you only made $10 that’s a joke. they say they will but I promise you that will never happen.
I feel like tipping has completely gotten out of control. I am a generous tipper and I tip well at restaurants, for takeout orders, for deliveries, and haircuts but it seems like everywhere I go I’m being asked for a tip. The other day I was driving through a carwash that I have a monthly membership at and was asked by the attendant for a tip. I’m sorry I’m not tipping you for simply just checking my car in to go through the wash. That is your job.
I am a tipper, but outside of the obvious services (ex. sit down dinners, salon, etc.), I only tip a few dollars rather than 20%.
I do find it a bit frustrating that if I order take out – I am getting in the car, going to the place, and bringing the food back home – that a tip is still expected. I feel like I am doing a good chunk of the work there, but it does help to remind me that getting the food together and packed up in a box for me is still valuable. Usually in those cases, I tip just a couple dollars.
Maybe, all the self-checkout stores should give mea tip for doing their job for them. Ha! Paying higher prices for products and getting less service. Customer service barely exists anymore, and you want me to tip just because you feel entitled to it whether you provided good service or not?
The day Amazon asks me to tip, is the day I stop tippingā¦..period.
Everyone who is in a service related industry expects a tip for just doing their job. Tipping your waitress makes sense; however, tipping a delivery person or hotel cleaning staff seems a bit much unless their service is over an beyond basic.
Unless it is Shipt or Instacart the delivery driver is paid between $2-$2.75 without tip.
Question should the Walmart delivery driver be tipped? I say yes and everyone in my home says no because tipping is out of control.
I think they should. Thatās a luxury service. They only get a minimal amount on delivery and use their own cars and gas
Yes,, Just recently was asked to Tip at an automated car wash.. literally all they did was press the button for the cleaner and swiped my card…. So strange..
I placed an online order for pickup from a local Thai restaurant yesterday. I could not submit the order without adding a tip. Then when I picked up my order, the person who gave me my food said the owner kept the tips. Makes me not want to frequent their establishment again.
yes ir is true some places if you tip on credit card the owner keeps it. so wrong.
As someone that has worked for Instacart and Doordash, please know that the drivers get paid very little so tips are the only thing making delivery gigs worthwhile. I know these platforms charge a lot in fees but very little makes it to driver to cover their time, gas and wear on car. For example doordash base pay is 2.75 and Instacart is $7. Normally thisnis regardless of number of items or even heavy pay. Also the first 9-10 miles are also included in this $7 base pay. So a 40 item 9 mile order can only pay $7 if there is no tip.
The entire tipping system is outdated and based on societal norms that are based on sustaining economic inequality and exploitative in origin. I believe everyone who works, deserves to earn a decent living wage, one that adapts to changing times (i.e., cost of living). Employers in all industries should pay decent wages so those who are at the lower economic/social strata are fairly compensated without having to work 2-3 jobs simply to meet everyday expenses never mind saving for a better future. I also realize the nature of all business and industry is profit, but that should never come at the cost of exploiting their workers and keeping many below or just at poverty level. Pay decent fair wages, offer health care benefits and job/skill training so those in the workforce can aspire and create a better future for themselves and in turn benefit all of us together. Decent living wages, no tipping required.
