I think the American tipping concept is a way for bosses to underpay their employees. In Europe it’s common to pay when the server is doing a good job, not as a formality. Pay your employees and ask for a smaller tip. It shouldn’t be a system based on tips or no tips at all. You can still make extra money during festivals/holidays. Don’t put the responsibility at the consumers, just pay if you want to run a business.

"If the driver got you home safely, that is worth tipping." The definition of "I did the bare minimum, now I want a bonus."

😂😂😂 “If the driver got you home safely, it deserves a couple extra bucks.” Ummm no, that’s literally his job. WTF

I absolutely hate it when I have to tip before I receive my food, i.e. takeout/coffeeshops not sit down restaurants. My tip should be a reflection of their service, rather than their service reflecting my tip. It’s also infuriating because in those tip first establishments you are generally not waited on. The only service they provide is the preparation and calling out my name. That should be covered by the high price I’m already paying for the food/drink. I don’t want to be bullied into tipping. It just doesn’t feel right.

I used to be a great tipper. I took joy in tipping high. Once I was getting asked for tips everywhere, including gas stations, take out etc, I quit and I don’t feel bad at all! I felt harassed everywhere I went. I now only tip at a sit down restaurant. I’m free!!

They would not need tips if the company they work for pays a decent wage.

Things have gotten even worse recently. I've been asked to tip $1/$2/$3 for a cup of boba or coffee ($3 is literally 60%!!) during pandemic, and just recently I got one cafe asking for similar amounts WITH NO "NO TIPS" OPTION, I had to literally hit "custom amount" and type "0" and then hit enter. Folks, stand on your ground, and don't tip at these places!

Love how the owner of a business is essentially saying, "Some of my patrons might pay more of my overhead costs on top of what they're already paying for my product and make me more profit because I am not legally obligated to pay my employees a living wage." We are the only country that has been duped into paying 20% of the restaurant owner's employees' wages, and now it's for almost everything. Employers should pay their employees a living wage! A tip for excellent service is one thing. It's gone way past that now.

I tip at sit down restaurants. Where there is service from a waiter/waitress. Periodt. I don't tip at Starbucks.

Recently purchased some chocolate bars from a candy/gift shop and was prompted to tip up to 15%-50% at the pay screen. It was like being asked to tip at the grocery or drug store.

Tipping culture in the US alone is super scary and stressful lol. They are the only one who do this ridiculous stuff while the rest of the world don’t deal with this nonsense. Tipping is to show gratitude if you feel like it, not because it’s mandatory. I don’t need to tip on fastfood or coffeeshops. I only do on restaurant’s who does personal service to wait on our tables.

I went through Pete's coffee drive through the other day and the worker shoved the paying device out the little window and into my car window to show the tip screen, this literally boiled my blood

in Japan , I left a tip after my meal . And then the waiter chased after me and return my money. He said “we don’t accept tips here” lol

It’s also frustrating when restaurants include tip automatically without telling you, and then ask for tip on top of it.

I think the problem is that it's gotten too expensive to tip. I remember leaving a $5-$10 tip on a nice sit down restaurant was considered a generous tip and I didn't mind paying that at all but now with the inflated prices of everything and the establishments forcing percentage tipping of more than 15% its way too much. Then they ask you for tips at places they didn't used to before and it just becomes a hassle.

I used to be a waitress, so you know I believe in the tipping system. When I’m out to eat, get my car washed, on vacation etc., I always tip well especially when the service is good. However, I don’t know why I am expected to tip when someone is simply just taking my order?

I live in Europe. We don't have to tip. It's so much easier. So when lunch costs 15 Euros, you pay 15 Euros. No taxes and tips added at the Cash Register.

It's a shame that tipping has became such a hassle. Customers should tip when they feel like the service provided is good and tip out of goodwill. It really shouldn't be an obligation.

I think a big part of it popping up in places or situations you wouldn't expect to tip, is it's just a built in function of the point of sales system. If someone hands me a screen to process my card, and it asks for a tip in a situation where tipping wouldn't normally be a thing, I have no problem hitting "no tip" just like I would choose no when it comes to donating to some charity that I'm not into at the supermarket register card machine.

