The general concept of tipping, or paying a little bit extra for especially great or speedy service, was actually imported from Europe in the 19th century. Ironically, most Americans were incredibly skeptical of the practice at first. For example, six U.S. states flat-out banned tipping in all of its forms in 1915, and the state of Georgia even declared tips as a form of commercial bribery in 1918…
Besides the unavoidable inflation hanging over pretty much all purchases, the very way in which customers are prompted to tip is changing as well.
“Now everything is cashless because of COVID. When you’re signing on the iPad, you’re given options which now start at 18%. If I wanted to leave 10%, I have to hit “other,” or I can give none. And this is happening in front of the waitstaff, and often there’s this strange pressure that is unfortunate,” explains Michael Lahr, Ph.D., Distinguished Research Professor, Emeritus at Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University.
News Finale, June 28, 2023