Yes! Stella!. if minimum wage had stayed the same but was only adjusted for inflation over the 90years, minimum wage would just be under $6 per hr, but look at all the additional stuff that people have to pay for nowadays, at least 2 cellphones for a family of 4, cable&internet, car, car insurance and gasoline to name a few, I wonder if we did away with those new things, would that $6per hr still be enough for one adult to work and the other to care for 2 children at home like what might have used to have been done in a typical 1930s scenario from when minimum wage was established, even if the adult at home had home jobs of taking in laundry, gardening and selling those items, selling home arts&crafts, etc etc, would that income be enough today for the basics, plus more children attend higher education and they have their own vehicles during college, just I don’t believe that $6/hr would be enough, that’s minimum wage adjusted just for inflation over the 90 yrs with no raises. We just have to provide wages that can keep people content at least, just 2 adults working 40hrs a week each at say fast food or retail and not being able to provide the basics for a family of 4…that’s just sad that they might need to depend on social services for help after each working 40hrs a week,… I kind of see where some countries have some forms of guaranteed income or lots of programs so that everyone gets the same basic healthcare or basic maternity leave or basic education etc free, those countries are trying to keep the people content as long as they are working fulltime and that if someone wants to be more than content, they want to be happy or estastic lol, then they work more, they get more education, they make even better decisions, but it’s just sad to see say 2 parents work retail fulltime with varying schedules and they need snap benefits to make ends meet month to month—-rant mostly over, lol, but also if they are using our tipping to not increase wages, while also there is inflation on the prices of items, that is just so much. I love to tip for good service, but there is a basic level of service expected, there are a few times that we have Not tipped because we did not receive the basic level of customer service. But it’s weird to think how one person may go to a restaurant and with tip spend $15 on a meal, while another goes in and spends $20 on that SAME meal because they tip more, I think what might have been expected was that the customer with more wealth tips more, but that’s not always how it works out. I’ve thought, would it be better to go to a restaurant that says no tips, but offers a living wage to the employee, but expects a good bit of good customer service from them but that all customers get the meal at the same price, but that tips could still be allowed but not expected, that when that employee signs up for work, they know their mimimum wage and that everything else is almost really a tip. I’ve known some waitresses that really really did well financially, I don’t take that sob story on the tips much, I understand the rough days, I mean really they leave work and only made $25 that 8hr shift, but other days, gosh $200 for a 4-8hr shift, I think a lot of gig workers and wait staff miss taking all their income for the month and dividing it by their total hours for the month, most of them make well over the $18/hr living wage for our county for 1 adult, no children, as I still Wish that entry level jobs like fast food entry worker, retail entry worker, waitstaff entry worker, and entry gig worker, I Wish they were still just Entry work and not lifelong work for many, but we’ve seen that change in the past 30 yrs to be lifelong work for some. And if restaurants did move to a no tip kind of pricing, we’d see some customers priced out and they would give up the restaurants for just fast food, that has bad health implications overall , but maybe some would say they’d skip 2 fast food meals to have one restaurant meal. It’s just all complex and I wonder sometimes what in the world is going on with tipping.—Also we would receive more taxes in if it was a standard wage for some workers and not a tipping culture, we miss out on some taxes as a nation when tips are not entered in to be taxes. It’s just all a complex thing where they really need to weigh pros and cons of what can help the nation, the people. It’s just complex where shareholders and business owners are always trying to at least maintain if not increase profit but at the same time employees want to increase their wage for having been trained more in more each day with their job, a yearly raise just kind of keeps up with inflation, you have to get a promotion to actually hope for an improvement in your standard of living.
I worked one full time state job and 2-3 part time jobs to raise my daughter alone. It can be done but it is hard. I only got $100 child support and the state took $25 of it for getting it for me. LOL I took my daughter to my part time jobs so it wasn’t to bad. LOL
I tip most places. I tip 10% when I do takeout and 20% + for sit down restaurants and service providers. I don’t feel pressured to do it because at the end of the day, it’s my money.
My fave is crumbl cookie where my $3.98 cookie has a $3 tip automatically addedš³
Everyone is just cheap here & donāt want to tip. Yāall arenāt big tippers bc big tippers will never claim themselves as big tipper. I know a person who tips 30% on everything & 20% on take out but they never claim to be big tippers as this is what I witnessed over thousands of time. But I agree tipping is required now for every establishment. Even for giving you a shuttle of 2 mins to pick up ur car at airport to parking lot. Itās their job but they give u nasty looks when u donāt tip. I was pressured into tipping $5 for the shuttle man who drops people to their car.
I understand not tipping for ringing up your to go orders but people who work at salons & massage ur stinky feet deserves a good tip bc their pay depends on tip. The pay of service all goes to the owner! The salon owner doesnāt pay their employees! Tip well if u go to a salon people! They donāt get good pay bc all goes to the owner! Either that or u clean your own stinky feet lol
I went to a restaurant that had opened in a former Wendy’s restaurant and when you walked to register to place your order the old Wendy’s donation box said TIPS. This was less than a month after opening why would you tip fast food when you have to get your own drinks, sauces, and food. I tip at sit down restaurants.
