Think Tipping Culture Is Out Of Control? Here Are 6 Examples When Tips Aren’t Required

Reading Time: 3 minutes

TL;DR

• According to etiquette experts, tips are optional with salaried pros, counter service, and open bars.
• Though still frequenting nice establishments grants better service, Americans increasingly resent “tipflation”.
• Fairer base compensation for hospitality staff is overdue, forcing reliance on customer generosity which is creating a tipping crisis

Do you think tipping culture is out of control? You aren’t alone. Businesses are adding tip options on almost every checkout screen and creating “tipflation“. Here are the times when etiquette experts say that tipping is optional, plus why overly relying on customer generosity versus fair pay is causing resentment with consumers.

Have you noticed all those digital checkout screens nudging 20%, 25%, even 30%+ tip options lately? What about being prompted to tip on takeout orders or airport self-checkout kiosks? A staggering 66% of Americans have a negative view on tipping culture, according to a Bankrate survey. 30% believe it’s outright “out of control” with businesses relying too heavily on customer generosity over fairly compensating their staff.

When Is It OK Not To Tip?

But when exactly are you obligated to tip, versus situations where it’s optional per etiquette guidelines?

“People feel imposed upon with tip inflation during already high inflationary times,” explains etiquette expert Thomas Farley AKA Mr. Manners. “Customers ask why businesses don’t just pay people more instead of tip shaming them?”

Valid point. However until labor laws progress, here’s common scenarios that etiquette pros confirm tips aren’t compulsory, regardless of any digital tip suggestions.

Self-Serve Kiosks

One of the weirdest places you might encounter a tipping screen is at a self-serve kiosk. Restaurant chains like Shake Shack or airport convenience stores now often ask for a tip. If no one helped you with your purchase, then who are you tipping? The iPad? Why does the iPad need a tip?

Don’t feel bad about not tipping in a self serve or self-checkout experience. Look for a “No Tip” option, or enter a “Custom” tip of $0.

Open Bars

Unsure about tipping open bar staff? Hosts pre-pay the venue. So technically you’re off the hook. However, tips can mean extra pours and maybe sneaking you an extra drink after the open bar ends. You also will probably get better service.

Counter & Takeout Service

If you get a lot of restaurant take out, then you’ve probably already seen a tip request on your payment screen. But what are you tipping for? Someone to put your food in a bag?

Counter service is another scenario where you don’t have to tip. Employees at restaurants like McDonald’s make a salary. Tipping is not required. Pressured? Politely decline.

Double Tipping

Getting double-dipped with tips is incredibly annoying. I’ve made the mistake of tipping at a restaurant when the tip for the table was already added to the bill.

Always read over your bills. Before you tip, make sure that gratuity wasn’t already included. Also look for things like a 20%+ service charge. Is that the tip? Ask before you pay. Is the service charge just the venue just wanting more money?

Salaried Professionals

Doctors, lawyers, exterminators, accountants, and tradespeople like plumbers earn salaries. If they ask for a tip, that’s both awkward and unprofessional. For example, I recently had an exterminator come to my house. When I asked to pay by credit card, he swiped my card on his table and I was presented with a tipping option.

Don’t feel pressured to tip your dentist, plumber, exterminator, etc. They make a salary. No tips for them.

Poor Service

Bad service and bad haircuts deserve refunds, not tips. Or if you have a rude or inattentive restaurant server, consider leaving a reduced tip.

But if the issues are kitchen-related, don’t take that out on your restaurant servers. It’s not their fault. Consider addressing your concerns with the owner or the manager.

Don’t Get Pressured To Participate In Tipflation

In moderation, tipping shows gratitude for good service and helps supplement wages. But being constantly pressured to tip for no reason, leads to resentment.

Where did all of this tipping nonsense come from? Blame it on COVID. As society switched to contactless payment options and we felt sorry for businesses, we started tipping everyone. Sadly, this generosity was abused. Now tipping options are everywhere, including SELF-SERVE KIOSKS AT SHAKE SHACK!?

What are your thoughts on expanding tipping culture? Do you wish businesses would pay higher base wages instead? Share below!

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