The Tipping Culture Is Becoming Unhinged And People Share 45 Pics That Prove It

Even though Americans are tipping a larger amount of money to a wider range of service providers than anywhere in the world, more than two-thirds are dissatisfied with the current gratuity system. Call it ‘tipflation,’ ‘tip fatigue,’ or ‘tip creep,’ most people in the US are uncomfortable with tipping culture getting out of control. 

In other countries, tipping remains a gesture of appreciation, but in the US, it has almost become obligatory. Mostly due to workers, especially in the service industry, not being paid a fair and livable wage. In some jobs, employers get away with paying their employees as little as $2.13 an hour because they’re considered tipped employees.

“Traditionally, tipping was originally an act of appreciation, completely voluntary, not an obligation or expectation. Today, it has become quite the contrary,” agreed finance expert Mafe Aclado from Coupon Snake in a previous interview with Bored Panda. 

“However, in my honest opinion, I don't believe this change is solely because servers have all of a sudden become entitled because they expect to be tipped a standard 20% or more," she said.

"Besides the fact that tipping has today become a societal norm, two other reasons the tipping culture has gotten so out of hand are inflation/high cost of living; for most servers, income doesn't go up with inflation, so they are forced to depend on the tips they receive in order to make up the difference from their income. Another reason for this is social influence; people feel tipping is a necessity, and they feel guilty for not doing it."

Meanwhile, finance expert Michael Ashley from Richiest previously told Bored Panda that tipping culture in the US might have gotten out of hand largely because it has become a way for businesses to dodge paying fair wages. 

“Employers can legally pay workers as little as $2.13 an hour, expecting tips to cover the rest. This puts the burden on customers to make sure workers earn a livable wage, which isn’t fair to either party.

Over time, tipping has become more expected across various industries, even in situations where it wasn’t traditionally common, like grocery delivery or coffee shops. It’s also tied to systemic issues like racism and sexism, which makes the problem even more complex. Ultimately, it's a way for companies to maximize profits while passing the responsibility of fair pay onto consumers.”

If tipping culture continues to worsen, Aclado believes that the financial burden and dissatisfaction that customers and employees are already experiencing will keep increasing.

“The fact is, we live in an economy where money is tight, and the truth is that it is only a matter of time before today's excessive tipping pressure becomes unbearable for customers, causing them to withdraw their patronage, and this would affect businesses' profits and their ability to increase employee wages.”

Ashley also shared a similar opinion. “If tipping culture continues to escalate, it’s going to lead to greater inequity for both employees and customers. Workers will be increasingly dependent on the whims of customers to make a decent living, which is incredibly unstable and unfair. This could exacerbate stress and burnout among workers, especially in service industries. 

Customers might also start feeling more resentful as they’re expected to tip for more and more services, potentially leading to a backlash against tipping altogether. If we don’t address the root issues like the sub-minimum wage where both employees and customers will suffer, we'll continue to see growing economic disparity.”

So the question is, how should people who feel uncomfortable with over-the-top tipping culture or can’t afford it behave when faced with requests for gratuity? Well, Vincent Birardi, a CFP and wealth advisor at Halbert Hargrove, suggests giving as much as you can to those employees who are dependent on their tips to earn a livable wage, such as servers, bartenders, hotel bellhops, valet drivers, and more.

“You can always decide to tip a little more or less based on your financial situation and your appreciation for the service provided. The thought still counts the most.”

That said, there are situations where tipping isn’t obligatory, says etiquette expert Diane Gottsman. “There are some industries where you’ll want to tip, but there’s other industries that if you’d like to tip, by all means go ahead, but it’s not necessary,” she says. Like, for example, a fast food restaurant, a coffee shop, or other quick-service places where customers might be presented with a tablet screen. 

In general, people have to rely on their common sense for these things, says Gottsman. “If you experienced great service from this person, if there’s a connection between [you and] them, they’re smiling, they’re friendly, and you feel the urge to tip, by all means do so,” she advises. “I never want to discourage a tip, but if you have a six-second exchange—you ask for a cup of coffee, they turn around, pour it from the spout, and hand it to you— that is discretionary.”

To prevent the tipping culture from overall worsening, Ashley believes that we need to push for the abolition of the sub-minimum wage so all workers are guaranteed a fair wage without relying on tips.

“Some businesses have already started experimenting with tip-free models, where they pay their employees higher wages and incorporate that into their pricing,” he notes. “This approach can work if it’s done thoughtfully, with transparency about pricing so customers understand where their money is going. Also, raising awareness about the origins and implications of tipping can help shift public opinion and encourage more people to support these kinds of changes.”