Is Tipping Becoming More Common?
I, an American now living in the UK, find myself constantly thinking about tipping. While it’s routine in the US to tip almost everywhere, it’s not the same case in Europe.
However, I’ve noticed that with more automation, tap payment systems now ask you if you want to tip by default. Surprisingly, this happens in places where you typically wouldn’t tip in the US. Think about picking up your takeout or while shopping. Every time I see a 0% or no tip option, it makes me feel guilty.
It’s almost laughable that a machine is asking me to tip. Plus, I wonder, does the tip even reach the employees such as the cashier at a clothing store? According to some stats, only 25% of people tip on coffee, and just 12% tip fast food orders.
Turns out, these developments contribute to the rising trend, or ‘tipflation’ of expected tipping in the States, which is getting higher. And this trend is concerning. Why aren’t businesses paying their workers adequately? Why do they rely on us, the customers, to supplement their pay? It seems like the original meaning of tipping—to reward quality service—is getting lost.
While I do tip in most instances (having worked in restaurants myself), this trend leaves me frustrated and a little disappointed. What’s even more confusing is that people aren’t sure anymore of when and how much to tip. The extent of this uncertainty is such that 2/3 of Americans find it difficult to gauge who, when, and how much to tip.
I’m not alone in this either; 40% of Americans don’t appreciate these automated tipping suggestions from digital cash registers. With us getting used to skipping these prompts, I wonder if it will lead to lesser tipping overall. After all, with less social pressure, are we as likely to tip?
Coming across such eye-opening information, it’s clear that I’m not alone in my annoyance over the incessant tipping requests from automated kiosks where service might be minimal or even non-existent.
It reminds me of that scheme where companies ask you to round up your bill so they can donate to charity, which eventually results in a tax deduction for them!
What do you think? Am I overreacting to being asked for tips via digital screens at self-serve kiosks? I’d love to hear your thoughts.