Posted on 01/25/2023 4:12:12 PM PST by Olog-hai
Across the country, there’s a silent frustration brewing about an age-old practice that many say is getting out of hand: tipping.
Some fed-up consumers are posting rants on social media complaining about tip requests at drive-thrus, while others say they’re tired of being asked to leave a gratuity for a muffin or a simple cup of coffee at their neighborhood bakery. What’s next, they wonder — are we going to be tipping our doctors and dentists, too?
As more businesses adopt digital payment methods, customers are automatically being prompted to leave a gratuity — many times as high as 30% — at places they normally wouldn’t. And some say it has become more frustrating as the price of items has skyrocketed due to inflation, which eased to 6.5% in December but still remains painfully high.
Traditionally, consumers have taken pride in being good tippers at places like restaurants, which typically pay their workers lower than the minimum wage in expectation they’ll make up the difference in tips. But academics who study the topic say many consumers are now feeling irritated by automatic tip requests at coffee shops and other counter service eateries where tipping has not typically been expected, workers make at least the minimum wage and service is usually limited. …
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
I always try to tip cash. Take the IRS out of the loop
Exactly.
Cash is king.
18%!!!!!! You mean up from 10%.
At Subway they have it set up so that if you pay with a card you have to tip, so I pay with cash and no tip. It’s a fast food place and they are giving me a bag. It’s not like a sit down restaurant where they refill my drinks and bring the meal to the table. I also see the tip jar at the donut shop. What the hell for? It really irritates me that they expect a tip for giving me a donut. Although I have heard that homeless people steal the tip jars. And of course there is congresswoman AOC who would steal other people’s tips when she was a bartender. I guess that’s why she became a congresswoman, so she could spend other people’s money.
I ate out yesterday for the first time in probably 2 years. We waited and waited after being seated ... finally got something to drink. Then we WAITED some more, a good long time before anyone got our order. Someone was sweeping around the tables (at least we didn’t have our food yet) and then vacuuming the front entrance. It was annoying.
A different, older waitress finally came to take our order, saying something about a “shift change”. She made it back to check on us & refill our water and was ok. She had a credit card processor there at the table - the person I was with (elderly) didn’t know how to do it, so I helped. To add a tip, there were 4 options: 20, 25 & 30%, plus a “custom”. I chose custom & she got 15%. This was a BBQ joint & for 2 people, plus tip, the bill was almost $50 & that was with water, no dessert.
The high prices are the primary reason why I rarely eat out, with the secondary reason being the food/preparation generally isn’t worth the money. When I look at the amount of food, how it’s prepared and what I’m paying for it, notwithstanding service that’s usually barely satisfactory at best, I choose not to spend the money and eat well & happily at home.
I LOVE tipping.
I’m an uber driver, and I get it.
For so many in the service industry they view tipping as jumping through an extra hoop. That’s a dangerous, slippery slope.
When I’m asked for a tip it makes me pause and think about what went into my order or product.
That’s what is important. For the consumer to take pause and be mindful of what it takes to put something in your hand.
Note that the IRS assumes certain minimum levels of tip income from some jobs. For food delivery, or Uber (neither used often), I leave a minimal tip on the record and hand over some cash as a true gratuity.
Sorry. Not tipping fast food or any place where I pick up my own food. Well, actually not sorry.
Why tip for counter service?
Just identify as a Canadian!
From the cheap-phobia thread the other day...
“Tips are generous at any size.”
An interesting tidbit about that scene (and spoiler, for those who haven’t seen Reservoir Dogs). When Joe (the boss) asks “who didn’t throw in their dollar” for a tip at the coffee shop, it was Mr. Orange who ratted Mr. Pink out. It was foreshadow.
I ordered a sandwich online today and they suggested a 15% tip.
I’m like “WTH?”
If I was standing there I wouldn’t give a tip either...
$20 bucks an hour to make a sandwich...
“What’s next, they wonder — are we going to be tipping our doctors and dentists, too?”
My doctor doesn’t deserve a tip. Perhaps if he was counting on a tip in 10% to 20% range, he might do a better job of listening. My wife and I have gotten the sell-job on “5 Wishes” three times now. As a result, we have not had time to bring up our health concerns.
Last time we saw him, he scheduled a booster for each of us, never bothering to ask if we wanted it. When staff later called to confirm our appointments, we cancelled.
Our daughter is an ER doctor. She recently had a bad experience, as a patient, with a dentist. Rather than go back, she decided to see another dentist. BIG difference!
As for waiters and waitresses. There has been a great PR push on the selflessness of doctors and staff in the “pandemic.” What about restaurant staff? I have been tipping on the high side as I appreciate their service, and without a mask!
>>Tipping is a gateway drug to bribing.<<
And/or extortion.
Have a friend who told us they tip (at sit down restaurants) 90-100%...they have QUIT giving to charities...preferring to “reward working stiffs.”
Oh, and he always tips in cash.
They hand you some tablet with 15% automatically showing for a tip. I’ve been in some restaurants (never went back) that added a “service fee” to the bill then under that write in the tip.
“And/or extortion.”
Indeed.
it was revealed that Chili’s corporation was pocketing the tips. I suppose many other places are also.
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