The restaurant owner saying, "yes, the server will make less without tips." is literally saying, I won't pay them more than the $2.15/hr I do. Restaurant owners are actually evil. We need to force their hands and stop tipping.

I hate when I order a pick up delivery from a restaurant and they ask for a tip. If I sat down and ate there, I would tip. If the food was delivered to me, I would tip the driver. But if all I'm doing is driving over myself to pick up food, and I wasn't waited on, I'm not tipping. And I sure as hell ain't tipping at Starbucks or McDonald's.

restaurant owner be like "i love not having to pay my own employees"

As a barista myself, my coffee shop recently implemented the option to leave a credit card tip at time of payment. We've always had a tip jar for cash and coin tips, but this was new. When I'm in the drive through and someone hands me their card, I'll insert it, then hold the device so they can select. I'll always say "it'll just have you make a quick selection for me, it's totally optional" so that way they know they're not obligated to tip. I hate pressuring people to tip when it's not a "tipping wage" job.

One of the worst places I got pushed for a tip was a bathroom. There was a flea market I went to, there was a person in it cleaning the bathroom, and I noticed there was a sign suggesting a tip so she can be paid to keep the restroom clean. Sometimes if I was feeling generous I would but most times I would get my own soap, turn on my own water and get my own paper towel to dry my hands, so I don’t feel it’s necessary for me to clean up after myself then tip someone else to keep the bathroom clean. I feel bad for that person working there, but then don’t take the job if your salary is tip only. The time I did tip was when the woman handed me soap and turned on my water and had a paper towel ready, and was very pleasant to me, so I tipped. The other worse place is a drive thru, a worker actually tried to keep my change stating it would towards their tip…I didn’t authorize that so I asked for my change, it’s a drive thru!! Tipping is getting ridiculous. Don’t mean to sound like a grinch but it’s crazy how much I do most of the work myself and yet it’s expected for me to pay someone else…too crazy. 🙄

Man I don’t understand why I have to pay for something then pay someone to hand it to me

I purchased a $5 cupcake at a pick up counter with no sitting at the airport and was faced with the screen showcasing the following tip options: $1, $3, $5. There was NO no tip option. When I pressed “Other amount” the clerk said “No tip? Ok you press X to cancel.”

I’ve been really appreciating your messages these days. Thank you so much!! It’s so helpful navigating all this.

Cruise lines in the US typically charge a gratuity for the crew that we pay up front. It comes to about $16 a day per person, so $224 for a couple for a 7 night cruise. The drinks package cost always includes an extra 18% for gratuities. Yet even with that, some people tip more, which is fine, but I feel we’ve already paid the tips up front. There seems to be an expectation of tipping on top of the substantial amount of tips we’ve already paid. Unless someone has gone out of their way to help us, I see no reason to tip more. That’s supposed to be the point of prepaid gratuities.

Tipping culture has gotten so bad in America these days that I simply stopped going to any takeaway business that prompts me for a tip, such as Five Guys and Tropical Smoothie Cafe. It certainly helps to reduce the decision fatigue associated with myriad restaurant options. These days I'm partial to Firehouse Subs and Wendy's which never prompt customers for a tip. Should I ever get prompted there in the future, I'll take them off the list and move on to the next. Capitalism in action.

I recently went to lunch at Potbellys. 4 people waited on me as I moved down the line. Not one person even managed a smile. The manager rang up my order and asked me if I wanted to leave a tip. I did because I felt internal pressure. My order was wrong. Never again will I tip when I don’t feel like I was treated with basic manners.

Best video on tipping: Why Tipping Should Be Banned - Adam Ruins Everything ukposts.info/have/v-deo/qY-nnax6bpmQkp8.html

Tipping is very difficult. As a young adult, a lot of times the people on the other side of the new tipping kiosks are my peers. However, I am also pursuing a professional degree (medicine) that will put me in significant debt for decades and feel guilt many times when selecting no tip, even for services that have not particularly asked for tips. It’s tough, I would love to tip everyone but I financially can’t and the lines are very grey, especially now that everyone is asking for tips.