I recently booked a hotel on hopper.com and they seriously asked for a tip and then I donated to go fund me and they too asked to a tip. Now thatās ridiculous
Yes, tipping culture has become aggressive and unrealistic. Everything everywhere prompts a tip which devalues the actual reason behind tipping.
I constantly tell my kids itās not necessary to tip carry outs, chain coffee shops, chain ice cream shops where workers earn minimum wage.
Itās very important for the younger generation to understand that unnecessary tipping is bad financial practice. A dollar here and there adds up and they are better off paying their college debts.
Everyone needs to pay more attention to the screens during checkout.
Just came back from Europe. no tipping at restaurants but the river boat told us how much to tip the crew, only cash. The crew all splits it
We do love the no tipping in Europe… it takes all the pressure off. The crews on river boats and cruises are always A-mazing. We have never met a crew member who didn’t work their tail feathers off.
You’re right. They deserve the tips because they work so hard and constant. We used to be able to charge but now we need to make sure we have enough cash in Euros at the end of the trip. We also tip extra.
I lived in Germany from 72-96 (military) and never heard of tipping until I moved stateside. I learned a lot of things were different stateside. LOL
I ordered a shirt yesterday online and at checkout was asked to include a tip for the staff! I was so shocked I almost didn’t order the shirt.
Reading the comments, it looks to me like many people think it is out of control…as I do.
Unless, it is them doing the work! Then they are all for tipping generously.
I’m afraid if I don’t select a tip on those Ipads while the cashier stands there gawking at me, they will put something in my food! I know that seems silly….but I’ve heard some horror stories from the kitchen crews about people who send their food back, so I kind of feel forced to tip. And it doesn’t make sense because it’s their job to offer quality service. Someone giving me my order isn’t the same as someone hand painting color in my hair or servicing my winter rough feet during a pedi! Plus, I also was told they don’t get those tips on the IPad?!
Omg, I have the same fear! It isn’t silly at all since I have also heard the same from people who have previously worked in a kitchen. The reality is those people are handling food that I’m going to put in my mouth, so I often tip on the iPad just out of fear/to protect myself, even if the tip wasn’t earned, lol.
Yup, it is not silly at all. My husband was a waiter and told me awful stories of what he’s seen employees do to the food of customers who were snotty. He never did anything like but some people have no conscience.
Same! And they stand there watching/waiting for you. I HATE this out of control tipping, but those ipads make me feel guilty if I don’t.
Agree with this article! My son ordered a pick up order from Buffalo Wild Wings and they just started to add a $.99 “pick up fee”…WHAT? Took my dog to doggie day care for a half day of play and they asked for a tip at the check out…my $27 for 5 hours of play (for a dog…you know he was put in a room with others to romp for 5 hours) wasn’t enough? Stop already!
American service became very bad. Tipping is dead end, because people don’t do their job with stable good service.
Salaries are joke, and many people have to work more than 8 hours per day.
One job should be enough, without tips and overtimes.
I completely agree it has gotten out of control. Biggby Coffee is the worst! Their drive-through staff take your card to swipe and actually verbally ask if you would like to leave a tip. SO annoying!! I’ve taken to only using cash if I go there to avoid the dreaded question. Surprisingly, Starbucks is actually the best in my area about not asking for tips.
Delivery service platforms besides Shipt and Instacart have a base pay of $2-$2.75 so yes tipping should be done. Things Iām not seeing considered is your driver is often waiting at the restaurant for food yo be finished, shopping or picking up your groceries. These platforms do not have heavy pay.
Here’s a novel idea. The corporations making millions in profits per month pay their employees a decent living wage. then tipping would be absolutely optional. The employees would be happier and so with their consumers p
Why canāt I see comments
Oh bummer! Very sorry for the issues with comments. ā¤ļø Are you by chance using the app on an Apple device? We’ll have an update to fix that issue real soon! In the meantime, you can still view all comments on the site in desktop view. Thanks so much for the heads up on this!
