Poll: Tipping system in the US

Jan 3, 2021 37 Comments

Recent thread with heated arguments about shitty tippers got me wondering what everyone’s opinion is about the system. Vote away!

For clarification:
1. This is talking about the food industry *in the US*
2. The no tipping scenario implies fair minimum wages for workers and whatever increased prices or other side effects that may occur as a result. This is not about tipping in a vacuum.

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 TOP 37 Comments
  • Lyft
    wreckless

    Go to company page Lyft

    wreckless
    Pros of tipping:
    - Top performing tipped workers earn a lot more than they otherwise would

    Cons of tipping:
    - Obfuscation of total price
    - Perpetuation of systemic racism, because workers assume certain races will tip less
    - Perpetuation of tax evasion, because workers rarely report tips in full
    - Facilitates bribery and extortion, there's nothing wrong with paying for better service, but it should all be done above board, not slimy and underhanded
    - Facilitates an entitlement mentality if low performing servers feel they deserve a strong tip even for bad work
    - Cognitive load on customers, who must determine how much to tip
    - Moving goalposts, "tip creep," several decades ago a 10% tip on the subtotal less alcohol was perfectly acceptable, now the norm is 20% on the grand total, and many people are tipping even more than that
    - Significant variance in customary tip amounts between regions, cultures, and industries, plus all kinds of nuances like how much more to tip during Covid-19
    - Often can't tell whether a customer who tipped poorly was trying to send a message about bad service, or was just unaware of customary tip amounts
    - Punishing the wrong actor, if customers tip poorly for something outside the server's control, such as bad food
    - Rewarding the wrong actors, if customers tip generously intending to reward a specific server, but the tip actually goes into a pool
    Jan 3, 2021 0
  • Google
    68AcFg

    Go to company page Google

    PRE
    Microsoft
     68AcFg
    From my restaurant attending days, I can say this - please tip and please tip in cash!
    Jan 3, 2021 6
  • Current tipping system does not benefit anyone. It relies on the benevolence of the customer. It hurts hotel staff, they deserve living wages.
    Much rather prefer a system where they are paid fair wages. Then if they provide exceptional service, customers can tip. But there should be no pressure on customers to tip.
    Jan 3, 2021 1
  • Taylor Farms
    belonita

    Taylor Farms

    belonita
    I personally think that all restaurant owners must stop being such cheap f**ks and must start paying the salaries to their staff instead of making me pay for their own employees.

    Tipping should be just expression of gratitude, but knowing that these people can’t make a living without my tips puts a salty taste in my mouth.
    Jan 4, 2021 0
  • I would prefer they pay fair wage and add the extra cost to the items they are selling. Business are just misusing tips so that they can pay less to the waiters, sometimes hide it or don’t pay taxes on it. No one reports the income that they get in cash.

    I am fine with them charging me 20% more directly in the bill and not ask for cash.
    Jan 3, 2021 0