Tipping in America is ridiculous! ABOLISH TIP !!!

I stopped using doordash and eating out completely because of this. Even going through a drive thru had become a hassle because now they're starting to request tips. Asking for a tip when I'm simply picking up the food I paid for seems like an outrageous concept. Customers are basically paying employees because greedy restaurants want to increase profits. Tipping should be voluntary and I don't appreciate having a screen shoved in my face asking for a tip. Going to continue making home cooked meals and keeping eating out to a minimum.

Never feel bad not tipping for Fast food!! The payment app just defaults tipping to go through. Just press "No tip" to pay, then put some changes in the tipping jar if you want.

I was at concert and the merch booth was asking for tips. I’m like yo, all you did was get a t shirt from that pile and walked 5 steps to me. I’m not tipping for that.

TIPS = To Insure Prompt Service. If you do not provide a service beyond taking my order you shouldn't expect a tip. I went to a coffee shop where I had to walk back up to the counter to pick up my drink and again to pick up my food and then was expected to bus my own table. And I was asked to tip when placing my order. I did everything but make the food.

I am burnt out. I stopped tipping. It's too much of a guilt trip these days. They raise the price of the product or service then have high tipping options.. I'm tired

Tipping in USA is getting out of hand! It's one thing for me to tip at a sit down restaurant where a waiter is bringing me everything to my table, but when I buy a coffee at the counter and I stay there to wait for it, it's ridiculous for them to expect me to tip $1/ $2/ $3 for a $4- $5 coffee that I'm grabbing to go!

When customers are *forced* to tip, it’s time to start turning the attention onto the only people that can solve this issue: *THEIR EMPLOYERS*

It’s gotten OUT OF CONTROL! What I don’t understand is… every shop seems to have a sign that’s says “Sorry, we have had for raise our prices.” But yet, we are still expected to give tips, even MORE THAN ever before! Well, if your prices have gone up, I have less money to spend. This goes both ways!

I never tip unless I'm actually dining at a sit down restaurant with a server. Anywhere else is just ridiculous and these companies are becoming abusive

My biggest problem with it is there is now an expectation of a tip BEFORE the service rendered. What if the service is terrible? This happens to me sometimes with doordash - I leave a big tip, but then the driver will deliver another order or even two before mine and by the time my food gets to me its gone cold. It makes me want to leave smaller tips because the tip I do leave doesn't guaruntee good service.

I’m glad the origin and history of tipping was included as it was not started as a class status or appreciation of the service of the waitstaff. With that being said, tipping after you’ve taken my to go order for food or coffee makes absolutely no sense - but for a full service such as sit down meals and salon service, absolutely. I tip well for those services.

I resent this manipulative practice and try and avoid establishments which implement this policy.

I just went to a restaurant in Austin TX. The hideaway. No host. No welcome. Just sit your ass down. Qr code at table. No server. Had to get out own water at the front desk. Food came out. Had to get our own utensils and togo containers. And then the app when you pay, asks for 18% minimum tip. I put a custom tip. And they lucky they got that! Things are getting out of hand

I always click no tip on those grocery store or in person service that no service was actually provided. It’s so weird and I feel guilty, but you don’t need to tip when you buy a sprite in person 😂

I love to show my appreciation for good service by tipping my server well. I absolutely despise the obligation I feel to tip someone doing the bare minimum of ringing me up at a cash register, especially when I don’t know how that tip is being distributed.

These restaurant owners do not want to pay their employees so we all end up paying for them! So so wrong!

