Paying a tip for services rendered is expected, but it has gotten out of hand. People took to an online forum to express their frustrations with tipping culture and why it’s out of control.
We’re Brainwashed
It’s as if everyone is expecting a tip. From the small grocer to getting fast food, many people believe we’re being expected to blindly follow custom and tip everyone all the time..
“What I hate about this tipping culture is that people are soooo brainwashed about it that instead of fighting the billionaire corpos to provide them living wages, people are fighting other people who are just like them and demanding that they shoulder that burden.
If anyone says ‘I don’t support tipping culture’, people lose their g****** s*** and call that person all sorts of names! Why don’t you realize it’s not your customer’s duty to provide your salary, it’s your employer’s. Get angry at the employer, not your fellow pleb citizen. But nope, indoctrination is too deep,” says one person.
It’s hard to argue with that sentiment. Giving a tip for a job well done is one thing, expecting it at every turn is another.
Fewer Tips Doesn’t Equal Poorer Service
You might think fewer tips automatically leads to worse service. Expats in Europe would take issue with that.
“I recently moved from the United States to Europe. I expected the standard of service to drop because of the lack of tipping but it really hasn’t. If anything, it’s better. Waitstaff seem more laid back and genuine. Probably because they’re not scrounging for tips.
However, one thing I have noticed is that it’s much harder to be seated at restaurants here. Many of them expect a reservation, many are only open a few hours a day or a few days a week or even a few months out of the year,” notes one commenter.
If pay was sustainable for servers, it’s possible service would improve for the better.
Choosing Not to Tip is an Option
Of course, there’s the option not to leave a tip. That’s the approach one person takes, adding, “I never tip. I shouldn’t be guilted in to subsidizing employee wage while the employer is buying another boat.” Another adds, “Why should I have to pay you when your employer should be paying you? Tipping has led to allowing employers to pay subpar wages and get away with it.”
They’re not wrong, but don’t take it out on the server who depends on tips for a livable wage.
We Don’t Have to Be Friends
There’s nothing wrong with viewing a transaction as it really is – one person is providing a service for you. No more, no less.
“I don’t need a waitress to chat w/me or try to make me feel I’m their friend. I just want them to bring my food and answer questions I might have. In Europe the service is impeccable, and they are not expecting a tip,” notes one commenter.
Be friendly, yes, but that should be it.
You Shouldn’t Have to Tip on Groceries
Tipping at the grocery store? I wish that was around when I worked in a grocery store as a teenager.
“Saturday I went to a local Italian grocery store to get some specialty ingredients. The screen at the counter asked me if I wanted to leave a 15%, 25%, or 30% tip. For what? Only thing I could think of was they sell sandwiches (which I did get, but out of the cold case.) Who am I tipping on my grocery bill?,” says one person.
Agreed, that is more than just a bit over the top.
It’s Arguably Abusive
Can a tip be abusive? It can, according to one person, saying, “Anybody living somewhere where you don’t have to tip (like where I live) knows that this tipping culture is abusive and disgustingly predatory for anybody involved apart from the owner.”
Pay your staff appropriately, and they can do their job with one less stressor.
It Shouldn’t Even Exist
A livable wage sounds like a revolutionary idea, but few service-based businesses seem to embrace the notion.
“Tipping shouldn’t have ever existed in the first place. Companies should be paying everyone a normal wage and if customers want to tip it’s because they feel like it not because it’s expected or needed of them. It’s should be strictly out of generosity if they feel the worker did extra in the role,” says one person.
Imagine paying for the service you receive, knowing the server has what they need, and you can choose to leave a tip if you want. It sounds much simpler, and fairer.
Servers Say it’s Out of Hand
photo of frustrated server
Oddly enough, many servers believe that the tipping culture has gotten out of hand. One server adds,
“I used to roll my eyes when I heard people say this sort of thing, because I used to waitress and bartend and I understand the pros outweigh the cons in a restaurant business model. However, I agree with you that it’s way out of hand right now.
“In a sit-down restaurant, I agree that by sitting down, I’ll tip minimum 20% because the servers get a lower than minimum tipped wage. Same at a bar. I don’t mind leaving a smaller tip at a coffee shop or casual restaurant where you order at the counter, even though those employees aren’t subject to a tipped wage.
“However, tipping expectations have extended to a square prompt at places where you’re basically just buying something without taking up space for longer than it takes to pick a couple of items up, and nobody is taking a special order for you.”
Giving a tip is one thing, but if you’re doing nothing for me do I really need to be prompted to give you a tip?
Maybe It’s Not Out of Hand
There’s typically more than one side to a story. Some could argue, rightly, that the tipping culture is a sign of the times.
“The problem is people no longer want to go get their groceries, food, or packages. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. The customers use tip baiting as an incentive to pick of their order only to have them remove it. It’s rampant. You can’t have it both ways.
They want them delivered for slave wages the platforms pay the delivery drivers. Tips augment the s****y pay. So before you go on about tips think about this,” says one person.
If you’re lazy, or busy, and unable or unwilling to do something, pay the person that’s helping you.
It’s Offloading Business Costs
Businesses often don’t give livable wages to their employees for one reason – to shed costs.
“Completely agree, offloading costs on the customers is just extremely stupid. If you business cannot survive by paying a living wage it shouldn’t. It’s really that simple,” adds one commenter.
Yes, it does indeed happen and it should happen much less.
How to Multiply Your Money
Get-rich-schemes are typically scams. However, there are ways to truly grow your wealth. While not flashy, they can help you build real wealth.
35 Proven Ways to Save Money Every Month
Many people believe it’s impossible to save money. Or, they think saving $20 or $50 a month won’t amount to much. Both are incorrect. There are many simple money-saving tips that can add up to big savings. You just have to start one, then another, to increase your savings.
Ways to Save Money Every Month
How to Cut the Cord on Cable or Satellite
Record numbers of Americans are cutting the cord on cable and satellite. This guide shows the best way to end your contract and replace it with a top streaming service.
How to Cut the Cord on Cable or Satellite
21 Awesome Passive Income Ideas
Passive income is an excellent way to build wealth. Thankfully, many ideas only require a little money to start. Pursue these options to grow real wealth.
Best Passive Income Ideas to Build Real Wealth
7 Steps to Break the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle
Making ends meet is hard on a limited income. However, it is possible to break the cycle and find financial stability. You just need to know where to start.
How to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck
This thread inspired this post.
Related