Yes it is getting out of hand. Everyone these days thinks they deserve one. If I walk up to a counter and placing my order then stand and wait for it to be made, you donāt get a tip.
There are so many people who DON’T work for tips, that make a lot more than minimum wage, expecting tips these days. Restaurant workers, valet, bellhop, those types of things I understand. But some people just seem to want money just because.
I only tip when the service has been exceptional. Not if I am ignored and forgotten etc. I do not tip when I pick up food especially not at the counter. I have never done delivery so not sure if I would do that or not.
Recently our local cafe rio was advertising job openings for counter help at $17 hr plus tips! The hourly rate alone is high for our area! I tip great at sit down restaurants (usually 30% or more for good service) but I’m at the point of not wanting to even go to the businesses that aren’t paying the low wait staff wage and still ask for tips. I hope this trend ends quickly because it will hurt those businesses eventually!
What about clipping my cats nails? I visit a local pet store monthly that has a company come in for nail cutting. The cost of the service is $17 and takes maybe 5 minutes if that. Then they swipe the card and turn the dreaded iPad towards me to select a tip amount. I do always tip but it’s one of those weird social interactions where I feel forced to tip. I would appreciate opinions on this. TIA š
I am also having difficulty seeing any comments on my phone. I had to go on my computer to read them. I think itās interesting that some states still donāt pay minimum wage to wait staff. In California our wait staff get 15.50 an hour which is our minimum wage in addition to tips. I also just read online that it is illegal for anyone to take a tip away from wait staff. The employer cannot decide to share it or take it for himself. Not sure if thatās just in California.
Very sorry for the issues with comments in the app. We should have that all fixed in the coming weeks. Thanks so much for the heads up on what you’re seeing. ā¤ļø
I am a grocery shopper and my tips are my main source of income. I get paid a small flare rate that will just about cover my gas but not much more. Itās so discouraging to work very hard for over an hour, deliver excellent service and then be paid $7 because the customer didnāt tip. I feel like 10% is fair and 20%is amazing.
That being said, Iām also a customer and not rich so I feel like our tips should be knowledge based. Because of my experiences, Iām not embarrassed to ask, Hey, do you get paid hourly? Or is your income tip based?ā if the person serving you is working for tips, then I would simply question whether or not, I could afford to have my groceries or fast food delivered to my house. Just because you want to save money, it is unfair to the employee to have to work for nothing dependent on the random generosity of strangers.
I believe in generosity. I believe in reciprocity.
But I also think that good information, makes good decisions. In my company, I do all of the shopping bagging and delivering. I know that some other grocery stores the shopper simply hast to load it into their car and drop it off two minutes down the road. In that case, I wouldnāt tip 20% on a $200 grocery order.
To sum it up, I believe that if itās an industry, where the employees are relying on tips, if you cannot afford to tip as part of your expense, then you cannot afford that luxury. However, if the employees are already being fairly compensated, then absolutely, I would not feel obligated to tip!
My response it to Nicole. While I agree that tipping had got out of control when you order food from DoorDash, Uber eats, grub hub etc we are paid hardly ANYTHING to use our own vehicle, gas, time etc and fully rely on tips. On DoorDash the base pay in my area is $2.50 no matter the miles. Until this apps stop being so greedy and value their drivers enough to pay fairly we have to depend on tips. Many drivers will not take low no tip orders because we are not charity drivers and should not have to pay to work. Apps need to stop charging outrageous fees if they are not going to pass those fees on to the driverās compensation.
I went to a ice cream/frozen yogurt shop recently where you make your own ice cream. 2 employees were standing behind the counter just talking while you make your stuff. I cannot believe that they turned that damn screen around for a tip lol I almost laughed at the time. Yes they are getting minimum wage, I get it, but they are getting minimum wage for filling toppings, cleaning up messes, and cashing me out. I worked at a fast paced busy ice cream and takeout restaurant before so I can see where this shops business model has taken the hard work out of it.