I ordered two medium pizzas and a soda delivered to my home. The tax, “delivery fee,” and tip cost was more than my entire order. I went from ordering pizza 3-4 times a month to 3-4 times a year. It’s too ridiculous nowadays 😮

I don’t tip for anything to go; however, I only tip when I actually sit down for a service

It's ridiculous I'm not tipping just because you want me to I'll leave before that and you loose all together. Waiters and waitresses absolutely deserve tips if service is good because that's based on PERSONAL SERVICE THAT CAN LAST FOR 30 MINS OR MUCH LONGER. Crumble cookie wants $5 for a single cookie but they ask for a tip NOT HAPPENING. My local sandwich place up the prices so much now people don't even go in there but boy they are focused on tipping. Starbucks used to get little more respect from me just because THEY NEVER ASKED FOR TIPS NOW THEY DO. But yet they've never lowed prices on anything

I absolutely never tip for counter service, and am happy to let them see me select no tip if they're going to store me down during the process. There was a coffee shop near me that, during shelter in place, would not let you touch the iPad for sanitary reasons. You'd hand them your card, they'd slide it, turn the pad around and ask which tip option you'd like. I was in disbelief. I said "Uh, the no tip option". Never went back.

We were a regular 20% tipper at a very popular vietnamese restaurant until one time when my wife was telling the waitress we appreciate her good service and why we always leave a decent tip, she whispered to us and say "no need, the owner keeps all the tips, us workers get nothing, but thank you anyways" so that day we just gave her a $20 bill to put in her pocket. That day on, we tipped $0 there and give directly to who ever is serving us the tips. I really don't know how many other businesses out there that are doing the same thing but now when we go to the smaller name eateries or the ma n pa ones, we always discreetly ask our server if he or she will receive our gratuity. I just don't want all of my tips going to another GREEDY owner!! Oh, and for that Vietnamese restaurant, in a span of only few years they now have 5 locations in our city from the original one we were at regularly.

I’m an Uber/Lyft driver and I do not expect a tip. I’m already getting paid from the platform for driving these passengers. If they tip, I am very grateful even if it’s a dollar or 50 cents . I’m just blessed to be able to work .

The beauty industry is one of the more frustrating ones for tipping. Like, a customer pays $40 for a haircut, and when the person expects a tip for doing a good job they are essentially saying that $40 is the price for a crappy experience. If you are happy with everything, then you pay more... Huh?? I don't tip the guys who paint my house or my mechanic for fixing my car.

It’s horrible as a customer, to feel pressured. People need to do a good job regardless because that’s what is going to keep people coming back and let them keep their job. With that being said people should tip when they feel like they were served positively and have gratitude. Sometimes you can’t afford to give tip, you can’t afford to give and extra dollar for whatever reason-and you shouldn’t feel bad. Now if the employee isn’t making enough that’s the employers fault not the customers because at the end of the day the owners are making their money.

employers just pay your staff. enough already.

My rule of thumb for tipping is: - If the IRS charges 15% tax, my tip level starts at 15% as it is considered part of the salary. More if the server went above and beyond, and less if the service was substandard... all the way down to zero. That usually means restaurant waiters. - If there is no tax, then no tip unless they were extraordinary. What is needed is a clear rule on who has to pay an "assumed tip" tax. It is also necessary to exclude tips from calculations of minimum wage

I went to a Five Guys restaurant and I tipped out of pressure seeing that for the first time. Those prices are expensive to begin with and the cashier over charged me and I got the wrong order. I do pay attention now and feel like I don't have to tip if someone just made my coffee or rang me up at the register. Like someone mentioned, I don't tip everywhere else unless it's a barber, waiter/waitress, etc.

Glad to see this being discussed. It’s getting nuts and all the tip recievers in this piece didn’t get it. It should only be for high class service type roles, not coffee or takeout that’s already inflated.

This shouldn't even be a "debate"

The key takeaway is this: Companies are using social pressure. They're intentionally putting you in situations where they know you'll feel uncomfortable going against the grain. They're hoping you'll succumb to the pressure, feel bad, etc. They're hoping you'll say to yourself, "Oh well, it's only a dollar" without doing the mental math to realize the actual percentage. They use specific wording to make you feel like you're a terrible human being if you decline. All of this is intentional. We always think the bosses are greedy but the workers are our friends. But no, that's no longer the case. The frontline worker has now been trained to extract as much money from you as possible. So what should you do? Stand your ground and decline leaving a tip (in instances where a tip truly isn't justified or deserved). The first time is hard but it gets easier. Don't try to resist the feelings of discomfort or social pressure. Let those feelings flow through your body as you're pressing "No Tip" or entering 0 for "Custom Amount". Those feelings will quickly subside.

