The expanding expectation of tipping in non-service roles has sparked a debate on the fairness and necessity of gratuities, with concerns raised about tipping culture becoming excessive and unjustified.
Tipping Culture Spiralling Out of Control
In a surprising turn of events, a Los Angeles woman took to TikTok to express her shock and frustration after being asked to tip a barista at a Starbucks.
Debbie Nohemy, known as @debbienohemy on the platform, shared her thoughts on why she believes the tipping culture in the United States is spiraling out of control, particularly in drive-thrus and pick-up orders. And it seems that her followers couldn’t agree more.
Concerned That Everyone Needs a Tip
In her video, published on February 23, Nohemy made it clear that her concern is not about being “cheap” or undervaluing the hard work of servers, food runners, and cooks who traditionally rely on tips for their income.
Service Industry Expects Customers to Leave a Tip
Instead, she raised the point that nowadays, almost every company in the service industry expects customers to leave a tip, even for simple tasks like handing over a drink or processing an order.
Should You Tip at Starbucks?
“Why am I being asked to tip a barista at Starbucks?” Nohemy questioned. She explained that she had ordered online and picked up her own beverage. However, the website prompted her to leave an online tip moments later.
Tipping Practices Over the Years
Tipping practices have evolved significantly over the years. In the 1950s, it was customary to tip around 10% of the bill.
By the 1970s and 1980s, that percentage had risen to 15%. Fast forward to 2023, and tipping ranges anywhere from 15% to 25%, with consumers tipping an average of over 21%, according to a survey by Creditcards.com in May 2022.
The Pandemic Skyrocketed Tipping Expectations
The prevalence of remote transactions with tipping options has also surged.
Prior to the pandemic in February 2020, tipping was offered in approximately 43.4% of food and drink transactions, as reported by Square. By February 2023, that number had skyrocketed to 74.5%.
Are Kiosks to Blame?
One contributing factor to the increase in tipping is the introduction of newer technologies, such as kiosks and tablets, which present customers with suggested tip amounts.
These options, usually predetermined by business owners, can inadvertently create a sense of pressure for customers to tip more generously than they would have otherwise.
The Hidden “Health” Fee
Nohemy further highlighted that some of these tips are used to supplement wages that employers should cover, such as the inclusion of a “health” fee.
She recounted an experience at a cupcake shop on Valentine’s Day, where she was charged an additional 3% for employee health.
Should This Be the Employer’s Responsibility?
Although it was a small amount, Nohemy questioned why customers should bear the cost of something that should be the employer’s responsibility.
Viewers Expressed Similar Frustrations
While debates surrounding tipping culture often create divisions among people, Nohemy found support among her followers. Many expressed similar frustrations, with one individual stating that excessive tipping was understandable during the pandemic but had now become outright abuse.
Another commenter shared, “Girl, I always put $0.00 on drive-thru orders too. Why should I tip $5 just for you to bring my food to the window?”
Tips For Self-Serve Yogurt?
Nohemy’s observations extended beyond coffee shops, highlighting instances where self-serve yogurt shops even expected tips solely for accepting payment.
Where Is the Line?
Drawing a comparison to her previous job as a bank teller, Nohemy mentioned that despite handling thousands of dollars for customers, she never received any additional compensation.
This raised the question of where the line should be drawn when it comes to tipping.
Excessive Tipping Expectations in the US
The ongoing discussion surrounding tipping culture remains complex, with varying perspectives and experiences.
However, Debbie Nohemy’s TikTok video has shed light on the growing dissatisfaction with excessive tipping expectations in the United States, particularly in the context of drive-thrus and pick-up orders.
It has sparked a broader conversation about the fairness and necessity of tipping for certain services.
Tips Are Expanding to Other Jobs
While tipping has long been a customary practice in the service industry, the expanding scope of jobs that now expect tips has raised concerns among consumers.
Businesses Prompting Customers to Tip
The convenience and technology-driven culture have led to tipping becoming more pervasive, with businesses adopting various mechanisms to prompt customers for gratuities.
Tipping Is for Customer Interaction
Critics argue that tipping should be reserved for roles that directly involve personalized service or rely heavily on customer interaction.
They question the need to tip for simple transactions involving minimal effort, such as picking up a pre-ordered beverage.
Some Say It’s a Reward for Good Work
Supporters of tipping, on the other hand, contend that it is a way to acknowledge and reward individuals for their work, regardless of the nature of the job.
They argue that even seemingly small gestures of service should be recognized and compensated.
Tablets Are Pressuring Customers
The rise of tipping technology, such as kiosks and tablets, has added another layer to the tipping culture debate. These devices often present customers with predetermined tip amounts, potentially pressuring them to tip more than they would have otherwise.
Growing Frustration with Excessive Tipping Expectations
As the discussion on tipping culture evolves, it remains a deeply personal and nuanced subject. The experiences and viewpoints shared by Debbie Nohemy and her followers highlight the growing frustration with excessive tipping expectations, particularly in situations where the service provided may not warrant a gratuity.
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Source: Reddit