No. 33
Having worked in hospitality in my younger days, I believe in tipping well for good service, especially at a high-end restaurant. However, tipping in America appears to have taken on a life of its own since the adoption of new technologies and the COVID-19 pandemic. I decided to do some research into the history of tipping and why it is more common in the U.S. than in other countries.
Brief History of Tipping
Tipping in America wasn’t always commonplace. It was started by wealthy people in the 1860s but was viewed by most as classist and condescending. In fact, in 1897 The New York Times called tipping "the vilest of vices," and Mark Twain called it “extortion.” In the early 1900s, some states outlawed tipping only to reverse course as tipping became an accepted practice by those who wanted to appear more sophisticated as they mimicked European culture where tipping was common.
As often happens in America with help from the government we managed to supersize tipping. In 1967 the U.S. Congress passed the "tipping credit”, which allowed employers to pay employees less than the minimum wage if they received tips. For comparison, in Europe, 10% - 15% is considered a good tip at a restaurant while in the U.S. 20% - 25% is now the norm. However, we have now extended the tipping culture to many services such as baristas, attendants, hairdressers, massage therapists, counter help, and more recently back-of-the-house restaurant workers.
How Did We Get Here?
It’s tipflation baby! And like inflation is a silent thief. Tipping went through a dramatic change during the pandemic and it seems to have stuck. As typically happens Americans rallied by expanding the scope of tipping to help small businesses and individuals who were negatively impacted by lockdowns. Suddenly, we were tipping more at sit-down restaurants, for delivery, for picking up, at the counter, for showing up, and for not showing up.
As sure as there is nothing as permanent as a temporary entitlement program, services figured out how to hard-wire tipping into the culture through the use of technology designed to intimidate and embarrass you into tipping more. Pop into your local take-out restaurant and the person at the counter flips the monitor around on the self-pay register for all to see and requests that you tip up to 25%. Hold on a minute! I ordered online. I walked or drove myself to the restaurant. I paid online. All you did was read my name on the bag and hand it to me and you want 25%?
I have no issue tipping well for good food and great service, but I think it has gotten a bit out of control. Some restaurants are even tacking on a tip for back-of-the-house workers. I’d rather you pay your people and raise your prices rather than surprise me at the end of the meal with more service fees. As if the additional service taxes aren’t enough already.
What’s Next?
I honestly don’t know. The genie is out of the bottle with everyone expecting to be tipped. I found the chart below that provides some guidance, but I disagree with some of the ranges. I have added my comments below. For me it is just one more reason to spend more time in Italy where the food is excellent, the service extraordinary, and tipping means rounding up the bill several Euro.
Buffet? Really? 10% - 15% for delivery? What is the difference between tacos and a pizza order? No to tipping jars other than musicians and only if they don’t sound like someone swinging a cat. Restroom attendants - do they still exist?
Waxing - only if they are gentle. Massage - always tip. Hair Salon - I am still trying to figure out why it costs me more when I have much less hair.
Doorman - One kick ass Christmas gift annually. Same applies to your mail carrier, and normal FedEx or UPS Drivers. You want those packages, don’t you?
Source: https://www.remitbee.com/blog/has-tipping-culture-in-north-america-gone-too-far