As an American who has been living in Thailand for the past 6 years I can say that tipping is a weird concept. This is coming from an ex-bartender (6 years). I've met many people from all over the world and they all say the same thing. Employers need to pay more.

The more you stick it in my face to tip, I'm NOT tipping. Stop begging me for money.

I typically only tip for table service, delivery, or drivers. If I am getting coffee from my local small shop I will tip the staff there to support a small neighborhood business because they go above and beyond remembering every resident/customer and their usual order, even throwing us discounts or freebies.

Get rid of tipping. If the establishment falls because it cannot support it's workers fairly, it was never good enough to stand in the first place

PSA: it’s obvious those tips aren’t 100% going to the employees unless it’s physical cash. It’s just another sly way for companies to nickel and dime employees for less pay and more $$ for the higher ups.

This happened to me in Starbucks. I don’t like tipping before a service is even done. When I tipped I ended up with bad service and was not satisfied with the coffee that was made but when I didn’t tip and the service turned out more than I expected I felt bad because I should have left a tip for getting more than what I expected. Tipping should be done after the service is done and not before it!

I think what is most annoying is when I go to a coffee shop and I order and have to tip right away after ordering. The service has not even been complete yet. My order could have been messed up and yet I can't get my tip back. Why should I tip before my service is complete other than to personally subsidize wages for the employer.

Quality reporting! Tipping is so confusing and it’s one of my least favorite things about American culture. But I do do see why people in the restaurant service industry like it. Tipping also extends to so many other industries though. Do I tip someone for the massage I’m getting tomorrow even when they work for themselves and set their own price?

I have NO problem tipping when I'm at a sit down restaurant and received good service. BUT I especially HATE it when gratuity is already added to the total BUT they still have the nerve to ask for additional gratuity! They'll give you a receipt with the space to leave more tip, without telling you they already charged you for that! Most times they're sneaky about it too, so you have to check the details of your check.

One time I went to a (higher-end) restaurant that had a 10% “kitchen administration fee” in addition to normal tipping. When I got the check the lowest “suggested” option was 18% and I didn’t wanna feel awkward with the server standing right next to me so I chose the 18% option, making the additional fees basically 30%. Never went back again.

And this is exactly why I don’t eat out.

It's so frustrating when u tip well & u get poor service. Tips are for good service. They shouldn't be obligatory.

Next a cashier ringing up my groceries will ask for tips. Wtf

I went to a gift store to buy a gift and was asked to tip. I am tired of tipping and despise it. When I worked a low paying job, no one ever tipped me and I didn’t care. I am a generous tipper when I feel like it other wise employers need to start paying their employee and if they like, they increase the cost of their food. I do not care.

Honestly it's an extremely rare thing for me to tip. But if anything I just don't like nor ever liked tipping pre or post pandemic. I've worked in food industry (fast food) but never asked for tips but when they did (if allowed) I'd just say thank you but wouldn't rely on it. If asked if I want to leave a tip I always kindly decline not because I can't tip but rather because my personal morals say that relying on tips just means that you expect everyone to do so rather than being able to go to work and do as one normally would without getting tips.

You know you don’t have to tip. It’s all up to you. I get tips but I don’t beg or ask. I just give good customer service and they give me. If they don’t no big deal.

Imagine when the tipping wage was created. Someone thought that waitresses were getting too much money because they were getting minimum wage but people were helping them with tips so they had to invent a lower minimum wage to make sure waitresses weren't getting too much money. It's depraved.

I tip at restaurants, food delivery and for services like transportation (taxis, Uber etc.) and hotels (maids and porters). All these others now really annoy me. I don’t tip for carry out unless it’s a small business.

THERE’S NO CONFUSION: No Tipping for take out or counter service. For table service, 10% for below average service, 15% for decent service, 17% for excellent service and 20% for above and beyond service.

It’s not confusing at restaurants. Only tip if you are at a sit down restaurant being served

I agree, tips or gratuity is simply based on gratitude and the appreciation of the service you received. I don’t agree on tipping someone at the counter / cashier just giving me something I bought with no special or extra service

I have zero issues tapping ‘No tip’ even with the employee standing right there. I refuse to be pressured into spending even more money to subsidize these workers’ wages just so the business owner doesn’t have to pay them a livable wage. If you did nothing more than pour or grab something, I am not going to tip you for it. Period. I could have-and would have-done it myself if I was allowed to. Actually, there’s a thought-make more things self-service. It’s a win-win. Business owners don’t have to be ‘bothered’ to pay or even have employees. People get to just get what they want and go. Sure, it eliminates jobs, but these jobs don’t need to exist. There are far too many meaningless & unnecessary jobs in this country. That’s what you get when every president is expected to add jobs at all costs. 🙄 Also, TIP IN CASH, people! Do NOT ever tip with card! The worker(s) will never see that money! The employer will pocket it 100% of the time!

Never, ever, tip. You will save soooo much money.

If a cafe has one of those ipad that asks for a tip, I will not come back to that cafe

The cafeteria at my daughter's high school is encouraging the kids to tip the staff; by card or cash. I feel like corporations are trying to groom our kids into thinking that everyone who asks or suggests should be tipped. I called the high school and asked that this practice we halted immediately. I have tipping fatigue. It seems like you can't expect anyone to do their job anymore without further compensation. Also! Food prices have increased which means restaurant prices have increased; so moving from 15% to 20% is now double-dipping! AND watch Uber and other delivery services; they will calculate you tip based on delivery fees and taxes; not just the cost of your food...Again, another double dip. I am exhausted of everyone having their hand out!

Yes, tipping is getting out of hand. I started buying hot food at Wholefoods instead of take out from restaurants. If I go to the occasional Starbucks, I use the app instead of ordering at the counter for no awkward tipping pressure at the register line. Also, I might go to the very occasional fast food places that don’t require tipping: McD’s, Bking, etc.. Some restaurants are starting to get sneaky too, which is a shame. I know of elderly people (friends of relatives) who had 18% tacked on the bill automatically and the waiter said nothing. Elderly customer then added a tip to that bill total, essentially paying 18% tip plus an additional 20% tip.

This is why I carry cash. I refuse to start using these systems that ask for a tip.

I used to tip very generously in the past, but I have cut back a lot because of how the greedy corporations have taken over they do not want to pay a fair wage and they want to keep raising their prices, so I just eat out less.

The problem is, even when the server is crap, you're obliged or feel obliged to tip.. which isn't the purpose of tipping

You are NOT getting me to tip on ANY take out order!

What I hate is when you’re grocery shopping and the cashier will ask would you like to donate to this charity? If I say no, I look like the bad guy. I now do self check out whenever so I don’t have to be asked that and because it’s quicker.

They keeping saying tipping a few extra bucks, but the expectation is not a couple of bucks, it's considerable more $10+ on most things. I think most would be ok with a few bucks but that's definitely not the expectation at all.

I remember when I was pregnant with my twins, money was really tight, but one thing I decided to spend the extra money on was a monthly waxing, because, well, tbh I could no longer do it myself. Lol. So I went into the salon for the first time & the lady at the counter confirmed my appointment, what I wanted, & told me my total as she asked me how I wanted to pay, cash or card. She then proceeded to loudly shame me in the middle of a waiting room full of people within earshot because I only selected to pay a $5 tip. Adding that "all of our clients leave a much larger tip." And this was when I first walked in, BEFORE even getting the wax. I was so embarrassed (& hormonal) I got in the car & cried.

The fact that doordash makes you tip before they deliver your food is insane

They are hiring at sweatshop levels of pay. And relying on good hearted people to support their negligence. American culture is truly a one of a kind gem.

News Flash everyone, check the math , You are most likely being asked to tip on the total check including the sales tax as well . Think about that for second. Does that sound like the establishment cares about you?

Tipping someone because they managed to drive a car safely is hilarious. I think that should be the minimum we can expect from an Uber ride. It’s not an extra service. If they help with bags or put in effort to get you closer to the location, know how to avoid traffic or are helpful and kind in conversations that’s a real reason to tip.